You may have heard of Cyprus which is a lush island located in the Mediterranean and is known to have emerged as an important financial and business hub. For foreign students, studying in Cyprus universities may be an exciting study destination, coupled with the fact that it is affordable.
Over time, Cyprus has earned a spot at the top-ranked academic institutions known for their astute research centers, little wonder why thousands of foreign students are attracted to Cyprus universities yearly.
Cyprus houses 13 public and 5 private universities as well as more than 40 institutions of higher education, offering students an international academic approach to study and cultivating in them, the knowledge that equips them with skills necessary for worldwide employment after studies.
In this article, you will see numerous reasons why as a foreign student, you should choose Cyprus as your study destination.
We have outlined the top 7 reasons why you should settle for studying in Cyprus universities.
1. Access To Affordable Education
If you are a foreign student willing to study in Europe but cannot due to costs, know that you can still achieve this by studying in Cyprus, but with cheaper tuition fees. The tuition fee ranged from 3,000 to 8,000 Euros yearly, with Masters programs ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 Euros annually.
Furthermore, there are numerous available scholarships for foreign students, though this depends on the university. Scholarships funded by the government take care of up to 10 to 20% of the tuition costs for foreign postgraduates with exceptional academic performance.
The good news is that six months after you arrive in Cyprus, there are opportunities available to you to work in certain industries. As long as you have a work permit, you are permitted to work part-time, you can work up to 20 hours weekly, and during break periods, students can work up to 38 hours weekly.
Moreover, a good number of universities make assistantship programs available for foreign postgraduates, these programs permit them to teach, run labs, and grade assignments to take care of some of the costs of tuition.
2. Access To Quality Education
The report shows that in the 2018-2019 academic year, over 20,000 international students were admitted into the Cyprus universities and close to 7,000 in institutes of higher education. The number of non-Cypriot students exceeded the number of Cypriot citizens, for the first time, with 53% of them coming from coming other EU-member countries or non-EU countries.
Interestingly, Cyprus spends close to 7% of its GDP on education, making it the fourth on government spending. Also, Cyprus is determined not to compromise its standard of education, this is why the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education works actively to increase quality assurance procedures both internally and externally and to improve the overall competitiveness of higher education in Cyprus.
In the Mediterranean and throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Cyprus is known to be a research and information hub as a result of the academic institutions that have also set up world-class research initiatives.
3. Affordable Accommodations
One of the most important things you should consider as a foreign student when choosing your study destination is accommodation, because you will not leave in the air, and Cyprus is one of the most affordable European countries to reside and work in. In addition, several on-campus housing options, as well as rentals, are available throughout all the major cities that align with your budget.
Moreover, a good number of development projects for student housing are being constructed with a roughly combined value of 27.2 million Euros, as a result of an increase in demand for housing due to a surge in foreign student enrollment. In fact, by the end of the year, student rooms on campus are expected to rise by over 2,000.
It is so affordable that you can still buy other necessities and have some fun without the stress of large financial expenses after securing accommodation. Cyprus is the answered prayer for students concerned about the cost of living.
4. Access to a European Country With Intensive Networking Opportunities
As a graduate from a country situated in the Eastern Mediterranean and a member of the EU, offering unique multi-cultural experience, you will make an excellent candidate for employment opportunities both home and abroad as a result of the knowledge, experience, and networking opportunities that you have acquired through your time in Cyprus.
5. The Language
Language is another important factor you should pay attention to when choosing a study destination, but you do not have to worry about needing to know another language to study in Cyprus universities? The language used as a medium of instruction is the English Language, and the language is widely spoken throughout the island.
Nevertheless, if your native language is not English, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency with a TOEFL or IELTS examination. Also, some Cyprus universities offer programs that provide English language training before the start of foreign students’ study programs to improve their English abilities.
6. Safe Environment
You need to be in a safe environment to concentrate and excel in your study, this is why it is a major concern for foreign students. You will have peace of mind studying in Cyprus universities because the report shows that it is one of the safest countries in Europe.
Furthermore, the rate of crime is very minimal with only a few occasional reports of petty theft. As a result of this, most Cyprus residents feel safe walking alone during the day or night.
7. An advantageous course structure
Just like most universities, Cyprus universities although part of the EU, have their educational programs structured similarly to the American style, giving students the avenue to select their preferred course of study.
In Cyprus, the government considers intellectual capital the national economy’s most valuable asset, this is why they do not hesitate to invest heavily in the education sector, and continuously negotiate agreements with other countries to make sure that all their programs are accredited and recognized internationally.
This is why international students who passed through Cyprus universities can compete globally and find their feet in the international sphere while enriching their own international experience.
In conclusion, we understand that choosing an international university for study abroad can seem very confusing as a result of the wide range of options you have to select from. But, deciding to study in Cyprus gives you access to all in one package; quality education, safety, affordable lifestyle/ accommodation, and finally an opportunity to enhance your lifestyle through the connections you make.