About a month ago, the Council of Ministers approved the first four English-language undergraduate study programs, which will be offered by the University of Cyprus from the academic year 2027.
As already announced, these are the programs Medicine (MD), Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting or Finance, Bachelor in Business Administration in Marketing, Operations Management or Management and Bachelor in Economics, Economic Theory and Econometrics or International and European Economic Studies.
The first is the English-language undergraduate program of the School of Medicine, and the remaining three are English-language programs of the Faculty of Economics and Management. Programs, which the University of Cyprus emphasizes as responding to the modern needs of society and the labour market.
However, in addition to the announcement of the programs, other points of the relevant legislation as well as the decision of the Council of Ministers, which gave the green light, are of particular interest. In particular, the amount of tuition fees, the numbers of newly admitted students in each program, as well as the provision in the legislation, according to which a number of candidates who sat the Pancyprian Examinations can apply to study in the English-language programs, is understood by the payment of the corresponding tuition fees.
According to the data that "F" has before it, the annual amount of tuition fees for the programs is:
1. Medicine (MD): €25.000.
2. Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting or Finance: €10.000.
3. Bachelor in Business Administration in Marketing, Operations Management or Management: €10.000.
4. Bachelor in Economics, Economic Theory and Econometrics or International and European Economic Studies: €10.000.
Regarding the numbers of newly admitted students during the academic year 2027 – 2028 (note with the criteria of the international examinations), they have been determined as follows:
1. Medicine: 30 (minimum number of students per year 22).
2. Bachelor in Business Administration in Accounting or Finance: 35 (minimum number of students per year 25).
3. Bachelor in Business Administration in Marketing, Operations Management or Management: 35 (minimum number of students per year 20).
4. Bachelor in Economics, Economic Theory and Econometrics or International and European Economic Studies: 35 (minimum number of students per year 20).
It is worth noting that as stated in the proposal that was finally adopted, "those candidates who hold the results of Pancyprian Examinations or corresponding entrance examinations are admitted to the undergraduate study programs offered in a language other than the official languages of the Republic at a rate of up to 20% in addition to the number of candidates admitted based on the other criteria (international examinations)".
As "F" is informed, candidates who sat the Pancyprian Exams will be able to apply for the English-language program they are interested in. Their application will be evaluated on the basis of the overall criteria that will exist for each program and will be accepted accordingly.
In essence, it is expected that there will be interest from candidates who at the same time, may also "see" the corresponding studies, both in private universities in Cyprus and in universities abroad.
However, a source from the University of Cyprus told us that especially in the first years when the English-language programs will be offered, it is expected that the interest will be greater from Cypriot candidates. It is noted that the programs are aimed at Cypriots of both public and private schools as well as foreign students who will meet the criteria.
Regarding the amount of tuition fees, the information of "F" states that apart from Medicine (which are at the same levels), in the other programs the tuition fees of the University of Cyprus may be slightly higher than those of private universities.
At this point, it is important to mention that in the proposal put before the Minister, it is noted that "the proposed amount of tuition fees for each study program is competitive with the initial amount of undergraduate tuition fees of corresponding study programs offered by the private universities of Cyprus".
Also, from the outset, it was clarified that the proposed amount of tuition fees for each study program has been calculated on the basis of a financial study/feasibility study, so that each study program is financed by the tuition fees paid by its students.
Asked to comment on the issue, the rector of the University of Cyprus, Tasos Christofides, said that the academic institution is feverishly preparing for the offer of the programs from the next academic year and pointed out that in September there will be an official announcement to inform the interested parties with all the necessary information. Admission criteria, tuition fees, application submission, dates, etc.
