University of Cyprus (UCY): Guide for International Applicants
A public EU university in Nicosia with master's fees from €5,125 per program. Here is what international applicants should check before applying.
The University of Cyprus (UCY) is a public university of the Republic of Cyprus, founded by law in 1989 and based in Nicosia. It is a state university of an EU member country, and its master's fees start at €5,125 for the whole program, not per year. That makes it an affordable route to an EU postgraduate degree for students from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Egypt and the GCC.
The catch is language. Almost all UCY bachelor's programs are taught in Greek, and non-EU applicants must prove good knowledge of Greek. For most international students, UCY is a master's or PhD destination.
UCY suits you if you already hold a bachelor's degree and want an affordable master's taught in English. It does not suit you if you want an English-taught bachelor's in business, IT or medicine. For that, compare the private universities in the "Other options" section below.
For the full country overview, see our Study in Cyprus guide.
| Key fact | UCY |
|---|---|
Type | Public (state) university of the Republic of Cyprus |
Founded | 1989 by law; first students in 1992 |
Main campus | Aglantzia, Nicosia (University Avenue 1) |
Undergraduate students | About 5,300; around 1,500 admitted each year |
Academic staff | 360 academic staff, 63 special teaching staff, 871 researchers and postdocs |
Official languages | Greek and Turkish |
Bachelor's language |
University of Cyprus fees for international students
UCY publishes one bachelor's fee for non-EU students and a set of master's fees per program. Master's fees cover the entire program (at least three semesters), which is why they look low next to private universities.
| Program | Fee | Period | Price-list year |
|---|---|---|---|
Bachelor's, non-EU students | €6,834 | per year | Published by UCY, year not stated (reconfirm before applying) |
Master's, standard programs | €5,125 | whole program | UCY fees page |
MBA | €10,250 | whole program | UCY fees page |
Financial Analysis | €15,000 |
For master's programs, you pay a non-refundable €500 deposit when you accept your place, then €700 twice each semester. The MBA uses a €550 deposit plus installments. The fees page does not list a separate master's rate for non-EU students, so we confirm the exact amount for your program before you apply.
The entry permit requires proof of funds for tuition and living costs, so plan the whole budget, not only the fee.
UCY master's fees
EUR for the whole master's program, UCY fees page
- Financial Analysis€15,000
- MBA€10,250
- M.Eng. Natural Gas in Energy Transition€8,000
- Human Resource Management€7,500
- Intelligent Critical Infrastructure Systems€6,500
- Standard programs€5,125
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Programs and the degree you receive
UCY runs bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. Graduates receive a degree from a public university of an EU member state. Cyprus has an official ENIC-NARIC recognition center, KYSATS. For regulated professions, check recognition with your home country's authority.
Bachelor's programs. Eight semesters (maximum twelve) and 240 ECTS. Semesters run September–December and January–May, and attendance is compulsory. Teaching is in Greek, except English Studies (English), French and European Studies (French) and Turkish Studies (Turkish).
Master's and PhD programs. The language is Greek and/or English and/or another international language, stated for each program. A master's takes at least three semesters, up to eight, and carries 90–120 ECTS. International students on programs not taught in Greek must take at least one "Greek Language and Culture" course.
If you want to learn Greek, the UCY School of Modern Greek runs courses from A1 to C2, online or on campus. The fee is €25 registration plus €500 per level.
University of Cyprus admission requirements for international students
Requirements differ between bachelor's and master's. Below is the master's route, with bachelor's differences noted.
How to apply to UCY
1
Choose the program and check its language. Each master's program states whether it is taught in English, Greek or both.
2
Check your grades. Bachelor's applicants are assessed on GCE/GCSE, IB or equivalent results, or on UCY's own special exams, against each faculty's cut-off. Master's applicants submit their bachelor's transcripts.
3
Confirm the language proof. Bachelor's applicants need a certificate of good knowledge of Greek. For English-taught master's programs, the language requirement is set per program; we confirm it for yours.
4
Prepare documents. For a master's: CV, transcripts, degree certificate (or a letter confirming expected graduation), a motivation essay of up to two pages and two reference letters (three in some departments). For a bachelor's: school certificate, Greek certificate, proof of citizenship and passport.
5
Certify documents. Cyprus requires official translation and certification. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain use the apostille. Nigeria, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait are not in the Apostille Convention, so documents go through consular legalization.
UCY accepts applications directly through its own portal. You submit the application yourself. AcademGo's role is to assess your chances, prepare and certify your documents, review the application before you send it, and build a parallel plan B at other universities.
What to know before you apply
- Bachelor's = Greek. Apart from three language programs, UCY bachelor's degrees are taught in Greek. If you do not speak Greek, target a master's or choose an English-taught private university.
- Master's fees are low, but the budget is not. You still need proof of funds for living costs and a bank guarantee (€850 for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria).
- Housing on campus is limited. There are 208 single rooms, and many students rent privately.
Rankings and accreditation
Positions below are from UCY's own rankings page.
| Ranking | Edition | UCY position |
|---|---|---|
QS World University Rankings | Latest | 525 (452 in the previous edition) |
THE World University Rankings | Latest | 401–500 |
ShanghaiRanking ARWU | Latest | 801–900 |
US News Best Global Universities | Latest | 925 (743 in the previous edition) |
UCY is also a partner in the YUFE European university alliance. Rankings shift yearly, so choose by program, language and budget first.
Housing and student life
UCY halls are on the Aglantzia campus: 12 buildings with 208 single rooms. First-year and international students get type B rooms. Each has a sink and air conditioning, with a shared bathroom and kitchen for every eight rooms. Places are limited, so some students live in apartments rented by the university and others find housing themselves.
UCY does not publish hall prices on its open pages, so we confirm them before you arrive. The university's 2022 estimate for living costs in Nicosia is about €600–770 per month without rent. The University of Nicosia estimates a minimum of €12,000 per year for living in the city.
Master's students may also apply for teaching assistantships. According to UCY's older FAQ, these pay about €342 or €683 per month for up to 10 months.
Students with a residence permit can work up to 20 hours a week during semesters and up to 38 hours during holidays, in permitted sectors.
Student visa
UCY applies for your entry permit; you do not apply yourself. You must be outside Cyprus when the application is filed, not in the country on a tourist visa. The official processing time is one month with a complete file.
Documents include a valid passport, a bank statement from your home country, a police certificate, medical tests, the admission letter, academic documents and a bank guarantee. The guarantee is €850 for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, and €350 for Egypt and GCC countries. The law also allows a group guarantee paid by the university. Migration rules require paying at least the first semester before entry. After arrival, you register within 7 days. Full details are on our Cyprus student visa page.
Other options
If you need an English-taught bachelor's, UCY is usually not the right fit. UCLan Cyprus charges €9,000 per year. European University Cyprus charges €9,240–10,980 per year, and the €10,320–11,820 per year. For the other public university, see . Medicine applicants should read , and our guide compares full budgets.
14 questions to ask before you pay the deposit
Deposits are almost never refundable. Ask these by email before paying — and keep the university's answer on record.
- What to ask about the programme, accreditation and the degree
- What tuition does not include and when a deposit is refunded
- Who files the visa application — you or the university
- Five red flags that mean you should not pay
Not sure if UCY is right for you? Book a free consultation. We check your documents against UCY's requirements for your chosen program and plan the certification steps for your country. We also compare 2–3 alternatives in Cyprus, so you have a plan B. Write to us through the contact form, WhatsApp or Telegram.
