Education in Cyprus is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The education system is divided into pre-primary education (ages 3–6), primary education (ages 6–12), secondary education (ages 12–18) and higher education (ages 18+). Full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 15. State-provided schooling including higher education is paid for by taxes.In the 2012-2013 academic year there were 340 primary schools with 49,612 students and 4,144 teachers
Higher or tertiary education is provided by a network of state and private universities and colleges. Private universities were first accredited in 2005 and require a special licence to operate and award degrees. This was set out in the 2005 Private Universities law.
There is also a parallel system of accredited independent schooling, and parents may choose to educate their children by any suitable means. Higher education often begins with a four-year bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate degrees include master’s degrees, either taught or by research, and the doctorate, a research degree that usually takes at least three years. Universities require accreditation in order to issue degrees.
Cyprus has a highly developed system of primary and secondary education offering both public and private education.Higher or tertiary education is provided by a network of state and private universities and colleges. The high quality of instruction can be attributed to a large extent to the above-average competence of the teachersbut also to the fact that nearly 7% of the GDP is spent on education which makes Cyprus one of the top three spenders of education in the EU along with Denmark and Sweden.It is noteworthy that Cyprus currently has the highest percentage of citizens of working age who have higher-level education in the EU at 30% which is ahead of Finland’s 29.5%.There are many fields of study that the students may choose for applying in the colleges in Cyprus.
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
- University
- Public Institutions of Tertiary Education
- Private Institutions of Tertiary Education
School leaving and higher education credentials:
- Apolytirion
- General Certificate of Education Advanced Level
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Bachelor
- Master