Known as the Jewel of the Mediterranean, the Republic of Cyprus is one of the best options for your studies, offering a rich historical background and a unique blend of cultures. Cyprus is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, located south of Turkey, west of Syria, and southeast of mainland Greece.
Aside from being an option for a tourist vacation, Cyprus offers a great educational experience. Today, this country provides higher education opportunities to both local and international students. International students can study in a diverse environment with a variety of top universities and colleges around the country, offering many programs.
Every year, many international students come to Cyprus for their studies. Universities and colleges in this country welcome these students and offer different forms of support, including scholarships in Cyprus for international students.
Top Scholarships in Cyprus for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Institution | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| CyI Dean’s Distinguished Scholarship | Cyprus Institute | Ph.D. | Tuition fees, registration fees, living-expense stipend, and annual research allowance |
| UNIC – Academic Merit Scholarships | University of Nicosia | Bachelor’s | 10% – 50% tuition fee discount |
| NEU Scholarships | Near East University | Master’s Ph.D. | Graduate scholarship admission; current award percentage is not published on the latest announcement |
| University of Cyprus Masters and Ph.D. Scholarships | University of Cyprus | Master’s Ph.D. | Master’s: 50% of tuition fees Ph.D.: tuition-fee coverage and, for full scholarships, an annual stipend of €8,000 |
| Cyprus Science University Scholarships | Cyprus Aydin University | Various programs and levels of study | Partial tuition waivers up to full scholarships; listed awards include 85% – 100% SAT scholarships and 85% transfer scholarships |
| University of Central Lancashire Cyprus’ Scholarships | University of Central Lancashire Cyprus | Bachelor’s Master’s | Partial tuition discounts, including program-specific, athletic, undergraduate merit-based, postgraduate, and other bursaries or discounts |
| Cyprus International University Scholarships | Cyprus International University | Bachelor’s Master’s Ph.D. | 50% – 100% undergraduate scholarship opportunities and graduate scholarship opportunities |
| University of Kyrenia Scholarships | University of Kyrenia | Bachelor’s Master’s Ph.D. | Tuition discounts and graduate scholarship opportunities |
| Girne American University Scholarships | Girne American University | GAU students | Additional 75% or 100% tuition fee scholarships, work-equivalent scholarships, and sports scholarships |
1. CyI Dean’s Distinguished Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition fees, registration fees, living-expense stipend, and annual research allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
The Cyprus Institute (CyI) recognizes aspiring doctoral students who have an excellent academic background. The Dean’s Distinguished Scholarship is CyI’s most prestigious scholarship scheme for doctoral studies, covering tuition fees, registration fees, a living-expense stipend, and an annual research allowance.
Since this scholarship in Cyprus is designed for exceptional doctoral applicants, students need to present strong academic performance. Applicants do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. When an admission application is reviewed and considered exceptional, it may be forwarded for consideration for the Dean’s Distinguished Scholarship.
Shortlisted applicants are interviewed online by the scholarship committee as part of the selection process. The scholarship is offered for the normal duration of the program, subject to annual review of excellent performance and availability of funds.
2. UNIC – Academic Merit Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: 10% – 50% tuition fee discount
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
The University of Nicosia offers scholarships and financial aid to full-time students, including academic merit scholarships, financial aid assistance, athletic scholarships, and on-campus work-study programs.
Academic merit scholarships have two types. The first is based on previous academic performance. First-year students may be eligible for a tuition reduction based on the grades of their High School Leaving Certificate, provided they submit the certificate during application and register on a full-time basis, which UNIC defines as 30 ECTS per semester.
The second type is based on academic performance at the university. Two regular semesters after first registration, and every semester thereafter, students may receive 50%, 20%, or 10% tuition reductions depending on their cumulative GPA. To qualify, students must have full-time status, have completed at least 30 credits or 60 ECTS at the university, and have been registered in the previous semester.
3. NEU Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Graduate scholarship admission; current award percentage is not published on the latest announcement
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
Near East University (NEU) is a private university in Nicosia, Cyprus, established in 1988. The university announces scholarship admission periods for prospective graduate students, including master’s and Ph.D. applicants.
This scholarship opportunity in Cyprus is open to prospective students applying to master’s or Ph.D. programs. Applicants should follow the current scholarship admission announcement and submit the required documents by email, including their diploma and transcript, passport, reference letters if available, application form, and proof of English proficiency if applicable. Ph.D. applicants must also submit a CV and Ph.D. thesis proposal.
According to the current graduate scholarship announcement, master’s scholarships are valid for two years, and Ph.D. scholarships are valid for four years. The scholarships do not cover foundation courses or English/Turkish preparatory school fees.
4. University of Cyprus Masters and Ph.D. Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Master’s scholarships cover 50% of tuition fees; Ph.D. scholarships may cover tuition fees, and full Ph.D. scholarships also include an annual stipend of €8,000
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.
The University of Cyprus (UCY) is a public research university located in Nicosia, Cyprus. It offers postgraduate scholarships for prospective and enrolled postgraduate students, including master’s and Ph.D. scholarship schemes.
For master’s students, the Praxandros scholarship scheme offers partial scholarships that cover 50% of tuition fees. For Ph.D. students, the Evagoras scholarship scheme offers partial scholarships covering tuition fees and full scholarships covering tuition fees plus an annual stipend of €8,000.
The applications for these Cyprus scholarships are connected to the online postgraduate admissions process. Students should apply online to their chosen program and follow the Graduate School’s scholarship instructions. Deadlines and availability may vary by intake and academic year.
5. Cyprus Science University Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Partial tuition waivers up to full scholarships, depending on the scholarship type
- Eligible Degree/s: Various programs and levels of study
The scholarship page previously linked for Cyprus Science University now redirects to Cyprus Aydin University. Cyprus Aydin University offers scholarships for various programs and levels of study, with awards ranging from partial tuition waivers to full scholarships.
For merit-based scholarships, students with SAT results can submit their scores during the admission review process. The current scholarship page lists an 85% scholarship for a 1200 SAT score and a 100% scholarship for a 1300+ SAT score. Students receiving full scholarships are still required to pay social activity fees and VAT.
International undergraduate transfer students may qualify for an 85% scholarship if they meet the admission requirements, upload a stamped official transcript from their current university in North Cyprus, maintain a minimum 2.0 CGPA, and have completed at least one semester in their department. Students enrolled in the English Preparatory School are not eligible for this transfer scholarship.
6. University of Central Lancashire Cyprus’ Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Partial tuition fee coverage
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Cyprus aims to help students study at its institution through scholarships, bursaries, and discounts. The current fees and scholarships page lists tuition fees and scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Students may be considered for program-specific scholarships, athletic scholarships, undergraduate academic merit scholarships, postgraduate scholarships, and other bursaries or discounts. Depending on the scholarship or bursary, eligibility requirements and award amounts vary.
For 2026/2027, UCLan Cyprus lists undergraduate merit-based scholarships of 40% or 50% for the first year for students who meet strict academic criteria. The university also lists a maximum 30% postgraduate scholarship on the original fees for all postgraduate programs, subject to a successful interview with the Course Leader and/or Head of School. When a student is eligible for more than one scholarship, discount, bursary, or exemption, only the higher award applies.
7. Cyprus International University Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: 50% – 100% undergraduate scholarship opportunities and graduate scholarship opportunities
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Cyprus International University (CIU) is located in Nicosia and offers an international learning environment. According to the university, it has students from more than 110 countries, creating a multicultural campus community.
All undergraduate international students are granted a 50% tuition fee scholarship. Prospective students may also apply for academic scholarships based on academic merit, which vary from 50% to 100% off tuition fees. Athletic scholarships are also available to eligible prospective students with evidence of sports performance.
Scholarship opportunities for master’s and Ph.D. students are also available at CIU. Graduate students with a valid bachelor’s diploma and a minimum CGPA of 3.50 may apply for a scholarship.
8. University of Kyrenia Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition discounts and graduate scholarship opportunities
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Located in Northern Cyprus, the University of Kyrenia is known for its programs in fields such as maritime studies. It offers a variety of scholarship opportunities, including scholarships for athletes, scholarships for international students, sibling discounts, and graduate scholarship admissions.
International students may receive a special discount on tuition and fees. The university also lists a Covid-19 special scholarship that adds a 30% scholarship for prospective off-campus students for tuition fees.
For graduate studies, the University of Kyrenia announces scholarship admission periods for prospective master’s and Ph.D. students. Master’s scholarships are valid for two years, and Ph.D. scholarships are valid for four years. Except for Covid-19 special scholarships, students who receive any kind of scholarship must maintain a 2.00 out of 4.00 GPA to continue benefiting from the award.
9. Girne American University Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Additional 75% or 100% tuition fee scholarships, work-equivalent scholarships, and sports scholarships
- Eligible Degree/s: GAU students
Girne American University is located in Northern Cyprus and is known for offering American-style higher education. The university lists international accreditations, memberships, and engagements, including recognition by YODAK and YÖK, EAQUALS, IACBE accreditation for the Business Faculty, and UNWTO accreditation for tourism programs.
To support students, GAU offers competitive additional tuition fee scholarships of either 75% or 100% each academic year. The university lists three forms of scholarships: High Honor Scholarship, Work Team Scholarship, and Sports Scholarship.
Students who achieve a CGPA of 3.50 or above after their first academic year may apply for an additional Academic Tuition Fee Scholarship. Work Team Scholarships allow students to qualify for work-equivalent scholarships by working in relevant university units and facilities. Students selected by the School of Sports to represent the university may be eligible for a 100% Sports Tuition Fee Scholarship, subject to availability and university conditions.
A brochure can be found on the university website with further information about the university and admission.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in Cyprus for international students was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!