Tuition fees in Cyprus vary by institution, program, language of instruction, and student status. It is not accurate to say that every student pays tuition in every circumstance. For example, the Cyprus University of Technology states that citizens of European Union member states do not pay tuition fees for undergraduate programs offered in Greek because the government of the Republic of Cyprus covers those fees. Students from non-EU countries pay tuition fees for all study programs.
The Cyprus Department of Higher Education currently lists three public universities and nine private universities operating within the Republic of Cyprus’s higher education system. These institutions offer undergraduate and postgraduate study options. Applicants considering institutions in the northern part of the island should verify recognition carefully: the Republic of Cyprus Department of Higher Education states that those institutions and their qualifications are not recognized by the Republic of Cyprus and that the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” is recognized only by Turkey.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Cyprus
| INSTITUTION NAME | UNDERGRADUATE IELTS INFORMATION | GRADUATE IELTS INFORMATION |
|---|
| European University Cyprus | 6.5 Academic | 6.5 Academic for English-taught programs |
| Cyprus University of Technology | No university-wide IELTS minimum listed; bachelor’s degree programs are currently offered in Greek | 6.5 for master’s applicants |
| University of Nicosia | 6.0 for English-taught programs | 6.5 for English-taught programs |
| University of Cyprus | Check the relevant program and admissions route | CEFR B2-C1 required for English-taught postgraduate programs; the IELTS equivalents listed by the university are indicative |
| University of Central Lancashire Cyprus | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Frederick University | Program-specific; no university-wide IELTS score published | Program-specific; no university-wide IELTS score published |
| Open University of Cyprus | Program-specific | Program-specific; some English-taught programs list 5.5 |
| Neapolis University Pafos | 5.0 Academic | 5.0 Academic |
Always check the admissions requirements for your chosen program before applying. Some programs may set additional or higher English-language requirements.
1. European University Cyprus
European University Cyprus has its roots in Cyprus College, which was founded in 1961. Approval of Cyprus College’s application for university status led to the establishment of European University Cyprus in September 2007. EUC offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programs. For applicants using an internationally recognized English-language qualification, the university’s undergraduate admissions page lists an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or above and a TOEFL iBT score of 79 or above. Its postgraduate admissions page lists the same scores for English-taught programs.
2. Cyprus University of Technology
The Cyprus University of Technology is one of the public universities listed by the Republic of Cyprus Department of Higher Education. Its official bachelor’s admissions page states that all bachelor’s degree programs are currently offered in Greek and that applicants should have a good knowledge of the language in which their chosen program is taught. For master’s applicants, the university accepts an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or a TOEFL internet-based test score of at least 82 as proof of English proficiency. The 2018 ranking reference is outdated: Times Higher Education places CUT in the 501-600 band in its World University Rankings 2026.
3. University of Nicosia
- IELTS Band Requirement
- IELTS Band Requirement: 6.0 for English-taught undergraduate programs; 6.5 for English-taught graduate programs
Established in 1980, the University of Nicosia describes itself as the largest university in Cyprus. It serves more than 12,500 students from over 100 countries and offers more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs on campus and online. Its current admissions page lists contact locations for UNIC Nicosia and UNIC Athens. In the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2026, the University of Nicosia is ranked =305 in Europe. For programs offered in English, the minimum IELTS score is 6.0 for undergraduate study and 6.5 for postgraduate study. Students enrolled in programs taught in Greek are not required to meet the university’s English-language proficiency requirements.
4. University of Cyprus
- Postgraduate English-Language Requirements
- Graduate IELTS Information: the University of Cyprus requires English certification at CEFR level B2-C1 for English-taught postgraduate programs. Its IELTS bands are indicative equivalents rather than one university-wide minimum score.
The University of Cyprus was founded in 1989 and admitted its first undergraduate students in 1992. Its postgraduate English-language requirements should not be summarized as one IELTS score. For English-taught postgraduate programs, the Graduate School requires certification at CEFR level B2-C1. Its table presents IELTS scores as indicative equivalents: 5.5-6.5 corresponds to B2, while 7-8 corresponds to C1. Applicants should confirm the exact requirements for their chosen program.
5. University of Central Lancashire Cyprus
- IELTS Band Requirement
- IELTS Band Requirement: 5.5 for undergraduate applicants; 6.5 for postgraduate applicants
The University of Central Lancashire Cyprus, also known as UCLan Cyprus, received its initial license to operate in 2012. The Republic of Cyprus Department of Higher Education states that it has operated under a final license since 2015. UCLan Cyprus describes itself as the first branch campus of the University of Central Lancashire and as the only British university in Cyprus. Its international entry requirements list a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent for undergraduate applicants and 6.5 or equivalent for postgraduate applicants.
6. Fredrick University
Frederick University was one of three private universities registered and granted an initial license to operate in Cyprus in 2007. The Republic of Cyprus Department of Higher Education states that these universities have operated under final licenses since 2011. Frederick University’s entry requirements note that some programs have specific requirements. The university accepts English-language proficiency certificates where applicable, but it does not publish one minimum IELTS score that applies to every undergraduate and postgraduate program. Applicants should check the requirements for their chosen program.
7. Open University of Cyprus
- Admission Requirements
- IELTS Band Requirement: program-specific; check the requirements for your chosen program
The Open University of Cyprus states that it was established in 2002. It is a public university dedicated to distance education and offers accredited distance-learning degrees at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its general admissions page does not publish one IELTS minimum that applies to every program. Requirements vary by program: for example, the Open MBA lists a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or an equivalent qualification. Applicants should review the admissions page for their chosen program.
8. Neapolis University Paphos
Neapolis University Pafos was established in 2007 and accepted students for the first time in September 2010. Its English-language proficiency page lists an IELTS Academic score of 5.0 as an accepted minimum score for bachelor’s and master’s applications. Applicants should also review the requirements for their chosen program because specific programs may set additional or higher requirements.
We hope that this article on IELTS band requirements for universities in Cyprus was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
