Application procedure

Rideo Group represents the best universities and colleges in Cyprus constantly working in close collaboration for providing our students with all necessary support and attention.

Our company and the partner institutions share strong beliefs and a common mission to make our students feel comfortable to move and live in Cyprus while receiving a high-quality education in a safe and friendly environment.

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Study in Cyprus

Admissions

Who can apply to enter Universities in the Republic of Cyprus?

Cyprus institutions of tertiary education are known for being very inclusive and loyal to their students. There are no age limits, no bias as to Race, Colour, Religious Background/Beliefs, Gender Identity, Nationality and Disabilities. Universities cater for students with Disabilities and Learning Difficulties and have all the necessary equipment and accommodation required.

Documents required for an application and admission for an Undergraduate Program (Bachelor's Degree) to Cyprus Universities are listed below:

  • Completed application form;
  • Copy of a Valid Passport which must be valid for at least 2 more years from the admission date and the Travel Document;
  • Copy of a school leaving certificate with a grades transcript;
  • Certificate of an English language proficiency test (If applicable);
  • Registration Fees paid receipt.

All documents must be translated into English with copies of original documents and translations duly certified.

Please note - If at the time of applying you have yet to receive your school leaving certificate (For Undergraduate Programs) or Bachelors Degree (For Postgraduate Programs), then you can submit your grades transcript. This will allow you to secure a preliminary admission.

To apply for a Postgraduate Program (Masters Degree) the following is required:

  • Completed application form (Application forms of individual Universities may differ);
  • Copy of a Valid Passport which must be valid for at least 2 more years from the admission date and the Travel Document;
  • Copy of a school leaving certificate with a grades transcript;
  • Copy of the Bachelor's Degree with grades transcript (Diploma supplement);
  • Certificate of an English language proficiency test (If applicable);
  • Motivation letter or statement of purpose or personal statement containing applicant’s short biography, achievements and reasons for pursuing the specific program of studies;
  • CV (Curriculum Vitae) required by some Universities;
  • Letters of recommendation from Professors or previous employers.

You can read about the Doctorate Degree application process below.

Study in Cyprus

After receiving your documents our specialists will submit an application at an academic affairs office of the University of choice. The Office of Admissions will accept the application, as a rule, you will receive a letter of acceptance and further instructions on tuition fees.

Attention! Required grade average for admission may differ depending on each University and program of studies. Cyprus universities practice a policy of acceptance and give potential students a fair chance to receive higher education. In case an applicant has a grade average below the required level, some universities may conduct an interview with the applicant and allow them to proceed with the studies, given that the student will improve their academic performance during the first year of studies.

English proficiency level for enrolling in Cyprus Universities Universities in Cyprus

Universities in Cyprus offer programs taught in English language, thus applicants should provide a proof of their English proficiency level.

During the admission process for Undergraduate Degrees, Certificates of English proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL and others, should be included in the file with other documents. If your language command is not sufficient for the chosen course of studies, then institutions can offer you an intensive preparatory language course. The applicant will then take a test at the institution, and the results will show their level of language proficiency.

Upon reaching the required level and passing the test, the student may begin their course of studies.

In case the applicants received their secondary education in English at a school, lyceum or college, the documents proving that should be presented. Native English speakers do not need to provide any proof of language proficiency.

For the ones who have studied for their Bachelors not in English language and who now wish to apply for Masters or Doctorate programs, the requirements are the same as above.

 

In the table below you may find minimum language proficiency requirements for a Degree program taught in English.

Certificate Bachelor Masters
TOEFL paper-based 525 and above 550 and above
TOEFL computer-based 193 and above 213 and above
TOEFL internet-based 80 and above 80 and above
IELTS 6 and above 6.5 and above
Cambridge Exams (First Certificate) B and above B and above
Cambridge Exams (Proficiency Certificate) C and above C and above
GCE English Language “O” Level /GCE / IGCSE C and above C and above

Rideo Group specialists work closely with Universities and the applicants to offer full support during the admission process:

  • Document legalization required for admission in Cyprus Universities.
  • School leaving certificate with a supplement grade transcript or Bachelors degree, in the case of postgraduate applicants, that are submitted during the admission process should be translated into English by a certified translator.
  • After receiving the Letter of acceptance, documents must be duly certified with an official stamp by the Ministry of Education.
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  • Requirements for document legalization may differ depending on the applicant’s Country of origin. For a number of countries that have signed the Convention in Hague in 1961, an Apostille is required on accompanying documents.
  • Students coming from non-EU countries will need to apply for a student visa. Learn more about the requirements for the student visa application process within the Rideo Group website.
  • Deadlines for admissions in Cyprus Universities
  • In Cyprus students begin their studies at the start of one of the two semesters - in September and/or in February.
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  • An application form and all the needed documents are to be submitted to the Office of admissions three months ahead of  a new semester. As a rule, admissions are closed one month before a new semester starts.
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  • If for any reason the applicant can not manage to complete the application process within the deadline period, some Universities may be able to speed up the application process and the time of examination.

Contact our professional team at Rideo Group and allow us to help you to save your time. We can undertake completion of the application and admission process ensuring your swift and easy enrollment.

Admission deadlines for accepting applications

Semester Deadline
Fall (September-January) End of June - beginning of August
Spring (February-May) End of October - beginning of December
Summer (June-July) End of February - beginning of April
Study in Cyprus

Portfolio

To apply for some programs of study you may need to submit your portfolio along with other required documents. This usually applies for artistic and other creative programs of study that require specific skills and abilities. When applying for these programs, the applicant is advised to present their best pieces of work to show their level and strengths.

For such programs as Fine Art and Graphic Design alongside submitting a portfolio an applicant may also be invited for an interview. The main purpose of an interview is to give the applicant a chance to present their work, share their philosophy and express interest in pursuing a specific genre or direction in Arts.

For Dance, Vocals and Music Programs a video of the applicant's performance demonstrating their dance, vocal  or instrument abilities should be recorded and submitted together with a portfolio and other required documents.

Admissions office (Bachelor Degrees) will examine your work understanding that applicants pursue further studies to improve their skills and develop their talent.

For Masters Degree admissions the portfolio should demonstrate a very high level of competence in their chosen subject field.

The required level of skill competence may differ depending on each University and the program of study. You may need to ask for more details at the specific faculty of choice.

Transfers from University to University in Cyprus

Higher education institutions in Cyprus welcome transfer students from other accredited Universities.

A transfer student can be enrolled and continue his studies no later than 3rd year of studies.

If your institution is included in the Bologna process and is a part of the credit transfer system, then all of your credits are transferred and accepted in the Universities of Cyprus, each University would examine and decide upon transferred credits and courses on an individual basis. Students may be requested to sit tests for some courses to obtain the credits required or may need to attend an intensive course.

Our professionals would be glad to assist you with all of your questions and support you during the application process in applying for enrolment to a Cyprus University.

Visa Requirements

Cyprus Student Visa

Index

  1. How to get a Student Visa in Cyprus
  2. Student Visa Application Process
  3. Obtaining a Student Residence Permit after arrival
  4. Employment of Students
  5. Possible reasons for Visa rejection
  6. Full list of required documents for a Student Visa
  1. How to get a Student Visa in Cyprus

    An applicant, who has received a Letter of acceptance from one of the Universities in Cyprus, can begin preparing documents for applying for a student visa (in case the applicant is not an EU resident). Students need to file an application within the required deadlines so as to proceed with approval from the Migration office and the Ministry of Education.

  2. Student Visa Application Process (entry permit)

    • A copy of Passport, your travel document (valid for a period of at least 2 years from the date of applying). The document should be duly certified in both the original language and the official translation in English, translator’s full name and address are to be clearly stated;
    • A copy of a school leaving certificate or certificates and a supplement grades transcript. The documents in the original language and the official English translation should be duly certified and stamped by the Ministry of Education, translator's full name and address are to be clearly stated;
    • An original certificate of a clean criminal record (with validity period of 6 months from the date of issue). The document should be signed by a police official, the original and the official English translation should be duly certified and carry the Ministry of Interior stamp, translator's full name and address are to be clearly stated;
    • An original medical examination (blood analysis) demonstrating that the applicant is not suffering from Hepatitis B and C, AIDS/HIV, Syphilis (with a minimum validity of 4 months) and a report of chest X-ray scan (for Tuberculosis). The documents should be duly certified and approved by the Ministry of Health and officially translated, translator's full name and address are to be clearly stated;
    • An original confirmation letter from a Bank and a Bank statement, Bank confirmation letter (valid for a period of 6 months) should include the full name of the owner of the account, account number and its balance. A bank statement (valid for one month) should demonstrate transactions and a final balance of a minimum of €7500-8500. The documents are to be duly certified, both in the original language and the official translation, translator's full name and address are to be clearly stated;
    • A sponsor letter (Rideo Group consultant can provide you with a sample letter);
    • An original receipt of a SWIFT transfer as a deposit for tuition fees. The amount of the deposit is determined by the educational institution of the applicant.

    A registration fee and a Visa application fee required to be paid during the Student Visa application process. Payment is transferred directly to the educational institution that will provide you with their banking details.

    Rideo Group does not take part in any financial transactions.

    All the documents listed above should be scanned and sent by email to Rideo Group consultants for a final check.

    Additional information:

    • Upon arrival into the Republic a student must have at hand a sum of €2000 as a  minimum amount and copies of all the required documents;
    • An original parental approval letter is required if the student is underage at the time the application is submitted. The document should be duly certified, both the original language document and the official translation, translator's full name and address are to be clearly stated;
    • Two passport-size photographs are required to be filed with the application.
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    There are two ways of submitting documents for a Student Visa:

    1. At the Cyprus Embassy in the applicant’s country of residence. The documents are submitted to the consular authorities, which will then issue an entry permit. The student may be invited for an interview (to answer a few questions about their choice of pursuing studies in Cyprus);
    2. Getting an entry permit through the University of choice. If the Cyprus Embassy is too far away from the applicant’s place of residence, then the documents are sent via courier and an entry permit will be sent directly from Cyprus to the applicant.

    The specific details of the application procedure are determined individually.

    Legalisation of documents - Original documents should be duly certified by the corresponding Ministries and offices, and then these should be certified by the Ministry of Exterior of the country of residence and by Cyprus Consular Authorities.

  3. Application procedure
  4. Obtaining a Student Residence Permit after arrival

    Applying for a Student Residence Permit is undertaken after the student arrives in the Republic. The documents are filed within a period of 10 days from the date of arrival in Cyprus. The application process is usually handled by the educational institution. For this you will need to prepare:

    • A copy of Passport (a travel document);
    • Health Insurance (arranged by the University);
    • A further medical examination for Hepatitis B and C, AIDS/HIV, Syphilis and report of chest X-ray for Tuberculosis;
    • Bank confirmation letter proving that the student opened a Bank account in Cyprus for transferring funds for covering tuition fees and living expenses;
    • Bank guarantee (prepared by the educational institution, form M61);
    • Two Passport-sized photos;
    • A copy of an accommodation rental agreement in Cyprus or a hosting declaration for persons staying in student accommodations.

    All documents are submitted at the Migration offices. The student can begin their studies and their Residence Permit (a plastic card) will be received later by the University.

  5. Employment of Students

    In Cyprus employment of foreign nationals is regulated by the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance and by the Migration Department. In order to be employed all foreign nationals need to obtain a work permit, including students.

    Employment of students is allowed only in designated fields, like petrol stations, cafes, retail, delivery, babysitting, etc. Hospitality Management and Tourism students are also allowed to work and undertake practice in hotels, restaurants and other hospitality and recreation companies.

    Student Resident Permit guarantees the right to work only after 6 months of stay in Cyprus are completed, then the student may work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their studies and for a maximum of 38 hours per week during recess periods.

    In order to receive a work permit a student should secure a contract of employment and provide their classes timetable with hours that should not overlap with the work program hours. At times, it may be required to demonstrate a student’s academic performance.

    Important! It is not recommended to undertake employment without an official employment contract. Illegal work would result in the employer being fined (sometimes even jailed) and the student deported from Cyprus.

    Sample contracts, forms and applications for employment can be downloaded here:

       
    • Contract of employment for students from third countries
    • Application for employment of aliens by companies with foreign investment
    • Form for registering the employment of students at private households
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    Employment of postgraduate students in Cyprus

    Recently postgraduate students have been given the right to get a one year work permit upon completing their program of studies. If after one year the employer is interested in continuing the specialist’s employment, then the employer should submit an application for the issuance of a working visa for the specialist.

    Rideo Group can offer detailed legal advice, support their clients in their job search and assist in preparing documents for student employment.

  6. Possible reasons for Student Visa Rejection

    The following reasons may be the grounds for student residence permit rejection:

    • Documents submitted too late;
    • Documents not legalised correctly leading to the Migration authorities rejecting them;
    • Insufficient proof of adequate financial funds required to cover tuition fees and living expenses in the Republic of Cyprus.
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    Rideo Group has not had or come across a student being rejected a Residence Permit.

    If a student has already paid for tuition fees and was then rejected for a Residence Permit, then some universities refund the payment except for the Registration and Visa application fees. In some other cases, the funds paid for tuition remain with the institution, and after Visa issues are resolved the student can begin their studies.

    Rideo Group guarantees to prepare your documents in a correct and  professional manner, within deadlines. By using other services you can be assured that you will not encounter any problems.

  7. Full list of required documents for a Student Visa

    You can download the list of documents for admissions and for Student Visa issuance here.

    Contact us  to get a free session of legal advice and to learn more details about application procedures.

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