The education system of Cyprus described and compared with the Dutch system Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus This document contains information on the education system of Cyprus. We explain the Dutch equivalent of the most common qualifications from Cyprus for the purpose of admission to Dutch higher education. Disclaimer We assemble the information for these descriptions of education systems with the greatest care. However, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of errors or incomplete information in this document. Copyright With the exception of images and illustrations, the content of this publication is subject to the Creative Commons Name NonCommercial 3.0 Unported licence. Visit www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/copyright for more information on the reuse of this publication. Education system Cyprus | Nuffic | 1st edition, January 2020 | version 1, January 2020 2 Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus Background • Country: Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus (Greek: Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, Turkish: Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti). The island of Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and since then occupies 36.2% of the territory. The Republic of Cyprus is internationally recognised as the sole legitimate state on the island with sovereignty over its entire territory, including the occupied areas. • Responsible for education: Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth (Υπουργείο Παιδείας, Πολιτισμού, Αθλητισμού και Νεολαίας). • EU membership: since May 2004. • Bologna process: Cyprus has been a member of the Bologna process and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) since 2001. The bachelor-master structure has been introduced in higher education. See also the page about Cyprus on the EHEA website. • International treaties: Cyprus signed the Lisbon Recognition Convention in 1998 and ratified it in 2001. • Compulsory education: ages 4/5-15. • Language of instruction: Greek at all public and some private schools. English, French or Russian at international and private schools. In higher education, English for some undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. • School year: from September to June. • School exams: from mid-May to mid-June (Pancyprian examinations). • Academic year: from September to June. Universities offer an optional summer semester from June to August. Education system Cyprus | Nuffic | 1st edition, January 2020 | version 1, January 2020 3 Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus Flow chart: education system Cyprus PhD/Didaktoriko Diploma L8 PhD/Didaktoriko Diploma L8 (Universities) (Higher Education Institutions) 3-8 3-8 Master/Metaptychiako Diploma L7 Master/Metaptychiako Diploma L7 (Universities) (Higher Education Institutions) postgraduate 1-2 1-2 Bachelor/Ptychio L6 Bachelor/Ptychio L6 (Universities) (Higher Education Institutions) 4 4 Higher Diploma/Anotero Diploma L5 (Higher Education Institutions) 3 undergraduate Post-Secondary Diploma L5 (Higher Education Institutions) 2 Post-Secondary Certificate/Pistopoiitiko L5 (Higher Education Institutions) 1 Pancyprian examinations L4 (higher education entrance examinations) Apolytirion (School Leaving L4 Apolytirion from Lykeiou L4 Apolytirion from Techniki kai L4 Certificate) (upper general secondary education) Epanggelmatiki Scholi Ekpaidefsis (general secondary education at kai Katartisis (upper secondary private schools of the same type) vocational education) 3 3 Apolytirion Gymnasiou L2 (lower secondary education) 3 6-7 Primary education L1 6 0 Duration of education Education system Cyprus | Nuffic | 1st edition, January 2020 | version 1, January 2020 4 Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus Evaluation chart The left-hand column in the table below lists the most common qualifications with the comparable levels in the national qualifications framework. The other columns show the Dutch equivalent along with the corresponding levels in the Dutch and European qualifications frameworks. Foreign qualifications CyQF Dutch equivalent and NLQF EQF level level level Apolytirion from a School for Technical 4 MBO diploma, 3/4 3/4 and Vocational Education (Τεχνική και qualification level 3 Επαγγελματική Σχολή) or 4 Apolytirion from the Lykeio/ 4 HAVO diploma 4 4 Απολυτήριον Λυκείου with an average final mark lower than 15, or with the specialisation commerce and services or fine arts Apolytirion from the Lykeio/ 4 VWO diploma 4+ 4 Απολυτήριον Λυκείου with an average final mark of 15 or higher and with the specialisation classical studies and humanities, or foreign languages and European studies, or economic sciences, or natural sciences/life sciences/information science/ technology Bachelor/Πτυχίο from a University 6 HBO or WO 6 6 bachelor’s degree Bachelor/Πτυχίο from a Higher 6 HBO or WO 6 6 Education Institution bachelor’s degree Master/Μάστερ/Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα 7c HBO or WO master’s 7 7 from a University degree Master/Μάστερ/Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα 7c HBO or WO master’s 7 7 from a Higher Education Institution degree Note: • The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived. • CyQF = Cypriotic Qualifications Framework. NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework. EQF = European Qualifications Framework. Education system Cyprus | Nuffic | 1st edition, January 2020 | version 1, January 2020 5 Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus • The EQF or NLQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content; rather, it is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain programme of study. • Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our website: education and diplomas the Netherlands. • The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB), evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates the diploma for admission to VET schools or the labour market in the Netherlands. Education system Cyprus | Nuffic | 1st edition, January 2020 | version 1, January 2020 6 Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus Primary and secondary education Primary education Primary education in Cyprus lasts 6 years. Pupils aged 6 to 12 attend primary education at primary schools (Dimotika Scholeia/Δημοτικά Σχολεία). There are public and private primary schools in Cyprus. Education at public primary schools is free. Private primary schools charge school fees. Secondary education Pupils can also attend secondary education at public and private schools in Cyprus: • see the overview of public schools; • see the overview of recognised private schools. Public schools The public schools offer secondary education conducted in Greek. Secondary education is divided into 2 phases: • Lower secondary education, the Gymnasio/Γυμνάσιο (for ages 12-15), consists of the last 3 years of compulsory education. Pupils conclude this phase with the certificate Apolytirion from the Gymnasio/Απολυτήριον Γυμνασίου. • Upper secondary education (for ages 15-18) consists of 2 different types of education. Pupils can choose either general secondary education or vocational secondary education. General upper secondary education Pupils attend general upper secondary education at the Lykeio/Λύκειο. • Duration: 3 years. • Content: 1 orientation year + 2 years of specialisation. At the end of each school year, pupils sit examinations; they conclude their secondary education with the central school-leaving examinations. Diploma: Apolytirion from the Lykeio/Απολυτήριον Λυκείου. 1st year of general upper secondary education: orientation In the 1st year, pupils take 16 common subjects and 2 orientation subjects. The 2 orientation subjects belong to 1 of the following 4 orientations: • Ancient Greek and history • mathematics and physics • mathematics and economics • economics and English 2nd and 3rd year of general upper secondary education: specialisation In the 2nd year, pupils take 8 common subjects and also choose 1 out of 6 directions. The direction is linked to the orientation taken by pupils in the 1st year. Education system Cyprus | Nuffic | 1st edition, January 2020 | version 1, January 2020 7 Flow chart | Evaluation chart Education system Cyprus Each direction consists of numerous compulsory and elective specialisation subjects, from which pupils have to choose 4. The 6 directions are the following: • classical studies and humanities; • foreign languages and European studies; • natural sciences/life sciences/information science/technology; • economic sciences; • commerce and services; • fine arts. In the 3rd year, pupils take 7 common subjects and 4 specialisation subjects, depending on the direction they followed at the 2nd year. Pancyprian examinations At the end of the 3rd year, Lykeio pupils and Techniki kai Epaggelmatiki Scholi pupils take the national central examinations (Pancyprian examinations/ Πανκύπριες Εξετάσεις). These exams currently serve a double purpose: • acquiring the Apolytirion from the Lykeio/Απολυτήριον Λυκείου (public upper secondary school leaving certificate); and • acquiring access to the public universities of Cyprus and Greece, and the Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus. The Pancyprian examinations are organised and administered by the Examination Service of the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth. Graduates of all public and private secondary schools can have access to the