A master's degree in Cyprus takes 1.5–2 years (90–120 ECTS), and international students almost always take it at a private university in English. In 2026/27 a full programme costs from $10,120 (€8,910) at European University Cyprus and $10,220 (€9,000) at Frederick University to $17,880 (€15,750) for the MBA at the University of Nicosia; clinical psychology costs more. The public Cyprus University of Technology charges $5,820 (€5,125) for a whole programme, but most of its master's degrees are in Greek. The big advantage over a bachelor's is what happens next: master's graduates can stay in Cyprus for up to 12 months to look for work or start a business.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 90–120 ECTS, at least three semesters |
| Language | English at private universities; mostly Greek at public ones |
| Programme fee, 2026/27 | EUC $10,120 (€8,910), Frederick $10,220 (€9,000), UCLan Cyprus $10,790 (€9,500), UNIC $16,450–17,880 (€14,490–15,750) |
| English | usually IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79–82; waived if your bachelor's was taught in English (UNIC, CUT) |
| Documents | degree and transcript, two references, personal statement, CV |
| After graduation | residence permit of up to 12 months to seek work or start a business |
| Work during studies | up to 20 hours a week, 38 in breaks |
Who a Cypriot master's suits
It suits applicants who want an English-taught degree in an EU country at moderate cost within 18 months; career changers and future managers, since MBA and business programmes are the largest group; and anyone considering Cyprus for a first job, because the post-study year is a real step in that direction. It suits research careers less well: there are no funded places for international students, and the strongest public research programmes are mostly in Greek. If funding is central to your plan, compare Cyprus with countries covered in scholarships abroad in 2026.
Where to study
| University | Example programmes | Programme fee 2026/27 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nicosia | MBA, law, international relations, public administration, digital media, biomedical sciences, physiotherapy, oil, gas and energy engineering | $16,450–17,880 (€14,490–15,750); clinical psychology (180 ECTS) $40,060 (€35,280) | non-EU price list |
| European University Cyprus | in English: MBA, interaction design, cancer biology, heart failure and cardiomyopathies | $10,120 (€8,910); a reduced rate of $7,080 (€6,237) is listed | some programmes, including clinical psychology, are in Greek |
| Frederick University | MBA, engineering MSc (electrical, energy, structural, marine), health management, international trade and shipping | $10,220 (€9,000) | discounted rates for new students; check each programme's language |
| UCLan Cyprus | MBA, cybersecurity, data analytics, HRM, LLM, forensic psychology | $10,790 (€9,500) after bursary; 30% off selected programmes, $8,350 (€7,350) | MBA with a work placement year for non-EU students: $22,710 (€20,000) |
| Neapolis University Pafos | MBA, banking and finance, digital marketing, real estate, information systems, LLM franchised from the University of Reading | not published online | quoted by admissions |
| Cyprus University of Technology | Cyprus International Institute programmes, MSc Interaction Design, brain and cognitive sciences | $5,820 (€5,125); self-funded programmes $8,520–22,140 (€7,500–19,500) | most master's are in Greek |
At CUT the master's fee is the same for everyone, $5,820 (€5,125) per programme regardless of nationality (for admissions from January 2025), with exceptions such as MSc Interaction Design at $10,900 (€9,600) and MSc Electronic Science and Technology at $22,140 (€19,500). Non-EU students must pay a deposit and the first semester instalment on acceptance before the university starts the entry permit process. In 2026 their deadline was 12 June, against a general second-round deadline of 30 June. For UCY, see our University of Cyprus profile.
Admission requirements
Master's admission is document-based, usually without exams. UNIC's standard set:
- bachelor's degree and transcript (a Russian bachelor's or specialist diploma is submitted as a first degree; the university assesses equivalence);
- two references from lecturers or employers;
- personal statement;
- CV;
- English certificate.
UNIC asks for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 and CUT for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 82; both waive the requirement for graduates of English-taught degrees. The state minimum for the entry permit, IELTS 5.0, does not open a programme by itself. Business, management and data programmes often accept graduates from other fields; engineering and health programmes need a related bachelor's.
On campus or online
Many Cypriot universities run cheaper distance-learning master's degrees: at UNIC an online MSc in computer science, data science, an LLM or an MBA costs $13,690 (€12,060) against $16,450–17,880 on campus; UCLan Cyprus charges $9,650 (€8,500) after its bursary for distance MBA, cybersecurity and data analytics. But the student residence permit is tied to full-time, on-campus study, so online study gives you no right to live or work in Cyprus and no post-study year. It suits people who want the degree without relocating.
Deadlines and process
Private universities admit master's students in September and February. UNIC's deadline for complete non-EU files is late June for autumn and late October for spring; Frederick's is late July and late November. Public universities close earlier for international applicants because the entry permit takes time.
The steps match the bachelor's route: application, acceptance letter, an advance payment of at least $3,410 (€3,000) under Ministry rules, then the entry permit file, which the university submits. Master's applicants add certified copies of their bachelor's degree and transcript. The full procedure is in our guide to the Cyprus student visa.
What a master's gives you after graduation
Graduates with a level 7 qualification (master's) or higher can obtain a residence permit for up to 12 months to seek employment or set up a business, provided the job or business matches their level of study. The application goes to the Migration Department with its own document list. The permit gives time, not a job: within the year you need an employer who obtains a work permit for you, or a business registered under Cypriot rules. Bachelor's graduates do not get this year.
For Russian citizens, the 2016 Russia–Cyprus agreement on mutual recognition of education, qualifications and academic degrees simplifies recognition of a Cypriot master's at home, for example for doctoral study.
Working during your master's
The same rules apply as for bachelor's students: up to 20 hours a week in term and 38 in breaks, in sectors listed by the Labour Minister, after the District Labour Office approves the contract. Placements built into a programme, such as UCLan Cyprus's MBA with a work placement year, are part of the curriculum.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an online master's and expecting a residence permit.
- Budgeting with a public university fee without checking that the programme is in English.
- Applying in the final month; CUT closed non-EU applications on 12 June in 2026.
- Confusing yearly and programme fees; private universities usually quote the full 90 ECTS.
- Treating the post-study year as a work permit.
How StudyU helps
Programme selection, requirement and accreditation checks, personal statement and document preparation, applications and entry permit support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is the university's decision, while entry and residence permits are issued by the Migration Department. Compare institutions in universities in Cyprus, plan the budget with the cost of studying in Cyprus, or see the study in Cyprus overview.
FAQ
For the whole programme in 2026/27: EUC $10,120 (€8,910), Frederick $10,220 (€9,000), UCLan Cyprus $10,790 (€9,500) after its bursary and UNIC $16,450–17,880 (€14,490–15,750). Clinical psychology costs more, $40,060 (€35,280) for 180 ECTS at UNIC. Fees, insurance and housing are extra.
Yes, for up to 12 months: master's graduates and above can get a residence permit to look for work or start a business related to their level of study. Staying longer requires a work permit or another status.
Usually yes: UNIC and CUT ask for IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL iBT 79 and 82 respectively), but both waive it if your bachelor's was taught in English. The state also requires at least IELTS 5.0 or equivalent for the entry permit.
There are no free places for international students. The cheapest option is CUT at $5,820 (€5,125) per programme, but most of its programmes are in Greek. Private universities discount selected programmes, such as 30% off several UCLan Cyprus MSc degrees, but UNIC's GPA-based scholarships do not apply to master's programmes.
Yes. It is submitted as a first higher education degree, and the university assesses equivalence, grades, English and, for specialised programmes, subject fit.
No. The student permit requires full-time, on-campus study. An online degree comes from the same university but gives no right to live or work in Cyprus and no post-study year.
Sources
- Cyprus Migration Department: students — work and post-study stay, checked 29 September 2026
- Eurydice: second-cycle programmes in Cyprus
- University of Nicosia: non-EU fees 2026/27 (PDF) and English requirements
- European University Cyprus: fees 2026/27 (PDF)
- Frederick University: master's and bachelor's price list 2026/27
- UCLan Cyprus: fees and master's scholarships 2026/27
- Neapolis University Pafos: programmes and requirements
- Cyprus University of Technology: fees, entry requirements, English-taught programmes, September 2026 call
- Cyprus Department of Higher Education: entry permit documents
- ECB rate of 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355. Rounding step: $1 below $100, otherwise $10.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. Apply
Next steps
- Cost of Studying in Cyprus in 2026/27: Tuition, Fees and Living Costs
- Cyprus Student Visa: Entry Permit, Documents and Residence Permit
- Universities in Cyprus for International Students: List, Languages and 2026/27 Fees
- University of Cyprus (UCY): Admission, Language and Fees
- Studying in Cyprus for international applicants
- Bachelor's Degrees in Cyprus: English-Taught Programmes, Fees by Subject and What Comes Next
