Studying abroad from Cyprus or Greece: recognition, grants and rights

Will my degree be recognised back home?

• In Cyprus, foreign degrees are recognised by KYSATS (the Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications). It gives two kinds of recognition: equivalence, which confirms the level of the degree, and equivalence with correspondence, which also compares the content with the same subject at a Cyprus public university and needs roughly two thirds of the core courses to match.Source: kysats.ac.cy, checked 26 September 2026
• KYSATS can only recognise a degree if the university, or the programme, is recognised or accredited by the proper authority in the country where it operates. Check that before you enrol.Source: kysats.ac.cy, checked 26 September 2026
• Applications to KYSATS are made in person, by appointment, with certified copies of the school leaving certificate, the degree and the transcript or Diploma Supplement. Documents not in Greek or English need an official translation. The published fees are EUR 85.43 to examine an application and EUR 34.17 for the certificate.Source: kysats.ac.cy, checked 26 September 2026
• In Greece, foreign degrees are recognised by DOATAP, the Hellenic NARIC. Applications are made online through e-DOATAP.Source: doatap.gr, checked 26 September 2026
• For a foreign postgraduate degree, the Greek government service guide gives a fee of EUR 133.12 and a target of a decision within three months.Source: en.mitos.gov.gr, 12 March 2025

The Cyprus state student grant

• Cypriot families can apply for State Student Welfare (Κρατική Φοιτητική Μέριμνα) for students in higher education. For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, applications ran online through CY Login from 6 April to 8 May 2026, normally filed by a parent or guardian.Source: diakivernisi.gov.cy, 6 April 2026
• The amended law raised every income limit by EUR 5,000, gives a 10% higher grant to households earning up to EUR 44,000, and removes income and asset limits for families with more than five dependent children.Source: diakivernisi.gov.cy, 6 April 2026
• The full rules and amounts are on the government service page. Read it for your own case before you plan around the grant.Source: gov.cy, checked 26 September 2026

Cypriots going to Greek universities

• The Pancyprian exam results also give each candidate a separate access and ranking grade for Greek universities. Candidates may choose up to 20 schools from one field, and the Greek Ministry of Education allocates the places, usually by August.Source: enimerosi.moec.gov.cy, 22 July 2025

Studying in the United Kingdom

• EU students starting a course from 1 January 2021 need a Student visa unless they hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or are Irish citizens.Source: gov.uk, 22 March 2022
• A Student visa needs an offer from a licensed student sponsor, enough money and English at the required level.Source: gov.uk, 31 October 2024
• Students with settled or pre-settled status can qualify for home fees. Without it, a Cypriot or Greek student normally pays international fees. The full list of home fee categories is kept by UKCISA.Source: ukcisa.org.uk, 29 March 2026

Studying anywhere else in the EU

• As EU citizens, Cypriots and Greeks can study in any EU country on the same terms as its own nationals and cannot be refused on grounds of nationality.Source: europa.eu, 2 June 2026
• You cannot be charged higher course fees than local students. Maintenance grants are generally only open after five years of residence.Source: europa.eu, 2 June 2026
• No visa is needed. You must be enrolled, have enough money and full health insurance. Registering with the local authorities is optional for the first three months and may be required after that.Source: europa.eu, 12 May 2025

Checking a university in Cyprus

• Cyprus has three public universities: the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology and the Open University of Cyprus. Private universities are listed by the Department of Higher Education.Source: highereducation.ac.cy, checked 26 September 2026
• CYQAA (ΔΙΠΑΕ), the Cyprus quality agency, accredits institutions and bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and distance-learning programmes, and branches of foreign universities in Cyprus. Its registers are public: check the programme, not only the university.Source: dipae.ac.cy, checked 26 September 2026