.

Higher and Tertiary Education in Cyprus is offered by both public and private institutions.

The Department of Higher and Tertiary Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture was established in 1984 and is the competent department of the Ministry for the following:

■ Legislation for the University of Cyprus
■ The establishment of the Open University of Cyprus
■ The establishment of the Technological University of Cyprus
■ The European Programmes in Higher Education
■ The Private Schools for Higher and Tertiary Education and the relevant legal framework to establish Private Universities
■ The Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (KYSATS)
■ The Council for the Educational Accreditation of Programmes of Study (SEKAP)
■ The Entrance Examinations to Higher Education
■ Lifelong Learning
■ Student Affairs

During the academic year of 2002-2003, the University of Cyprus and six Public Tertiary Education Institutions were operating. The total number of Cypriot students at home and abroad during the academic year 2002-2003 was 29.090, of which 12.716, forming a percentage of about 44%, were studying in Cyprus.

Cypriot students abroad were 16.374. They are mainly distributed to Greece (65%), the United Kingdom (17%) and the USA (9%).

The total number of students registered at Cyprus third level education institutions during the same academic year was 18.033, out of
which 12.716 were Cypriots and 5.317 were international students.