PDF with detailed information

Download the PDF with detailed information about the education system of Cyprus:

Education system Cyprus‌ (376.83 kB)

Overview of Cypriot diplomas

In the overview below you can find the level of Cypriot diplomas. You cannot derive any rights from it.

Working in the Netherlands

Do you want to know if you can work in the Netherlands with a certain Cypriot diploma? Go to Working in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

Studying in the Netherlands

Do you want to know if you can study in the Netherlands with your Cypriot diploma? Go to Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.

Apolytirion from a School for Technical and Vocational Education (Techniki kai Epaggelmatiki Scholi/Τεχνική και Επαγγελματική Σχολή)

  • Comparable to: a HAVO diploma for the general education part (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: upper secondary vocational education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the labour market and to higher education after passing the entrance exams (Pancyprian examinations).

Apolytirion from the Lykeio/Απολυτήριον Λυκείου with an average final mark lower than 15, or with the specialisation commerce and services, or fine arts

  • Comparable to: a HAVO diploma (NLQF 4/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: upper secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education after passing the entrance exams (Pancyprian examinations).

Apolytirion from the Lykeio/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

  • Comparable to: a VWO diploma (NLQF 4+/EQF 4).
  • Duration of schooling: 3 years.
  • Type of education: upper secondary education.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to higher education after passing the entrance exams (Pancyprian examinations).

Bachelor/Πτυχίο from a University

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the labour market and to master programmes.

Bachelor/Πτυχίο from a Higher Education Institution

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO bachelor’s degree (NLQF 6/EQF 6).
  • Duration of schooling: 4 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access to the labour market and to master programmes.

Master/Μάστερ/Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα from a University

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7)
  • Duration of schooling: 1-2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access the labour market and to doctorate programmes.

Master/Μάστερ/Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα from a Higher Education Institution

  • Comparable to: an HBO or a WO master’s degree (NLQF 7/EQF 7)
  • Duration of schooling: 1-2 years.
  • Type of education: professional or research-oriented.
  • Purpose of diploma: access the labour market and to doctorate programmes.