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Cyprus Sets Cap On Third-Country Students In Private Higher Education Institutions

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 25, 2024

In a significant policy shift, the Cypriot government has implemented a cap on the number of students from non-EU countries enrolled in private higher education institutions. This new regulation, ratified by the Cabinet, aims to strike a balance between attracting international talent and maintaining educational standards while ensuring adherence to national immigration policies. Effective from the academic year 2024-2025, the cap targets private institutions with high international-student ratios, reflecting Cyprus’ commitment to sustainable growth and quality education.

Rationale Behind the Cap

The decision to introduce this cap is multifaceted. Primarily, it aims to regulate the burgeoning number of international students to ensure that educational quality is not compromised. With a surge in third-country nationals seeking education in Cyprus, there has been growing concern about the capacity of private institutions to maintain high academic standards while accommodating an increasing number of students.

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Furthermore, this policy addresses immigration control, ensuring that the influx of students aligns with the country’s broader immigration and demographic strategies. By managing the number of international students, the government aims to streamline the integration process and avoid potential socio-economic imbalances.

Implementation and Impact

The cap will be enforced starting from the 2024-2025 academic year, giving institutions time to adjust their admission processes and align with the new regulations. The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, will oversee the implementation, ensuring compliance and providing support to institutions during the transition period.

Institutions with a high proportion of third-country students will need to reassess their recruitment strategies and may need to diversify their student base. This shift could lead to enhanced collaboration with EU countries and increased efforts to attract students from within the European Union.

Broader Implications for the Education Sector

This policy is expected to have several implications for the Cypriot education sector. For one, it may prompt private institutions to invest more in facilities, faculty, and resources to attract a diverse student body and maintain competitive standards. Additionally, the cap could encourage a more balanced distribution of international students across various institutions, promoting healthy competition and innovation in the education sector.

Moreover, the cap is part of Cyprus’s broader strategy to enhance the quality of higher education, making it a more attractive destination for high-calibre students globally. By ensuring that private institutions can offer top-notch education without being overwhelmed by numbers, Cyprus aims to solidify its reputation as a hub for quality higher education.

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Keravnos Calls For EU Energy Investment And Progress On ESMA Governance

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 12, 2026

Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos has called for a broader European response to the energy crisis, stressing the need for long-term investment in energy infrastructure alongside short-term household support. He also expressed hope that EU member states would reach an agreement on the future governance of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

Energy Crisis Requires Long-Term Investment

Referring to Greece’s August proposal to allow greater fiscal flexibility beyond defence spending, Keravnos said the initiative could help some countries in the short term but would not be enough to address the energy crisis meaningfully.

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Acknowledging differences in how member states approach fiscal flexibility, he emphasised the structural nature of the energy problem. Keravnos argued that the European Commission should look beyond immediate income support for households and consider financing energy infrastructure, which he described as essential to a lasting solution.

ESMA Governance Remains The Main Outstanding Issue

Responding to a KYPE question about whether a qualified majority could be reached on ESMA’s future governance under the single market supervision framework, Keravnos backed the proposal put forward by the Irish Presidency.

He said the proposal builds on work carried out during the Cypriot Presidency and represents a compromise that could help bridge differences between member states.

Describing Thursday’s post-Eurogroup dinner discussions as positive, Keravnos acknowledged that some issues remain unresolved, particularly ESMA governance. However, he expressed hope that the matter could be settled at Friday’s meeting.

Regarding the exemptions included in the Irish Presidency’s proposal, Keravnos noted that most member states had accepted the arrangement. As a result, he said, ESMA governance remains the main issue requiring agreement.