Cyprus has undeniably developed into a regional hub for higher education. According to research by Politis, the student population at Cypriot universities and other tertiary institutions has doubled over the past decade, reaching nearly 53,000 students, while the number of educational institutions now stands at 59. The growing appeal of Cypriot higher education to international students is reflected in the fact that their numbers have quadrupled over the same period and now account for 56% of university students.
Yet while the sector shows strong momentum, particularly through new English-language programmes and improved employment prospects, issues such as student housing, daily living costs and social integration remain pressing, even for Cypriot students.
Pressures on Cypriot students
Maria Christoforou, a student at the University of Cyprus, describes her experience as bittersweet. While she is able to pursue quality studies in her home country, she says the financial burden placed on her and her family is immense.
Andreas Georgiou, a third-year student at the university’s Polytechnic School, welcomes the institution’s infrastructural development. “It is an important step, both for the value of our degrees and for the university itself,” he says, while noting that key facilities are still missing. “There is high-level academic staff, but the absence of a university hospital affects the quality of practical training and discourages prospective students,” he adds.
Student grant and living costs
“There are other things that need to change,” Maria says. “The University of Cyprus is among the best globally and the degrees are of high quality. But internships should be carried out with proper labour rights, and the introduction of resit examinations is also important. Above all, the cost of living is extremely high. The government shows little response to our demands for rent reductions or for strengthening the student grant.”
Andreas adds that students are “fighting daily for better study and living conditions”. He points to a campaign calling for the reinstatement of €28 million cut from the state student grant after 2013. “We are asking for at least half of that amount to be restored, as it concerns students who genuinely need it,” he says.
A harsh dilemma
Andreas questions how a family earning a minimum wage of under €900 can cope when studio rents range from €450 to €550, and one-bedroom flats from €600 to €700. “With electricity, water, waste charges and basic living expenses, the cost of one student reaches €1,200. How can a family earning €1,700 a month manage?” he asks. “If there is a second child, the numbers simply do not add up. In many cases, families are forced to sacrifice their child’s education.”
“The dilemma is brutal: do I study or do I survive? Many choose the latter, understandably,” he says.
Limited student housing
Maria also criticises the limited number of state-run student dormitories. “The government is indifferent. There are only 207 places at a university with over 7,000 students. That figure serves no one.”
Andreas agrees, noting that more than 1,000 applications are submitted each year for dormitory places, yet capacity remains insufficient. At the same time, private student residences are financially out of reach for most.
As a result, many students commute daily from their home towns or are forced to work alongside their studies. Andreas says he is among the fortunate ones who do not need to rent accommodation.
Transport challenges
Transport remains another major obstacle, particularly for students from cities other than Nicosia who cannot afford to rent. Until recently, direct bus routes existed only from Larnaca, though efforts are now under way to establish connections from Limassol and Paphos.
“Many students travel daily from these cities because they simply cannot afford rents in Nicosia,” Andreas says. Even within the capital, delays pose problems. “If you miss the 9:30 bus and have a class at 10:00, traffic in Nicosia makes it almost certain you will be late,” he notes.
€400 for textbooks
Both students are especially critical of the financial burden imposed by textbooks and study materials. “Some books cost €90, while for medical students the price can reach €200 per book,” Maria explains.
“At a public university, students should not be paying €300 or €400 per semester for books. They should be provided free of charge,” Andreas says, pointing to law students who may spend up to €400 on textbooks alone. Similar issues arise in the Faculty of Education Sciences, where students are required to purchase musical instruments for practical training. “We managed to create an equipment storage system so students can borrow materials instead of paying hundreds of euros,” he adds.
An uncertain future
Despite the pressures, Maria believes student life can still be enjoyable with proper time management. “If you plan your schedule and study consistently, you can still have time for other activities. University life is not just studying.”
She admits, however, that the future worries her, particularly the prospect of economic independence. “I would like to own my own home one day, but living conditions are becoming increasingly difficult. Financial insecurity is the biggest concern for young people in Cyprus. Many are forced to take two or three jobs to make ends meet.”
Andreas adds that the labour market is not always fair. “In Cyprus, it often comes down to who you know. Young people should be given the opportunity to prove their worth. We are not at the worst point, but there is plenty of room for improvement.”
Maria concludes with a clear message: “The government must take these issues seriously, because they directly affect the future of the next generation.”