Cyprus Parliament approves law allowing public universities to offer undergraduate programs in foreign languages

The Parliament of Cyprus has passed a law allowing public universities to offer undergraduate programs in foreign languages. After a seven-year wait, this is considered a key step toward the internationalization of the country's higher education system.

The University of Cyprus will be able to launch six standard and two interdisciplinary programs in foreign languages, while the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) will offer three standard and one interdisciplinary program. The law also regulates the opening of foreign university branches on the island.

Rector of the University of Cyprus, Tasos Christofides, noted that the first programs will not start before September 2026, as they require certification by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (DIPAE). One of the first may be an interdisciplinary program in the Faculty of Economics and Management.

Rector of CUT, Panayiotis Zafiris, called the law a significant step and the result of over a decade of discussions aimed at strengthening the international appeal of Cypriot education.

Minister of Education, Athena Michaelidou, emphasized the historical importance of the law, highlighting its role in strengthening Cyprus’s position as a regional hub for education and innovation and in attracting international students.