Cyprus Ministry of Education expresses reservations over University of Cyprus part-time study proposal

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth of Cyprus has formally expressed reservations regarding a proposal from the University of Cyprus to introduce part-time studies. The proposal, submitted on October 7, 2024, sought to amend legislation to allow students to extend their maximum study period from 12 to 16 semesters under specific conditions.

According to the details, the university suggested that part-time status could be granted based on documented socioeconomic criteria, limiting eligibility to 10% of active students per department. The policy would explicitly exclude the undergraduate programs of Medicine and Architecture. Following a request for clarification, the Ministry sent a letter on May 19, 2025, outlining its concerns. The Ministry emphasizes that the plan could potentially lead to unequal treatment among the student body and is currently conducting a review to ensure academic equity is maintained across all higher education institutions.

The initiative was brought to light following a parliamentary question from Limassol Member of Parliament Ephraim Christou. As of August 2026, the status of the proposal remains under review, with the Ministry continuing to evaluate the potential broader implications for the national education system.