University of Nicosia: Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission
The general admission requirement for entry to an undergraduate programme of study is a High School Leaving Certificate or equivalent qualification. Some programmes may have additional requirements in which case they are specified separately under the relevant programme details.

Regular Academic Admission
Regular admission to academic programmes requires a High School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent with an average grade of ‘C’.
In addition to a strong academic record, we take into account the student’s extracurricular involvement, leadership skills, and other relevant background information.

Special Academic Admission
Students who do not fulfill the criteria for Regular Academic Admission but who show potential for educational progress are accepted on Special Academic Admission. Students who are accepted under this category are expected to achieve a satisfactory Grade Point Average by the end of their first year.

English Language Proficiency
English is the language of instruction at the University of Nicosia. All students are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) before registering for classes. The EPT may show that some students will need to register for non-credit English classes before being able to register for their academic programme of study.
Students with the following English qualifications will register directly for their academic programme of study:

TOEFL 513 and above

Computer-based TOEFL 183 and above

Internet-based TOEFL 65 and above

IELTS 5.5 and above

Cambridge Exams [First Certificate] B and above

Cambridge Exams [Proficiency Certificate C and above

GCSE English Language "O" Level C and above


Transfer Students
Credits Earned at other Universities
The University of Nicosia welcomes transfer students from other accredited colleges and universities and accepts courses which are of the same quality and equivalency as courses offered on its campus.
Transfer credits may correspond to specific University courses or to specific categories such as Computer Electives, Humanities Electives etc. Transfer credits will not count towards the student’s CPA. Regardless of the credits transferred, students normally have to complete a minimum of 120 ECTS for the Bachelor degree.

Credit from National Testing Centres
Transfer credits are awarded for A’ Level, selected GCSE, LCCI and other similar qualifications.



Post-Graduate Admission
The minimum requirement for admission into a post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor’s Degree.

Special admission requirements apply to different departments*.
Students applying from selected countries are required to have additional qualifications: for example, students from Bangladesh must be holders of a Masters Degree. The Office of Admissions will guide all applicants throughout the admission process.

English Language Proficiency

Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present a minimum TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based, GCSE “O” Level with minimum “C” or IELTS with a score of 6.5 or a score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the University English Placement Test. The University offers English courses at various levels to help students reach the required standard for admission to a graduate program.

Application Deadlines for International Students
Students may begin their studies in September or February. Applications must reach the Office of Admissions together with all the required documents by:
Fall Semester (September to January) Mid August

Spring Semester (February to May) Mid December

Summber Session (June to July) Mid April

Application Deadlines for European and Local students, please call the Office of Admissions on +357 22841528

*Admission Criteria for MA in International Relations

Entrance Requirements
1. A Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in the social sciences, particularly in subjects related to the field will be considered appropriate. Students with other qualifications will be assessed according to merit.

2. A minimum 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA.

3. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 or GCE or equivalent IELTS or a satisfactory score on the University Placement Test. However, this requirement may be waived if the applicant has completed his/her secondary education or undergraduate education at an educational / academic institution where English was the language of instruction.

4.The Student should have a general knowledge of 20th century history, and should be conversant with current international economic and political developments.

5. The Admission Committee of the Department examines all applications. It is understood that those applications which fulfill the criteria requirements are automatically accepted. The role of the Committee becomes more important in those cases in which discretion is required.


Admission Criteria for the MBA Programme
The following admission criteria must be satisfied for a student to be admitted:

(1) An accredited Bachelor’s degree (European, American or equivalent) is required for admission to the MBA programme. Some professional qualifications may also be acceptable.

(2) Proficiency in English – Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present at least a TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based, or GCSE “O” Level with “C” or IELTS with a score of 6.5 or score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the University Placement Test. The University of Nicosia offers English courses at various levels to help students reach the required standard for admission.

(3) Standardized Test Scores – The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required of all students with a minimum score of 400. Students with a CPA of 2.5 or higher on the 4-point system or 2.2 for UK standards or equivalent, or three years of professional experience will be exempted from the GMAT. A candidate without the GMAT may be provisionally admitted and be allowed to take the Foundation courses but such students will be accepted as MBA students only upon submission of the GMAT score as stated above.

(4) Academic Background – Applicants with a non-business background can be admitted into the programme but they may have to take preparatory foundation courses.

(5) Letters of Recommendation – Two recommendation letters from persons who have known the applicant in an educational or professional way are required.

(6) Individual Interviews – is the standard practice for all students. The interviews elicit motivation, leadership, potential and personal mission. In cases where interviews are not possible, written evidence and data on the applicant’s past work experience, maturity and personality are assessed to the best possible degree.


Admission Criteria for MA in Media and Communication
(1) A recognized – accredited Bachelor’s degree in Communications or in a subject-related area is required for admission to the MA programme. If this does not exist the student must take a foundation course, consisting of the following subjects:

COMM-125 Introduction to Journalism

COMM-135 Introduction to Communication

COMM-240 Communication and Media Analysis

COMM-321 Public Relations Principles

COMM-220 Newswriting

MKTG-291 Introduction to Marketing

(2) Proficiency in English: Candidates are deemed to satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present at least a TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based, or GCSE “O” Level with “C” or IELTS with a score of 6.5 or score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the English Placement Test.