A modern €53 million univeristy has begun in Pyla to accommodate the first British university on the island, University of Central Lancashire Cyprus, (UCLan Cyprus).

UCLan Cyprus will open in October 2012, according to the latest press news ,and students will have the option of studying their programme entirely in Cyprus or transferring for part of their studies to the UK. The university expects to have 5,000 students initially. All courses will be taught in English.

“UCLan Cyprus will add strength to Cyprus’ growing Higher Education sector and assist the Cyprus government in further establishing the island as an educational Centre of Excellence in the region and beyond,” said a statement from the university yesterday.

The University plans to establish a number of international research centres, and engage with local and international communities and industries.

Faculties will include business, law, computing and maths.

UCLan Cyprus is now accepting applications for the academic year 2012–2013, which will commence on October 2.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) was established in 1828.

It is the seventh largest University in the UK with 35,000 students, and contributes £300 million annually to the regional economy of the North West of England. It has been voted the leading modern university in the North West of England for the last five years. It is also the first Modern University in the UK to be listed in the QS World Rankings in 2010.