IB Schools in Cyprus: International Baccalaureate Guide for Expat Families

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) has grown steadily in Cyprus over the past decade. A small but expanding group of IB World Schools now operates across the island, reflecting the increasing demand from internationally mobile families who either already follow the IB pathway or seek its broad qualification profile for competitive university admissions.

This guide covers the IB-authorised schools in Cyprus, explains the three IB programmes (PYP, MYP and Diploma), sets out how IB grades translate into university applications, and helps families decide whether the IB or the A Level route is the better fit for their circumstances.

IB World Schools in Cyprus (2025/2026)

As of the 2025/2026 academic year, the following schools in Cyprus are authorised IB World Schools delivering programmes in English:

School	City	PYP	MYP	IB Diploma
The Island Private School	Limassol	Yes	Yes	Yes
American International School in Cyprus (AISC)	Nicosia	No	No	Yes
Pascal English School Nicosia	Nicosia	No	No	Yes
Pascal English School Larnaca	Larnaca	No	No	Yes
Pascal English School Limassol	Limassol	No	No	Yes (from Sep 2025)
The Junior and Senior School (TJSS)	Nicosia	No	No	Yes (from Sep 2025)

IB World School authorisation status changes. Verify current authorisation directly with schools or via the IBO website (ibo.org).

The Three IB Programmes

IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) — Ages 3–12

The PYP is an inquiry-based primary curriculum framework. In Cyprus it is offered by The Island Private School Limassol — the island's only full IB Continuum School. It emphasises conceptual learning, cross-disciplinary thinking and the development of the IB Learner Profile attributes — characteristics such as being inquisitive, balanced, reflective and open-minded. For globally mobile families already in the IB system, PYP provides the most seamless continuity on arrival in Cyprus.

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) — Ages 11–16

The MYP bridges primary and diploma education, covering ages 11 to 16 across eight subject groups. It incorporates a Personal Project in Year 5 (age 15–16) — an independent research project — and emphasises real-world connections in each subject area. In Cyprus, The Island Private School Limassol offers the MYP.

IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) — Ages 16–18

The IB Diploma is the main post-16 IB qualification, taken over two years by students aged 16 to 18. Students study:

• Six subjects across six groups (Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts or additional subject)
• Three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL)
• Three compulsory core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE, a 4,000-word independent research paper) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

The Diploma is scored out of 45 points (up to 42 from the six subject examinations, up to 3 from the TOK/EE matrix). Most UK universities require a score of 32–38 for standard entry; the most competitive courses at Russell Group universities typically require 38–42 points. Oxford and Cambridge set specific subject and level requirements alongside overall point thresholds.

School Profiles

The Island Private School — Limassol

The Island Private School in Limassol is the only fully accredited IB Continuum School in Cyprus, authorised for the full PYP → MYP → Diploma programme (and the IB Career-related Programme). For families committed to the IB from primary age, this is the logical choice on the island. The school uniquely blends the IB framework with Waldorf and Montessori approaches, and educates students from more than 35 countries. Enquire with the school for current fees and year-group availability.

American International School in Cyprus (AISC) — Nicosia

AISC, established in 1987, is a Kindergarten-to-Grade-12 American school in Nicosia offering both the American High School Diploma and the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years of secondary school (Grades 11–12). It does not offer the PYP or MYP, so it is not a full IB continuum school, but it is one of the longest-established IB Diploma providers in the capital and is accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). See best areas in Cyprus near international schools for neighbourhood guidance in Nicosia.

Pascal English School Limassol (IBDP from September 2025)

PASCAL's Limassol school was authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme from September 2025, joining the long-established Pascal IB schools in Nicosia and Larnaca. PASCAL is the largest private education group in Cyprus and has invested heavily in new Limassol campuses. This gives Limassol families a Diploma-only IB option alongside the full continuum at The Island Private School.

The Junior and Senior School (TJSS) — Nicosia (IBDP from September 2025)

TJSS, a private not-for-profit all-through school in Nicosia, also joined the IB community in September 2025 with authorisation for the IB Diploma in Years 12 and 13. Prior to Year 12, TJSS follows the English National Curriculum, meaning students do not experience the full IB continuum but transition from a British-curriculum secondary programme to the IB Diploma at sixth form. This suits families who want the IB at the university-preparation stage without fully committing to the IB framework from earlier years.

Pascal English Schools — Nicosia and Larnaca (IB Diploma)

The PASCAL schools in Nicosia and Larnaca have operated as IB World Schools offering the IB Diploma for over 20 years, alongside A Levels. PASCAL is the largest and most established private education group in Cyprus and suits families who want the IB option within a school also serving a large Cypriot student body. (From September 2025, the Limassol PASCAL school is also authorised for the IB Diploma — see above.)

IB vs A Levels: How to Choose

Consideration	IB Diploma	A Levels
Breadth	Six subjects across all disciplines — broad by design	Typically three to four subjects — deeper specialisation
Core components	TOK, Extended Essay and CAS compulsory	No equivalent compulsory components
Suitable for	Students with varied strengths and interests; globally mobile families in established IB pipeline	Students with clear subject specialism; UK-focused university applicants
UK university recognition	Fully recognised; IB grade requirements published alongside A Level requirements	Standard UK university entry route
US and global recognition	Highly regarded worldwide	Very strong in UK and Commonwealth; less standard in US (SAT/ACT often also required)
Schools offering it in Cyprus	A small group of schools as of 2025/2026	Majority of Cyprus English-medium schools
Availability in Limassol	Island Private School (full continuum); Pascal Limassol (Diploma only, from 2025)	Wide — American Academy, Heritage, Silverline and others
Availability in Nicosia	AISC (Diploma only), Pascal Nicosia, TJSS (Diploma only, from 2025)	Wide — English School, Grammar School, American Academy, TJSS, Pascal
Availability in Larnaca	Pascal Larnaca (Diploma)	Pascal

IB University Admissions from Cyprus

IB Diploma graduates from Cyprus apply to UK universities through UCAS in exactly the same way as international applicants. UK universities publish explicit IB entry requirements for every undergraduate course — typically stated as a total points score with minimum Higher Level grade requirements.

Examples of typical UK university IB requirements:

• Medicine at leading universities: 38–42 points including HL Biology, Chemistry and a third science or mathematics
• Law at Russell Group universities: 36–40 points
• Engineering: 36–40 points including HL Mathematics and Physics
• Business and Economics: 34–38 points

For a full discussion of university applications, UCAS procedures and UK fee-status considerations for Cyprus-based families, see university admissions from Cyprus international schools.

The IB and Globally Mobile Families

One of the most compelling arguments for the IB — particularly the full PYP → MYP → Diploma continuum at The Island Private School — is its global portability. The IB operates in more than 150 countries. For families who may move again before their children complete school, the IB framework transfers almost seamlessly between IB World Schools worldwide. This is a significant practical advantage over the UK domestic curriculum, which, while internationally recognised for qualifications, is less consistent in delivery approach outside the UK.

How Global Investments Can Help

Families choosing the IB pathway in Cyprus face a specific geography question: the full IB continuum is available only at The Island Private School in Limassol, while IB Diploma provision is spread across Nicosia (AISC, Pascal), Larnaca (Pascal) and Limassol (Pascal, from 2025). Our team can help you identify the right area — from family neighbourhoods in Germasoyia and Agios Athanasios in Limassol to suburban Nicosia — and find property that suits both your budget and your school timeline. For EU residency through qualifying property purchase, we coordinate the transaction alongside the school application process. View Cyprus listings or contact our team to begin planning.

IB World School authorisation status is subject to change. Always verify with the school directly or at ibo.org. IB grade requirements at universities change each year; confirm current requirements with institutions directly. Property values can fall as well as rise; seek independent advice.