North Cyprus has a raft of higher educational facilities, technical colleges and universities, with most being run on a private basis. Students can travel to North Cyprus from all over the world to study a broad range of subjects, and universities in general have an extremely good reputation. If you are relocating to North Cyprus with children of higher education level age, then you will be spoilt for choice with excellent opportunities at some outstanding facilities.
Students who have passed through the state school system with good grades and exam results are entitled to free entry and study at universities in North Cyprus, once they have passed their final grade exams at secondary education level enabling them to go on to university. However, students having gone through a private education in North Cyprus must go through university on a fee paying basis.
Universities are based in the larger city and town areas, and can offer a wide range of subjects and facilities to students – from engineering to healthcare, business studies to graphic design, economics and music for example. Univerities on the island also offer halls of residence accommodation for students, although apartment renting is common amongst groups of students with North Cyprus generally being fairly affordable for most.
Campus recreational facilities are also of a commendable standard, with plenty of things for students to do in their spare time, often offering sports and football fields, and external groups holding dance and arts sessions within the university campus for example.
There are at present six universities operating in North Cyprus, all to European and/or international standards, and some are also supported internationally having proved their standing in the teaching profession with world standards in equipment and facilities. They all have websites in both Turkish and English, and potential students can find bundles of information on teaching subjects available, details of campus facilities and so on.
Universities operating in North Cyprus are:
CIU (Cyprus International University)
Located in Lefkoşa and founded in 1997, CIU boasts six faculties, modern and hi-tech facilities as well as workshop agreements with 15 different countries, and it is on the UNESCO World Universities listing.
EMU (Eastern Mediterranean University)
Based in Famagusta this impressive university has been running for 28 years as of 2009, and is well known for its excellent facilities and standards. It has seven faculties, two schools and an English preparatory school, and it can offer instruction to over 15,000 students, as well as hosting regular international symposiums and conferences.
EUL (European University of Lefke)
Based in Lefke and formed in 1990, EUL is gaining a good reputation for its philosophy that what comes from students, goes back to them. They also provide some of the most economical tuition fees amongst the universities and are very student orientated with great campus facilities and ethics.
GAU (Girne American University)
Based in Kyrenia, GAU has been active in the educational sector in North Cyprus since 1985 and now boasts impressive campus facilities. They have six faculties at present offering degree education in a wide range of subjects such as Business, Banking and Finance, Marketing, International Relations, Political Science and Public Administration, Law, Engineering and Architecture to name just a few.
METU (Middle East Technical University)
Formed in North Cyprus in 2005 this is North Cyprus’ newest university and is based near Güzelyurt, with its parent campus based in Ankara, Turkey. Featuring heavily in the engineering faculty, they are constantly adding to their graduate and degree programmes. As with all the other universities, METU boasts modern and hi-tech facilities that are available to all students, as well as enabling access for handicapped students.
NEU (Near East University)
Located in Lefkoşa the NEU is an impressive ‘city’ of a university and boasts one of the most impressive library and cultural centres worldwide. In operation since 1988, it has close ties with other worldwide higher education facilities and is home to students from over 50 different countries. It currently has 11 faculties with 20 departments as well as a School of Physical Education and Sports, School of Tourism and Hotel Management offering courses at undergraduate and graduate levels.
It is worth noting that all universities in North Cyprus operate under the language medium of English, and that entry exams to assess language knowledge are compulsory.
As we hope you will agree having read this article, the higher education scene in North Cyprus is one to be very proud of and is constantly improving, with all universities aiming to increase their student base considerably over the next few years.
Please click on any of the above links to take you straight to the individual university websites to see the wealth of information on offer to interested parties, or alternatively check our articles on nursery, primary and secondary education options available in North Cyprus.
