Strategically important for education and for social, cultural and economic development, the higher-education sector constitutes 40 percent of the economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This is why higher education is an integral part of governmental policy and why Northern Cyprus is considered an oasis of higher education.
The population of Northern Cyprus is roughly 300,000. Its 11 universities have 63,765 students: 34,206 from Turkey, 12,505 from the Northern Cyprus and 17,054 from 114 other nations. Faculty members come from 65 countries. This depicts the international character of higher education in Northern Cyprus.
Northern Cypriot universities are:
• Eastern Mediterranean University.
• Girne American University.
• Near East University.
• Lefke European University.
• Cyprus International University.
• Middle East Technical University.
• Istanbul Technical University.
• Mediterranean Karpaz University.
• University of Kyrenia.
• British University of Nicosia.
• Cyprus Social Sciences University.
The higher education institutions offer:
• Associate degrees.
• Undergraduate degrees.
• Master’s degrees.
• Doctoral degrees.
All higher education institutions established in Northern Cyprus are audited and accredited by the autonomous Council of Higher Education for Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination. All universities are affiliated and recognized by the Higher Education Council of Turkey. The autonomous council is an associate member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and a full member of the International Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. It also is a full member of the Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education and a board member of the Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of The Islamic World.
Many of the Northern Cypriot universities are accredited by numerous international authorities and are full members of the European Universities Association, the International Association of Universities and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World.
Degrees from Northern Cypriot universities are recognized and accepted all over the world. Students receive quality education at international standards with relatively low tuition fees and various choices for dormitory/accommodation facilities. The system offers an education environment predominantly in the English language. Financial assistance to prospective international students in the form of scholarships and grants are available from the universities and the Northern Cypriot government.
