Higher education overview
In North Cyprus currently we have over 63,000 students studying at 12 Universities of which 10 are local and 2 are branches of Middle East Technical University in Ankara and Istanbul Technical University in Istanbul. 21% of our students are overseas students from more than 131 different countries, 58% are from Turkey and 21% are local Turkish Cypriot students. Overseas student number, which was about 2,500 in 2009-2010 academic year, increased by more than 4 times to reach 11,250 in the current academic year.
Considering that North Cyprus population is around 300,000, we have 1 higher education student out of 6 people walking on the streets of our island. Universities in North Cyprus and their programs are all recognized by the National Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Higher Education, Planning, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YODAK). Students from Turkey are recruited to the programs in our Universities through the Central Placement Examination organized by the Higher Education Council (YOK) in Turkey. The placements are made to the programs which are accredited by YODAK and YOK after a thorough examination. Thus all of our programs and our Universities are accredited by YOK through the same process as the programs and the Universities in Turkey.
Educational System
The educational system in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) can be broadly defined in four parts: Pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education.
I. Pre-School Education: Pre-school education is provided by kindergardens and creches for the children between the ages of 3 and 6
II. Primary Education: Primary education is provided at two stages. First stage (elementary school) is designed for the 7-12 age-group which lasts for five years and is free and compulsory. Second stage (secondary-junior) lasting for three years is intended for the 13-15 age group which is again free and compulsory.
III. Secondary Education: This is designed for the 16-18 age group and has a three year programme of instruction. It is provided by high schools known as Lyceés and vocational schools. The technical and vocational schools are comprised of commercial lyceés, technical training schools, agricultural vocational school, the school of nursing and mid-wifery, and the tourism and hotel management and catering school.
IV. Higher Education: In Northern Cyprus, the university education (Bachelors level) normally lasts 4 years (accepts subjects such as pharmacy, dentistry and medicine) and is provided by the following eight institutions:
• Cyprus International University
• Eastern Mediterranean University
• European University of Lefke
• Girne American University
• Istanbul Technical University – North Cyprus Campus
• Near East University
• Middle East Technical University – North Cyprus Campus
• University of Mediterranean Karpasia
• Girne University
• Kıbrıs Sosyal Bilimler Üniversitesi
• British University of Nicosia
• Cyprus American University