Recognition of Turkish Cypriot Universities and Rankings hold paramount importance for students aspiring to study in Northern Cyprus. The university’s accreditation is a fundamental aspect that cannot be disregarded due to numerous reasons, which we will outline in this comprehensive guide provided by Study More. Additionally, we will provide detailed information on the global rankings of Turkish Cypriot universities.
Are Turkish Cypriot universities recognized?
The most prominent question that crosses the mind of any student is whether studying in Turkish Cyprus is recognized. We will not settle for a simple “yes” answer. Before we clarify the meaning of recognition, accreditation, and their importance to every student who wants to study abroad, here are the details of the matter.
How important is university recognition?
In recent years, the number of universities worldwide has significantly increased, estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Consequently, monitoring rules and quality standards have been established to ensure the educational capabilities of universities. Recognition has become a fundamental requirement for countries, universities, and employers.
Therefore, it is essential to study at a recognized and accredited university so that you can pursue further studies at other universities and access various employment opportunities in any country you choose to go to.
What is university recognition and accreditation?
Recognition means that the intended university is authorized to grant academic degrees and certificates and that its quality, transparency, and continuity have been ensured. As a result, it is officially recognized by the respective government.
Accreditation, linguistically speaking, is not different from recognition, but in this context, it is commonly used to refer to specialized educational institutions that provide quality accreditation for universities in specific fields. For example, the International Business Management Accreditation Foundation (FIBBA) is concerned with quality accreditation in the field of general management.
How is the university recognized?
Countries recognize foreign universities through three main methods:
1- Recognition by the host country
This means that the university obtains recognition from the Higher Education Council or the Ministry of Higher Education in the country where it is located. As a result, other countries automatically recognize this university. For example, Morocco recognizes Turkish Cypriot universities that have obtained recognition from the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot Higher Education Councils. Most countries follow this method.
2- Evaluation and verification of the university’s curriculum
Some countries conduct an evaluation of the academic programs of foreign universities and compare them with the programs offered in their own universities. Based on the compatibility assessment, recognition is granted.
3- Accreditation by specialized institutions
This refers to considering the accreditations obtained by the university from reputable international specialized institutions. In the accreditation process, relevant institutions assess the university’s compliance with pre-established quality standards. Based on this assessment, accreditation is granted.
These are the primary methods used to recognize foreign universities by countries.
Recognized universities in Turkish Cyprus
The number of universities in Northern Cyprus exceeds 20 universities, making it one of the most important study destinations in the world for students aspiring to study abroad. The most recognized universities in Turkish Cyprus are:
1-Near East University
Also known as NEU, it is one of the top universities in Northern Cyprus. It is renowned for its modern and extensive facilities, including its own university hospital. It has the following recognitions and accreditations:
Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and Turkish Cypriot Higher Education Council (YÖDAK)
International Association of Universities (IAU)
European University Association (EUA)
Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Membership and accreditation in 114 different international organizations and bodies.
2- University of Kyrenia
Considered the most beautiful university among the universities in Northern Cyprus, the University of Kyrenia stands out with its wide range of unique and quality academic programs. It offers specializations such as maritime engineering and others, taught in both Turkish and English. The University of Kyrenia has the following recognitions and accreditations:
- Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK)
- Higher Planning, Supervision, and Accreditation Council for Higher Education in Turkish Cyprus (YÖDAK)
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Additionally, it holds several other international accreditations.
3- Cyprus International University
Cyprus International University, known as CIU, is recognized as the most welcoming university for international students. This is attributed to the numerous accreditations and recognitions it has received from various countries around the world. The important recognitions of Cyprus International University include:
- Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and Turkish Cypriot Higher Education Council (YÖDAK)
- Accreditation Council for Health Sciences Programs (SABAK)
- Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA)
- Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs (MÜDEK)
- Council of Architectural Accreditation (MIAK)
In addition to these, the university holds other significant accreditations in various fields such as communications, languages, social sciences, and more.
4- Bahçeşehir Cyprus University
It is one of the top universities in Northern Cyprus and part of the renowned educational institutions known as BAU, which is spread across several countries such as Turkey, the United States, Germany, Georgia, and others. The important recognitions of Bahçeşehir Cyprus University include:
- Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and Turkish Cypriot Higher Education Council (YÖDAK).
- UK National Information Center for Recognition (UK ENIC).
- German Center for the Recognition of Foreign Certificates (anabin).
- United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).
In addition to these, there are many other international accreditations and recognitions.
5- Eastern Mediterranean University
EMU is one of the well-regarded universities in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It has been awarded a five-star rating in five different specialized fields according to the QS World University Rankings, which evaluates global universities. The notable accreditations and recognitions of Eastern Mediterranean University include:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for engineering and technology programs.
- European University Association (EUA).
- International Association of Universities (IAU).
- Mediterranean Universities Union (CMU).
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
As for the accreditations and acknowledgments of other Turkish Cypriot universities, you can find them on our Study More website, where this is shared periodically.
Employment for graduates of Cypriot universities
Undoubtedly, obtaining employment opportunities after completing studies in Northern Cyprus is the goal of all students. You may wish, for example, to return to your home country or travel to another country for work. Holding a degree from a recognized university in Northern Cyprus allows you to work in any institution and country that recognizes the university you graduated from.
However, for graduates in medical fields (human medicine and dentistry), some countries may have specific requirements for working in these fields. The recognition of the university alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, if you are planning to study a medical specialization in Turkish Cypriot universities or elsewhere, it is important to inquire about the requirements for work and professional practice in your country in your chosen field.
Ranking of Turkish universities in Cyprus globally
The principles adopted by institutions for university statistics and evaluation vary around the world, so you may find significant differences among them. It is important for the university where you will study to be of a good standard. Here is a ranking of the top Turkish Cypriot universities according to the Webometrics institution:
| Global ranking | Local ranking | University Name |
| 1320 | 1 | Near East University NEU |
| 1296 | 2 | Eastern Mediterranean University EMU |
| 2503 | 3 | Cyprus International University CIU |
| 3565 | 4 | European University of Lefca (EUL). |
| 4278 | 5 | Kyrenia University |
| 6295 | 6 | American University in Girne GAU |
| 10790 | 7 | Final University FIU |
| 13348 | 8 | Cyprus Science University CSU |
| 17805 | 9 | Cyprus University of Health Sciences KSTU |
| 18249 | 10 | Bahçeşehir University BAU |
| 18408 | 11 | American University of Cyprus AUC |
As for the other universities in Northern Cyprus that were not mentioned, based on our extensive experience at Study More in the field of academic guidance, we do not recommend studying at those universities due to their low academic standards, lack of facilities, and limited recognition.
In conclusion, if you are interested in obtaining further information regarding the accredited universities in Turkish Cyprus, including their accreditations and rankings, feel free to reach out to our advisors at Study More using the provided contact number. They will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the most reputable university and facilitate your enrollment process.
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