Education in Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus boasts low tuition prices compared to European countries, as well as a high level of education. Both native residents and foreigners who bought property here and received a residence permit are eager to get an education in Northern Cyprus.

Secondary education is compulsory. There are no schools and kindergartens in Northern Cyprus for Russians yet, but they are planned to open soon. Children of foreigners can attend both local kindergartens and private ones opened at English schools and universities in Northern Cyprus.

The cost of training in a private kindergarten ranges from 200 to 350 euros per month. There are many developmental programs and activities, so children go to kindergarten with pleasure and rarely get sick. Classes are held daily in English.

Schooling in Northern Cyprus begins at the age of 5 - this is first grade! Municipal educational institutions are free, while private schools in Northern Cyprus cost between 300 and 800 euros per month.

Every citizen is required to complete the first 5 years of education, and the full educational program is 11 years. After this, children enter colleges and universities.

Education system in the TRNC

The education system in Northern Cyprus was built according to the British system, which includes several stages:

1. Education of preschoolers means children attending kindergartens, where the minimum age is 1.5-2 years, and the maximum is 5-6 years. There are no free kindergartens in Northern Cyprus, and English lessons are a mandatory part of the educational process.
2. Primary school - children from 5-6 years old are allowed to study. A private school requires payment for education, while a public school is free.
3. Receiving secondary education - involves studying from grades 5 to 11. The municipal school provides a 6-day working week, while the private school in Northern Cyprus provides 5-day education. Private schools, especially ESK, prepare students for admission to the best universities in the world. The quality of training is very high.
4. Obtaining higher education. Students can choose from local universities and branches of the most popular Turkish universities. Northern Cyprus universities offer high quality education in accordance with generally accepted European standards.

Northern Cyprus Schools

There are several ways to obtain secondary education:

• municipal institutions - in primary school all subjects are taught in Turkish, and English is a secondary language. While receiving secondary education, some subjects are taught in English;
• private - the main language of study of the educational program is English, Turkish is a secondary language. The total number of subjects studied is much wider, and the main load goes to computer science, art history and other areas. Parents are confident in the high quality and optimal amount of knowledge that their children receive in a private educational institution. Private schools are annually certified by the Ministry of Education to confirm compliance with global educational standards. The cost of studying at a private educational institution in Northern Cyprus must be clarified directly with the selected school. For advice on choosing schools, please contact our specialists.

The most famous private schools are:

1. English school - educates children from 3 to 18 years old, and accepts students of different nationalities. For children there are dormitories equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable life. The educational process is conducted in English and is structured in accordance with the principles of the International English and Turkish education systems.
2. ESK School is a leading private educational institution that accepts children from 2 to 18 years old. The school offers high quality British style education. The main emphasis in training is personal development and academic excellence. Thanks to a wide selection of academic subjects, students can fully develop their skills and talents.
3. The American College in Girne is another popular international school, upon completion of which a high school diploma is issued. If desired, graduates can continue their studies at the American University of Girne.
4. British College Nejat is a private school that educates children from 2 to 18 years old. The youngest students are offered education using the Montessori system, and primary school students are offered the English International Education System. Graduates take exams and receive the International Certificate of Secondary Education.
5. Near East College offers an innovative education model with a strong faculty. Includes preschool, primary school, secondary school and university. The Nearist school is equipped with modern equipment, computer classes, physical and chemical laboratories, a large library, as well as sports grounds and assembly halls for comfortable and interactive learning.

Universities in Northern Cyprus

The education system at universities in Northern Cyprus is almost identical to the education model in European countries:

1. The educational process begins in September and consists of two semesters, and at the end of the year exams are taken.
2. After the 4th year, students are awarded a bachelor's degree, but only if they successfully complete 190-240 credits.
3. For those wishing to continue their studies, there are 3 more semesters, project defense and the opportunity to gain up to 300 credits to obtain a master's degree.
4. By continuing the educational process for another 3-5 years, you can defend your doctoral dissertation and become a Doctor of Science. This adds another 60 credits.

The main advantages of studying at universities in Northern Cyprus include:

• simplified university admission process;
• affordable prices for education even for a family with an average income. Many categories of citizens receive discounts on education;
• the prestige of studying at the International University of Cyprus;
• a high level of knowledge acquired, and diplomas from universities in Northern Cyprus are recognized abroad;
• modern material and technical equipment of universities and great opportunities for self-development and self-education;
• the presence of sports sections, interest groups and summer camps at universities;
• the educational process is conducted in English, which allows you to develop communication skills and master the possibilities of unhindered international communication;
• safety of studying at universities in Northern Cyprus - the country has a low crime rate, and students of different nationalities and cultures study at universities;
• University students are provided with a dormitory for the duration of their studies at the university;
• In addition to getting an education in Northern Cyprus, you can relax on the seashore and enjoy the wonderful climate.

The following higher education institutions offer their educational programs for local residents and foreign citizens:

1. Girne American University (GAU) is the most popular institution in Northern Cyprus, teaching students from all over the world for over 25 years. Geographically, it is located in Kyrenia.
2. Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) is a municipal university whose main areas are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and others. The university is ranked among the 5% of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the world.
3. Middle East University has been welcoming students from all over the world for over 30 years. The teaching staff also includes teachers from around the world.
4. The European University in Lefke is a municipal university with master's and bachelor's degree programs. Accepts students of different nationalities, and the educational process is conducted in English.
5. The International University is a private educational institution that is one of the largest and most popular universities among students. A distinctive feature is the individual approach to each student, as well as a strong composition of teachers.
6. Karpass University - opened just over 10 years ago, but at the same time it provides excellent knowledge and captivates students with research activities.
7. The University of the West of Scotland is one of the five largest universities in Scotland, and also belongs to the 5% of the most prestigious universities in the world. Here you can get a quality education, as well as become a participant in innovative research.
8. The University of Kyrenia is an educational institution in Northern Cyprus, which appeared relatively recently and became part of the Near East University. Here they receive American education in the field of shipping and aviation. It is in this profile that higher schools strive for leading positions.
9. The Cyprus University of Scientific Research is an educational institution in Northern Cyprus, where students are trained in the most popular specialties. Prices for studying at a university are low, and the quality of knowledge received is exemplary. Most students at the university note the responsiveness of teachers and the family atmosphere.
10. FINAL International University - opened its doors to students in 2015. Since then, the Northern Cyprus Higher School has been constantly developing and offering new educational programs, opening faculties in the most prestigious specialties.
11. ARUCAD is a university of artistic creativity and design. Students are trained in areas such as fine arts, communications and design. Despite the recent date of formation in Northern Cyprus, the university is actively developing intercultural education programs at Arucad.
12. American University of Cyprus - was opened in 2014 on the basis of its sister university GAU. Studying at this university is considered as prestigious as at the University of Kyrenia.

Cost of education

Even families with an average level of income can get a higher education in Northern Cyprus, since the prices for studies are quite affordable. The cost of studying at each university depends on the prices of the university, the demand for educational areas and competition.

On average, tuition fees at a private university are about 7 thousand euros/academic year. Engineering and medical specialties will cost more. In addition to the fee for obtaining education in Northern Cyprus, it is necessary to pay a 5% tax and individual student contributions.

A student visa is issued directly at the university immediately upon arrival, for which you need to prepare a package of documents, take a medical certificate about your health status and pay a tax. You should bring your documents to the visa service at the university, which will prepare your visa within a week.

Kindergartens

Preschool education in Northern Cyprus has many similarities with European countries, but the level of quality is noticeably different for the better. It is not at all necessary to attend a kindergarten, so most kindergartens are private organizations.

The kindergarten curriculum in Northern Cyprus includes the following provisions:

• adaptation period;
• learning the basics of self-care;
• physical development;
• obtaining basic knowledge in kindergarten and developing intellectual, cultural and social skills.

Let's look at the main features of gardens in Northern Cyprus:

1. Kindergartens open at 7 am and close at 5 pm.
2. A private kindergarten offers a service of transporting the child to the preschool and back by bus.
3. One group is designed for 12 people, while some private gardens provide mini-groups of 5-8 people.
4. Most gardens operate on a 5-day week, but some institutions offer 6-day garden training. There are full-day and short-day programs to choose from.

When visiting the kindergarten, the child quickly adapts to the new environment and easily copes with the language barrier. Basic skills and knowledge acquired in the garden provide a reliable foundation for obtaining an education at school.

The most popular preschool educational institutions in Northern Cyprus include:

1. The Beehive Garden is located near Kyrenia and accommodates a small number of children. The minimum age is 1.5 years, but the child must independently hold a spoon, stand confidently on his feet and walk. The preschool institution provides everything necessary for development and age-appropriate play.
   When visiting, children spend a lot of time walking.
2. Colorland Preparatory School is a private educational institution, which is located in a modern building and is equipped with the necessary attributes for the comfort and safety of children. The garden includes computer and game rooms, a dining room and playgrounds. The minimum age of children is 1.5 years, and the teaching staff is fluent in Turkish, Russian and English.
   An individual diary is kept for each child, where information about the child is entered daily: what he ate, how he slept, what he did. The dishes in the preschool institution are varied, and seasonal fruits are always included in the diet. The educational program includes fine arts, modeling, drama and reading.
3. Munevver Bindayi Garden - offers optimal conditions for the full development of children and their adaptation to the environment. The establishment provides high-quality food, and the main feature of the garden is that children are taken on excursions around the city and shown the main attractions.

Features of studying in Northern Cyprus

Children of foreign citizens have access to both municipal educational institutions and private schools. The education system includes 4 levels:

• preschool;
• primary school education;
• high school;
• university.

Upon completion of each level, graduates are issued certificates of completion. Studying at school involves grading for each quarter, and knowledge is tested in winter and summer exams.

When enrolling in an international school, you must bring documents from your previous educational institution translated into Turkish.

Let's look at the main features of training for Russians:

1. There are many extracurricular activities in schools, and most of them require additional payment.
2. Meals are already included in the payment, and the school bus is paid separately.
3. If two or three children from the same family attend school at once, a 30% discount is provided.
4. In government institutions, Saturday is a school day, and in private schools it is a five-day week.
5. Mathematics, history, foreign languages, and geography are required to study.
6. Summer holidays begin in July, and the school year begins in September.

After graduating from a secondary educational institution, you can continue your studies at a university, but first you must study at college for 2 years. The most prestigious college is ESK, whose graduates receive an International Baccalaureate diploma and can enter world universities only on the basis of grades obtained in final exams. However, a prerequisite is the presence of good grades in certain subjects required by the chosen university.

Foreign students are interested not only in the date of formation of Northern Cyprus, but also in the list of the most prestigious universities, the availability of discounts and housing. A variety of educational programs, modern equipment and laboratories, developed infrastructure - all this is the key to quality education and successful completion of a university diploma.

Today, Northern Cyprus attracts international students with high-quality education, comfortable dormitories, developed infrastructure and full medical care.