Study in Northern Cyprus

Study in Northern Cyprus: English-taught degrees, grants and fees from $850 a year

Two universities in Nicosia that teach in English. An IELTS certificate is not required: the university tests your English on arrival, and if it is not strong enough yet, you spend a year in the preparatory programme. Here are the fees, grants, visa steps and what you should know about the diploma.

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OPAL Education Northern Cyprus

TAS

Tashkent

ECN

Ercan (Nicosia)

a year with a grant (Rauf Denktaş): from $850
university English test instead: no IELTS
recommended age, bachelor’s: 18–⁠24
bachelor’s degree: 4 years

Why · Northern Cyprus

Why students choose this country

01
You can bring your English up to level there
CIU accepts IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 65, Rauf Denktaş IELTS 5.0. Without a certificate you sit the university’s own English exam after arrival. If the score is not enough, you study one year in the English preparatory programme and then start the first year.
02
Grants based on school grades
At CIU every international bachelor’s student gets a 50% scholarship, and academic scholarships range from 50% to 100%. Rauf Denktaş gives bachelor’s students up to 80% and master’s students 50%. Grants are set at admission based on grades and kept with good results.
03
A university in the THE ranking
Cyprus International University is in the 651–⁠700 band of the THE World University Rankings 2027. About 14,000 students from 110 countries study there, and teaching is in English.
04
A smaller budget than in Europe
With a grant, a bachelor’s at Rauf Denktaş costs about $850 a year and a dorm starts from €1,000 a year. It is one of the most affordable ways to study in English.
05
What to know about the diploma
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey. Its universities are recognised by Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK), so in Turkey the diploma works like a Turkish one. Elsewhere recognition depends on the country and the university, and we will check it against your plans.

Levels of study

Programmes and entry requirements

Ages are recommended: within these ranges admission and visas go most smoothly for students from Uzbekistan. If you are older, message us and we will look at your case.

Language course

English preparatory year

Duration: up to 1 year
Recommended age: 18–⁠24
Language and level: any level, placed by a test
Requirements: admission to a bachelor’s programme

Both universities have one. At CIU your bachelor’s scholarship also applies to the preparatory year.

Bachelor’s

Bachelor’s degree

Cost: from $850 a year with a grant
Duration: 4 years
Recommended age: 18–⁠24
Language and level: English: IELTS 5.0–⁠5.5 or the university test
Requirements: school certificate after grade 11 (grades decide the grant), passport

Master’s

Master’s degree

Cost: $2,000–⁠2,500 a year with a grant (Rauf Denktaş)
Duration: 1–⁠2 years
Recommended age: up to 35
Language and level: English: IELTS 6.0 or the university test
Requirements: bachelor’s diploma, transcript, passport

Universities · Northern Cyprus

Universities we help students get into

Nicosia (Lefkoşa) · University with 12 faculties, founded in 1997

Cyprus International University

Language course
Bachelor’s
Master’s

One of the largest universities in Northern Cyprus, with about 14,000 students from 110 countries. Almost all programmes are taught in English, from engineering and IT to architecture, law, pharmacy and medicine. In the THE World University Rankings 2027 it is in the 651–⁠700 band.

Bachelor’s: about €8,400 a year before discount, −50% for all international students
English preparatory: 1 year, your bachelor’s scholarship applies

Requirements

School certificate and passport. English: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 65, or the CIU exam after arrival. If the score is not enough, you start with the preparatory year.

Discounts and scholarships

Every international bachelor’s student gets 50%. Academic scholarships based on results range from 50% to 100%. Master’s students can apply with a bachelor’s CGPA of 3.50 or higher. Medicine has different terms; ask a consultant.

THE World University Rankings 2027: 651–⁠700
About 14,000 students from 110 countries
Founded in 1997

Programmes (12)

Computer Engineering
Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence Engineering
Business Administration
Accounting and Finance
International Relations
Psychology
Architecture
Digital Game Design
Law (English)
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Pharmacy (PharmD)

Official website

Nicosia (Lefkoşa) · University in the historic centre of Nicosia

Rauf Denktaş University

Language course
Bachelor’s
Master’s

A small university inside the old city walls of Nicosia. Bachelor’s degrees in business, finance, international relations, law, IT and architecture, plus master’s programmes. There are no medical programmes. With a grant it is the more affordable of the two.

Bachelor’s: $850 a year with a grant
Master’s: $2,000–⁠2,500 a year with a grant

Requirements

School certificate or diploma, transcript, passport. English: IELTS 5.0 (master’s 6.0), TOEFL iBT 60/70 or Duolingo 90/105, or the university test after arrival. The online application is free.

Discounts and scholarships

According to the university, bachelor’s students get up to 80% off tuition and master’s students 50%. The scholarship comes with the admission offer, with no separate application; you keep it by maintaining a minimum GPA.

English Preparatory Program: 1 year
Bachelor’s 4 years, master’s 2 years
Recognised by YÖK (Turkey)

Programmes (12)

Business Administration
Banking & Finance
International Trade & Business
International Relations
International Law
Software Engineering
Information Systems and Technologies
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Architecture
Tourism & Hospitality Management
Master of Software Engineering
Master of Architecture

Official website

Universities update fees and requirements every year. Before you apply, we confirm the current intake’s conditions with the university and give you the exact amount. Data checked: 8 October 2026

Budget

What study and living cost

The final amount depends on the programme and on the grant you get for your grades. A rough guide for one year:

Rauf Denktaş, bachelor’s: $850 a year with a grant
Rauf Denktaş, master’s: $2,000–⁠2,500 a year with a grant
CIU, bachelor’s: about €8,400 a year before discount; −50% for all international students
Dormitory: from €1,000 a year, paid in advance
Shared flat: from €150 a month per person
Flight Tashkent — Istanbul — Ercan: from €300

Scholarships cover tuition only; the dorm is paid separately. The university states the exact amount with your grant in the acceptance letter.

Visa

Travel, entry and residence permit

There are no direct flights from Tashkent: Northern Cyprus is reached only through Turkey, usually via Istanbul to Ercan airport.

Citizens of Uzbekistan do not need a visa to change planes in Turkey.
Before you travel, the university issues an Acceptance Letter. At Rauf Denktaş it is issued after the first semester is paid.
At Ercan airport you get a 90-day student entry visa on the strength of your Acceptance Letter. Carry at least $1,000 or a bank statement, proof of accommodation and your original documents.
After registering at the university, you apply for a student residence permit in the TRNC Ministry of Interior online system and have a medical check (blood tests and a chest X-ray). The university walks you through the steps.
No consultancy can guarantee a visa or entry. We help you prepare the documents without mistakes and will check your case.

How we help

From the first consultation to your flight

We work with every student personally — from choosing a country to the visa. We explain every step and name all costs upfront.

01
Consultation
We look at your grades, English, budget and goals — and tell you honestly which countries and universities fit.
02
Documents
We prepare your file: translated school certificate or diploma, motivation letter, references, portfolio.
03
Admission
We apply to the universities you choose, help with tests and interviews and get your offer letter.
04
Visa and flight
We help with financial documents and the visa form and advise on housing and flights.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in Northern Cyprus?

With a grant, a bachelor’s at Rauf Denktaş costs about $850 a year and a master’s $2,000–⁠2,500. At CIU the base bachelor’s fee is about €8,400 a year, but every international student gets 50% off straight away, and good grades can raise the scholarship further. A dorm starts from €1,000 a year and is paid separately.

Can I get in without IELTS?

Yes. Both universities admit students without a certificate: after arrival you take their English test. If your level is not enough, you spend a year in the preparatory programme and then start the first year. With IELTS (5.0–⁠5.5 for a bachelor’s) you can skip the preparatory year.

How do I get a grant?

Grants here are mostly based on school grades: the higher your average, the bigger the discount. A separate application is usually not needed, as the percentage is stated in the acceptance letter. Grants are competitive and you keep them with good results. More on our page about scholarships to study abroad.

Is a Northern Cyprus diploma recognised?

As a state, Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, and its universities are recognised by Turkey’s YÖK, so in Turkey the diploma counts as a Turkish one. In other countries, Uzbekistan included, a foreign diploma goes through a recognition procedure, and the outcome depends on the country and the university. If you plan to work in Uzbekistan or continue studying in Europe, tell us early and we will check your case before you apply.

How do I get there, and do I need a visa?

You fly via Istanbul to Ercan airport; citizens of Uzbekistan need no visa to change planes in Turkey. There is no visa to get in advance: at the airport you receive a 90-day student entry visa with your acceptance letter, and after registering at the university you apply for a residence permit and have a medical check.

Is there an age limit?

There is no strict age limit. We recommend a bachelor’s at 18–⁠24 and a master’s up to 35; within these ranges admission and residence are the most straightforward.

Can I apply straight after school?

Yes. With a grade 11 school certificate you apply directly to a bachelor’s, with no separate Foundation year. If your English is still weak, you start with the preparatory year. Read more in study abroad after school, or ask us via contacts.

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