Universities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Continue to Demonstrate Their Quality in Global Rankings

The Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK) has evaluated the latest 2026 global rankings released by Times Higher Education (THE), one of the world’s most prestigious higher education ranking organizations.
In its statement, YÖDAK emphasized that the achievements of universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the THE Impact Rankings, which are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrate that higher education in the TRNC is distinguished not only by quantitative growth but also by its commitment to quality, sustainability, and international credibility.
According to the YÖDAK report, the most remarkable global achievement was attained by Near East University. The university ranked 39th in the world in the THE Impact Rankings, becoming the highest-ranked university in both the TRNC and Türkiye in this field. Furthermore, it ranked 3rd globally in the Partnerships for the Goals category, which measures global academic networking and international collaboration. It also secured a place among the world’s top 10 universities in the Sustainable Cities and Communities category through its contributions to cultural heritage preservation and investments in the arts, representing a significant achievement for the country.
Continuing its steady upward trajectory, Cyprus International University was placed in the 201–300 band of the THE Impact Rankings. Reflecting its achievements in green campus initiatives, waste management, and clean energy investments, the university ranked 22nd in the world in the Affordable and Clean Energy category. It also achieved a strong global standing in interdisciplinary scientific research.
Eastern Mediterranean University was ranked in the 401–600 band of the global impact rankings, reaffirming its vision of contributing to society through higher education. The university achieved notable success in the areas of Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Decent Work and Economic Growth. It also maintained its position among the world’s leading multicultural campuses while receiving high scores for global partnerships and its contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals.
YÖDAK also highlighted the progress achieved by other higher education institutions in the international rankings:
• European University of Lefke (EUL) entered the THE Impact Rankings for the first time, placing in the 401–600 band. The university received strong scores in Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.
• Final International University, which also entered the THE Impact Rankings, achieved recognition in the categories of Quality Education, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) was recognized for its performance in Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Gender Equality.

Both Final International University and ARUCAD were ranked in the 1001–1500 band.
Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın: “Our Goal Is International Trust and Accountability”
Commenting on the results, YÖDAK President Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın stated that 2026 marks a transition from regulatory oversight to strategic quality assurance in higher education. He said:
“It is highly significant that our universities are represented in internationally recognized rankings such as Times Higher Education, particularly in forward-looking areas such as Sustainability and International Outlook. The Institutional Accreditation Studies that we conduct in cooperation with the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), together with the effective monitoring mechanisms established through the Higher Education Academic Information System, are directly enhancing the transparency, accountability, and international reputation of our universities. We remain firmly committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to build a higher education system that grows not through quantity, but through scientific excellence, international trust, and the quality of accreditation.”

Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK)