Northern Cyprus or Istanbul? 5 key differences when choosing a university
Study in Northern Cyprus or Istanbul? A comparison of fees, the share of English-taught programs, choice of majors and student life.
One of the questions we hear most from students considering Türkiye: Istanbul or Northern Cyprus? Both have real advantages. Here is a comparison based on our site's data (November 2026).
1. Choice
- Istanbul: more than 30 partner universities and over 1,300 bachelor's programs — almost any field you can think of.
- Northern Cyprus: 4 partner universities (Near East, Eastern Mediterranean — EMU, Cyprus Aydın, and Cyprus Health and Social Sciences) and over 100 bachelor's programs.
2. Fees
Median yearly bachelor's fees are close:
| Istanbul | Northern Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Median fee per year | ~$4,700 | ~$5,000 |
| Share of English-taught programs | ~46% | ~66% |
So the price difference is small, but Cyprus offers a noticeably larger share of English-taught programs.
3. Language of instruction
If you don't speak Turkish and want to study in English from day one, Northern Cyprus is a strong option — about two-thirds of its programs are in English. Istanbul also has plenty of English-taught programs; Turkish-taught options simply make up a bigger share.
4. Student life
- Istanbul: a megacity with lots of internships, jobs and culture; it's big, and housing costs vary a lot by district.
- Northern Cyprus: calm student towns (Nicosia, Famagusta, Kyrenia), campus-centred life and an international student community.
5. Which should you choose?
- Wide choice of majors, city life and internships — Istanbul.
- Studying in English, a quieter setting and campus life — Northern Cyprus.
Can't decide? In a free 20-minute online consultation our counsellor will compare both for your budget and field.
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