Medical Studies in Northern Cyprus : Join Near East University's Faculty of Medicine
General Information about Studying Medicine at Near East University (NEU), Northern Cyprus
Basic Information about Near East University
Official Name: Near East University (NEU)
Location: Nicosia – Northern (Turkish) Cyprus
Established: 1988
Accreditations: Recognized by YÖK (Turkish Council of Higher Education), and recognized in many Arab and international countries.
Language of Instruction: English (Some courses also offered in Turkish)
Medicine Program at Near East University
Duration of Study
The Medicine program lasts 6 years, including pre-clinical and clinical years.
Language of Instruction
English is the primary language. A placement test or a foundation year is required if language proficiency is insufficient.
Curriculum Overview
First 3 Years – Pre-clinical Studies
Subjects include:
Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Pathology
Last 3 Years – Clinical Training
Hands-on training in NEU’s advanced university hospital, covering departments such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and others.
University Hospital
NEU has a modern and well-equipped university hospital, used extensively for clinical training and considered one of the best in Northern Cyprus.
Tuition Fees
| Year | Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Foundation Year (if any) | €5,000 – €6,000 |
| Medicine (each year) | €11,600 – €13,000 (may vary depending on scholarships) |
Scholarships
Partial scholarships available: 25% – 50%, sometimes full based on academic merit or special conditions.
You can apply through the official NEU representative – Step by Step Group for support and discounts.
Important Recognitions & Accreditations
YÖK – Turkey
WFME – World Federation for Medical Education
FAIMER / ECFMG – USA recognition
Recognized in several Arab countries (including Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon – students should confirm with their local Ministry of Higher Education).
Admission Requirements
High School Diploma (Science track preferred) with a good GPA.
Proof of English Proficiency (TOEFL / IELTS) or passing NEU’s internal exam.
Entrance exams (SAT or YÖS) are usually not required for non-Turkish students but may strengthen the application.
Accommodation and Living Costs
On-campus student housing available at different levels.
Cost of living is moderate: approx. €400 – €600 per month.
Advantages of Studying Medicine at NEU
Internationally recognized university
Instruction in English
Modern infrastructure and medical facilities
Diverse student body
Opportunities for research and participation in conferences
Detailed Year-by-Year Breakdown of Courses – Medicine Program at NEU
Year 1 (Pre-clinical – Medical Basics)
| Semester | Theoretical Courses | Practical Courses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical Biochemistry I, Histology, Anatomy I, Medical Terminology | Biochemistry Lab, Cadaver Anatomy Lab, Computer Skills |
| 2 | Medical Biochemistry II, Anatomy II, Physiology I, Medical Genetics | Anatomy Lab II, Biochemistry II Lab, Physiology Lab |
Year 2 (Pre-clinical – Body Systems)
| Semester | Theoretical Courses | Practical Courses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physiology II, Microbiology I, Pharmacology I, Pathology I | Microbiology Lab, Physiology Lab, Intro Clinical Skills |
| 2 | Immunology, Pathology II, Microbiology II, Pharmacology II | Pharmacology Lab, Microbiology II Lab, Case Discussions |
Year 3 (Pre-clinical – Transition to Clinical)
| Semester | Theoretical Courses | Practical Courses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathology III, Forensic Medicine, Epidemiology, Medical Ethics | Case Analysis, Pathology Applications |
| 2 | Medical Research Methods, Public Health, Advanced Clinical Preparation | Hospital Visits, Clinical Simulations, Communication Skills |
Years 4 to 6 – Clinical Training
Year 4 (Clinical Rotations)
| Department | Theoretical Training | Practical Training |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | Lectures | Hospital-Based Training |
| General Surgery | Basic Surgical Skills | Operating Room Participation |
| Pediatrics | Child Development Cases | Pediatric Outpatient Clinics |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | Pregnancy & Delivery Topics | Delivery Room & Clinic Participation |
Year 5 (Advanced Clinical Training)
| Department | Theoretical Training | Practical Training |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatology | Skin Diseases | Clinical Diagnosis and Examination |
| ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) | ENT Anatomy and Pathology | ENT Clinical Training |
| Psychiatry | Mental Disorders | Clinical Interviews |
| Emergency Medicine | Emergency Protocols | Emergency Room Shifts |
| Radiology | Radiographic Image Reading | Radiology Department Practice |
Year 6 – Internship Year (Final Year)
| Department | Duration | Main Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | 2 months | Patient Visits, Reports, Treatment Follow-up |
| Surgery | 2 months | Assisting in Operations |
| Pediatrics | 1.5 months | Pediatric Examinations & Diagnoses |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 1.5 months | Delivery Assistance, Caesarean Procedures |
| Emergency Medicine | 1 month | ER Duties and First Aid |
Comparison Table: NEU vs Other Top Medical Universities
| Category | NEU (Cyprus) | Hacettepe (Turkey) | Istanbul Univ. | Harvard (USA) | Heidelberg (Germany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language of Instruction | English (w/ Prep) | Turkish / English | Turkish / English | English | German |
| Duration | 6 years | 6 years | 6 years | 4 + 4 years | 6 years |
| Recognitions | YÖK, WFME, ECFMG, Arab | YÖK, WFME, ECFMG | YÖK, WFME, ECFMG | Global | ECFMG, WFME |
| Annual Tuition | €11,000–13,000 | $1,000–2,000 | $1,000–2,000 | $60,000+ | Almost Free (for Germans) |
| Scholarships | Up to 100% | Difficult for foreigners | Rare for foreigners | Limited, very competitive | Very rare for non-EU |
| Quality of Medical Education | Excellent regionally | Best in Turkey | Strong | Top worldwide | Among Europe’s best |
| Clinical Training | Modern university hospital | Public & university hospitals | Major city hospitals | World-class | University hospitals |
| Career Opportunities | Good in Arab countries (equivalency needed) | Strong in Turkey & EU | Very good regionally | Excellent globally | Excellent in Europe |
| Admission Difficulty | Relatively easy | Difficult (YÖS/SAT) | Medium | Very competitive | Difficult for non-Germans |
| Living Costs | Medium (€400–600/month) | Low ($300–500/month) | Medium to high | Very high ($2000+) | Medium (€700–900/month) |
NEU Advantages Compared to Other Universities
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Flexible Admission | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| English Language Education | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Broad International & Arab Accreditation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Modern & Large University Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Comfortable International Student Life | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| More Affordable Than Western Universities | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Points to Consider
Equivalency Exams: Required for working in many Arab and European countries after graduation.
Research Quality: Not at the level of Harvard or Heidelberg, but strong regionally.
Scholarships: Available, but fewer than Turkish public universities.
Recommendations Based on Student Goals
| Student Goal | Recommended Choice |
|---|---|
| Top Global Academic Quality | Harvard – Heidelberg |
| Affordable English-Medium Medicine | Near East University |
| Strong Medical Education + Recognition | Hacettepe – Istanbul |
| Easy Admission + English + Arab-friendly | Near East University |
| Free or Almost Free Tuition | Turkish Public Universities |
Detailed Table of Clinical Training in Human Medicine at Near East University (NEU)
This table outlines the hands-on clinical training students receive throughout their medical education, along with information about the university hospital and the clinical skills gained during each academic year.
Clinical Training & Hospital – Near East University (NEU)
| Academic Year | Department / Clinical Specialty | Type of Practical Training | Training Environment | Clinical Skills Acquired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | Introduction to Clinical Practice | Medical simulation – field visits | Simulation labs + visits to university hospital | – Taking patient history – Basic physical examination |
| Year 4 | Internal Medicine | Daily practical training | Near East University Hospital (internal wards) | – Vital sign analysis – Initial disease diagnosis |
| Year 4 | General Surgery | Operating room training | Surgical wing of the hospital | – Sterilization – Assisting in surgeries – Wound suturing |
| Year 4 | Pediatrics | Case assessments and examinations | Pediatrics department at the university hospital | – Monitoring child development – Diagnosing pediatric diseases |
| Year 4 | Obstetrics & Gynecology | Training in delivery and clinics | Maternity department + operating room | – Prenatal follow-up – Assisting in childbirth |
| Year 5 | Psychiatry | Interactive patient sessions | Psychiatry department of the hospital | – Psychiatric interviewing – Managing psychiatric patients |
| Year 5 | Emergency Medicine | Day and night shifts | Emergency department of the hospital | – Handling critical cases – First aid skills |
| Year 5 | ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) | Patient follow-ups and diagnosis | ENT clinics at the hospital | – Ear and nasal endoscopy – Hearing tests |
| Year 6 (Internship) | All departments | Intensive field training (Internship) | University hospital – rotation across all departments | – Making medical decisions – Prescribing treatment – Acting as a supervised resident doctor |
Information about Near East University Hospital
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Near East University Hospital |
| Number of Beds | More than 500 beds |
| Medical Equipment | Advanced technologies (MRI, CT, PET, surgical robots, etc.) |
| Available Departments | Internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, pediatrics, neurology, emergency, etc. |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Ministry of Health in both Cyprus and Turkey; meets international standards |
| Role for Students | Main clinical training center from Year 3 to the internship year |
| Languages Used | English – Turkish |
Your Complete Guide to Registering at Near East University with Step by Step Group
Steps for Registration at Near East University through “Step by Step” Group for University Services:
Registration via “Step by Step” – Comprehensive University Services
Step 1: Initial Contact with the Group
Contact through:
Receive a free consultation regarding majors, universities, languages, and costs.
Step 2: Choosing the University and Major
Assistance in:
Selecting the right university based on your budget and preferences.
Choosing a major (e.g., Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, etc.).
Clarifying the language of instruction (English / Turkish).
Step 3: Preparing the Required Documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Translated into English or Turkish and notarized |
| Transcript (if available) | Also translated and notarized |
| Passport Copy | Valid |
| Personal Photo | With a white background |
| Language Proficiency Certificate (if available) | TOEFL / IELTS or university’s placement test |
Step 4: Applying to the University
The group will handle:
Filling out the application form.
Uploading official documents to the university.
Following up until a preliminary acceptance is issued (within 3–7 days).
Step 5: Confirming Acceptance
After receiving preliminary acceptance, the student will be required to:
Pay a seat reservation deposit (usually between €1,000 – €1,500).
Payment is made via bank transfer to the university’s official account.
Step 6: Visa Issuance / Travel Arrangements
Students will receive guidance on:
Booking flight tickets.
Preparing travel bags and documents.
Some nationalities do not require a visa to enter Northern Cyprus (entry with a passport only).
Step 7: Airport Reception
Free airport pickup provided by Step by Step Group.
Transport to:
University or private accommodation.
University registration office.
Step 8: Official University Registration
Accompaniment to the university for:
Signing the academic contract.
Choosing courses.
Receiving the student ID card.
Step 9: Obtaining Student Residency
Full assistance with:
Submitting documents to the Immigration Department.
Undergoing required medical tests.
Receiving the residency permit within approximately one month.
Step 10: Ongoing Support Throughout the Year
Continuous academic and advisory support:
Resolving academic or housing issues.
Assistance with transferring between majors or universities.
Support with scholarships and internships.
Advantages of Registering through “Step by Step” Group
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Free Academic Consultation | Available to all students before registration |
| Special Discounts | On fees at select universities |
| Guaranteed Fast Admission | Into accredited universities |
| Guaranteed Student Housing | At the best rates |
| Free Pickup and Escort | From the airport to housing and university |
| Ongoing Support | Until graduation and postgraduate studies |