European University of Lefke (EUL) – Degree Recognition & Transfer
Degree not recognised in many countries – transfer to a recognised EU university is possible
The European University of Lefke (EUL) in western Northern Cyprus teaches dentistry and pharmacy in English. Because only Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus as a state, its degrees are not accepted in several countries. We help EUL students transfer to a recognised university in Europe, usually without losing time.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Dentistry, Pharmacy
Tuition fees
Dentistry approx. €13,750 per year according to study portals (2025/26, not guaranteed)
Duration
Dentistry 5 years (300 ECTS), Pharmacy 5 or 6 years
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Intake
Recognition
Not recognised in North Macedonia, Bosnia, Serbia, Morocco and others
Living costs
approx. €550 per month
Total students
9200
How Safe Is This Study Location?
Based on assessments from residents and visitors collected by Numbeo over the past five years.
Dentistry 5 years (300 ECTS), Pharmacy 5 or 6 years
550
Climate
Average daytime highs by month.
✓ Placement without a grade cut-off — we place you regardless of your school-leaving grades. We go through the specific requirements together.
Get free advice →Where this university is
Drag the map to place the university in Europe — and to judge how far it is from home.
Why study medicine here?
About the European University of Lefke
The European University of Lefke (EUL, Turkish: Lefke Avrupa Üniversitesi) was founded in 1989 by the Cyprus Science Foundation and opened its doors in 1990. The campus lies near Lefka in the west of Northern Cyprus, overlooking Morphou (Güzelyurt) Bay, about 45 minutes by car from Nicosia. Around 9,200 students are enrolled.
The Faculty of Dentistry admitted its first students in the 2018–2019 academic year and teaches the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in English. Training includes a phantom simulation laboratory and a polyclinic with 35 fully equipped dental units. The Faculty of Pharmacy also teaches in English and is accredited by the German agency AHPGS until 30 September 2028. According to its website, EUL also has a Faculty of Medicine.
Like every university in Northern Cyprus, EUL is regulated by YÖDAK, the TRNC higher education authority, and its programmes are also approved by YÖK, Turkey's Council of Higher Education. It should not be confused with European University Cyprus in Nicosia, which is in the Republic of Cyprus and therefore in the EU.
Important for 2026: recognition
Only Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as a state, so several countries do not accept degrees from its universities. From our placement work in 2026 we know that North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia neither recognise these degrees nor accept transfer students from Northern Cyprus. The reason is political status, not the quality of teaching. EUL students can move to a recognised university in Europe, and we support them along the way.
- Founded: 1989 (teaching since 1990)
- Location: Lefka (Lefke), Northern Cyprus
- Programmes: Dentistry (DDS), Pharmacy (Pharm M, Pharm D); the website also lists a Faculty of Medicine
- Language of instruction: English
- Oversight: YÖDAK (TRNC); programmes also approved by YÖK (Turkey)
- Recognition: not recognised in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Morocco and others
Programmes and languages of instruction
Structure, duration, language of instruction and degree — for every programme at this university.
- Dentistry (Doctor of Dental Surgery, DDS): 5 years, 10 semesters, 300 ECTS, taught in English; semesters 1 to 6 are preclinical, followed by patient treatment in a polyclinic with 35 dental units.
- Pharmacy (Pharm M): 5 years, 10 semesters, taught in English; the faculty is accredited by AHPGS until 30 September 2028.
- Pharmacy (Pharm D, Doctor of Pharmacy): 6 years, 12 semesters, taught in English.
Study conditions and campus life
Programme structure
Dentistry (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
According to EUL's Department of Dentistry Programme Handbook 2026, the DDS runs over ten semesters with 300 ECTS credits and 110 modules. Teaching is in English.
- Semesters 1 to 6 (preclinical): foundation phase with practical training in a phantom simulation laboratory for 75 students.
- Semesters 7 to 10 (clinical): in years four and five, students treat patients in a polyclinic with 35 fully equipped dental units.
Pharmacy
The Faculty of Pharmacy offers the five-year Pharm M (ten semesters) and the six-year Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy, twelve semesters), both taught in English.
Every semester you pass becomes part of your academic record, and that record is what a receiving university assesses when you transfer.
Admission and entrance exam
No placements at EUL
Medschool Experts does not place students at the European University of Lefke. The reason is not the training on campus but the fact that the degree is not recognised in many countries.
Planning to study dentistry, medicine or pharmacy? Explore the alternatives at our partner universities.
Already studying at EUL? A transfer to a recognised university in Europe may be the right next step. In a free consultation, we look at your options.
Study medicine abroad at 350+ universities worldwide
- The right university and a secure placement
- A study place abroad with an internationally recognised degree
- Support with your start, preparation and finding accommodation
- Help with transferring to another university
- Guidance all the way to your first job
Preparing properly with Medschool Experts
Transferring with Medschool Experts
We specialise in transfers from universities in Northern Cyprus to recognised universities in Europe and have already supported dozens of students on this path. We are a leading specialist for study transfers and frequently achieve high year placements. Our aim is a transfer that usually costs you no time.
- Free consultation: you tell us what you have completed at EUL and where you want to work later.
- Review of your record: the receiving university assesses the exams you have passed and credits them.
- A clear plan: you see which universities are an option before you commit.
- A safe switch: you stay enrolled at EUL until your new place is confirmed.
Book your free, no-obligation consultation now.
Tuition fees and living costs
Costs at the European University of Lefke
According to study portals, the list price for international students in the 2025–2026 academic year is approx. €13,750 per year for dentistry and approx. €7,750 per year for pharmacy (Pharm M), before scholarships and without guarantee. The university can confirm the binding fees.
Plan on living costs of approx. €550 per month in Lefka, depending on housing and lifestyle.
Example: what the remaining years cost
A dentistry student who stays at EUL after year two still has three years ahead: 3 × €13,750 = €41,250 in tuition at list price, plus around €19,800 in living costs (36 months × €550), or roughly €61,000 in total. For pharmacy (Pharm M), three years add up to around €23,250 in tuition plus living costs. That money pays off above all if the degree is recognised where you plan to work.
Recognition and career prospects
Degree recognition: the political problem
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared in 1983 and is still recognised as a state by Turkey alone. UN Security Council Resolution 541 (1983) declared the proclamation legally invalid. For degrees from universities in Northern Cyprus, including EUL, this has direct consequences.
- North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia: These countries do not recognise Northern Cyprus as a state. From our placement work in 2026 we know that they neither recognise degrees from Northern Cyprus nor accept transfer students from there.
- Morocco: Since May 2024, equivalence for degrees from Northern Cyprus has been frozen on the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Morocco World News (March 2026) and Yabiladi (April and July 2026) report that around 3,000 to 3,500 Moroccan students and graduates are affected; students protested in Rabat in 2026.
- Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, UAE: According to a Cyprus Today report (December 2020), these countries no longer recognise TRNC institutions.
- Turkey: EUL programmes are approved by YÖK, Turkey's Council of Higher Education.
For comparison: under EU Directive 2005/36/EC, dentistry and pharmacy degrees from EU member states are recognised automatically across the EU. Northern Cyprus is effectively outside the EU legal framework, as the EU acquis is suspended in the north. The Republic of Cyprus in the south is an EU member and a different case.
The problem is not the quality of teaching but the political status of Northern Cyprus.
Alumni now practising internationally
Former students of this university who, according to publicly available sources, now work as doctors or dentists internationally. Anonymised overview — not an indication of any cooperation with Medschool Experts.
The city as a place to study
Living in Lefka
Lefka (Turkish: Lefke) is a small town in the west of Northern Cyprus overlooking Morphou (Güzelyurt) Bay. In 2011, the town proper had around 3,000 inhabitants. Lefka is known for its orange groves, marked by an orange monument in the town centre, and for copper mining that dates back to the Bronze Age. Many historic houses in the Cypriot-Ottoman style were built between 1900 and 1930, and since 2015 the town has been a member of Cittaslow.
The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Daily life is much more small-town than in Nicosia or Kyrenia. Nicosia is about 45 minutes away by car.
The nearest airport is Ercan (ECN), roughly 60 minutes by car. Most international connections run via Istanbul.
- City: Lefka (Lefke), in the west of Northern Cyprus on Morphou Bay
- Country: Northern Cyprus (TRNC, recognised only by Turkey)
- Airport: Ercan (ECN), approx. 60 minutes by car
- Climate: Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Federally recognised dentist, founder and owner of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded the company while still studying abroad himself; since then more than 500 study places have been arranged. Originally from Stuttgart, he studied dentistry in Sofia from 2015 to 2021 and is a federally recognised dentist.
He now lives in Bern and runs the company full-time as its owner. He visits the partner universities in person on a regular basis.
Other universities in this country
Compare the universities in the same country — programmes, fees and language of instruction side by side.
Student story
Videos about this university
Campus tour, first-hand accounts from students on the ground and answers to the most common questions — to watch rather than read.
Our curated universities
Our curated Top 20 — selected from the world's largest choice of universities with no entrance-exam restrictions for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. We recommend each of these particularly, based on years of experience.
Frequently asked questions about this university
Is an EUL degree recognised in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia or North Macedonia?
No. These countries do not recognise Northern Cyprus as a state. From our placement work in 2026 we know that degrees from the European University of Lefke are not recognised there. A transfer from EUL to a university in these countries is not possible either. If you had planned this route, you need an alternative, and we can show you recognised universities in Europe that you can move to.
Is an EUL degree recognised in Morocco?
Not at the moment. Since May 2024, Morocco has frozen equivalence for degrees from Northern Cyprus on the instructions of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Morocco World News and Yabiladi (2026), around 3,000 to 3,500 Moroccan students and graduates are affected, including in dentistry and pharmacy. Students protested in Rabat in 2026, and no solution has been announced so far.
Is an EUL dentistry degree recognised in the EU?
Not automatically. Under Directive 2005/36/EC, only dentistry and pharmacy degrees from EU member states are recognised automatically across the EU. Northern Cyprus is effectively outside the EU legal framework, so a degree from Lefka is assessed case by case by each national authority. A transfer to a recognised university in the EU can therefore be the safer route if you plan to work there.
Is the European University of Lefke the same as European University Cyprus?
No. The European University of Lefke is in Lefka, in the north of Cyprus under TRNC administration, and is regulated by YÖDAK. European University Cyprus is a separate university in Nicosia, in the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state. The recognition problems described on this page apply only to degrees from Northern Cyprus.
Can I transfer from the European University of Lefke to a recognised university?
Yes. Dentistry and pharmacy students at EUL can move to universities in Europe whose degrees are recognised and that do not face the political problem of Northern Cyprus. The receiving university reviews the exams you have passed and credits them. We have already supported dozens of students from universities in Northern Cyprus on this path.
Will I lose time or semesters when I transfer?
Usually not. Our aim is a transfer without losing time, and as a leading specialist for study transfers we frequently achieve high year placements. Your exact entry semester depends on the exams you have passed at EUL. We clarify this after a free review of your documents, before you make any decision.
Which documents do I need for a transfer?
The documents a receiving university asks for depend on the country and the university. We go through this with you step by step in the free consultation and tell you exactly what you need. Until then, keep studying at EUL as normal and sit your exams, because every exam you pass strengthens your transfer.
Why do you not place students at the European University of Lefke?
Because the degree is not recognised in many countries. This is not about the teaching at EUL but about the political status of Northern Cyprus. If you are looking for a place to study, you can explore alternatives at our partner universities. If you are already enrolled at EUL, we support your transfer to a recognised university in Europe.
How much does the consultation cost?
The consultation is free and without obligation. We look at your situation, discuss where you want to work later and show you which recognised universities are an option for a transfer. Only then do you decide whether to continue with us. Talking to us does not commit you to anything.
I study at the European University of Lefke – what should I do now?
Stay enrolled and keep sitting your exams. At the same time, book a free consultation. We review what you have completed so far and show you which recognised universities in Europe you can transfer to. The earlier you get in touch, the more options you have, especially before the clinical semesters.
Ahmad
Sabrina
Rami
Noah
500+ students placed.
Now it's your turn!
No daydreaming, no empty promises. Just a clear plan — for the start of your medical degree.
40 minutes, no obligation