Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) – Degree Recognition & Transfer
Degree from Northern Cyprus not recognised in many countries – transfer to a recognised European university is possible
Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) in Güzelyurt offers health programmes — medicine, pharmacy, nursing and physiotherapy — entirely in English. Because Northern Cyprus is recognised as a state only by Turkey, a KSTU degree is not recognised in many countries. We help you transfer to a recognised university in Europe, usually without losing time.
At a glance
The key facts about this university at a glance.
Programmes
Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy
Tuition fees
On request
Duration
6 years (medicine), 4–5 years (other programmes)
Language of instruction
English
Admission process
Intake
Recognition
Not recognised in North Macedonia, Bosnia, Serbia, Morocco and others
Living costs
approx. €500 per month
Total students
3000
How Safe Is This Study Location?
Based on assessments from residents and visitors collected by Numbeo over the past five years.
6 years (medicine), 4–5 years (other programmes)
500
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.
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Why study medicine here?
Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University in Güzelyurt
Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) was founded in 2012 in Güzelyurt (also written Morphou), a town in western Northern Cyprus about 35 km from Nicosia. It focuses on health programmes taught in English: medicine, pharmacy, nursing and physiotherapy. KSTU is accredited by YÖDAK, the Northern Cyprus higher education authority.
Important for 2026: degree recognition
Because Northern Cyprus is recognised as a state only by Turkey, a KSTU degree is not recognised in many countries. This is not a reflection of teaching quality — it is a consequence of the political status of the territory. The problem affects all students, regardless of programme.
- Founded: 2012
- Location: Güzelyurt (Morphou), Northern Cyprus
- Programmes: Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy
- Language of instruction: English
- Oversight: YÖDAK (Northern Cyprus)
- 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.
- Medicine: 6 years, taught in English.
- Pharmacy: 4–5 years, in English.
- Nursing: 4 years, in English.
- Physiotherapy: 4 years, in English.
Study conditions and campus life
Medicine at KSTU runs for six years and is divided into preclinical and clinical phases, taught in English. Pharmacy is typically four to five years, and nursing and physiotherapy are four years each. For the current programme structure and timetable, visit KSTU's website or ask us in a consultation.
Admission and entrance exam
Medschool Experts does not place students at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, because the degree is not recognised in many countries. If you are looking for a place to study medicine, pharmacy or a related field with a degree that keeps as many doors open as possible, explore our partner universities in EU member states. Already studying at KSTU and thinking about transferring? Contact us — the first consultation is free.
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- 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 we have already guided dozens of students along this path. Medschool Experts is a leader in medical study transfers and frequently achieves high year placements.
Our aim is a transfer that usually costs you no time. Your new university reviews the exams you have passed and decides your entry year individually. You stay enrolled at KSTU until your new place is confirmed, so you take no unnecessary risk.
Find out what is possible for you in a free, no-obligation consultation.
Tuition fees and living costs
KSTU publishes its tuition fees on request. For living costs in Güzelyurt, budget roughly €450–550 per month, covering accommodation, food and local transport. Güzelyurt is quieter and cheaper than Nicosia or Girne. Ercan International Airport (ECN) is about 45–50 minutes away by car.
Recognition and career prospects
Degree recognition: the political problem
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is recognised internationally only by Turkey. The UN Security Council declared the proclamation legally invalid in 1983 through Resolution 541. This has direct consequences for anyone studying at a university in Northern Cyprus, including KSTU.
From our placement work in 2026, we know that North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia do not recognise degrees from Northern Cyprus — neither the degree is recognised nor is a transfer from these universities to those countries possible. Since May 2024, Morocco has suspended degree equivalence for Northern Cyprus qualifications on the instructions of its Foreign Ministry; around 3,000 to 3,500 Moroccan students and graduates are affected (Morocco World News, March 2026; Yabiladi, April/July 2026). A Cyprus Today report from December 2020 noted that Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and the UAE had also stopped recognising Northern Cyprus universities.
In the EU, Northern Cyprus lies outside the EU legal framework (EU law is suspended in the north), so EU Directive 2005/36/EC on automatic recognition of medical degrees does not apply to KSTU. The problem lies not in the quality of teaching but in 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
Güzelyurt (Morphou in Greek) is a small town in the western part of Northern Cyprus, about 35 km from Nicosia. It is known for its orange groves and has a quieter pace than the larger university cities. Ercan International Airport (ECN) is about 45–50 minutes away by car; all flights operate via Turkey, usually connecting through Istanbul. The climate is Mediterranean: hot, dry summers and mild, mildly rainy winters.
- City: Güzelyurt (Morphou)
- Country: Northern Cyprus (TRNC, recognised only by Turkey)
- Airport: Ercan (ECN), about 45–50 minutes by car
- Climate: Mediterranean, hot dry summers, 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.
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Student story
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Frequently asked questions about this university
Is a degree from KSTU recognised in Bosnia, Serbia or North Macedonia?
No. From our placement work in 2026, we know that North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia do not recognise degrees from Northern Cyprus, including those from KSTU. Transferring from KSTU to universities in these countries is also not possible. If you plan to work in one of these countries, consider a transfer to a recognised university before you graduate.
Is a KSTU degree recognised in Morocco?
Not at present. Morocco froze equivalence for Northern Cyprus degrees in May 2024 on the instructions of its Foreign Ministry. Around 3,000 to 3,500 Moroccan students and graduates are affected. No solution has been announced. If you want to work in Morocco, we recommend transferring to a university Morocco recognises.
Is a KSTU degree recognised in the EU?
Not automatically. EU Directive 2005/36/EC grants automatic recognition only to degrees from EU member states. Northern Cyprus lies outside the EU legal framework, so KSTU degrees are assessed case by case. A degree from a university in an EU member state avoids this step. Check the rules in the country where you want to practise.
Can I transfer from KSTU to a university in Europe?
Yes. Medicine and pharmacy students at KSTU can apply to continue their studies at other universities in Europe. The new university reviews your exams and decides which year you join. Medschool Experts has guided dozens of students from Northern Cyprus universities through this process and frequently achieves high year placements.
Will I lose time or semesters if I transfer?
Usually not — that is exactly our aim. Your new university credits the exams you have passed, and we frequently achieve high year placements. Your own result depends on your grades and the curriculum of the new university. A transfer is easiest to plan in the early years, before clinical training begins.
Why doesn't Medschool Experts place students at KSTU?
Because the degree is not recognised in many countries, including North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Morocco. This is due to the political status of Northern Cyprus, not the teaching at KSTU. We want your degree to keep as many doors open as possible, which is why we place new students at our partner universities in the EU.
What does a consultation cost?
The consultation is free and comes with no obligation. Book your appointment directly on our contact page.
I study at KSTU — what should I do now?
Start by deciding where you want to work. If your target country does not recognise KSTU degrees, do not wait — a transfer is easiest to plan early. Stay enrolled for now and book a free consultation with Medschool Experts.
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