The European University of Lefke (EUL) achieved significant success by becoming the university with the highest number of student placements among universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, according to the 2026 Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) placement results. According to the 2026 placement results, 2,545 students chose and were placed at EUL, enabling the European University of Lefke to maintain its position as the most preferred university in the TRNC this year, as it did last year. Of the 2,545 students placed at the European University of Lefke, 1,457 qualified to study in undergraduate programmes, while 1,088 qualified to study in associate degree programmes. According to the announced placement results, 22.03% of all students placed at universities in the TRNC chose to continue their education at EUL.

Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yükselen: As in the previous year, being the most preferred university in the TRNC once again this year is a source of great pride for our university.

Rector of the European University of Lefke, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yükselen, stated in his evaluation of the matter that EUL once again becoming the university with the highest number of student placements in the TRNC according to the YKS results is an important outcome in terms of the University’s future development and its ability to sustain its achievements. Yükselen said, “As the European University of Lefke, being the most preferred university in the TRNC once again this year, as we were last year, has been a source of pride for our University. EUL’s strong educational infrastructure, highly qualified academic staff, international accreditations across 32 different programmes, effective promotional strategies, scholarship and tuition fee policies for students, and practices that place student satisfaction at the centre are among the key factors behind this important achievement. At the same time, this result is not only the outcome of efforts carried out in the recent period, but also a reflection of many years of hard work, determined efforts, and consistent development. This achievement can be regarded as a tangible reflection of EUL’s approach, which places quality education, international visibility, student satisfaction, and the goal of contributing value to society at its core.”

Yükselen stated that this result is an important indication of the steady progress and determined efforts demonstrated throughout the University’s 36-year development journey. He said, “The emergence of this consistent success is extremely valuable as it represents a tangible outcome of the work we have carried out as a university, the goals we have set, and our long-term approach. At the same time, this result has become an important source of motivation for our University to pursue its future growth and development goals with even greater strength and to further advance its position internationally.”

22.03% of Students Placed at Universities in the TRNC Chose EUL

Yükselen stated that the number of students placed at EUL this year reached 2,545 and that the number of students placed at the University has shown a steady increase over the years. He noted that, according to the 2023 YKS placement results, 19.41% of students who chose universities in the TRNC were placed at EUL, while this figure rose to 20.81% in 2024 and 21.90% in 2025. Emphasising that the rate increased to 22.03% with the results announced this year, Yükselen noted that the consistent year-on-year growth in EUL’s share of student preferences is particularly noteworthy.

Yükselen stated that despite the increase in the number of universities operating in the TRNC, EUL has continued to increase its share of total student placements, demonstrating the university’s growing preference among students and its sustainable success. He said, “As in 2025, in 2026 one in every five students placed at universities in the TRNC will continue their education in Lefke. This is an important and pleasing outcome not only for our university, but also for the development and future of the Lefke region.”

Yükselen also drew attention to EUL’s inclusion in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and continued his remarks as follows: “The significant academic and institutional achievements our university has attained in recent years clearly demonstrate the strength of our academic staff, our research and publication performance, the satisfaction of our students, and our growing international visibility. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Trustees of the European University of Lefke, who have always provided us with great support in achieving this success, as well as to our academic and administrative staff, and to the employees of our university’s Promotion Office and our representative offices in Türkiye, who carry out their duties with great dedication.”

Yükselen concluded by saying, “Our aim in the coming period is to make this success sustainable and to continue our steady rise. For us, true success lies not simply in achieving a result once, but in sustaining that success in the years ahead through the right strategies and determined efforts. Our next goal is to take this understanding of success even further and transform EUL’s steady rise into a lasting culture of achievement.”