Increasing Representation of Female Students in University Enrollments (2018–2025)
At Near East University, the representation of women among newly enrolled students has continued to rise steadily over recent years. Between 2021 and 2025, the percentage of female students starting a degree has shown a consistent upward trend — from 44% in 2021 to 45% in 2022, followed by a significant increase to 51% in 2023, where women first outnumbered men. This positive trajectory continued in 2024 and 2025, with female representation remaining strong at 51% and 52%, respectively.
This pattern demonstrates the university’s growing inclusivity and the success of its efforts to create equal opportunities in access to higher education. The narrowing gender gap among new degree students highlights a broader institutional shift toward balance and diversity within the academic community.
When the wider data from 2018 to 2024 are considered, this change becomes even more striking. In 2018 and 2020, men made up 62% of the student population, compared to 38% women, with the gap widening slightly in 2019 (65% men, 35% women). From 2021 onward, a steady increase in the proportion of women was observed — 43% in both 2021 and 2022 — before surpassing men in 2023 (52% women, 48% men) and maintaining near parity through 2024 (51% women, 49% men).
Overall, these statistics illustrate a significant evolution in gender representation at Near East University, where the enrollment of female students has reached and sustained equitable levels. The consistent rise across both new entrants and total student population reflects the university’s strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in higher education.
Student Admission Rate
Undergraduate students are accepted to Near East University through different examination systems depending on their country of origin. Students from the Republic of Türkiye are admitted through the centralized national university entrance exam, while citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are accepted through the Higher Education Entrance Exam held locally within TRNC. International students from other countries are admitted through equivalency-based evaluations, interviews, and institutional assessment procedures conducted by the university.
In 2022, 53% of female undergraduate students enrolled at Near East University were accepted through the central exam held in Türkiye. The remaining 47%, consisting of students from TRNC and other countries, were admitted through local and international admission processes, with an overall acceptance rate of 78%. At the graduate level, the Graduate Education Institute carried out admissions to master’s and doctoral programs, achieving an 82% acceptance rate.
In 2023, the proportion of female undergraduate students admitted from Türkiye through the national exam slightly increased to 55%, while 45% were accepted from TRNC and other international applicants. The overall acceptance rate for TRNC and international candidates rose to 80%, reflecting a stronger global reach. Graduate admissions remained robust, with an 84% acceptance rate across postgraduate programs.
By 2024, Near East University continued to diversify its student intake. 52% of newly admitted female undergraduate students were accepted through the centralized exam by Türkiye, while 48% came from TRNC and other countries through local and international admission routes. The overall acceptance rate for these applicants increased further to 81%. The Graduate Education Institute sustained its strong performance, with the acceptance rate for master’s and doctoral programs reaching 85%, reinforcing the university’s inclusive and high-quality admission framework.
Tracking the Progress: Women Students' Educational Journey from Enrollment to Completion
At Near East University, monitoring the progression of women students has been a fundamental practice to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities in our academic environment. We systematically track women's application rates, acceptance/entry rates, and study completion rates, demonstrating our commitment to understanding and enhancing their educational journey.
The trend between 2018 and 2023 regarding the educational journey of women students at our institution reveals interesting patterns. In 2018 and 2019, the numbers indicate a relatively stable or slightly declining graduation rate alongside a significant number of students continuing their studies. However, in 2020, there was a notable drop in the graduation rate, with a substantial increase in the number of students who continued their studies and a marked rise in those who did not complete their education.
This fluctuation in educational outcomes could potentially be associated with the global pandemic, which significantly impacted educational institutions worldwide. The higher number of students continuing their studies in 2020 might indicate a shift towards persisting with education amidst the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. Simultaneously, the increased number of students not completing their education might reflect the challenges and disruptions experienced due to the pandemic-related restrictions, potentially affecting their ability to complete their studies.
In 2021 and 2022, the graduation rate continued to decline while the number of students continuing their studies remained relatively high. However, the number of students not completing their education in these years decreased compared to the peak observed in 2020, suggesting potential efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic and improve the overall educational experience for women.
By 2023, the trends show a slight improvement in the graduation rate compared to 2021 and 2022, indicating a recovery as the impact of the pandemic diminished. The number of students continuing their studies remains stable, reflecting ongoing persistence in their educational journey. Additionally, the number of students not completing their education has further declined, reinforcing the positive effects of support measures and resilience-building initiatives aimed at helping women overcome academic challenges. This gradual recovery in 2023 underscores the effectiveness of university support systems in enhancing the educational outcomes for women students post-pandemic.
In 2024, the positive trajectory further strengthened. The graduation rate of women students reached its highest level in recent years, while the attrition rate dropped to its lowest point since 2018. The vast majority of students were either successfully graduating or steadily progressing toward completion. These encouraging outcomes reflect the university’s ongoing investments in personalized academic advising, mentorship, and student-centered learning practices.
Overall, the data covering the 2018–2024 period emphasize a clear and sustained improvement in women’s academic achievement and retention at Near East University. This progress demonstrates the effectiveness of institutional initiatives designed to promote equity, academic continuity, and the empowerment of women in higher education.
Graduate Student Ratio
When analyzing data on Near East University graduates, a consistent upward trend in the proportion of female graduates can be observed over the years. Between 2020 and 2023, the percentage of female graduates increased steadily — from 40% in 2020 to 50% in 2023 — reflecting significant progress in gender balance across graduate programs.
The most recent data for 2024 further reinforces this positive trajectory: female graduates now represent 52% of all graduate students, surpassing their male counterparts, who account for 48%. This marks the first time women have formed the majority among graduate students at Near East University.
This transition not only highlights the advancement of women in postgraduate education but also reflects the impact of the university’s sustained efforts to promote equal participation, mentorship, and academic support for women pursuing advanced degrees. The steady increase in women’s representation across both master’s and doctoral levels underscores Near East University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment where all students can thrive.
Gender Distribution Trends of Graduates at Near East University by Faculty: 2021-2024
The gender distribution of graduates at Near East University between 2021 and 2024 reveals a consistent trend toward greater gender balance, with notable progress across most faculties.
In 2021, women graduates were predominantly concentrated in Education, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Arts & Sciences, while men were more represented in Engineering, Architecture, and Civil Engineering. By 2023, this balance began to shift, with Medicine and Dentistry both reaching near parity in the share of women and men graduates.
The 2024 results further underline this positive development. Women now constitute the majority of graduates in 12 out of 19 faculties, including Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Arts & Sciences, and Agriculture. Particularly, the Faculty of Agriculture has shown a remarkable increase in the proportion of female graduates—exceeding 70% in 2024. Meanwhile, Engineering and Architecture have also seen gradual rises in female representation, indicating growing inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated disciplines.
Although some faculties—such as Civil and Environmental Engineering,Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence and Informatics —continue to have higher proportions of male graduates, the overall distribution reflects an increasingly equitable academic environment.
Taken together, the 2021–2024 data highlight Near East University’s sustained commitment to gender equality, with ongoing progress in creating an inclusive and supportive educational landscape for all students.