Albania’s Oldest Private University Becomes a Global Brand
August 02, 2026
Twelve undergraduate programmes offered across three faculties at University of New York Tirana, which operates under Turkish Maarif Foundation, have been included in the 2026 ÖSYM Guide to Higher Education Programmes and Quotas. Located in Tirana, the capital of Albania, and providing education entirely in English, the university enables students from Türkiye to pursue higher education in an international academic environment.
Established in 2002 as Albania’s first private university, University of New York Tirana (UNYT) joined Turkish Maarif Foundation in 2018, becoming the Foundation’s first higher education institution. Offering education through its Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Business and Economics, the university ranks among Albania’s leading higher education institutions thanks to its growing academic structure and international partnerships.
Twelve Undergraduate Programmes for Students from Türkiye
Twelve undergraduate programmes offered at UNYT have been made available to students from Türkiye through the 2026 ÖSYM Guide to Higher Education Programmes and Quotas. The guide includes Software Engineering, Computer Science, Interior Architecture and Graphic Design under the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture; Political Science and International Relations, Law and Psychology under the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences; and Business Administration, Economics and Finance, Applied Banking and Finance, E-Business and E-Commerce, and Management Information Systems under the Faculty of Business and Economics.
These programmes offer prospective university students from Türkiye the opportunity to receive education entirely in English in Tirana and study in a multicultural university environment comprising students and academics from different countries.
Student Enrolment More Than Triples in Eight Years
As one of the key representatives in Albania of Turkish Maarif Foundation’s holistic educational approach extending from preschool to higher education, UNYT continues to expand both its academic capacity and student population. The university currently offers a total of 28 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes through the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Business and Economics.
The number of students at UNYT, which stood at approximately 400 when the university joined Turkish Maarif Foundation in 2018, has more than tripled in eight years, reaching 1,447. Having graduated approximately 350 students during its most recent graduation period, the university also continues to strengthen its international structure by bringing together students from different countries.
A framework supporting educational continuity has been established between UNYT and Turkish Maarif Foundation institutions in Albania, which provide education from preschool through high school. Students graduating from Maarif schools are therefore able to continue their higher education within the same educational philosophy and in an international university environment.
Double Degree and International Education Opportunities
Through its double-degree programme with Empire State University in the United States, UNYT offers its students the opportunity to receive diplomas from both universities. With an academic structure aligned with the Bologna Process, the university provides education in accordance with the standards of the European Higher Education Area. This structure supports students in accessing postgraduate education, academic mobility and career opportunities in different countries.
Academic partnerships developed with international universities, student exchange programmes and academic mobility initiatives also contribute to UNYT’s multicultural character. Through these activities, the university brings together students and academics from different countries within the same academic environment.
Recognising research as one of the fundamental components of higher education, UNYT conducts scientific studies in various fields through the Institute of European and Balkan Studies and the research centres operating under the Institute. The university undertakes academic research particularly on the Balkans, as well as in the fields of politics, society, economics, law and international relations.
UNYT publishes the peer-reviewed academic journal International Journal of Balkan Studies and continues to produce books and other academic publications under UNYT Press.
98 Per Cent of UNYT Graduates Are in Employment
Since its establishment, UNYT has educated graduates who have gone on to work as diplomats, academics, university administrators, public-sector employees and professionals in various areas of the business world. The university also regularly monitors the career development of its graduates.
According to UNYT’s graduate tracking surveys, 98 per cent of its graduates are active in the workforce. Alumni continue their careers across a wide range of fields, particularly in public institutions, international organisations, multinational companies and private-sector enterprises.
The university’s academic connections, alumni network and practice-oriented educational approach contribute to preparing students for professional life. In addition to coursework, projects, teamwork and academic activities allow students to complement their theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
A Career Journey from UNYT to Deloitte
The educational and professional journey of UNYT graduate Deizi Imami is a notable example of the educational continuity offered by the university. Imami began her education at International Maarif High School in Albania and completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at UNYT. Today, she works as an Information Technology Specialist at Deloitte, one of the world’s leading professional services firms.
Imami stated that the eight years she spent studying at Maarif institutions provided her not only with academic and technical knowledge but also with discipline, self-confidence, time-management, communication and teamwork skills. She added that the support she received from her teachers and academics played an important role in her career development.
“Maarif did not only provide me with technical knowledge. It also taught me to work in a disciplined manner, manage my time effectively, act according to a plan and make sound decisions under pressure. Through the projects, assignments and teamwork we carried out outside the classroom, we had the opportunity to prepare for real professional life. The foundations of many of the skills I use in my career today were laid during those years,” Imami said.
Emphasising that her educational journey was not limited to acquiring academic knowledge, Imami noted that the process helped her understand herself, continue developing and prepare for the future.
“The eight-year educational journey I experienced at Maarif lies at the foundation of the knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence and values I possess today. I believe this journey also reflects UNYT’s vision of ‘Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders’,” she said.
With its strong academic staff, research activities, international partnerships and the achievements of its graduates across different sectors, UNYT continues to contribute to higher education in Albania in line with Turkish Maarif Foundation’s educational vision.
