Universities in Syria

Universities in Syria are overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Damascus. The sector includes public (government) universities, private universities and technical institutes. The ministry has separate directorates for students at public universities, for private educational institutions, for the equivalence of certificates and for grants and cultural exchange, and states that it is working on quality assurance and academic accreditation.

For international students, the most accessible Syrian option today is online study. SpainExchange lists one university in Syria: the Syrian Virtual University (SVU), based in Damascus, which teaches online.

How degrees are structured

The Syrian Virtual University gives a clear example of how a Syrian degree is measured. It uses a credit hour system in which one academic year is on average equivalent to 60 ECTS credits. A bachelor's degree requires at least 240 credit hours and an engineering degree 300; an academic master's degree requires 120 credit hours, and a doctorate 180 credit hours at the highest level. Below bachelor's level, the SVU's scale also has a qualified assistant level of 120 credit hours.

According to its website, the SVU has 45 programmes, 1,500 courses, 900 instructors and 250,000 alumni. Its faculties cover information technology and communications, management sciences and humanities, with bachelor's degrees such as information technology, management sciences, law and mass communication, many master's programmes, two doctorates and technical institutes in fields such as computing and tourism and hotel sciences. Several programmes are aimed at students who already work.

Admission for international students

Each university and programme sets its own admission rules. For SVU master's programmes, applicants need an accredited Syrian university degree or a non-Syrian degree accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education; selection combines the graduation average, an English certificate and an admission test, with weights that differ by programme.

Students with foreign qualifications who want them recognised in Syria deal with the ministry's directorate for the equivalence of certificates.

SVU students outside Syria take part in exams and practical sessions through a network of access centres (telecenters), for example in Amman, Istanbul and Germany.

Costs

Fees at the SVU are charged in Syrian pounds for students resident in Syria and in euros or US dollars for Arab students, foreigners and non-resident Syrians. For spring 2025, the published fees for bachelor's programmes include a registration fee of €100 or US$100, a term fee of €150 or US$150 and €150 or US$150 per course, plus examination costs. Students abroad also pay a per-course fee to the access centre, which varies by country.

Visa and safety

As of its update of 23 April 2026, Spain's foreign ministry advises against travel to Syria except in cases of extreme necessity. It states that visitors need a valid passport with a Syrian visa, that an electronic visa can be requested on evisa.sy, and that international medical insurance is strongly recommended. Anyone considering study on site should check their own government's travel advice first.

How to choose

• Study mode: online study from abroad or study on site
• Recognition: whether the degree is accredited and recognised in the country where you will use it
• Level: technical institute, bachelor's, master's or doctorate, and the credit hours required
• Exams: where exams take place and whether there is an access centre in your country
• Total cost: registration, term, course and exam fees

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates universities in Syria?

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which has separate directorates for public universities, private educational institutions and the equivalence of certificates.

Can I study at a Syrian university online?

Yes. The Syrian Virtual University in Damascus teaches online and runs access centres for exams in several countries outside Syria.

How many credits does a Syrian bachelor's degree have?

At the Syrian Virtual University, a bachelor's degree requires at least 240 credit hours, and one academic year is on average equivalent to 60 ECTS credits.

Is it safe to travel to Syria to study?

Spain's foreign ministry advises against travel to Syria except in cases of extreme necessity. Check your own government's travel advice before making any plans.