In Zimbabwe every foreign degree is assessed case by case by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE): US$175 for a qualification obtained outside Zimbabwe, with the result in writing after at least four weeks (zimche.ac.zw). ZIMCHE first establishes the status of the awarding institution, and its 2025 guide for students going abroad says it "will only accept qualifications from accredited institutions". Regulated professions then go through their own council.
The March 2024 ZIMCHE notice
In March 2024 ZIMCHE announced that Near East University, Girne American University, the University of Kyrenia and the European University of Lefke are no longer accredited by ZIMCHE. The notice is quoted in the Zimbabwean press (Zimbabwe Situation, 12 March 2024); ZIMCHE's own page for it is no longer online, and we found no later re-accreditation. We found no ZIMCHE statement either way about Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus International, Final International, Bahçeşehir Cyprus, Cyprus West or METU Northern Cyprus Campus. Zimbabwe does not recognise the TRNC, and ZIMCHE's guide asks that a university be recognised by the host country's official regulator; how it applies that to North Cyprus is not published.
Professional registration
Medicine
Foreign-trained doctors and dentists must pass the MDPCZ Council registration assessment, held in March, June and October, and start on the provisional register (mdpcz.co.zw). MDPCZ publishes no list of recognised foreign medical schools. On file: Near East University lists WFME on its own page; Eastern Mediterranean University holds ECFMG and TEPDAD; the World Directory of Medical Schools lists NEU, CIU, GAU and the University of Kyrenia, and states that a listing does not denote recognition.
Engineering and pharmacy
The Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) and the Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe (PCZ) could not be read on 13 October 2026; their sites sit behind a bot check. ZIMCHE's guide names both as bodies to check with before you start studying. On file: ABET at EMU and METU NCC, ENAEE / EUR-ACE at NEU and EUL, ACPE at EMU and NEU, AHPGS at CIU.
What to verify yourself
- Ask ZIMCHE in writing about your exact university before you enrol; the address is on its qualification assessment page. Do not rely on any claim that a North Cyprus degree is "recognised in Zimbabwe".
- Medicine: check the MDPCZ registration assessment dates and fees at mdpcz.co.zw.
- Engineering and pharmacy: ask ECZ or PCZ about your programme before enrolling.
- An agency that represents a foreign university in Zimbabwe registers with ZIMCHE (form PRC3, zimche.ac.zw/registration); ask to see it.
Recognition rules change without notice. Verify with ZIMCHE and the relevant council before any enrolment commitment.