TOEFL is set per programme (postgraduate often asks for more), and the test moved to the new 1.0–6.0 scale on 21 January 2026 — confirm the current minimum and which scale on the official admissions page before you rely on it.
- City
- Latakia
- Type
- Public
- Language of instruction
- Arabic (national language + HE primary medium) + English + French (increasingly for STEM/medicine/business)
- Accreditation
- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Syrian Arab Republic (وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي) — apex regulator for Syrian HEIs (continuity through 2024 government transition; new Syrian government under Ahmad al-Sharaa maintains ministerial structures). Syrian HE: (1) PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES — 7 major public including Damascus University (1903 heritage, flagship), Aleppo University (1958), Tishreen (Latakia), Al-Baath (Homs), Al-Furat (Deir ez-Zor), Hama, Tartous + Syrian Virtual University (online); (2) PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES — ~15+ private institutions across Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Tartous, Daraa, including medical specialty colleges. Plus Higher Institute of Business Administration (HIBA), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (HIAST), specialized military + religious institutions. Arabic is national language + HE primary medium across nearly all institutions; English + French increasingly used for STEM/medicine/business. ⚠️ CRITICAL POST-2024 CONTEXT: Syrian HE system was devastated by 2011-2024 civil war — many campuses damaged/destroyed (especially in Aleppo, Homs, Idlib, Deir ez-Zor, rural Damascus), faculty + students fled or killed, academic continuity severely disrupted. New government under Ahmad al-Sharaa (December 2024 onwards) is rebuilding HE system with international support; sanctions lifting progressively 2025; reconstruction in early phases. Verify current operational status of any Syrian university before applying.