Filled with fun facts and rich history, Albania is known for several distinctive customs. In some parts of the country, travelers may notice that head gestures are used differently from many other places: a head shake can mean yes, while a nod can mean no. Albania is also associated with Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu to Albanian parents, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
Albania is also known for its communist-era bunkers. The exact number is debated, but estimates usually describe the total as hundreds of thousands. Built during the country’s decades of isolation and fear of invasion, many bunkers remain visible today, and some have been repurposed as museums, cafés, and tourist attractions. In this article, we will be looking at the affordable universities in Albania for international students.
Affordable Schools in Albania for International Students
1. Epoka University
Located in the Tirana area, Epoka University describes its institutional strategy around three priorities: education, research, and contribution to society. The university offers programs through the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering, the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences.
Epoka also presents itself as an internationally oriented university. Its public materials note that part of its full-time academic staff is international, and students can find mobility opportunities through exchange partnerships, including Erasmus+.
2. Polytechnic University of Tirana
Polytechnic University of Tirana traces its roots to the Higher Polytechnic Institute, established in 1951. The current university became a separate institution in 1991, and it remains focused mainly on engineering, technology, architecture, geology, and related applied fields.
Students interested in technical disciplines can find programs across UPT’s faculties, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, information technology, architecture and urban planning, geology and mining, and mathematical and physical engineering. UPT is also linked with the Institute of Geosciences, formerly associated with energy, water, and environment research.
3. University of New York Tirana
Established in 2002, the University of New York Tirana (UNYT) describes itself as Albania’s first private university and the first private higher education institution in the country with English instruction. UNYT’s mission emphasizes educating future leaders through Albanian and international scholars who bring academic and intercultural perspectives.
UNYT was originally founded as part of the New York College network and has been owned by the Turkish Maarif Foundation since 2018. Instead of assuming a guaranteed transfer route to New York, prospective students should check current dual-degree, exchange, and transfer options directly with UNYT.
4. University Europian i Tiranes
Also known in English as the European University of Tirana, UET lists five faculties and offers study options that include bachelor’s, professional master’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. UET’s international cooperation page states that the university works with institutions inside and outside Albania to create academic opportunities for students and staff.
Through these partnerships, UET supports exchange, cooperation, and international degree opportunities. Students interested in studying at UET should confirm current program availability, fees, and English-language options with the university before applying.
5. Beder University College
Established as a non-profit institution, Bedër University College is administered by the Hafiz Ali Korça Foundation. Its current academic structure includes the Faculty of Humanities and Law, with departments such as Law, Communication Sciences, Education and English Language, and Islamic Sciences, as well as the Faculty of Technology and Business, which includes Computer Science and Economics and Business.
Bedër says it supports successful students through scholarship funds and offers study programs in both Albanian and English. Rather than describing the institution as weak internationally, its current public materials emphasize plans to consolidate an international profile and highlight cooperation agreements with universities and companies in different countries.
6. Canadian Institute of Technology
Despite its name, the Canadian Institute of Technology (CIT) is located in Tirana, Albania. CIT states that it teaches in English and uses English-language teaching materials, which can help international students avoid an additional language barrier.
CIT describes its programs as based on North American curricula and highlights a student-centered environment in Tirana. The institute also notes opportunities connected to Canada and the United States, including a transfer and mutual-recognition agreement with Georgian College in Canada; however, students should confirm current transfer conditions directly before applying.
Albania has several private universities and university colleges with international links, English-taught options, and exchange or cooperation agreements. However, transfer routes to North America are not automatic, so students should confirm the current rules with each institution before applying.
We hope this article helped in your search for affordable education in Albania! Make sure to also check out the Available Courses in Europe!
