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GAU Group of Schools (Girne American College)

Cyprus, Kyrenia

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages Turkish, French, German
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Sixth Form
Introduction

GAU Girne American College, part of the GAU Group of Schools in Northern Cyprus, educates students from 1.5 to 18 at Kyrenia campus. The college uses a British-based curriculum alongside the Turkish national curriculum, with English as the language of instruction. It offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS and A Levels, and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, and DELF is offered for French. The institution has been a Cambridge sub-centre since 2000 and an Edexcel centre since 2008, and it is the only North Cyprus member of ECIS. Facilities include theatre and arts spaces, science laboratories and ICT suites. A wide range of after-school activities, language clubs, cultural events and community service complements classroom learning, with leadership roles available through school events. It also collaborates with the British Council to administer examinations. Facilities support a range of co-curriculars, including drama, art, music, science and ICT projects, with opportunities for leadership and service.

University Drive, Girne – North Cyprus via Mersin 10 – Turkey (Kyrenia campus)

The Essentials

GAU Group of Schools (Girne American College) has instruction in English.

Location
Kyrenia (Girne), North Cyprus. The Kyrenia campus is on University Drive, Girne – North Cyprus via Mersin 10 – Turkey. The Nicosia campus is in Alayköy, Lefkoşa. The group operates schools in both Kyrenia and Lefkoşa.

Stages
Ages 1.5 to 18; includes nursery, primary and secondary, leading to pre-university years.

Country affiliation
Northern Cyprus
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform items bear the school logo. The American College uniform for girls is a white shirt with a dark blue skirt, white socks, and black shoes or trainers; in winter a red v-neck sweater (middle school) or a dark blue sweatshirt (upper school) with tights. For boys, the uniform is a white shirt and dark blue trousers; in winter a red v-neck sweater (middle school) or a dark blue sweatshirt (upper school) with black shoes or trainers. A full uniform is provided at registration, with additional items available from the Uniform Shop.

Food Options
Lunch is provided on site; the lunch menu is published and includes soups such as Tomato Soup, Tarhana Soup, Lentil Soup, Yayla Soup, Ezogelin Soup, followed by main dishes such as Baked Chicken, Mantı, Izmir Köfte, Home-style Beef with Potatoes, and Soya Sauce Chicken. Sides include Rice with Orzo, Yogurt, Bulgur Pilaf, Plain Pasta, Rice Pilaf, Ayran; salads such as Seasonal Salad, Cacık, Shepherd's Salad; fruit and dessert. Summer School meals include breakfast and lunch; bus services are provided.

Governance and Ownership
GAU The American College is part of the GAU Group of Schools and is governed by a Chancellor and Board of Trustees. The Chancellor is Serhat AKPINAR, who is also Chancellor of Girne American University and GAU Group of Schools.
Fees
Application & Registration fees
- A registration fee and a refundable deposit are required at the time of registration. The deposit paid at registration is deducted from the total annual school fees. Registration fee and deposits are explicitly stated as non‑refundable.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- The school charges annual tuition that is invoiced on an academic‑year basis. Education fees are charged annually; there are no published per‑grade or per‑term fee amounts in the school's publicly available registration materials. Parents complete a payment agreement at the start of each academic year which defines the exact amounts and instalment schedule for that student.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Parents must make a written payment agreement at the beginning of each academic year. Payments made after agreed payment dates are subject to an interest charge. The registration deposit is applied against the total annual fee. Specific invoice dates, term splits, instalment deadlines and penalty rates are set in the payment agreement for each academic year.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The school presents a boarding school provision within its group, but no public boarding fee schedule or per‑term/per‑year boarding amounts are published in the public registration or boarding pages. Where boarding is requested, parents should confirm the boarding options, exact fees and the billing timetable with the accounts office.

Other costs and compulsory charges
- Uniform: A full set of school uniform is provided at registration and the yearly purchase of school uniform is compulsory. Details of required uniform items by school section are published. Additional uniform items may be purchased at the school uniform shop.
- School lunch: Lunch is compulsory for students up to Year 9; the lunch fee is non‑refundable. From Year 9 onward students may purchase daily meals from the dining hall menu.
- Miscellaneous charges: The school's registration materials note that parents are responsible for damages caused by a student and that other incidental or optional charges (for example extracurricular activities, exam fees, transport, materials or special programmes) may be charged as applicable; specific amounts for these charges are set and invoiced where relevant.

Refund information
- Education (tuition) fees are charged on an annual basis and no refunds are given if a student leaves during the academic year. Registration fees and deposits are non‑refundable. Lunch fees are explicitly non‑refundable where they are charged as compulsory for the relevant year groups.

Fee payment options
- The school requires parents to make a payment agreement with the accounts department at the start of the academic year. Specific accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, cheque or other) are not published in the public registration form; accepted payment instruments and instructions are provided by the accounts office when the payment agreement is completed. For accounts and invoicing queries use the school accounts contacts listed below.

Accounts contact (for invoicing, instalments and exact fee amounts)
- Accounts office contact for registration and fee agreements: telephone 0392 650 2000 (extensions for accounts given on admissions material) and accounts email addresses listed for the Kyrenia/College offices. Use the school accounts contacts to request the current academic‑year fee schedule and payment instructions.

Availability of published fee amounts and next steps
- The school's publicly available registration materials set the policies above but do not publish a granular fee schedule (per year group, per term, or boarding rates) in the materials reviewed. Exact tuition amounts, per‑term instalment values, boarding charges (where applicable) and the list of accepted payment channels are supplied to families through the accounts/payment agreement at registration. To obtain the precise per‑year and per‑term figures for the 2026/27 (or, if not yet published for 2026/27, the 2025/26) academic year you will need to request the school's current fee schedule from the accounts office using the contacts above.
Academics

GAU Group of Schools (Girne American College) teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE.

Curriculum
British-based curriculum with Key Stage 3 and 4, IGCSE and AS/A Level syllabuses. All subjects are taught in English. In Years 6-8, Turkish, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, French, Social Studies, ICT, Turkish Cypriot History, Music, Art and Physical Education are studied. In Year 9, students select IGCSE subjects from a broad range. External examinations include IGCSE and AS/A Level, with DELF offered for French.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school develops social and emotional skills through life skills, project-based learning, and cooperative learning. PSHE is part of the curriculum, and Communication and Children's Rights is taught as a social development subject.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A Special Needs Education Center exists in Karakum, and Year 10 Psychology & Sociology students visited the center to interact with the students and develop social responsibility; gifts were given as part of the activity.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school supports both native English and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, with classes divided by ability. Turkish is taught by native speakers, and a Turkish as a Foreign Language program is provided for foreign students. The curriculum follows the British system and all subjects are taught in English.

Mental Wellbeing
PSHE and life-skills education support students' personal and social development. Life skills and PSHE are integrated into the curriculum, complemented by social activities that promote wellbeing (e.g., cancer awareness and other community activities).

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is integrated into the curriculum through Communication and Children's Rights. Health and Safety policies ensure a safe environment, including a closed-site campus, appointment-based access for staff, and written consent for collecting children.
Parent Experience

History
The GAU Group of Schools is an independent group offering education to students between the ages of 1.5 and 18. It operates in Girne (Kyrenia) and Lefkoşa (Nicosia) in Northern Cyprus. It follows a British-based curriculum alongside the Turkish national curriculum (MEB), with Cambridge Young Learners exams (Starters, Movers and Flyers) and DELF in primary and KET, PET, IELTS, IGCSE as well as AS/A Level syllabuses in the colleges. The staff are fully qualified and hold degrees and international teaching credentials.

Community
The GAU Group of Schools aims to create a school community where children feel safe and have the opportunity to participate, excel, and be proud of themselves as well as their achievements. Children are encouraged to be self-explorers and researchers, free to express themselves and reflect on their learning potential. The environment is interactive and fun, with a range of non-curricular activities to complement academic work. Participation in local and regional tournaments and activities in arts, mathematics, science and language is part of the school community.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
GAU The American College uses Cambridge International Examinations and Edexcel curricula. It has been a Cambridge sub-centre since 2000, offering Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS and A Levels, and Cambridge Young Learners Examinations: Starters, Movers and Flyers. It has been an Edexcel centre since November 2008 for International GCSE and A Levels, with invigilation by GAU teachers. It is a full member of FEDE since 2007. GAU The American College is the only North Cyprus member of ECIS; the ECIS award recognizes a student who represents their country, can converse in at least two languages, and contributes to the life of the school, fostering international understanding. The College holds a central position in Kyrenia and supports the British Council with their examinations.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Pilates, Chess, GEMS, Drama, Swimming
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Intellectual board games are offered as after-school clubs. After-school clubs include Economics, ICT, English, Science, Maths and Ceramics. Chess is available as part of after-school clubs and social activities. These activities support cognitive development and academic enrichment beyond the regular lessons.

Arts & Creative
Art, Drama and Dance are offered as after-school clubs. Theatre shows and Theatre Week are part of social activities. An Art Festival is listed among social activities and provides creative opportunities for students.

Cultural & Language
Language clubs include Chinese, Russian and Greek. Francophonie Day, Cultural Day and Shakespeare Day are observed as cultural and language events. Theatre shows and performances provide cross-cultural exchange.

Social & Hobbies
Chess, Basketball and Football are among the clubs offered. Art, Drama and Dance are included as after-school activities. Swimming and Scouts are also listed among activity options. A range of social events includes Theatre Week, Sports Day, Halloween and other celebrations.

Community & Service
Charity Events are part of social activities. The school also lists community projects and charity drives as part of its activities and events. Students participate in service-oriented activities through these programs.

Leadership & Professional
School Captain Elections are part of student leadership activities. Leadership opportunities are provided through participation in clubs and school events. Students develop responsibility and collaboration through these activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Football, Basketball, Tennis and Golf are offered as after-school clubs. Gymnastics and Swimming are available. These sports and fitness activities contribute to physical well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
Middle school follows the English curriculum; high school classes are in Turkish under the Turkish national curriculum; the school serves both native and EFL students, and classes are arranged according to students' English proficiency levels.
School Events
The school has not added events
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