14 Best Universities In Ankara For International Students 2025

Ankara is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Turkey. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 14 universities and colleges in Ankara, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 14 universities in Ankara, Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe University are the top-performing schools in Ankara. This list covers both public and private institutions in Ankara.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Ankara. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Ankara.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Ankara?

Applying to the universities in Ankara involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Ankara to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Ankara?

Tuition fees at Ankara’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 3,678 TRY to 274,000 TRY , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 3,096 TRY to 270,300 TRY. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Ankara!

As we cover the best universities in Ankara for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Ankara for International Students

Middle East Technical University (METU) is a world-class institution known for generating human resources in various industry sectors, particularly in the fields of natural and social sciences. The university is among the first Turkish institutions to introduce new and innovative methods for teaching and research. Aside from providing top-rated educational programs, METU actively participates in research contributions, leads in serving the community, and is firmly committed to resolving global issues.

Hacettepe University is a world-renowned public institution with its Ankara and Beyte campuses. Essentially, the university strives to help its members become their best. It does so by fostering healthy competition against global standards, pushing individuals to reach for the top. Research also stands at its core, encouraging students to explore and put out their best ideas and skills. Hacettepe University also covers the spectrum of knowledge by offering as many specialized courses as possible for undergraduate and graduate students.

Ihsan Dogramaci Bilkent University is shortly and more popularly known as Bilkent University. Ihsan Dogramaci was the man who founded this private, non-profit institution in 1984 in the hopes of creating Turkey’s new center of knowledge and research. Decades later, he did achieve his vision, as Bilkent University is not just leading nationwide but is also at par with global universities. Initially molded after Harvard, Bilkent has become a league of its own, establishing its name through fantastic research and valuable academic collaboration.

Ankara University, the first fully established university in Turkey, is considered one of the most elite universities in Turkey and the world. Founded by the great Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a statesman and the founder of the Republic of Turkey has felt the need to establish a higher education school as a start to transform the lives of the Turkish people. The university then grew to become the best provider of higher education in the country and neighboring countries.

The university offers a broad spectrum of educational programs, ranging from agriculture to health sciences. These programs are lectured by highly qualified professors and experts with years of relevant experience in their respective industries.

TOBB University of Economics and Technology is a private university in Ankara, Turkey. It was founded in 2003 with the goal of strengthening ties between the university and industry and preparing students for careers. TOBB’s internships and cooperative education model help students develop entrepreneurial skills. Programs in medicine, law, and technology are also available at the university.   

Gazi University is a public university in Ankara, Turkey. It was founded in 1926 as the Gazi Teacher Training Institute. It has several campuses spread across the city. As a forerunner in education in the country, the university strives to provide international-level research and produce innovative and critical students for the benefit of society.

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University is a public educational institution that offers a wide undergraduate, graduate, and vocational courses in various study areas such as engineering, management, medicine, natural sciences, and humanities. It caters to more than 2000 international students and conducts most of its courses in English. The university also conducts scientific research to help address society’s most current issues.

A private institution in the city of Ankara in Turkey, Cankaya University promises world-standard education aimed at instilling fundamental values of discipline, freedom, scientific approach, and more. The cultures and traditions of Turkey combined with equal and equitable education are something to be expected in the university.

Applicants may take up Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programs at Cankaya University. Moreover, they may take double major or minor programs of their choice. If students have spare time or need resources, they may apply for part-time jobs at the university.

Baskent University is a private university founded in 1994 and is located in Ankara, Turkey. It offers Bachelor’s and Master’s programs to students locally and internationally. The university has multiple faculties and institutes for its degree programs. Additionally, the university has vocational schools, research units, and a conservatory to expand its offered learning opportunities.

Healthcare is of utmost importance at Baskent University and it can be seen in its hospitals, application centers, clinics, dialysis centers, and more. Services addressing for nutritional needs, housing, and transportation are also present in the university.

Founded in 1997, Atilim University is a leading private educational institution located in Ankara, Turkey. The university is known for promoting internationalization through its mobility programs and joint projects with universities and other organizations in Europe and the world. It offers world-class degree programs in engineering, medicine, and social sciences. 

Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU), not to be confused with Ankara University, was founded in 2013. Located in one of the most unique places in the world, ASBU leads its students with the mission of instilling “human values” and the vision of being an internationally competitive university.

ASBU has eight academic units covering various specializations in the disciplines of Public Administration and Social Sciences. It claims to demonstrate a unique form of “Sociocity,” which is its university model of tackling different societal problems.

Ufuk University is situated in the capital of Turkey: Ankara. This institution was founded in 1999 by the Turkish Traffic Accidents Assistance Foundation to provide emergency, medical, and social assistance for disasters and accidents. The university covers various undergraduate and graduate courses, such as medicine, law, education, natural sciences, social sciences, and business.

The Turkish Aeronautical Association University, as stated by its name, is a unique institution that specializes in air travel and transport. This university is young; it dates back to 2011, and it started its journey because of the need for a specialized air travel university. Even though the university is quite renowned, the tuition fees are affordable for both domestic and international students.

Yuksek Ihtisas University is a private university in Ankara, Turkey. It was established in 2015 with only medical courses. Over the years, the university has expanded to offer more programs in the fields of nutrition, physical therapy, nursing, and health sciences, as well as a vocational school for associate degree programs.