25 Best Universities In Istanbul For International Students 2025

Istanbul 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 51 universities and colleges in Istanbul, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 51 universities in Istanbul, Istanbul Technical University and Koc University are the top-performing schools in Istanbul. This list covers both public and private institutions in Istanbul.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Istanbul. 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 Istanbul.

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

Applying to the universities in Istanbul 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 Istanbul to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

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

Tuition fees at Istanbul’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 2,090 TRY to 784,200 TRY , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 TRY to 688,200 TRY. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Istanbul!

As we cover the best universities in Istanbul 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 Istanbul for International Students

Istanbul Technical University is a public university in Istanbul, Turkey. It is one of the world’s oldest technical universities, founded in 1773. Since its inception, it has strived to innovate scientific applications for the community’s long-term development. The university is well-known for its leading role in engineering and architectural education.

Highly regarded as one of the most prominent private universities in Turkey, Koc University prides itself on its proven academic excellence and contributions to society. The university, home to some of the best innovators and accomplished individuals, has been notably recognized for its first-class education.

Fostering critically-minded students into reaching their fullest potential is the institute’s primary goal. It provides a combination of traditional and advanced learning approaches so that its teachings are adaptable to the current market and industry needs.

Bogazici University aims to enrich education and offer students innovative and creative teaching approaches. Since its establishment, it has been at the forefront of transforming societies and helping shape a better future through academic and scientific activities. By educating individuals with a burning passion for service, the university aims to develop future leaders and industry experts successfully.

Istanbul University is one of Turkey’s biggest and most prominent universities. It caters to many international students, especially those who want to pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, and medicine. With 12 campuses all over Turkey, the university envisions becoming a research center of excellence that educate equally talented students and contribute to society through breakthrough discoveries.

Sabanci University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was established in 1994 by the Sabanci Foundation. The university follows a Foundations Development program in which students must improve their language skills. Sabanci University provides a multidisciplinary approach to education to develop well-rounded students and help them gain more skills for career advancement.

Yildiz Technical University is a public university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was founded in 1911 as the Conductors School for Higher Education. Because of its achievements and educational quality, it is regarded as one of the city’s oldest technical and most prominent institutions. Currently, the university is promoting sustainable development in the region.

Marmara University is a public university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was founded in 1883 and was named after the Sea of Marmara. The university places a premium on its students’ social development and leadership abilities. As Turkey’s only multilingual university, programs are available in Turkish, English, German, French, and Arabic.

Istanbul Bilgi University has considered the modernization of the educational industry and society, enabling its policies and rules to adapt to future-oriented strategies. As one of the internationally-renowned universities in Turkey, it seeks to provide academic freedom and gather intellectual students with the same cause from all over the world.

Istanbul Aydin University is a leading educational institution located in Turkey’s capital city. The university is dedicated to providing world-class programs that prepare students with broad knowledge and high-level skills that would increase their employment prospects. It also offers different services to students that help them plan for their future and achieve their academic and career goals. 

Yeditepe University offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate, and Associate degree programs. These are open to students in and out of Turkey. International students may take up preparatory school to brush up on their English language knowledge. Summer school is also available for international and local students to shorten their studies at the university.

Additionally, Yeditepe University has various student services and policies to help them in their studies. These include a research policy, an Epilepsy awareness project, language training scholarships, and more.

Ozyegin University (OzU) was established by the Hüsnü M. Özyeğin Foundation in 2007 and has continued to provide quality education in Turkey. Some of the university’s core values are freedom, flexibility, cooperation, and accessibility. The university also curates a strategic plan every few years, creating tangible goals for students and parents to see.

Istanbul Medipol University is a private academic and research institution dedicated to facilitating an international learning environment for its students. Its name has consistently appeared in multiple national and global university rankings for its excellent education and research. It offers degrees in a wide variety of study areas such as communication, humanities, and medicine.

Abiding by its world-level standard of education, Kadir Has University has remained a reputable private higher education institute in Turkey since 1997. Four values guide its longstanding quality service: Education, Research, Public Service, Corporate Structure, and Financial Sustainability. Over the years, Kadir Has University has opened its doors to all Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate students locally and internationally.

Istanbul Kultur University is a private institution for higher education that believes in the power of the youth in determining and molding the future of society. The university aims to raise socially aware and responsible intellectuals and professionals with an entrepreneurial mindset.  It offers high-quality programs in different fields of engineering, humanities, and management.

Established in 2010, Istanbul Medeniyet University forwards an innovative and “civilization-oriented” education. This means that it aims to instill values like peace, camaraderie, and entrepreneurship in its students. The university is open to all students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Istanbul Medeniyet University has over 30 hospitals, research centers, and support units. These primary student services go together with quality-of-life services like accommodations, food services, and financial aid. Students may also exercise a variety of interests in different arts, cultural, and sports clubs, teams, and activities.

Bahcesehir University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was founded in 1998 and is one of the country’s only universities that focus on English education delivery. Students must have a high level of English proficiency to enroll. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs are available in the social sciences, communication, law, engineering, architecture, and natural sciences.

Isik University is a private educational institution founded in 1996 by the Feyziye Schools Foundation. It was established to provide high-quality education and training that meet the current demands of industries and promote the welfare of society. Courses are also taught by notable experts with broad knowledge and experience in their respective disciplines.

Galatasaray University is a Turkish public university that offers programs for undergraduate, associate, and postgraduate students. Programs offered cover a wide variety, some of which include Engineering, Economics, Law, and Philosophy.

Galatasaray University has produced over 14,000 students who are “inquisitive” and well-mannered. This is in accordance with the university’s mission and promise of quality education. Furthermore, these students come from all around the globe and are handled by five faculties and four institutes in the university.

Maltepe University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was established in 1997 by the Istanbul Marmara Education Foundation. The primary medium of instruction at the university is Turkish, which is done to improve the students’ native speaking skills. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs are available in education, natural sciences, arts, law, medicine, and engineering.

Acibadem University offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s programs in English and Turkish languages. It has provided its services since 2007 and continues to create quality opportunities for students in and out of Turkey. Research opportunities are also a priority of the school, as established by its research policy.

Furthermore, Acibadem University has the Kerem Aydinlar Campus that houses multiple academic, interests, and sports facilities. Additionally, over ten service and research centers are in the university. Two of the ten centers are the Distance Learning Application and Research Center and the Biomaterial Application and Research Center.

Only having served eleven years in the education industry, Uskudar University prides itself in its development of socially responsible and health-aware graduates. The university brandishes a turquoise-colored logo decorated with four lines and a “Maiden’s Tower.” On the one hand, the four lines represent its four main principles: Criticizability, Liberalism, Pluralism, and Participation. On the other hand, the tower represents youth, compassion, excitement, and science.

Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSU) has served as an institute for learning in Turkey for over a hundred years now. The university has faculties for Fine Arts, Architecture, and various programs in the fields of Arts and Sciences. Furthermore, the campus has complete student services for accommodation, transportation, catering, and physical health.

Foreign students may study at MSGSU as long as they fulfill specific conditions and pass its international examinations. Alternatively, foreign students may come to the university through exchange programs such as the Erasmus program.

Istanbul Okan University is an innovative university that is widely recognized for its superior online education processes amid a global pandemic. It offers various academic programs in the arts, applied sciences, and humanities that strive to meet international standards of education and training. The university envisions itself as a global leader in education and research. 

The Istanbul Zaim University is a private institute located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was established in 2015, and it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in different fields, including food engineering, engineering, food nutrition, and social sciences. The university has a strong focus on research and has collaborations with several international institutions that allow students to attend different exchange programs.

Istanbul Ticaret University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was founded in 2001 with only 73 students and 6 faculties. The university now has over 9,000 students spread across multiple campuses. The university focuses on commerce but also offers programs in communication, engineering, law, humanities, and social sciences.