10 Best Public Universities in Istanbul for International Students
Istanbul is one of the cities in Turkey you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Istanbul can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.
There are 51 universities you can find in Istanbul, and 10 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Istanbul a great place for international students.
In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Istanbul, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!
| Rank | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Istanbul Technical University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 2 | Bogazici University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 3 | Istanbul University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 4 | Yildiz Technical University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 5 | Marmara University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 6 | Istanbul Medeniyet University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 7 | Galatasaray University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 8 | Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 9 | University of Health Sciences | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 10 | Turkish-German University | Istanbul, Turkey |
Public Universities in Istanbul
1. Istanbul Technical University
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.
2. Bogazici University
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.
3. Istanbul University
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.
4. Yildiz Technical University
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.
5. Marmara University
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.
6. Istanbul Medeniyet University
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.
7. Galatasaray University
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.
8. Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University
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.
9. University of Health Sciences
The University of Health Sciences is a public university in Istanbul, Turkey, and is the only institution for health sciences in the country. It was founded in 2015 and now offers 5 institutes, 22 faculties, and 6 vocational schools. With over 23,000 students enrolled, the university also accepts international and military students.
10. Turkish-German University
Found in the heart of Turkey, in the city of Istanbul, Turkish-German University (TGU) is a higher educational institute created through cooperation between the Turkish and German governments. With this in mind, all programs at undergraduate and graduate levels are taught in both German and English languages.
It should be obvious that the Turkish-German University prides itself on being internationally competent in all aspects of education. TGU also claims to be a research university, providing significant contributions in the fields of science and technology. Further cementing TGU’s reputation is its partnership with recognized institutions such as the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Istanbul?
Absolutely! International students in public universities in Istanbul can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.
As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Istanbul charge up to 69,500 TRY for bachelor’s and 132,000 TRY for master’s studies.
I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Istanbul. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.