25 Best Universities In Turkey For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Turkey, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 173 universities and colleges in Turkey, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 173 universities in Turkey, Cankaya University and Middle East Technical University are the top-performing schools in Turkey. This list covers both public and private institutions in Turkey.

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

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

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

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

Tuition fees at Turkey’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 247 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 Turkey!

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 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.

Firat University is a public educational institution established in 1975 in the historical city of Elazig. It offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students to become competitive candidates in the international labor market. The university also has a strong commitment to helping society address its most pressing issues through conducting scientific research and projects on a national and global scale.

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.   

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.

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. 

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.

Anadolu University began as an institution focused on economic and commercial studies in 1958. The university now offers programs in nearly every discipline possible, from the arts to the sciences. As Anadolu grows, we can only expect it to offer even more up-to-date courses, especially as it has a reputation for being “dynamic, modern, and innovative.” Besides the usual degree programs, the university also provides quality vocational studies.

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.

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.

Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University is a public institution for higher education that offers a wide range of courses but is mostly known for its programs in maritime and mining engineering. It strives to conduct its academic and research programs in such a way that meets international standards. The university is also an active member of international associations to provide opportunities for international mobility to its students and faculty.

Dokuz Eylul University stands out among Turkish universities for honing students’ critical thinking, creativity, analysis, and problem-solving skills. That’s because it was the first university in the country to employ a problem-based learning method, which pushes students to actively seek solutions for issues as a way of gaining knowledge and expanding abilities. Moreover, DEU does not just stop at surpassing national standards; it also aims to exceed global expectations by improving its internationalization strategies and focusing on credible, helpful research.

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.

Ege University, also known as Aegean University, has an extensive history of molding Turkish scholars, as it is one of the country’s oldest universities. The institution initially offered medicine and agriculture programs, but it has since diversified to education, technology, communication, and other varied courses. It also established itself as a stronghold of scientific knowledge by establishing world-class research centers focused on drug development, petroleum analysis, textile, apparel manufacturing, and more.