Universities in Turkey

Bridging Europe and Asia, with coasts on both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey is a melting pot of cultures and history. The country offers visitors spectacular natural scenery, fascinating varied history and wonderful food. The country attracts over 200,000 international students every year, thanks to its high standards of education.

The types of University

There are over 200 universities in Turkey, which can be sorted into the following categories:

• State (public) universities – There are 129 publicly funded universities and colleges in Turkey. These include public universities such as Çukurova University and Ankara University. Other types of publicly funded institutes include public technical universities such as the Middle East Technical University, and public arts universities such as Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.
• Private (foundation) universities – There are 79 universities in Turkey who are privately funded, including universities such as Istanbul Okan University, Toros University and Avrasya University.

Language of instruction

The official language of Turkey is Turkish, which is spoken by the majority of the population as a first language. Turkish is also the regular language of instruction in the universities of Turkey.

For students who would have not yet mastered the Turkish language, or would prefer to be taught in English, you will find that many universities in Turkey also offer courses taught in English. For example, Ankara University offers 28 of their 160+ bachelors degrees and 15 of their 360+ masters degrees delivered in English.

Popular student cities in Turkey

• Ankara – Located centrally in Turkey, Ankara is the country’s capital city, boasting a blend of modern and historic architecture, and is home to many cultural festivals. The city has a population of over 5 million inhabitants, making it the second largest city in Turkey. There are excellent public transport links throughout the city, and over 20 universities for students to choose from, including Gazi University, Ankara University and Başkent University.
• Antalya – Sitting on the south coast of Turkey on the Mediterranean sea, Antalya offers visitors access to fantastic beaches, ancient Roman ruins and beautiful scenery. It is also a great location for international students, offering a range of universities including Akdeniz University, Alanya University and Antalya Bilim University.
• Eskişehir – In the north west of Turkey, Eskişehir is a city known for its historical architecture and natural springs, and gondola rides along the Porsuk River. The city is also home to 3 public universities, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University and Anadolu University.
• İstanbul – Located in the far north west of the country, straddling the Bosphorus Strait, İstanbul is Turkey’s biggest city. Its historic architecture reflects the melting pot of cultures that make up the fascinating history of the city. Tourists are attracted to the incredible food scene and many attractions, whilst students will find a vast array of universities from which to choose, including Istanbul Technical University, Işık University and the Turkish-German University.
• İzmir – Sitting on the west coast of the country, İzmir is a city with fascinating history from its Greek founders to Roman conquerors. In the present day, it offers visitors beautiful beaches and fascinating museums. There are 10 universities located in the city, including İzmir University of Economics, Yaşar University and Ege University.
• Trabzon – Located on the north east coast of Turkey, Trabzon is another city with fascinating history to explore. Visitors will enjoy the natural beauty that the coast the Black Sea has to offer, with the Haldizen Mountains proving a stunning backdrop. Students have 3 universities to choose from, including Karadeniz Technical University and Avrasya University.

Table of the top ranked universities in Turkey

See below for a list of universities and higher education providers in Turkey. Click on universities you are interested in below to read more and to see which courses are available for international students.