Turkish Travels

A Quick Word on Turkish Universities

Turkish higher education has come a long way. Its universities increasingly compete on the global stage — several now rank in well-known international league tables, and Turkey attracts a significant number of international students. Many Turkish universities offer programmes taught in English, particularly in fields like engineering, business, and the sciences, which makes them very attractive for students from abroad or those who prefer English-medium instruction.

Top 10 Universities in Turkey (2025)

Here are ten of the most highly regarded universities in Turkey today, based on a mix of international and national reputation, research strength, and global rankings.

1. Middle East Technical University (METU / ODTÜ)
   Located in Ankara, METU is one of Turkey’s most prestigious public research universities. It is internationally well-known and has a strong focus on science, engineering, and social sciences. Perhaps most notably, all undergraduate programmes at METU are taught in English, making it very attractive for international students. Its global profile continues to rise, backed by strong research output and a very active campus. Website: metu.edu.tr
2. Koç University
   Founded more recently compared to some public universities, Koç University is a private, non-profit research institution based in Istanbul. It offers a broad range of programmes — including business, law, engineering, and medicine — many of which are taught in English. Koç is known for its high academic standards, strong research output, and international partnerships.
3. Sabancı University
   Another private university in Istanbul, Sabancı is known for interdisciplinary education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It offers flexible undergraduate programmes, encouraging students to explore different disciplines before specialising. Many of its courses are in English, helping to attract talented students from around the world.
4. Bilkent University
   Based in Ankara, Bilkent is widely recognised for its strength in humanities, sciences, engineering, and economics. It has a strong research culture and offers many programmes in English, making it popular among international students and local students who want an internationally-oriented education.
5. Boğaziçi University
   Located in the beautiful Bebek neighbourhood of Istanbul, Boğaziçi is a highly selective public university with a reputation for academic excellence. It offers a liberal-arts style education, and many of its programmes are delivered in English. The university is known for its highly qualified faculty, many of whom have doctorates from top global institutions.
6. Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ)
   One of the oldest technical universities in Turkey, İTÜ has long been a centre for engineering, architecture, and technological research. It combines a rich historical tradition with modern research infrastructure. Many of its science and engineering programmes are offered in English, catering to both Turkish and international students.
7. Hacettepe University
   Situated in Ankara, Hacettepe is well-known for its strong medical school, as well as its programmes in natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts. It is a public institution with a strong emphasis on research and providing high-quality education in both Turkish and English.
8. Ankara University
   As one of Turkey’s oldest universities, Ankara University has a broad academic offering, including law, social sciences, medicine, and humanities. It has a large student body and plays a significant role in public education in Turkey. Many programmes offer English-language options, especially at postgraduate level.
9. Ege University
   Located in İzmir, Ege University is renowned for its education and research in agriculture, medicine, sciences, and engineering. It is a public university with a strong regional and national presence. English-taught courses are available in several faculties, particularly for graduate studies.
10. Dokuz Eylül University
    Also in İzmir, Dokuz Eylül University is another major public institution, offering a wide range of disciplines from fine arts to health sciences, engineering, and social sciences. It is known for its modern campus and relatively high research activity. There are English-language programmes available, especially in its graduate schools.

---

How Turkish Universities Compare Internationally

• Several Turkish universities now appear in global rankings like QS and Times Higher Education, showing that Turkish higher education is making a serious mark on the world stage.
• In 2025, six Turkish universities made it into the QS top 500, a significant achievement that demonstrates improving academic reputation and research quality. TRT World+1
• Thanks to a growing number of English-taught degree programmes, many Turkish universities are increasingly attractive to international students who want a high-quality education at a lower cost than in many Western countries.