Studying in Turkey's universities is highly sought after due to its international and evolving educational system. Especially in recent years, demand for education in this country has increased, with many Iranian students among the applicants.
There are additional benefits for Iranians studying in Turkey, such as cultural proximity, geographical closeness, and easier travel. In this article, we aim to introduce some of the best universities in Turkey. Stay with us.
Acıbadem University
Istanbul, one of Turkey's student cities, has many universities, one of which is Acıbadem University. This modern and developed university is among the newly established ones, founded in 2007, and has five large faculties. Acıbadem University, which is considered one of Turkey's best universities, offers several research centers, three institutes, two independent vocational training schools, and many other educational and research facilities. The main faculties of Acıbadem University are:
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Faculty of Pharmacy
Faculty of Health Sciences
Various programs are taught in both English and Turkish, allowing students to choose based on their proficiency in each language. This university ranks 9th in Turkey's university rankings and holds the 5666th position globally.
Ataturk University
Ataturk University is one of the best universities in Turkey, founded in 1957 in Erzurum, one of the oldest universities in the country. It consists of 23 universities, 8 specialized institutes, more than 30 research centers, and 18 colleges, with around 38,000 students enrolled. Ataturk University is not only one of the oldest universities but also holds the title of the best in its region. It is ranked among the top 1000 universities globally and is among the top 300 universities in Asia.
Ataturk University offers a variety of programs such as medicine, law, architecture, civil engineering, petroleum engineering, and mechanics in both Turkish and English. This university is also popular among Iranians due to its proximity to the Iranian border and ease of travel between the two countries. The cost of living in Erzurum is also affordable, which makes it a favorite student city. Admission to this university does not require an entrance exam, and students can enter with sufficient scores in the YOS or SAT exams.
Ankara University
Another renowned university in Turkey is Ankara University, which was the first official higher education institution in the country, founded in 1946. Currently, it has 18 large and equipped faculties. Ankara University is one of the best universities in Turkey and is particularly popular among international students, with around 65-70 thousand students, of which approximately 30,000 are international.
Ankara University is ranked 701 globally and is considered one of the top 5 universities in Turkey, reflecting the quality and high level of education there. Notable faculties include Applied Sciences, Educational Sciences, Communications, Dentistry, and Theology. Programs are taught in both English and Turkish. Admission is based on scores from YOS, SAT, or ABITURE exams.
Bahçeşehir University
Bahçeşehir University, also known as Bahçeşehir, is a private university in the European part of Turkey. Founded in 1998, it has nine faculties and around 18,000 students. This university is ranked 13th in Turkey and 1133rd globally.
Bahçeşehir offers around 100 programs, including law, medicine, physiotherapy, dentistry, child development, and business management. The university has good international relations, particularly with European universities, and hosts various seminars attended by international speakers. An advantage of studying here is the possibility of transferring students to countries like Germany, Austria, Poland, and Sweden based on agreements with European universities.
Başkent University
Başkent University, located in the capital Ankara, was founded in 1994 and offers 12 faculties. It is known for its specialized programs in fields like music and composition. Başkent University is also associated with 10 hospitals and specialized medical centers, providing excellent healthcare services.
Başkent University is ranked 47th among Turkey's top 50 universities and holds the 1845th spot globally. It was also listed in Times Higher Education at 601st for academic achievements. The university offers various programs, including those in music and health-related fields. Admission requires passing YOS and SAT exams and having a TOMER language certificate.
Ranking of Best Universities in Turkey
The list of Turkey's best universities doesn't end here, as there are many more top universities. In the table below, you can find the best universities in the country and their rankings in various global lists.
University Name | QS Rank in 2005 | Shanghai Rank | Times Rank | US News Rank |
Koç University | 401 | 1160 | 351-400 | 544 |
Sabancı University | 516 | 1534 | 351-400 | 655 |
Middle East Technical University | 285 | 573 | 351-400 | 689 |
Bilkent University | 477 | 940 | 601-800 | 761 |
Boğaziçi University | 418 | 637 | 601-800 | 492 |
Istanbul Technical University | 326 | 682 | 501-600 | 643 |
Ankara University | 801-850 | 652 | 1501+ | 769 |
Hacettepe University | 641-650 | 650 | 601-800 | 649 |
Istanbul University | 621-630 | 637 | 1001-1200 | 769 |
Anadolu University | 1201-1400 | 1671 | 1201-1500 | 1600 |
Gazi University | 901-950 | 844 | 1201-1500 | 1272 |
Istanbul Aydın University | 1201-1400 | 1515 | 1501+ | 1034 |
Yıldız Technical University | 851-900 | 1045 | 801-1000 | 1252 |
Akdeniz University | 1401+ | 1407 | 1001-1200 | 1408 |
Dokuz Eylül University | 1201-1400 | 1142 | 1201-1500 | 1198 |
Ege University | 1201-1400 | 1895 | 1201-1500 | 1535 |
Gebze Technical University (GTU) | 1201-1400 | 1502 | 1201-1500 | 796 |
Bilgi University | 1201-1400 | 1145 | 1201-1500 | 1017 |
Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) | 1001-1200 | 997 | 1501+ | 1141 |
Marmara University | 1201-1400 | 1304 | 1201-1500 | 1164 |
Atatürk University | 1201-1400 | 913 | 1201-1500 | 1348 |
Çukurova University | 1201-1400 | – | 1201-1500 | 1325 |
Erciyes University | 1401+ | 1827 | 1201-1500 | 1396 |
Sakarya University | – | – | 1201-1500 | 1325 |
Admission Requirements in Turkey’s Best Universities
Admission for international students in Turkey’s universities is competitive and based on high school transcripts, the average of previous academic studies, and standardized test scores approved by the university. Most universities require passing one of the YOS or SAT exams for admission. Additionally, some universities require the TOMER exam, a language proficiency test for Turkish, as part of the admission process.
However, continuing education in Turkey is simpler. Those who have studied at the undergraduate level in Turkey can easily proceed to postgraduate studies (Master’s and Ph.D.) without entrance exams. A key point about studying in Turkey is the tuition fee requirement for international students, even at public universities. Therefore, having sufficient financial resources is also a criterion for admission.
Conclusion
Studying in Turkey offers many advantages due to the quality of its education system and the development of technology and educational tools. Every year, many people from around the world, including Iranians, apply to study at universities in Turkey.