Which universities are the best universities in Turkey?

Tuesday, January 07, 2025

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.

Which universities are the best universities in Turkey?

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.