10 of the Most Important and Affordable Private Universities in Turkey

Studying in Turkey is a popular option for international students who want to pursue their higher education abroad in one of the accredited international universities and obtain a recognized university degree that qualifies them to integrate into their various professions efficiently in the job markets after graduation. Among the different academic institutions, private universities in Turkey are the best choice for receiving high-quality higher education.

Therefore, this article will discuss 10 of the most important private universities in Turkey ranked on the uniRank list as some of the best universities in the world, ensuring the best academic level and exceptional benefits for studying students. Now, let’s start our journey.

Top Private Universities in Turkey

Turkey offers multiple options for academic institutions, but private universities in Turkey remain the best option overall, focusing on the quality of education, attention to academic staff, and prioritizing students. Private universities vary between for-profit and non-profit, providing multiple options for students in terms of tuition fees. Studying at these universities is not necessarily exorbitant, as various options are available to suit all students.

Bahçeşehir University

Bahçeşehir University was established in 1998, making it one of the oldest private universities in Turkey. It is locally ranked among the top 41 Turkish universities. The university has 9 branches outside of Turkey and has received the United Nations Award for Higher Education. It is one of the universities that attract international students to Istanbul.

The university has more than 800 partnerships and cooperation agreements inside and outside of Turkey for student exchange, allowing students and faculty members to transfer to one of the partner universities for a full semester, and facilitating the exchange of experiences and cultures. The university is officially recognized by the Higher Education Council (YOK), and its campus is located in the heart of Istanbul, allowing students easy access to the university and all services within the city.

Benefits of studying at Bahçeşehir University

• The university uses English as the primary language of instruction for most of its undergraduate and graduate programs.
• The university has a modern and advanced infrastructure equipped with laboratories and research centers, encouraging students to conduct research.
• The university’s student exchange programs blend cultural diversity and academic development for students.
• The university prioritizes student well-being and provides various cultural, social, artistic, and sports activities.

İstanbul Yeditepe University

İstanbul Yeditepe University is one of the oldest private universities in Turkey, especially in Istanbul. It was established in 1996 by the İSTEK Foundation for Education and Culture in Istanbul. It has a distinguished academic and administrative faculty to achieve its goal of educating the younger generation and equipping them with all the necessary skills to excel in their respective fields.

İstanbul Yeditepe University offers its academic programs within 13 faculties and a vocational school. It offers around 77 undergraduate programs, 83 master’s programs, and 43 doctoral programs. The Şehir Campus is one of the newest university campuses in Turkey and houses numerous student clubs and activities to create a vibrant campus life for students.

Benefits of studying at İstanbul Yeditepe University

• The university uses English as the language of instruction for its programs, alongside Turkish. It also offers some programs in world languages such as French, German, and Italian.
• İstanbul Şehir University provides practical training opportunities in three hospitals and six health centers for its students in the faculties of medicine and dentistry.
• The university has hundreds of international agreements and partnerships and is a member of the Erasmus student exchange programs.
  The university offers a diverse range of study programs, from natural sciences to social sciences, fine arts, healthcare sciences, and educational sciences, through dual major options.
• The university focuses on providing a university education that aligns with the requirements and needs of society.

Al-Biruni University

Al-Biruni University is one of the private universities in Turkey that enjoys a good reputation, particularly in the field of medicine. The choice of the name Al-Biruni University is attributed to the great scholar Abu al-Rayhan al-Biruni, who was renowned for his knowledge and contributions in various fields such as medicine, pharmacy, astronomy, mathematics, physics, geography, and history. The aim was to commemorate this great figure who left his mark on the pages of history with his ideas and knowledge.

Al-Biruni University is a private university established by the Foundation for International Education to support education, health, and culture projects in Istanbul. The university offers theoretical and practical studies to provide solutions to contemporary problems facing society. Despite its recent establishment, it is taking confident steps toward its goal of becoming one of the top 500 universities in the world.

Features of studying at Al-Biruni University include:

1. Providing practical training for students in hospitals and medical institutions throughout their study period at the university.
2. Offering a preparatory year for studying English and Turkish according to the student’s choice.
3. The university’s location in the heart of Istanbul allows students to easily commute to and from the university.
4. Partnership in the Erasmus program, enabling students to participate in student exchange programs with partner European universities.
5. The university has two affiliated hospitals: Beykent Hospital and Dentistry Hospital, providing practical training opportunities for students during their studies.
6. The university owns well-equipped laboratories with modern technologies to assist students in their research and studies.
7. The university allows the possibility of studying two majors simultaneously, in which case the student receives a degree for each major, or the possibility of studying one major along with a department from the second major, and the student receives a degree for the first major with a mention of the department studied from the second major.

Istanbul Commerce University

Istanbul Ticaret University, also known as Istanbul Commerce University, was founded in 2001 by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Foundation for Education and Social Services. The university consists of six faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences, Business, Law, Communications, Engineering, and Architecture and Design. It also includes an English preparatory department and five institutes: Foreign Trade, Social Sciences, Science, Financial Institute, and Institute of Communications and Internet. The university has research and application centers. It started its educational journey with 73 students and now continues its educational mission with around 9,000 students and nearly 300 academics.

It is one of the most preferred private universities in Turkey for international students. The establishment of the university by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce makes it the first academic institution that combines the business world with education. This allows students in the fields of commerce, economics, and management sciences to have a distinctive studying experience within the university. Istanbul Commerce University continuously develops itself by adding new departments and specializations, expanding English-language education in all its departments.

Advantages of studying at Istanbul Commerce University:

• The university uses English as the language of instruction in addition to Turkish in most of its programs.
• The tuition fees at the university are low compared to other private universities in Turkey.
• The university has a psychological support center that cares for the students and their mental well-being.
• It boasts advanced and well-equipped infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, and research centers.
• Istanbul Commerce University is recognized by the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and accredited worldwide.
• It is a partner in the European Erasmus program, allowing students to exchange with other participating universities and experience different cultures and traditions while studying in a new educational environment.

Altinbas University

Altinbas University aims to become one of the leading private universities in Turkey, distinguished for its excellence. The university strives to educate students to become valuable members of their societies and equip them with the skills to work efficiently in their chosen fields after graduation. This is achieved through the university’s mission and role in scientific and technological research.

The university offers diverse options for higher education, with nine faculties and over 30 undergraduate programs in fields such as medicine, engineering, international relations, and other disciplines. These programs are designed to meet the demands of the local and international job markets and are taught by top-notch faculty members not only from Turkey but also from various Arab and European countries, ensuring the provision of high-quality education to both local and international students and graduating individuals who can contribute to themselves and society.

The university was founded in 2008 under the name Istanbul Kemerburgaz University by the Mohamed Altinbas Education and Culture Charitable Foundation in Turkey. In 2017, its name was changed to Altinbas University, its current name. It quickly became an international research university due to its valuable scientific research contributions. Altinbas University is also known for having the largest medical sciences campus among Turkish universities.

Advantages of studying at Altinbas University:

• The university primarily uses English as the language of instruction in its curriculum and specializations.
• The recognition of the university in Arab and European countries enables students to have local and international job opportunities upon graduation.
• The geographical location of the university in the Mahmud Bey area in Istanbul allows students to enhance their historical knowledge alongside their academic development.
• The university features modern infrastructure equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies to assist students during their study period, including top-notch classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, and a library with a wide range of books for research and study.
• The university offers numerous scholarships to outstanding students, exempting them from tuition fees and accommodation costs, in addition to the option of paying tuition fees in two installments.

Medipol University

Medipol University was established in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2009 by the Turkish Education, Health, and Research Foundation as a medical research institution. It later expanded to become one of the leading private universities in Turkey, offering a wide range of academic disciplines. The university provides 71 undergraduate programs, 80 master’s programs, 44 Ph.D. programs, and 80 fellowship programs across 12 faculties, 5 institutes, and 4 vocational schools. The Faculty of Law at Medipol University has become a member of the European Law Schools Association.

Advantages of studying at Istanbul Medipol University:

• International Educational Environment: Medipol University provides an international educational environment and offers all modern technological resources to serve students and achieve the highest level of training and academic education.
• Strong and Modern Infrastructure: The university is characterized by its strong and modern infrastructure, including state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with the best facilities, as well as advanced research laboratories and laboratories.
• Cultural and Social Activities: The university focuses on cultural and social activities aimed at supporting the social and cultural aspects of its students. This includes competitions, music concerts, and many other activities organized by various student clubs within the university campus.
• Safe and Equipped University Housing: Medipol University provides safe and equipped university housing for students within the campus, which prevents students from commuting in crowded transportation in Istanbul.

Regarding Gelişim University:

Gelişim University was founded in 2008 by the Gelişim Education, Culture, Health, and Social Development Foundation as one of the private universities in Turkey aiming to establish a global network of research and provide high-quality professional education.

The university attracts both local and international students and offers them 78 undergraduate programs, 77 master’s programs, and 9 doctoral programs. It also has a large research community consisting of more than 140 classrooms in its campus area located in Istanbul and includes 20 research centers, in addition to 93 student clubs that allow students to engage in various social, cultural, scientific, and sports activities.

For more information about Gelişim University and how to apply:

Features of studying at Gelişim University include:

• Collaboration with International Universities: The university collaborates with more than 100 international universities through student exchange programs, which allow for the exchange of experiences, academics, and experts to achieve the highest levels of education and training.
• English as the Official Language: English is the official language of instruction at the university.
• Practical Training Opportunities: The university provides its students with many training opportunities in various sectors to encourage them to gain practical experience.

Regarding Istanbul Bilgi University:

Istanbul Bilgi University was established in 1996 and is one of the first non-profit private universities in Turkey. The university has more than 20,000 students, 45,000 graduates, and nearly 1,500 academics within 8 faculties, 3 institutes, 4 schools, and 3 vocational schools. It offers more than 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Features of studying at Istanbul Bilgi University include:

• Three Campus Locations: The university owns three campuses in the prestigious areas of Istanbul, ensuring a distinctive student life and the ability for students to engage in all recreational activities and access all services in the city.
• English Language Instruction: The university uses English as the language of instruction for its undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, in addition to studying in Turkish.
• Strong Engineering College: The Faculty of Engineering at Istanbul Bilgi University is one of the strongest engineering colleges in Turkey and has received accreditation from MÜDEK, the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs.
• International Student Support: The university assists international and incoming students through its International Counseling Office, helping them with accommodation and facilitating their study and adjustment to university life in Turkey.

Sabancı University:

Sabancı University was established in 1994 in Istanbul and began its academic journey in 1999 as one of the oldest private universities in Turkey. The university includes three faculties: the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the Sabancı School of Business. It offers 11 undergraduate programs. The university has a unique educational system that stems from its mission to use interdisciplinary innovative research to develop individuals who are competent and confident at the international level and contribute to the development and enhancement of knowledge in natural sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and administration. As a result, Sabancı University has become a model for universities that adhere to international standards.

Advantages of Studying at Istanbul Sabanci University:

• Prime Location: The university is located in the heart of Istanbul, making it easily accessible for students to access all services and amenities.
• Accreditation: It is one of the accredited private universities in Turkey recognized worldwide and accredited by the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK).
• Diverse Programs: The university offers a wide range of study programs in engineering, management, and humanities. There are approximately 100 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs available across these three fields.
• Student Accommodation: Sabanci University provides its students with safe and comfortable on-campus housing facilities.
• Health Services: All students receive free health insurance and can access medical services at the university health center.

Kadir Has University:

The main campus of Kadir Has University is situated in the Fatih district, one of the oldest and most distinguished private universities in Turkey. It occupies a 35,000 square meter area and was formerly a TEKEL factory. The university aims to create an environment of education, research, and academic freedom that rivals international universities.

Advantages of Studying at Kadir Has University:

• Affordable Tuition: The university offers study programs within its faculties at lower tuition fees compared to other private universities, despite being one of the most renowned private universities in Turkey.
• Accreditation: Kadir Has University has received accreditation from the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and is recognized and accepted in Europe and most countries worldwide.
• Diverse Educational Programs: The university offers a variety of educational programs to meet the academic preferences of students. It provides 69 educational programs across various disciplines.
• Quality Faculty: The university attracts renowned scholars, top academics, and faculty members, many selected from prestigious universities worldwide, ensuring the delivery of high-quality education.
• English as the Medium of Instruction: The university adopts English as the primary language of instruction in its faculties and departments, enabling international students to pursue their international education opportunities at one of Turkey’s best universities.
• Excellent Location: Kadir Has University enjoys a prime location in the heart of Istanbul, with easy access to various transportation means such as the metro, tram, and buses, facilitating student commute from all areas of Istanbul.

Conditions for registration in private universities in Turkey:

Registration conditions in Turkish universities vary from one university to another, but they all have in common the presence of a certificate of proficiency in the language being studied, whether it is Turkish or English, in addition to the presence of financial and health insurance that covers a period of study. To obtain the registration conditions for one of the private universities in Turkey, you can contact the Safa team to study in Turkey and obtain all information related to the university.

In conclusion, we have provided information about 10 of the most prominent private universities in Turkey that international students from around the world aspire to study at, due to their numerous advantages in terms of academic and cultural aspects, reasonable tuition fees, and peaceful student life. If you have made your decision to study at one of these universities, feel free to contact us. The Safa Study team in Turkey welcomes you and can provide you with all the necessary recommendations regarding studying and living in Turkey.

Source: Top Private Universities in Turkey