9 of the Top Public Universities in Turkey

Studying in Turkey is the most preferred choice for international students from all countries and nationalities who wish to study abroad. Turkey offers a vast array of public, private, and foundation educational institutions, providing students with ample opportunities for outstanding academic education in various disciplines and preferred programs. In this article, we will discuss in detail the top public universities in Turkey, serving as a guide for international students who aspire to pursue their studies abroad. Stay with us.

Advantages of Studying in Turkey

Turkey possesses a tremendous wealth of educational institutions of various types, thanks to the great importance the Turkish government places on education as the most crucial field for the country’s advancement. There is a large group of prestigious universities in Turkey, whether they are government, private, or foundation universities. However, government universities in Turkey, in general, enjoy a high reputation compared to other universities, which attracts international students from various countries and nationalities to study there.

Government universities in Turkey occupy a significant position among the best universities in the world. Their high rankings are attributed to their commitment to achieving international standards in education and their continuously updated infrastructure equipped with the best classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, libraries, and cafeterias. Additionally, they focus on student clubs to ensure students’ comfort and well-being during their studies. Furthermore, there are numerous counseling centers to support students throughout their study period.

All these factors make Turkey a global destination for students from different countries worldwide. Moreover, every year, the number of students aspiring to study in Turkey increases due to the quality of education, and low costs of living and studying compared to other countries. Programs such as engineering, medicine, and business administration also rank highly in the QS World University Rankings.

The cost of studying in Turkey is characterized by being low and reasonable for international students compared to universities in European countries, where tuition fees and living costs are higher. Unlike Turkey, which provides a wide variety of government, private, and non-profit universities to offer diverse opportunities for students and assist them in choosing the appropriate academic program and university they can afford. Additionally, students can study and work in Turkey simultaneously, which helps them to have a financial income during their stay. Moreover, universities offer scholarships to successful students, exempting them from paying tuition fees, accommodation costs, and living expenses.

Higher Education in Turkey

Turkey has witnessed significant progress in higher education in recent years. It possesses numerous universities that offer fellowship, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. It also includes many colleges, institutions, music academies, and vocational schools that provide educational programs to over 8 million students through approximately 160,000 academics and faculty members in about 206 universities, including 129 government universities, 77 private universities, and one foundation university.

Types of Higher Education Institutions

• College: An educational institution that provides higher education and scientific research. Students obtain a bachelor’s degree after completing a study program that lasts for at least four years or more, depending on the educational program.
• Graduate School: An educational institution where students complete graduate studies after obtaining their bachelor’s degree. Students can earn master’s or doctoral degrees through this institution.
• Four-Year School: A higher education institution primarily focused on providing education for a specific profession. It lasts for four years and is divided into eight academic semesters.
• Music Academy: An academic institution dedicated to teaching students singing, playing musical instruments, and everything related to music. It lasts for eight academic semesters.
• Post-Secondary Vocational School: Aims to train students in specific professions. The teaching period lasts for four academic semesters.
• Research and Application Center: A higher education institution that conducts research and applied studies in various fields.

Public Universities in Turkey

public universities in Turkey are considered among the most important universities in the world today. They attract international students from various countries, making them a focal point for those seeking an opportunity to pursue their higher education abroad, especially in a country renowned for its quality of university education like Turkey. In recent years, public universities in Turkey have made significant advancements and have included numerous specializations and programs that allow all students to choose the best major for them.

List of the most important and well-known public universities in Turkey:

1. 1 Middle East Technical University
2. Istanbul Technical University
3. Hacettepe University
4. Ankara University
5. Marmara University
6. Ataturk University
7. Yildiz Technical University
8. Gaziantep University
9. Sakarya University

University admission requirements in Turkey:

• Payment of university application fees.
• Health insurance covers the duration of the study.
• Proof of financial status ensures the student can cover the costs of studying and living in Turkey throughout the study period.
• Proficiency in the language.
  • In the case of studying in English, passing the TOEFL or IELTS exam with a score determined by the university is required.
  • In the case of studying in Turkish, passing the TOMER Turkish language test or attending a preparatory year is required.

Required documents:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photograph.
• High school completion certificate.
• Translated academic transcript in English or Turkish.
• Student visa.
• Proof of payment of application fees.

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Admission requirements for public universities in Turkey:

In addition to the general admission requirements and study conditions in Turkey, there are differences in the admission requirements for public universities compared to private universities or foundation institutions.

Bachelor’s degree

The admission requirements for public universities in Turkey can be divided into the following categories:

1.  EOS sector: These are universities where students only need to take the university’s EOS exam or one of the EOS exams conducted by other Turkish universities. For example, Istanbul University only accepts its university exam, while other universities like Gaziantep University accept their exam as well as Istanbul University’s exam.
2. International examination sector: Students are required to take one of the international exams such as SAT or ACT, or British high school AL exams. Examples include Bilkent University and Hacettepe University.
3. Local and international high school sector: Arab and local high schools are accepted, in addition to the qualifications from the second sector (international examination sector). However, these types of universities give priority to students from the second sector during the application process.
4. Fourth sector: Both the first and second sectors are accepted, such as Yildiz Technical University.
5. Fifth sector: All qualifications are accepted, such as Ankara University, Karabuk University, and Sakarya University. However, these types of universities give priority to students from the first and second sectors.

 Master’s and Ph.D

public universities in Turkey differ in their admission requirements for postgraduate studies. We can divide universities at the master’s level into two sectors:

1. First sector: Requires GRE or GMAT exams.
2. Second sector: Accepts direct application with a bachelor’s degree.

Application Deadlines at Turkish public Universities:

Application deadlines for public universities in Turkey vary depending on the academic degree. The application opening dates for undergraduate programs differ from the application process for master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Here are the application deadlines:

Undergraduate Degree:

public universities in Turkey have varying opening and closing dates for applications, announcement of results, and registration. Some universities open the application for two weeks in May, while others open it in June or July. However, generally, the first public university starts accepting applications in the last week of April each year, and the final public university closes its application process on the first day of the last week of September.

Some public universities have multiple application periods. This is done either when there is an increase in the number of applicants or when accepted students fail to register at the university. Additionally, some universities allow applications through multiple application portals. One portal may be dedicated to applicants who take the IOS exam, while another is for students applying with international certificates, and a third portal for applicants from their own country’s local high schools.

Master’s and Ph.D. Degrees:

public universities differ in their opening and closing dates for applications, announcement of results, and registration for master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Universities open the application process twice a year: the first time in June and July, and the second time in December and January of each year.

In conclusion, this article provided information about public universities in Turkey, including admission requirements, application deadlines, and the top 9 universities in Turkey. As an international student, you can choose from these prestigious and internationally recognized universities and take advantage of the opportunity to study in Turkey.

If you have any questions about studying in Turkey, obtaining recommendations regarding studying and living in Turkey, or assistance with the application and enrollment process, you can contact the Safa Team.

Source: List of the top universities in Turkey.