destinations for study

According to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, there are 11 Turkish universities in 3 different cities namely: İstanbul, Ankara and Karabük, which are ranked within the top 1000. The rankings are based on each university’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, international outlook and knowledge transference.

İstanbul

İstanbul, home of 15million people, is one of the world's largest cities by population, and it is Türkiye’s economic, cultural and historic centre. It is the only city in the world built on two continents (Asia and Europe). İstanbul has hosted many different civilizations and beliefs for centuries, and still maintains a cultural heritage.

Koç University 401-500

Koç University was founded in 1993 as a non-profit private university in İstanbul, Türkiye. Since its establishment, Koç University has become one of the leading universities in Türkiye, distinguished by notable contributions to the elevation of education, knowledge and service both domestically and beyond.

Sabancı University 501-600

Sabancı University cultivates its existing local and regional comparative advantages to generate, articulate, discover and develop leading-edge knowledge in order to create competitive competencies within an international and global context. The University takes an active initiative to form and to select international and global educational and research networks.

Bogaziçi University 601-800

Bogazici University’s mission is to educate individuals who embrace it’s institutional values, who are able to think both creatively and critically, who are independent and egalitarian, who appreciate ethical values, who respect nature and are aware of environmental issues, who are rooted in the local and open to the global, and who can, with their self-confidence and scholarly, social and cultural foundations, successfully take on leadership positions anywhere in the world.

Özyeğin University 601-800

Özyeğin University was established with the mission of serving society as an entrepreneurial and research-focused learning centre, which is integrated with modern life. In line with this mission, Özyeğin University offers an innovative education model that adds value to students to prepare them as entrepreneurial and resourceful graduates vested with an in-depth knowledge about the rising professions, a good command of at least one foreign language, highly developed skills in information and communication technologies, and a sheer talent in putting their knowledge into practice.

İstanbul University 801-1000

İstanbul University [IU] (established in 1453), renowned as the oldest and the most developed university in Türkiye, has been a key fundamental player in advancing Turkish Higher Education. IU has continually strived to enhance the international dimensions of its teaching, research, outreach, service and administration. Acknowledging the international dimension as one of the most important quality criteria, IU is committed to further implement its official vision of becoming a leading university with its education at a global level and its research shaping the world. This vision will be operationalized by strengthening its international collaborations, broadening its education potential through joint/double degree programmes, increasing its research capacity, and modernizing its institutional and educational structure by accommodating itself to the new developments in the European Education Area.

İstanbul Technical University 801-1000

Founded in 1773, İstanbul Technical University (İTÜ) is a prominent and pioneering university of engineering and architecture with many innovative studies in science, technology, research and development. İTÜ, as a university mainly composed of graduate engineering schools and research laboratories, works closely in collaboration with enterprises and other economic and social partners. 

Ankara

Ankara is the capital of Türkiye located in Central Anatolia. The city has a population of 4.5 million making it the second-largest city of the country.  The city is old and has a rich history, having archaeological sites from various civilizations from Hattian to Greek, from Roman to Ottoman. 

Çankaya University 401-500

Over forty years in the field of education in the Arı Primary School and Arı High School, an investment in higher education and research was an inevitable development. This endeavour was realized through the collaboration and genuine contribution of all the teaching and administrative staff as well as the thousands of young people who have attended these schools and also their parents. In fact, this was the source of the motivation that led to the establishment of Çankaya University. Each nation is trying to be a centre of excellence. Education, reliable and efficient education, is undoubtedly the basis for such excellence. With this goal in mind, a community of educators trained at academic institutions of high reputation all over the world has been established.

Hacettepe University 501-600

The foundation stone of the university was laid in 1957 with the Child Health Institute and Hospital within Hacettepe, which began its training, education and research activities and public services in 1958. Hacettepe University continues its activities with 15 Faculties, 15 Graduate Schools and Institutes, 2 Applied Schools, 1 Conservatory, 4 Vocational Schools, and 98 Research and Application Centres. Hacettepe University, as one of the leading universities in the country, keeps contributing to social development and universal values in the fields of science, technology and art.

Bilkent University 601-800

Bilkent University was founded on October 20, 1984. The aim was to create a centre of excellence in higher education and research. The name “Bilkent” exemplifies the founders’ aims, since it is an abbreviation of bilim kenti, Turkish for “city of science and knowledge.” The university is located in Türkiye’s capital city of Ankara. The faculty is comprised of academic staff from over 34 different countries. Most of them were working in prominent universities in North America and Europe when they received offers from Bilkent University. According to ISI Citation Indexes, Bilkent ranks high among universities in Türkiye in the number of published papers per faculty member. With world-renowned scholars featuring among its faculties and top-notch facilities throughout its campus, Bilkent continues to attract many of Türkiye’s brightest students and is proud of its 50,000 alumni pursuing successful careers in five continents.

Middle East Technical University 801-1000

Middle East Technical University's presence brought about new methods and introduced innovations to Turkish higher education system manifesting METU as a pioneer of modern education nationwide. Owing to the quality academic education that emphasizes merit and excellence in scientific, cultural and intellectual studies as well as owing to the accomplished and qualified METU graduates, the University has become one of the distinguished and respectable institutions of Türkiye. Today, the University is proud to employ about 791 faculty members (professors, associates professors etc.), 225 academic instructors and 1,273 research assistants. It is proud to offer education to over 28,000 students. The total number of the alumni now is above 120,000. 

Karabük

Karabük is located in the Black Sea Region. The village of Safranbolu which is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage and international cultural area due to its Ottoman era architecture, is a must-see place in Karabük. Safranbolu is also known for the Bulak Cave which is one of the largest caves in Türkiye. With its forests, canyons and small lakes; Karabük is a perfect place for travellers. 

Karabuk University 801-1000

Established in 2007 in an economically and strategically efficient region in the Western Black Sea Region, Karabük University started its educational and research activities with 4 faculties, 1 college and 2 vocational colleges, 116 academic staff, 122 administrative staff and 4,685 students.  Karabük University, a research and application centre of the region, has set out to serve the regional development in an active way as a scientific data centre.  Today, Karabuk University has 52,000  students, 14 faculties, 4 institutes, 4 colleges, 7 vocational high schools, 956 teaching staff and over 400 administrative staff.

Other than İstanbul, Ankara and Karabük, there are plenty of other destinations in Türkiye that offer rich history, fine culinary, and wonderful natural treasures that will lift your spirits and are interesting in terms of the education and opportunities that they can offer.

İzmir

İzmir is the third most populous city in Türkiye and second largest urban area on the Aegean Sea after Athens. İzmir, with more than 3000 years of recorded urban history and up to 8,500 years of history as a human settlement, has a great cultural and historical richness which mesmerizes visitors in an aura of history and modernity.

There are 10 universities in İzmir: Ege University, Dokuz Eylül University, Yaşar University and the İzmir Institute of Technology are the most notable universities in the city. 

Antalya

The history of the city dates back to 150BC when the city was founded by Attalus II, King of Pergamon. Antalya is the fifth most populous city of Türkiye and it is Türkiye’s biggest international sea resort, located on Turkish Riviera, popularly known as ‘‘Turquoise Coast.’’

There are 5 universities in Antalya. Akdeniz University is the biggest university of the city.

Konya

Konya is located on south western edge of the central Anatoliam plateau. It is the seventh most populous city of Türkiye. The region has been inhabited since the 3^rd millennium BCE and it is one of the Türkiye’s largest cultural centres. Konya was the last home of Rumi (Mevlana) whose followers are known in the west as Whirling Dervishes.

There are 5 universities in Konya. Selçuk University is the most notable university of Konya.

Gaziantep

Gaziantep is located in South-eastern Anatolia Region. It is the sixth most populous city in Türkiye and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in world. Gaziantep is also known as the city of gastronomy due to its pistachio, cultivation and famous local delicacies such as: baklava, lahmacun and içli köfte. The city has become a meeting place for naturalists, historians, archaeologists and adventure lovers.

There are 4 universities in Gaziantep. Gaziantep University is the biggest university of the city. 

Kayseri

Kayseri is located in Central Anatolia and it is en route to the famous Cappadocia region. The city is known for its culinary specialties and its trekking and alpinism centres.

There are 4 universities in Kayseri. Erciyes University and Abdullah Gül University are the most notable universities in Kayseri. 

Eskişehir

Eskişehir is located in Central Anatolia and the history of the city is estimated to date back to more than 4000 years. Eskişehir is known as a university city. It has one of the largest student enrolments in the world. The city is also an important centre for natural hot sulphur springs. There are 3 universities in Eskişehir. Anadolu University and Eskişehir Osmangazi University are the biggest universities in the city.

Trabzon

Trabzon is located on the Black Sea Coast and has a unique nature. It is located on the historical Silk Road, became a melting pot of religions, languages and culture for many centuries and today, it has rich cultural heritage with many folk songs.

There are 3 universities in Trabzon. Karadeniz Technical University is the biggest university in the city.

Erzurum

Erzurum is located in the Eastern Anatolia Region and it is the largest city in the region. It lies 1950 metres above sea level. It is a popular destination for winter sports at the nearby Palandöken Mountain. Atatürk University is the biggest university in Erzurum. 

Bursa

Bursa is the fourth populous city in Türkiye located in Marmara Region. The city is home of the locally invented İskender Kebap and is famous for its thermal springs. Uludağ (Great Mountain) once home of one of the greatest monks of the Christian East, the wonder-working Byzantine monk Saint Joannicius the Great, is now one of the largest winter sports centre.  There are 2 universities in Bursa and Bursa Uludağ University is the biggest university in the city.