Best Universities in Turkey for International Students - LATEST 2026

Every university on this list is private, has a dormitory and accepts applications through StudyLeo. That narrows the choice to city, size and the program you want.

Istanbul dominates the list. Ankara Medipol University is the only university here outside Istanbul. Founded in 2018, it is also the newest, and it already has 12,000 students. If you would rather live in Ankara, it is your option on this list.

The Istanbul universities range from very large to fairly small. Istanbul Aydin University has 50,000 students and Istanbul Gelisim University, founded in 2008, has 39,052. Istanbul Medipol University, from 2009, has 46,488. Mid-sized options include Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University with 18,347 students, Haliç University with 17,000 and Istanbul Nisantasi University with 15,000. Altinbas University has 13,800 and Biruni University 12,562. Istanbul Gedik University is the smallest, at 6,254.

Age varies too. Haliç University and Bahçeşehir University are the oldest on the list, both founded in 1998. Uskudar University dates from 2011, İstanbul Esenyurt University from 2013 and Istinye University from 2015.

Once you have a shortlist, move on to the programs. Fees, teaching language and length are set for each program, so two programs at the same university can cost different amounts. Most bachelor's programs ask for a high school diploma and proof of English or Turkish.