Best Universities in Turkey for International Students 2025-26

Turkey's official name is the "Republic of Türkiye." Its capital is Ankara, and its official currency is the Turkish lira. Studying in Turkey is a great opportunity for Pakistani students because of its affordable tuition fees, quality education, and future options. Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, which is another main reason for Pakistani students to study there.

Turkey provides different partial and fully funded scholarships to Pakistani and other students. The average tuition fee in Turkish universities is 2000 USD to 7000 USD per year. Students can study in some universities without IELTS. The cost of living in Turkey is also very affordable for students: $400 to $600 per month.

Students can work part-time and 24 hours weekly to cover their study and living expenses. The bank statement amount is 5000 USD to 6000 USD. The visa success ratio for Pakistani students is very good, over 90%.

Benefits of Studying in Turkey 

Study in Turkey for Pakistani students and other international students has many benefits. Some of the benefits are:

Quality education: Turkish universities provide high-quality education and have many programs that are recognized all around the world.

Strategic Location: Turkey's location is very important. It is also known as a gateway to Europe, a Bridge between Asia and Europe.

English-taught programs: Many Turkish universities also offer English-taught programs for Pakistani and other international students.

Cost of living: The cost of living in Turkey for Pakistani students is also very affordable, ranging from $400 to $700 per month.

Part-time work: International students can work part-time for 24 hours weekly to cover living and study expenses.

Safe and Student-friendly: Turkey is best known for its hospitality and student-friendly environment. Many universities support students in learning and adapting to life in Turkey.

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Top Universities in Turkey

Turkey is home to over 200 universities that enroll international students. Here is a list of the top Turkish universities.

1. Koc University
2. Middle East Technical University
3. Sabanci University
4. Istanbul Technical University
5. Bilkent University
6. Bogazici University
7. Bahçeşehir University
8. Cankaya University
9. Hacettepe University
10. Istanbul University

1. Middle East Technical University

One of the best technical public universities was established in 1956 in Ankara. This university's major courses are social and natural sciences. The Middle East Technical University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in 80+ fields. The average tuition fee for Pakistani students is 600 USD to 1800 USD.

The university also requires IELTS with a minimum of 6.5 bands. The minimum required marks for a bachelor's degree are 70%, and the CGPA is 2.5 or above. The university's acceptance rate is low, 15-20% for international students. This university has over 25,000 enrolled students, including 1700 plus international students from different countries.

2. Koc University

Koc University is a private higher education institute established in 1930 in Istanbul. One of the top operational universities in the country. This university offers different degree programs for bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs in the fields of science, engineering, social sciences & humanities, law, medicine, nursing, administrative sciences and economics, etc.

The average tuition fee is $1000 to $2000 per year. The acceptance rate for international students is 20-25%. Different scholarship options are available while studying at Koc University. The minimum criteria for admission to a bachelor's program is 55%, and 2.0 CGPA for a master's program. The TOEFL is accepted for English proficiency with a score of 80 plus. This university has around 8,500 students, including 1500 plus international students.

3. Sabanci University

Sabanci University is a top-ranked private university in Turkey. This a research-based university that was founded in 1994 in Istanbul. This university offers programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD. The famous available fields are languages, engineering, business, natural sciences, arts and social sciences, etc.

Different scholarship options are also available while studying at this university. IELTS is not required, but TOEFL (IBT) with a minimum score of 78 and PTE with a minimum score of 48 are accepted. The average tuition fee for a university is 16000 USD to 25000 USD.

This university has more than 5,000 students, including 450 international students. The minimum required GPA for postgraduate programs is 2.2.

4. Istanbul Technical University

One of the oldest university in the country and established in 1773 in Istanbul. It’s a public university with an acceptance rate of 30-35% for international students. The average tuition fee of the university is 750 USD to 3000 USD per year. This university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in civil engineering, architecture, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, mining engineering, management, etc.

This university has more than 30,000 students, along with 2500-plus foreign students. This university provides over 250 programs for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The minimum required CGPA is 3.25 for master's programs and 82.5% marks for bachelor's programs. An IELTS test with a minimum band of 6.0 or above is required.

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5. Bilkent University

Bilkent University is a non-profit private university founded in 1984 in Ankara. This university has over 9,000 students, of whom over 60% are on scholarships, and around 400 international students from more than 60 countries. The average tuition fee for international students is 9,000 USD to 15000 USD.

This university offers 80-plus programs in 10 different faculties for bachelor's, master's, and PhD. The major faculties are applied sciences, arts, design and architecture, business administration, economics and social sciences, education, engineering, science, law, music and performing arts, humanities, and letters. 

The university's acceptance rate is 30-35%. The minimum required CGPA is 2.5, and an IELTS test with a minimum band of 6.5 or TOEFL with an 87 plus is also required.

6. Bogazici University

Bogazici University is one of the oldest universities in the country, established in 1863. It's a public research university in Istanbul. This university has eight faculties and offers 80 plus courses for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The main faculties of the university are arts & science, communication, economics & administrative science, education, engineering, managerial sciences, and foreign languages.

This university has 15,000 students, including 500 international students. The average tuition is 2000 USD to 5000 USD per year. The acceptance rate for international students is 35-40%. For English proficiency, IELTS and TOEFL tests are accepted. The IELTS bands must be 6.5 or above, and TOEFL scores must be 79 or higher. The minimum required CGPA is 2.5 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students.

7. Bahçeşehir University

Bahçeşehir University, also known as BAU, is a private research university established in 1998 in Istanbul. It is one of the largest universities, with around 33,000 students, including 8,000 international students from 127 different countries. The average tuition fee is 2000 USD to 10000 USD per year.

This university offers over 100 programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students in business, medicine, economics, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, psychology, arts, and design, among other fields. The university's acceptance rate is 35-40%. The minimum required CGPA is 2.2 for undergraduates and 2.5 for graduate students.

For English proficiency, both IELTS and TOEFL are accepted. The IELTS bands must be 6.5 or above, and a TOEFL (IBT) score of 79 plus is required. There are different scholarship options available to students while studying at the university

8. Cankaya University

Sitki Alp Education Foundation established Cankaya University in 1997. It's a private research university with five different faculties. The major courses are arts and design, economics, engineering, social sciences, and mathematics.

The tuition fee for a master's and PhD is $4000 to $5000 and for a bachelor's, $7000 to $8000 per year. Cankaya University has more than 7500 enrolled students, including 100 international students. There are different discounts and scholarship offers available for Pakistani and international students. The minimum required mark for a bachelor's is 60% and for a master's, 2.0 CGPA. This university accepts IELTS and TOEFL for English proficiency. IELTS band 6.0 or above and TOEFL with a score of 70 plus.

9. Hacettepe University

Hacettepe University is a research-based public university established in 1957 in Ankara. It has 15 faculties and graduate and vocational schools. The major fields are economics, biology, engineering, environmental and social sciences, medicine, art and design, mathematics, and computer science.

It is the best university in Turkey for medicine. This university has more than 25,000 students, including 1200 plus international students. Bachelor's, master's, and PhD courses are offered by the university. The university's acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. The minimum required CGPA is 3.0. The IELTS requires a minimum of 6.0 bands.

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10. Istanbul University

The oldest universities in the country. It was established in 1453 and reformed in 1846. It is considered the first higher education institute in the Ottoman Empire. The average tuition fee of the university is 1000 USD to 5000 USD per year. IELTS is also required by the university for English proficiency with a minimum band of 5.5.

Istanbul University has more than 64,000 students, including 6,000 international students. Its 15 faculties provide quality education for national and international students. The university offers programs in chemistry, economics, computer science, mathematics, arts and design, environmental and life sciences, etc.

The university's acceptance rate is 35-40%. The minimum required marks for a bachelor's degree are 63% or a GPA of 2.4, and a postgraduate 3.0 CGPA is required.

FAQs

Q1) Is Turkey a good place to study?

Answer: Yes, Studying in Turkey is a good option for Pakistani students because of the quality of education, low tuition fees, and high-ranked universities. Turkish universities are very affordable compared to European and American universities.

Q2) Which Turkish university is best for Pakistani students?

Answer: Some of the best universities for Pakistani students are:

1. Istanbul University
2. Koc University
3. Middle East Technical University
4. Sabanci University
5. Istanbul Technical University
6. Ankara University

Q3) What is the number 1 ranked university in Turkey?

Answer: The Middle East Technical University, Koc University, and Istanbul Technical University are the top universities in Turkey

Q4) Which subject is best in Turkey?

Answer: Some of the best subjects in Turkish universities are:

• Civil engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Business management
• Computer science and engineering