Bilkent University logo

Bilkent University

Ankara, TR · Ranking #7

Bilkent University is Turkey's first private, non-profit research university, founded in 1984 in Ankara. The name means "city of science." It has 10 faculties and 3 institutes, about 30 undergraduate and 59 graduate programmes, and roughly 12,500 students and staff from 39 countries. The campus is 12 km west of Ankara (large green site with ODEON hall). Teaching is in English. Bilkent is strong in research, hosts Bilkent CYBERPARK (technopark), has 388 exchange partners, and ranks first in Turkey for international faculty. QS subject strengths include Political Science, Engineering, and Computer Science.

Bilkent University logo

Bilkent University

About the university

Bilkent University is Turkey's first private, non-profit research university, founded in 1984 in Ankara. The name means "city of science." It has 10 faculties and 3 institutes, about 30 undergraduate and 59 graduate programmes, and roughly 12,500 students and staff from 39 countries. The campus is 12 km west of Ankara (large green site with ODEON hall). Teaching is in English. Bilkent is strong in research, hosts Bilkent CYBERPARK (technopark), has 388 exchange partners, and ranks first in Turkey for international faculty. QS subject strengths include Political Science, Engineering, and Computer Science.

Key information

  • Location: Ankara, TR
  • Ranking #7
  • QS #415
  • THE #601
  • US News #835
  • National ranking #12
  • Institution type: private

Popular faculties

  • Engineering (Computer
  • Electrical
  • Industrial
  • Mechanical)
  • Economics
  • International Relations
  • Political Science
  • Business Administration
  • Law
  • English Language and Literature
  • Art Design and Architecture
  • Music and Performing Arts
  • Science (Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Molecular Biology)

Programs (31)

  • Architecture
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Philosophy
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Music

Campus life

Campus 12 km west of Ankara, large green area with ODEON (4,000-seat hall), shops, cafes, nearby malls and hotels. Over 50 student clubs (academic, cultural, sports, arts). Physical Education and Sports Center with 18 varsity teams; “Sports as a Way of Life” events (runs, cycling, trekking). Dean of Students Office supports clubs and activities. Career Center (Turkey’s first, 1988), career fairs with dozens of companies. Dormitories and private housing nearby. International atmosphere with many exchange students.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: $100 - $400 / per month

Housing options

  • university dormitories
  • private student residences
  • shared apartments
  • one-bedroom apartments

Student clubs and organizations

  • Theatre
  • TEDx
  • Turkish Music Society
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy
  • Quantum Technologies
  • International Law
  • Sociology
  • Young Entrepreneurs
  • WWF-Bilkent
  • Vegan Society
  • Travelers
  • Tourism Club
  • Sailing
  • Underwater Sports
  • over 50 clubs

Sports

  • basketball
  • football
  • volleyball
  • tennis
  • swimming
  • handball
  • taekwondo
  • table tennis
  • badminton
  • squash
  • fencing
  • frisbee
  • futsal
  • orienteering
  • archery
  • American football
  • water polo

Career & internships

Employment rate: 90%

Partner companies

  • Microsoft
  • IBM Türk
  • Turkcell
  • Türk Telekom
  • Siemens
  • plus companies at career fairs (IT
  • telecoms
  • finance
  • defence
  • consulting)

Internships: Career Center links students with employers; job and internship database. Some programmes (e.g. CTIS) require internships: summer internship (min. 20 days after year 2) and semester-long industry internship in year 3. Partners include Microsoft, IBM Türk, Turkcell, Türk Telekom, Siemens. Many CTIS students get job offers before graduation. Career fairs (e.g. ~70 companies), sector sessions, CV and interview support.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • Completed online application
  • secondary school diploma and transcript
  • SAT/IB/A-Level or other accepted exam scores
  • proof of English proficiency (if required)
  • original documents upon admission

Minimum GPA: 3.2

Tuition costs

  • $15,000 - $20,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 30.00%
  • Scholarships available: Merit and talent scholarships for international students; tuition waivers from 20% to 100% in 20% steps. Accommodation scholarships possible for full-tuition-waiver recipients. Undergrad: evaluated on high school grades, exam scores (SAT, IB, A-Level, etc.), programme choice; up to 10 semesters. Graduate: achievement scholarships (tuition + stipend) or tuition-only; Master’s up to 3 years, PhD up to 4 years; criteria include GPA, GRE (quant. 153+), TOEFL 87+ or IELTS 6.5+. Minimum GPA to keep scholarship: 2.00/4.00 (2.50 for accommodation).

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1984
  • Teaching languages: turkish, english
  • Study formats: offline

Contact