Studying in Ankara: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Ankara

Ankara is Turkey's capital and its second-largest city after Istanbul. It hosts three major universities with distinct profiles: METU (also called ODTU), Bilkent and Ankara University. Together they pull in students from across Turkey, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, drawn by low living costs and English-taught programs at the private and technical institutions.

Compared with Istanbul, Ankara is calmer, greener and cheaper. It works well if you want a serious research university without the tourist crowds and inflated rents of Istanbul's city center. The city sits at altitude on the Anatolian plateau, with a continental climate: cold, sometimes snowy winters and hot, dry summers, a contrast to humid coastal Istanbul.

Universities in Ankara

Middle East Technical University (METU / ODTU)

METU is a public technical university with close to 23,400 students, split between about 18,500 undergraduates and 4,500 postgraduates (METU ). Nearly every program teaches in English, and the campus sits inside its own forest reserve on the edge of the city, known locally as the "METU forest." Engineering, computer science and architecture carry the strongest international reputation, and the university runs a large network of research centers tied to Turkish industry and defense technology.

Bilkent University

Bilkent was Turkey's first private, non-profit university and still ranks among its most selective. Programs run in English across business, engineering, design, music and law. The campus sits west of the city center and includes its own shopping center, cinema and sports facilities, so many students rarely need to leave. Bilkent also runs a well regarded conservatory for music and performing arts, alongside its stronger-known business and engineering schools.

Ankara University

Ankara University is the oldest public university founded after the establishment of the Turkish republic. Most programs teach in Turkish, with a smaller number of English-medium options in fields like medicine and international relations. It works best for students who already speak Turkish or plan to study it intensively before their degree starts. Its law, veterinary medicine and agriculture faculties carry a long-standing reputation within Turkey.

Getting to Ankara

Esenboga Airport connects Ankara directly to major European hubs, including Istanbul, London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, plus most Turkish cities. Ankara also sits on Turkey's high-speed rail network, with a direct high-speed line to Istanbul that cuts travel time compared with driving between the two cities' centers.

Turkish language and scholarships

If you want to study in Turkish, most universities run a TOMER-style Turkish language center where you take a preparatory year before starting your degree. Turkiye Burslari, the government's national scholarship program, funds international students across Turkish public and private universities, covering tuition and a living stipend for successful applicants. Apply through the program's own portal, separate from your university application, and check current deadlines directly on its website.

Applying as an international student

Turkey does not run a shared national application portal for foreign applicants. Apply directly through each university's international admissions office. Public universities like METU and Ankara University generally ask for the YOS exam or an equivalent qualification (SAT, A-levels, IB, or your national school-leaving exam), plus proof of English proficiency for English-medium programs. Bilkent runs its own entrance process and an English preparatory year for students who do not meet the language requirement yet.

Non-EU citizens need a student visa from a Turkish consulate before travel, then convert it to a residence permit once classes start. Start the visa process several months ahead, since appointment slots at consulates fill up before intake deadlines.

Cost of living

Ankara costs far less than any Western European capital. The lira's exchange rate against the euro and the pound keeps rent, food and transport low by European standards, even after recent inflation. Budget for rent, groceries, phone and transport as your main monthly costs, and expect prices to move during the year as the lira fluctuates. Check current listings close to your travel date rather than planning a full year ahead.

Housing options

• 🏠 KYK dorms: government-run and the cheapest option by far, but places are limited and competitive. Apply as early as the application window opens.

• University housing: METU and Bilkent both run their own dorms and give priority to first-year international students. Check availability directly with the housing office once you have an offer.

• Private rent: popular areas include Kizilay and Bahcelievler for Ankara University and central-city life, and neighborhoods close to the METU and Bilkent campuses for a shorter commute.

Getting around

Ankara runs on EGO buses, the Ankaray light rail line and several Metro lines, plus shared dolmus minibuses on routes the metro does not cover. Students carry a discounted transport card once registered, which cuts the price of single rides and passes well below the standard fare. Confirm the current student rate with EGO directly after you enroll, since municipal fares change during the year.

Health insurance and residence permit

International students in Turkey need private health insurance or coverage through Turkey's general health insurance scheme for the length of their residence permit. Apply for your residence permit at the local migration office within your visa's grace period after arrival, usually within the first month. University international offices normally guide new students through both steps during orientation week.

Money and practical tips

Turkey uses the Turkish lira. Bring a card that works internationally for your first weeks, then open a local bank account once you have your residence permit, since most banks ask for it before they issue an account. Buy a Turkish SIM card early: foreign phones need local registration after a short grace period, or they get blocked from Turkish networks. Learn a handful of everyday Turkish phrases even if your program teaches in English, since day-to-day life outside campus, from markets to pharmacies, runs mostly in Turkish.

Student life

Kizilay is Ankara's central hub for cafes, bookshops and nightlife, and a common meeting point for students from every university in the city. Tunali Hilmi street nearby fills with student crowds most evenings. METU and Bilkent both run large student club networks, from robotics and debate to music and outdoor sports, and their forested or self-contained campuses make it easy to build a social life without leaving campus grounds.