Studying at Ankara University 2026: Majors, Tuition Fees, and Admission Requirements for International Students

Ankara University is one of the oldest and most important public universities in Türkiye, and it is the first university officially established in the Republican era in the capital Ankara. Today, it is a large, comprehensive institution that hosts tens of thousands of students at the bachelor’s and postgraduate levels and covers a very wide range of scientific, medical, humanities, and social sciences majors.
For international students, especially Arab students, Ankara University is an attractive option if you are looking for a strong public university with affordable tuition fees, in a city that is less expensive and calmer than Istanbul, while still offering solid academic standards and a strong reputation inside and outside Türkiye.

General Overview of Ankara University

Ankara University is a public research university located in the Turkish capital Ankara, with a large number of faculties spread across several campuses within the city.
The university is characterized by:

• A long history in higher education and scientific research.

• Great diversity in faculties and majors.

• A very large number of bachelor’s and postgraduate students.

• A strong focus on research through specialized research centers.

• Close ties with the public sector in Türkiye, especially in law, politics, and economics.

The university is also known for its language teaching center, which is famous for teaching Turkish to foreigners alongside other languages. It is a popular option for international students who want to strengthen their language skills before or during their studies.

Advantages of Studying at Ankara University for International Students

A Long-Established Public University in the Heart of the Capital

Choosing Ankara University means studying at an institution that:

• Enjoys a strong reputation inside Türkiye in fields such as Medicine, Law, Political Science, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and the Humanities.

• Is located in the capital city, which is especially valuable for students interested in Politics, International Relations, Law, and Public Administration.

• Grants a public university degree that is recognized in the Turkish job market and in many other countries.

You can also explore the Studying at Istanbul University

Wide Diversity of Faculties and Majors

One of the main strengths of Ankara University is that students can find almost every type of major under one roof, including:

• Medical and health-related majors.

• Engineering and scientific majors.

• Legal and political majors.

• Agricultural and veterinary majors.

• Humanities, languages, and literature.

This diversity benefits students who are still deciding between more than one field, or who are considering changing to a related major while staying within the same university.

Lower Tuition Fees than Private Universities

As a public university, Ankara University offers tuition fees that are:

• Much lower than most private universities in Ankara or Istanbul.

• More suitable for students with a limited budget who still want solid academic standards.

• Varied by major, with medical programs being more expensive than theory-based programs but still affordable compared to private institutions.

Ankara as a Living Environment

Studying at Ankara University means living in the capital city, where:

• The city is relatively organized compared to some other large cities.

• Housing and living costs are often slightly lower than in Istanbul.

• The overall atmosphere is calmer, while still offering shopping malls, services, and good transportation.

These factors make Ankara a comfortable choice for students who want to focus on their studies in a city that is not overly crowded, with manageable living expenses.

Faculties and Majors at Ankara University

Ankara University includes a large number of faculties, most notably:

• Faculty of Medicine.

• Faculty of Dentistry.

• Faculty of Pharmacy.

• Faculty of Science.

• Faculty of Engineering.

• Faculty of Agriculture.

• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

• Faculty of Law.

• Faculty of Political Science.

• Faculty of Languages, History, and Geography.

• Faculty of Theology (Islamic Studies).

• Faculty of Communication (Media and Journalism).

• Faculties of Health Sciences and Nursing.

• Other faculties for Fine Arts, Education, and various vocational programs.
  Accordingly, international students can find programs in fields such as:

• Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences.

• Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and applied sciences.

• Engineering in the branches offered by the university.

• Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration.

• Law.

• Literature and languages, Translation, History, Geography, Philosophy, Sociology.

• Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine for those interested in agricultural and animal-related fields.
  Each faculty publishes its study plans and the number of credits required for graduation, along with the language of instruction and the admission requirements for each program.

Language of Instruction at Ankara University

The main language of instruction at Ankara University is Turkish in most bachelor’s programs, with a limited number of programs and departments taught in English or other languages.
For international students, it is important to understand the situation as follows:

• Most programs in Medicine, Law, Political Science, Literature, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and similar fields are taught in Turkish.

• Certain programs in some faculties are offered in English, particularly in scientific fields, Economics, or some international-focused programs.

• Students can study at the university’s language center to learn Turkish or improve their level to reach the required proficiency.
  If a student plans to study in Turkish:

• They must prove a certain level of language proficiency (usually at least an intermediate level), or

• Enroll in a preparatory year for Turkish before starting their degree program.
  If the student aims for an English-taught program:

• They must provide proof of English proficiency or pass a language exam organized by the university.

• They may still need to study some Turkish to integrate into daily life and practical training in Türkiye.

Study System and Program Duration

Ankara University follows a credit-based system and a semester structure.
In general:

• Bachelor’s programs in theory-based disciplines (Literature, Sciences, Economics, Law, Political Science, Media) usually last four academic years.

• Medicine programs last six years.

• Dentistry and Pharmacy programs typically last five years.

• Vocational schools (associate degree programs) in some fields last two years, but they are less commonly targeted by international students seeking a full bachelor’s degree.

In some programs, a preparatory semester or year for language study (Turkish or English) may be added for students who do not meet the language requirements at the time of admission.

Tuition Fees at Ankara University

Tuition fees at Ankara University are officially set by the state and published in specific tables for each academic year and each faculty/program.
The general picture can be outlined as follows:

• Medical programs (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy) have the highest tuition fees within the university but are still cheaper than the same majors in most private universities.

• Theory-based majors such as Literature, Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, and Media have clearly lower tuition fees.

• Programs taught in English often have higher tuition fees than Turkish-taught equivalents within the same faculty.

Because tuition fees can change from year to year, it is essential that students rely on the official fee tables for the year in which they apply and treat the published figures as the main reference when planning their finances.

Living and Accommodation Costs in Ankara

In addition to university fees, international students must estimate their living costs in Ankara, which usually include:

• Housing:

  • Public or private student dormitories.

  • Dormitories close to the campuses or shared apartments with other students.

  • Prices vary according to neighborhood, housing type, and number of people sharing the apartment.

• Food:

  • Affordable meals available at university cafeterias.

  • Home cooking in student housing to reduce monthly expenses.

• Transportation:

  • A good public transport network including metro, buses, and minibuses.

  • Student transportation cards significantly reduce daily commuting costs.

• Health insurance:

  • A basic budget item that must be included annually, whether through public or private insurance for international students.

Overall, Ankara is often less expensive than Istanbul in terms of housing and transportation, making it suitable for students who need to keep tight control over their budget.

Admission Requirements at Ankara University for International Students

Admission requirements change over time, but the general framework for international bachelor’s admissions at Ankara University usually includes:

Academic qualification:

• A high school diploma or equivalent from a recognized educational system.

• The diploma must be equivalent in level to the Turkish high school diploma.

Entrance exams or recognized certificates:

• A specific foreign student exam accepted by the university (either a national exam for international students in Türkiye or an exam organized by Ankara University itself), or

• Internationally recognized standardized tests, or national high school exams from other countries that the university considers equivalent under defined criteria.

Language requirements:
If the program is taught in Turkish:

• A Turkish language proficiency certificate at the required level, or

• Willingness to complete a preparatory year in Turkish.
  If the program is taught in English:

• An English language proficiency certificate, or

• Passing a language exam organized by the university, with the possibility of a preparatory English year if needed.

Other documents:

• A valid passport.

• Personal photos.

• A fully completed application form.

• In some majors, a motivation letter or a short CV may be requested.

Admission to Medical and Engineering programs is usually more competitive and requires a higher high school GPA and stronger exam scores than Humanities or Social Science majors.

Application Steps to Ankara University for International Students

International applicants can follow these steps when applying to Ankara University:

• Decide on the target major or several alternative majors, paying close attention to the language of instruction in each program.

• Review the latest admission guidelines for international students for the intended year of application, including application deadlines, accepted exams, and language requirements.

• Prepare a complete academic file containing:

  • Translated and certified high school diploma and transcript.

  • Results of required exams (if applicable).

  • Turkish or English language certificates (if available).

• Create an account on the university’s online application system and complete the application accurately, uploading all required documents in clear format.

• Pay any required application fee and keep proof of payment.

• Track the application status via the system or email until an admission decision is issued.
  If the student is accepted:

• Complete final registration procedures at the university offices or online, depending on the system in place.

• Pay the tuition fees for the first semester.

• Use the admission documents to apply for a student visa and then arrange housing and travel plans to Ankara.

Scholarships and Financial Support for International Students

International students at Ankara University may benefit from several types of financial support depending on their academic and financial situation, such as:

• National scholarship programs that allow foreign students to study at Turkish public universities with partial or full coverage of tuition fees and some living expenses.

• Partial scholarships or fee reductions granted in certain special cases or through cooperation programs with other institutions.

• External scholarships obtained by the student from institutions in their home country or international organizations that support higher education in Türkiye.

Because scholarship schemes change from year to year, it is important to monitor official scholarship announcements and apply early, particularly for highly competitive majors.

Is Ankara University the Right Choice for You?

Ankara University can be a strong option if you:

• Are looking for a long-established public university with a strong reputation in Türkiye.

• Prefer lower tuition fees than private universities while maintaining good academic standards.

• Are willing to learn Turkish or improve your level, since most programs are taught in Turkish.

• Are interested in majors such as Medicine, Law, Political Science, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Humanities, or Media.

• Like the idea of studying in the capital Ankara instead of coastal cities or Istanbul, with a calmer environment and generally lower living costs.

If these points align with your plans and goals, studying at Ankara University can be an important step in your academic and professional path, whether you plan to stay in Türkiye after graduation, return to your home country, or pursue further studies elsewhere.

If you have any inquiries about academic majors or would like to know the best universities suited to your situation (language of instruction, tuition fees, admission requirements, comparison between public and private universities, and registration options), we are ready to assist you step by step. Contact us via WhatsApp to receive clear guidance and up-to-date information about available programs, required documents, and the application process. We will respond as soon as possible to help you make the right decision.