In short
Bilkent University is Turkey's first private research university in Ankara, offering most programs in English with generous scholarships for international students. It is recognized for its research excellence and relatively affordable cost of living.
Key facts
- Type
- Private
- Founded
- 1984
- Students
- 11,701
- International students
- 1,800
- Acceptance rate
- 12%
- Tuition (intl)
- €7–18k/yr
- Languages
- EN, TR
- Location
- Ankara, Turkey
Bilkent University is a private, non-profit research university in Ankara, Turkey, founded in 1984 as the country's first private university. It enrols approximately 12,000 students across engineering, science, economics, humanities, law, music, and fine arts, with most programmes taught in English. QS-ranked around 415 globally and among Turkey's top three universities, Bilkent is known for research excellence, generous international scholarships, and a fully self-contained campus.
Why study here
- Study at Turkey's first and most internationally recognised private university, QS-ranked ~415 globally.
- English-medium instruction across most programmes, with a Foundation English Programme for preparation.
- Generous merit-based scholarships covering 20%–100% of tuition for qualified international students.
- Strong research culture with active EU Horizon projects and well-resourced labs and libraries.
- Located in Ankara, Turkey's capital — rich in history and cultural life, with affordable living costs.
Student life
Campus life at Bilkent is largely self-contained: the residential campus offers student dormitories, a sports complex, swimming pool, cinema, cultural centre, restaurants, cafes, and a shopping mall. Student clubs span music, theatre, robotics, chess, outdoor sports, and more. The annual Bilkent Symphonic Orchestra concerts and faculty art exhibitions contribute to a rich cultural calendar. Ankara's universities collectively host a large and diverse student population, and the city's diplomatic community adds an international dimension to social life.
Fees
InternationalInternational undergraduate tuition ranges from approximately EUR 7,400 to EUR 17,800 per year depending on programme and scholarship level. Qualified applicants may be offered partial or full tuition waiver scholarships (20% to 100%).
HomeFor Turkish citizens admitted via the national OSYM examination (YKS), tuition fees for the 2025-2026 academic year range from 397,000 TL to 950,000 TL, including 10% VAT, depending on the admission year. Payments can be made annually or in two installments, with the second installment adjusted for inflation.
LivingEstimated TRY 10,000–15,000 per month (approx. EUR 280–420) for campus accommodation, meals, and personal expenses — Ankara is significantly more affordable than Istanbul or Western European capitals.
Tuition fees are non-refundable once university registration is completed. Scholarship continuation requires maintaining academic performance and course load. Students who previously had or currently have Turkish citizenship are not eligible for international student scholarships.
Admissions
High School Grades / Academic RecordsEvaluated based on high school grades and national/international exam scores.
GRE (Graduate)Minimum combined score 298 (Verbal 149 + Quantitative 149) for MA/PhD.
CGPA (Graduate)Minimum 2.50/4.00
Statement of Purpose (Graduate)1-2 pages in English
Letters of Recommendation (Graduate)2 letters required
CV (Graduate)Required
TOEFL iBTMinimum 80 (Undergraduate/Transfer), 87 (Graduate); Home Edition not accepted.
IELTS AcademicMinimum 6.5 overall, 5.5 in each section; OSR not accepted.
Bilkent English Proficiency Exam (PAE)Minimum C (Graduate)
FCEPass grade (Undergraduate/Transfer)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings415
Turkey national ranking3
University scholarships
Tuition Waiver Scholarships20% to 100% of tuition — awarded on admission
Accommodation ScholarshipCovers on-campus dormitory costs (for full-waiver recipients)
Merit Scholarship (enrolled students)20%–100% of tuition — awarded annually for top 5% GPA performers
Accreditation
Bilkent University is recognised by Turkey's Council of Higher Education (YOK). The Department of Psychology is accredited by the Turkish Psychological Association. Several engineering and architecture programmes hold ABET or EUR-ACE accreditation.
Programs
a selectionBilkent University · Turkey
Computer Engineering
Bilkent University's Computer Engineering program provides a comprehensive education in the fundamental principles of computer science and engineering. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, develop, and analyze complex computer systems and software. Students will gain expertise in areas such as algorithms, data structures, programming languages, operating systems, and computer architecture.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
Bilkent University · Turkey
PCI in the Linux Kernel
This program offers an in-depth exploration of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard and its implementation within the Linux kernel. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how PCI devices are connected, communicate with the CPU, and are initialized and managed by the operating system. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts such as PCI address spaces, configuration headers, and the roles of PCI-ISA and PCI-PCI bridges in modern computer systems. Designed for students with a background in computer science or related fields, this program delves into the electrical and behavioral specifications of PCI. It emphasizes practical applications within the Linux environment, preparing students to work with device drivers, system initialization, and the intricacies of peripheral management. Through detailed analysis of real-world examples, participants will develop advanced skills in system-level programming and hardware-software interaction. The program is ideal for those aspiring to careers in operating system development, embedded systems, or hardware driver engineering. It provides the theoretical knowledge and practical insights necessary to navigate complex system architectures and contribute to the evolution of computing platforms.
Master's
Level
€0k
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Bilkent University · Turkey
Probabilistic Analysis
This course provides a comprehensive study of probability theory, starting with its axiomatic foundations. It covers essential concepts such as conditional probability, independence, and the properties of discrete and continuous random variables, including expectation and variance. The curriculum delves into inequalities like Chebyshev's and fundamental theorems such as the Law of Large Numbers and the Central Limit Theorem. Advanced topics include transformations of random variables, generating functions, and various types of convergence. The course culminates in an exploration of asymptotic methods in probability theory.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Scholarships
for Turkeyfull fundingSabanci University
Sabanci University Scholarships
Open to international students (and Turkish students who completed prior education outside Turkey) with a good academic record and fluency in English. No separate scholarship application is required; candidates are considered automatically when they apply to a Sabanci University programme.
full
Funding
€17k
Max
Jun 2, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingAmerican Research Institute in Turkey (ARIT)
ARIT Research Fellowships in Turkey
Open to U.S. citizens and to non-U.S. citizens who are resident in the United States or Canada with an institutional affiliation. Applicants must be advanced graduate students (PhD candidates at the All-But-Dissertation stage) or postdoctoral researchers pursuing humanities or social-science research related to Turkey's history, culture or society. PhD applicants must complete all doctoral requirements except the dissertation by mid-2026.
partial
Funding
€5k
Max
Nov 1, 2026
Deadline
full fundingIstanbul Technical University (ITU) AI and Data Science Applied Research Center, with Google DeepMind
ITU AI Google DeepMind Scholarship
Open to female students of any nationality who are admitted to an eligible M.Sc. programme at ITU for the upcoming Fall term and intend to focus their studies and thesis on Artificial Intelligence. Applicants outside Computer Engineering or Computer Science must have an AI research focus. A commitment to AI research and to joining the ITU AI research community is expected.
full
Funding
€1k
Max
Jun 14, 2027
Deadline
full fundingTurkiye Scholarships (YTB) in partnership with NAMA Foundation
Turkiye Scholarships — NAMA Foundation Joint Scholarship
Aimed at students and researchers from Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen, and Malaysia who want to pursue Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD study at universities in Turkey. Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements of the main Turkiye Scholarships scheme (typically a high grade-point average appropriate to the level), be within the age limits set for each degree level, and apply within the official application window. The monthly award follows Turkiye Scholarships standards.
full
Funding
—
Max
Feb 25, 2027
Deadline
full fundingTurkiye Scholarships (Turkiye Burslari) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Turkiye Scholarships - IsDB Joint Scholarship Programme
Open to citizens of IsDB member countries and members of Muslim communities in non-member countries. Applicants must show a strong academic record and meet age limits (generally under 21 for undergraduate, under 30 for master's, under 35 for PhD). Many programmes are taught in Turkish, so applicants must complete a one-year Turkish language course; English-taught programmes may require a recognised language certificate such as TOEFL.
full
Funding
—
Max
Feb 20, 2027
Deadline
full fundingTurkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV)
Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) Scholarship
Open to international students of all nationalities applying for Bachelor's or Master's study in Islamic Studies at universities in Turkey under the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation programme. Applicants must hold the academic qualification required for their chosen level, meet the specific entry conditions of the selected programme (which vary by department), and be willing to study in Turkey. Exact age, language, and grade conditions are set per programme each cycle.
full
Funding
—
Max
Mar 1, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at Bilkent University?
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International undergraduate tuition fees range from approximately EUR 7,400 to EUR 17,800 per year, depending on the program and scholarship level. Qualified applicants may receive partial or full tuition waiver scholarships, ranging from 20% to 100%.
Does Bilkent University offer scholarships for international students?
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Yes, Bilkent University offers generous merit-based tuition waiver scholarships for international students, covering 20% to 100% of tuition fees. A limited number of full-waiver recipients may also receive an accommodation scholarship.
What is the English proficiency requirement for international students?
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International students can demonstrate English proficiency through TOEFL iBT (minimum 80 for undergraduate, 87 for graduate), IELTS Academic (minimum 6.5 overall, 5.5 in each section), or the Bilkent English Proficiency Exam (PAE). FCE is also accepted for undergraduate and transfer students.
Where is Bilkent University located and what is the cost of living?
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Bilkent University is located in Ankara, Turkey's capital city, known for its rich history and culture. The estimated monthly cost of living on campus, including accommodation, meals, and personal expenses, is approximately TRY 10,000–15,000 (around EUR 280–420), which is considerably lower than in Istanbul or Western European cities.
What academic programs are available at Bilkent University?
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Bilkent University offers programs across engineering, science, economics, humanities, law, music, and fine arts. Most of its undergraduate and graduate programs are taught in English.
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