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TURKEY · ISTANBUL

Istanbul Technical University

public · Founded 1773 · Languages: en, tr

In short

Istanbul Technical University is a historic and globally recognized institution founded in 1773, renowned for its strong focus on engineering and technology. It offers extensive research opportunities, vibrant campus life across five campuses in Istanbul, and comprehensive career support for international students.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 1773
Students: 38,636
International students: 3,200
Acceptance rate: 15%
Tuition (intl): €2–5k/yr
Languages: EN, TR
Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is one of the oldest technical universities in the world, founded in 1773. Located in Istanbul, Turkey, ITU is renowned for its strong focus on engineering and architectural education. The university aims to be a global leader in science, technology, and arts, contributing to a sustainable community through expanding knowledge and its applications. With a rich history and a forward-looking vision, ITU emphasizes innovation, discovery, and the successful advancement of humankind. ITU provides a dynamic academic environment with extensive research opportunities. It boasts numerous research centers and over 400 laboratories, fostering scientific studies across various disciplines and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. The university is committed to preparing students for future challenges, evident in its contributions to critical areas like cyber security, nanotechnology, and advanced materials. The university offers a vibrant campus life across its five campuses, blending a green environment with urban accessibility. Students benefit from comprehensive facilities, including multiple libraries, cultural and arts venues, sports amenities, dining halls, and dormitories. ITU also supports student career development through a part-time student working system and a dedicated career center.

Why study here

Study at one of the world's oldest and most respected technical universities, with a history dating back to 1773.
Benefit from highly-ranked programs, particularly in Engineering and Technology, where ITU is recognized as Turkey's #1 and among the world's best.
Engage in cutting-edge research across nearly 30 centers and over 400 laboratories, fostering innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Experience a rich campus life with excellent facilities, including extensive libraries, cultural venues, sports amenities, and comfortable dormitories.
Access strong career support, including part-time work opportunities on campus and a dedicated career center to prepare for professional life.

Student life

Life at Istanbul Technical University extends beyond the classroom, offering a vibrant and engaging experience across its five distinct campuses. Students can immerse themselves in nature, history, sports, and arts within the city. The university's libraries provide inspiring study environments, with access to over 100,000 scientific journals and numerous databases. Culturally, ITU fosters creativity through its Rectorate Art Gallery, ITU Radio Station (Turkey's most listened-to university radio), and a diverse calendar of events. For sports enthusiasts, ITU provides ample opportunities for individual and team activities, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Socially, students benefit from on-campus dining halls with nutritious menus and secure, comfortable dormitory accommodations for 5,000 students. Part-time job opportunities on campus allow students to gain valuable work experience while earning pocket money, seamlessly integrating academic and professional development. The Career Center further supports students in their professional journeys.

Fees

InternationalUndergraduate tuition for international students admitted in 2023-2026 ranges from 79,000 TRY (Faculty of Arts and Sciences) to 264,000 TRY (Conservatory) annually, approximately EUR 1,800–7,000 at current exchange rates. Engineering faculties typically cost 94,500 TRY per year. Postgraduate tuition for international students admitted in 2024-2026 is 33,300 TRY annually.

HomeUndergraduate tuition for Turkish citizens for the 2025-2026 academic year ranges from 1,759 TRY (Science and Letters) to 3,644 TRY (Conservatory) annually. Engineering faculties are 2,397 TRY. Postgraduate tuition is 1,115 TRY annually.

LivingDormitories are available across 15 buildings on ITU's campuses, providing safe and comfortable lodging for approximately 5,000 students. Monthly living costs in Istanbul including accommodation, meals, and transport are approximately EUR 350–600.

Tuition fees for ITU-Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Programs are separate and can be found on their specific website. Fees are denominated in Turkish Lira and subject to exchange rate fluctuation.

Admissions

Secondary school diplomaHigh school diploma equivalent to Turkish high school qualification; official transcripts required

Standardized testSAT, ACT, A-levels, Abitur, or national equivalents accepted for undergraduate entry

Application portalApply via the ITU International Admissions portal at uluslararasi.itu.edu.tr

Graduate programsBachelor's degree with above-average GPA; research proposal required for PhD programs

TOEFL iBT80+ for English-medium programs

IELTS6.5+ for English-medium programs

ITU English Proficiency ExamAvailable on campus for enrolled students

Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2025298

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Engineering and Technology)World #91 / Turkey #1

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Petroleum Engineering)World #39

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Mining & Mineral Engineering)World #43

THE Asia University Rankings 2026Asia #97

URAPTurkey #1 (28 Scientific Fields)

Nature Index (Research Leaders)Turkey #1

THE Impact Rankings 2025 (Overall)World Top 50

THE Impact Rankings 2025 (SDG 4: Quality Education)World #3

Shanghai Ranking (Marine/Naval Engineering)World #30

University scholarships

YTB Turkey Scholarships (Türkiye Burslari)Full scholarship: tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation + health insurance

ITU International Student ScholarshipPartial tuition waiver for high-achieving international applicants

TUBITAK Graduate ScholarshipsMonthly stipend for Master's and PhD research students

Erasmus+ Incoming Mobility GrantsMonthly stipend for EU partner university exchange students

Accreditation

Istanbul Technical University is a state university fully recognized and accredited by the Council of Higher Education of Turkey (YOK). Its engineering programs hold ABET and EUR-ACE accreditations. ITU is a member of the European University Association (EUA), the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), and numerous international academic networks.

Programs

a selection

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Istanbul Technical University · Turkey

NACA 4 Digit Airfoils

This module focuses on the mathematical formulation and generation of NACA 4-digit airfoils. It explains how the series designation (e.g., MPXX) relates to the airfoil's geometric properties, including maximum camber (MM), location of maximum camber (PP), and maximum thickness (XXXX). The module provides the specific equations for calculating the coordinates of the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil. It details the formulas for the mean camber line and its gradient, as well as the thickness distribution. A practical implementation using Python is demonstrated with code that generates and visualizes these airfoils, allowing for a deeper understanding of their geometry.

Istanbul Technical University · Turkey

Panel Method of Hess and Smith - Computational Aerodynamics

This course focuses on the Panel Method, a numerical technique used in theoretical and computational aerodynamics. It specifically details the application of the Hess and Smith method for analyzing fluid flow around airfoils. The method breaks down the airfoil surface into smaller segments (panels) to approximate the complex flow behavior. The core of the method involves representing the airfoil using distributions of sources and vortices on these panels. By applying principles of fluid dynamics, such as flow tangency and the Kutta condition, a system of linear equations is formulated. Solving this system allows for the calculation of flow velocities and other aerodynamic properties around the airfoil. The course delves into the mathematical formulation behind these concepts, including the velocity potentials induced by vortex flows and vortex sheets, and how these combine with free stream conditions. It explains the derivation of the velocity components and the construction of the linear system of equations, ultimately leading to the computation of tangential velocities.

Istanbul Technical University · Turkey

Source Panel Method

This course module focuses on the Source Panel Method, a computational technique used in aerodynamics to analyze fluid flow around airfoils. It explains the fundamental principles of source flow, including its incompressible and irrotational nature, and derives the velocity and potential functions for a point source. The core of the module details how to apply the Source Panel Method by discretizing the airfoil surface into panels, each with a distributed source strength. It outlines the process of calculating the total velocity potential around the airfoil by summing the contributions from each panel. The method's objective is to determine the source strengths that, when combined with a uniform freestream, generate the desired flow streamlines and pressure distributions around the airfoil. This involves setting up and solving a system of linear algebraic equations based on boundary conditions.

Scholarships

for Turkey

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full funding

Sabanci 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.

American 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.

Istanbul 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.

Turkiye 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.

Turkiye 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.

Turkiye 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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the tuition fees for international undergraduate students at Istanbul Technical University?

Undergraduate tuition for international students admitted between 2023-2026 ranges from 79,000 TRY to 264,000 TRY annually, with engineering faculties typically costing 94,500 TRY per year. These fees are denominated in Turkish Lira and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

What are the English language proficiency requirements for international students?

For programs taught in English, international students need a TOEFL iBT score of 80+ or an IELTS score of 6.5+. An ITU English Proficiency Exam is also available on campus for enrolled students.

What academic qualifications are needed for undergraduate admission?

Prospective undergraduate students require a high school diploma equivalent to the Turkish high school qualification, along with official transcripts. Standardized tests like SAT, ACT, A-levels, or Abitur are also accepted.

Does Istanbul Technical University offer scholarships for international students?

Yes, ITU offers several scholarship opportunities, including the YTB Turkey Scholarships (full scholarship), the ITU International Student Scholarship (partial tuition waiver), and TUBITAK Graduate Scholarships for research students.

What kind of living arrangements are available for students?

Dormitories are available across 15 buildings on ITU's campuses, providing lodging for approximately 5,000 students. Monthly living costs in Istanbul, including accommodation, meals, and transport, are estimated to be around EUR 350–600.

Last updated 3 July 2026