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TURKEY · ANKARA

Middle East Technical University

public · Founded 1956 · Languages: English

In short

Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara offers English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs with internationally recognized strengths in engineering and sciences. It provides a high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of Western institutions, with low tuition and living expenses.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 1956
Students: 14,928
International students: 2,500
Acceptance rate: 12%
Tuition (intl): €2–4k/yr
Languages: ENGLISH
Location: Ankara, Turkey

Middle East Technical University (METU) is a leading public technical research university in Ankara, Turkey, founded in 1956 and teaching entirely in English. It is consistently ranked among the top universities in Turkey and the wider region, with international recognition in engineering, the natural sciences, architecture, and the social sciences. METU combines rigorous academics with a strong research culture and close ties to industry through its renowned Technopark. The university enrols a large, diverse student body, including a substantial international community, and is known for its academic freedom, vibrant campus life, and active alumni network. Its graduates are highly sought after by employers in Turkey and abroad, and many of the country's most successful technology companies have roots at METU. With broad global partnerships, extensive exchange opportunities, and competitive tuition, METU offers international students an English-taught, research-intensive education in a dynamic capital city at a fraction of the cost of comparable institutions in Western countries.

Why study here

Study entirely in English at one of Turkey's most prestigious technical universities.
Benefit from world-recognised strength in engineering, sciences, and architecture.
Access the METU Technopark, one of Turkey's largest hubs for technology and start-ups.
Enjoy very low tuition and living costs compared with Western Europe and North America.
Join a large, diverse international community on a green campus in Turkey's capital.

Student life

METU is renowned for its lively campus culture, with hundreds of student clubs and societies covering sports, the arts, technology, and social causes. The university hosts a popular annual spring festival, an active mountaineering and outdoor tradition, and extensive sports facilities. On-campus dormitories, a large library, and the surrounding green campus create a self-contained community, while the diverse international student population and English-medium environment make it easy for newcomers to integrate.

Fees

InternationalMETU is a public university with low, state-regulated tuition. International undergraduate students typically pay roughly 1,500-3,500 EUR per year depending on programme and faculty, with graduate fees in a similar range. Fees are significantly lower than comparable English-taught programmes in Western Europe or North America.

HomeTurkish and equivalent students pay nominal state tuition, generally a few hundred euros per year.

LivingAnkara has a low cost of living by international standards. Students should budget approximately 400-700 EUR per month for accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses; on-campus dormitories reduce costs further.

All figures are indicative and set annually by the university and Turkish authorities. Instruction is in English across all programmes, so no Turkish-language proficiency is required for most degrees.

Admissions

Undergraduate admissionRecognised exam scores (such as SAT, or accepted national university entrance exams) and a strong secondary school record. Specific accepted exams and minimum scores are published by the international admissions office.

Graduate admissionA relevant bachelor's (and master's, for PhD) degree, strong academic standing, and program-specific requirements; GRE may be required or recommended for some programmes.

English proficiencyAll students must satisfy English proficiency requirements or pass the METU English Proficiency Exam before starting their degree.

TOEFL iBT79-80 (or pass the METU English Proficiency Exam)

IELTS6.5 overall

METU EPE60 (institutional English proficiency exam)

Rankings

QS World University RankingsAround 269th globally

QS by SubjectTop 150 worldwide in several engineering disciplines

TurkeyConsistently among the top universities in Turkey

University scholarships

METU International Student ScholarshipsPartial to full tuition waiver, some with stipend

Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and travel

Graduate Research/Teaching AssistantshipsMonthly stipend plus tuition support

Accreditation

A state university authorised by the Council of Higher Education of Turkey (YÖK). Engineering programmes hold accreditations from MÜDEK (the Turkish engineering accreditation body, an EUR-ACE and Washington Accord signatory) and several programmes carry ABET or international accreditation.

Programs

a selection

View top programs →

Middle East Technical University · Turkey

Meta-interpreters in Prolog

This program focuses on Meta-interpreters in Prolog, a powerful technique for understanding and manipulating Prolog programs. You will learn how to build meta-interpreters that can interpret, evaluate, and even modify the execution of Prolog code. This involves understanding concepts like clause trees, built-in goals, and loop detection mechanisms. The course explores advanced topics such as iterative deepening search and graphical representation of program execution. Through hands-on exercises and modifications of existing meta-interpreters, you will gain practical experience in designing and implementing custom control mechanisms for Prolog. This program provides a deep dive into the declarative nature of Prolog and how to leverage its meta-programming capabilities for complex problem-solving.

Bachelor's

Level

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 students at Middle East Technical University?

Middle East Technical University (METU) is a public university with state-regulated tuition. International undergraduate and graduate students typically pay between 1,500-3,500 EUR per year, which is considerably lower than comparable programs in Western countries.

Does METU offer programs taught in English?

Yes, METU has been teaching entirely in English since 1956. This means no Turkish language proficiency is required for most degrees, making it accessible for international students.

What is the cost of living for students in Ankara?

Ankara offers a low cost of living compared to international standards. Students should budget approximately 400-700 EUR per month for living expenses, with on-campus dormitories further reducing accommodation costs.

What are the admission requirements for international undergraduates?

International undergraduate admission to METU is competitive, based on recognized national or international exam scores and secondary school results. Applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency.

Does METU have any special hubs for technology and innovation?

METU is home to the METU Technopark, one of Turkey's largest hubs for technology and start-ups. This provides students with unique opportunities to engage with industry and innovation.

Last updated 30 June 2026