Istanbul Technical University (ITU) — Istanbul

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in Turkey, specialising in engineering and applied sciences. Founded in 1773 by Sultan Mustafa III as the Imperial School of Naval Engineering, ITU is the third-oldest technical university in the world and ranks among the top 3 universities in Turkey.

Language of instruction: Turkish and English — programs are offered in both, with many top engineering tracks taught entirely in English.

Academic focus: ITU is best known for engineering and architecture, and is regarded as Turkey's strongest institution for these fields.

Engineering departments include:

• Civil, Computer, Electrical-Electronic, Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
• Aerospace, Aeronautical, Geophysical, Geological, Materials, Mining Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Information Systems, Bioengineering
• Food, Textile, Control and Automation Engineering
• Architecture, Urban Design, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

Additional faculties: Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Faculty of Computer and Informatics, Maritime Faculty, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Mines, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Textile Technologies and Design.

Admission: ITU accepts SAT (SAT 1 / SAT 2) for international applicants. Apply at sis.itu.edu.tr.

Tuition (international students): Approximately $500–1,500 per year for undergraduate engineering programs — exceptional value for a globally-ranked technical university.

Scholarships: Türkiye Bursları full government scholarship is available; ITU also has partnerships providing partial tuition support for top-performing international applicants.

Campus: Multiple campuses in Istanbul — the main Ayazağa campus is on the European side and includes most engineering faculties, while the Maçka and Taşkışla campuses host architecture and management programs.

Recognition: ITU diplomas are highly respected by employers in the Gulf, Europe, and across Turkey's strong industrial sector. The university maintains active exchange and research partnerships with leading European and American institutions.