Bilkent University is a private university in Ankara, Turkey. According to Council of Higher Education (YÖK) data, it hosted 491 international students in the 2024–2025 academic year.
Key facts about Bilkent University
- Location: Ankara, Turkey.
- Language of instruction: the programs we list here are taught in English. Each program in the table below shows its language.
- Admission: private universities in Turkey usually admit international students on their high school or bachelor’s grades, without a central entrance exam. Some programs, such as medicine, set higher requirements.
- Tuition and deposits: see current fees for every program in the table below, or compare them with other universities in our program search.
About Bilkent University
İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University was founded in Ankara on 20 October 1984 by Prof. İhsan Doğramacı, who had earlier founded Hacettepe University. It was set up jointly by three foundations: the İhsan Doğramacı Education Foundation, the İhsan Doğramacı Science and Research Foundation and the İhsan Doğramacı Health Foundation. Bilkent was the first non-profit private (foundation) university in Turkey, and it admitted its first 386 students in 1986.
The university has ten faculties and three graduate schools, and the medium of instruction is English. Its faculties cover engineering, science, economics and social sciences, business, law, humanities, education, applied sciences, art, design and architecture, and music and performing arts. The university hosts the National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM), and the Bilkent Cyberpark technology park was founded in 2002. International and exchange students come from 73 countries.
Popular programs for international students
Bilkent’s medium of instruction is English. Programs that international students often choose include:
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Economics
- Management (business administration)
- International Relations
- Architecture
You can compare all programs on our program search page.
Campus and student life
Bilkent’s campuses are about 12 km west of central Ankara. The main campus includes academic buildings, a large library, science and engineering laboratories, dormitories, dining services, a health centre, counselling services and sports facilities. Arts are a strong part of campus life: Bilkent has its own symphony orchestra, Bilkent Theatre, Radio Bilkent, a concert hall and the 4,000-seat Odeon outdoor auditorium. The Office of International Students gives advice on applications, courses and housing, and runs orientation programs and cultural trips.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bilkent University recognized?
Yes. Bilkent University is a foundation university approved by YÖK, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey. Its degrees have the same legal status as degrees from other Turkish universities.
Does Bilkent University teach in English?
Yes. The university states that its medium of instruction is English. Students who do not yet meet its English requirements study in the English Language Preparatory Program before starting their department.
How do I apply to Bilkent University?
Choose a program in the table on this page and press Apply, or request a free consultation. Bilkent applies its own minimum requirements. It accepts results such as the SAT, A Levels and the IB Diploma (for example, at least 28 points in the IB), as well as many national qualifications with minimum scores. It does not evaluate applications based on predicted grades, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place. Read more in our guide to applying to Turkish universities.
Does Bilkent University offer scholarships or discounts for international students?
Yes. Bilkent offers tuition waiver scholarships for international students at five levels, from 20% to 100%. They are based on high school grades, exam scores, program choice and other academic criteria. A small number of top students with a full waiver can also receive an accommodation scholarship, and successful students can earn merit scholarships at the end of each year. Students who hold or have held Turkish citizenship are not eligible. For living costs, see the cost of studying in Turkey.
Apply to Bilkent University with Lord Agency
Choose a program from the list on this page and press Apply to create your free student account, or request a free consultation and an advisor will check your documents, scholarship options and deadlines with you. You can also compare Bilkent University with our other partner universities or read our step-by-step application guide.