Altinbas University is one of Istanbul’s leading private universities, having combined academic diversity with tangible practical excellence in just a few years — from the only dual law program of its kind with Germany, to its dental hospital, the first in Turkey to hold ISO 9001-2015 certification. Below is a complete guide to the university, its programs, fees, and admission requirements.
About Altinbas University
Altinbas University (Altinbas Universitesi) is a private Turkish university located in Istanbul. Founded as a foundation university, it is considered one of the preferred educational destinations for international students in Turkey.
The university stands out as one of the few private universities that combine medical and engineering programs at a high level of quality, alongside a diverse range of programs in law, the arts, and administrative sciences.
Founding of the University
The university was founded in 2008 under the name “Istanbul Kemerburgaz University” by the Mehmet Altinbas Education and Culture Foundation, and welcomed its first cohort of students in the 2011/2012 academic year.
In 2017, the university was officially renamed “Altinbas University,” in honor of the will of the late businessman Mehmet Altinbas, who believed in the importance of investing in education — making the university the most significant legacy of the Altinbas family, backed by the Altinbas Holding Group (Altinbas Holding).
Academic Environment
Altinbas University’s academic environment stands out for its notable international diversity and clear research orientation. The university’s 10 faculties are spread across several specialized campuses in key areas of Istanbul, equipped with modern labs and research centers, particularly in medical and engineering fields. The university also supports applied scientific research among its faculty members through a number of granted patents, participation in projects funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), and a high rate of published research and participation in international conferences.
Student Numbers
Altinbas University has a total student body of over 10,000, of whom more than 6,000 are international students — over 60% of the total student population — coming from 105 different countries. This is a very high proportion compared to most foundation universities in Turkey, creating a genuinely global learning environment on campus. These numbers are spread across more than 100 academic programs in 10 faculties, one graduate institute, and two vocational schools, covering associate degree, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Highlights of Altinbas University
Altinbas University tops the list of private universities in Istanbul that have combined academic diversity with practical excellence in record time — from the only dual law program of its kind with Germany, to the first internationally certified dental hospital in Turkey, the university offers an educational model that balances academic quality with practical application.
1. The Only Dual Law Program Between Turkey and Germany
Altinbas University holds the first and only dual bachelor’s program in law between Turkey and Germany, in partnership with the University of Cologne, under a protocol signed between the two universities in 2012 and approved by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) that same year, and by the German accreditation body in 2013.
Students study two years at the University of Cologne and two years at Altinbas University, graduating with two law degrees from both universities without needing any equivalency process, and can practice law in Turkey directly, while their grades in Germany count as part (30%) of the first state law exam there.
2. The First ISO 9001-Certified Dental Hospital in Turkey
The university operates a dedicated dental hospital on its Bakirkoy campus, opened in 2016 on a 5,000-square-meter site. It is the first and only dental hospital in Turkey to hold the international ISO 9001-2015 quality certification, giving dentistry students a genuine clinical training environment that meets the highest global quality standards.
3. The Largest Health Sciences Campus Among Turkey’s Foundation Universities
The university’s Bakirkoy campus is the largest campus dedicated to health sciences among Turkey’s foundation universities, bringing together the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Faculty of Dentistry under one roof, alongside the university’s dental hospital — giving students fully integrated hands-on training without needing to move between multiple locations.
4. Specialized Research Centers
The university operates a number of specialized applied research centers that go beyond the general research centers most universities settle for, most notably:
- Family Business Management and Research Center (AYDAM)
- Natural Product Research and Development Center (DUAGEM)
- Electric, Autonomous and Unmanned Vehicles Application and Research Center
- Energy and Environment Application and Research Center (ECAM)
- Central Research Laboratory
5. A Leading Position in Artificial Intelligence Research
Altinbas University ranks first on the list of the “Top 50 Universities in Artificial Intelligence Research,” an achievement that reflects its clear direction toward supporting applied scientific research in modern technologies.
Altinbas University Accreditations 2026
Altinbas University has secured a wide range of specialized local and international accreditations covering its various faculties and academic programs. Below are the most notable:
1. MÜDEK Accreditation
MÜDEK (the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs) is a Turkish body responsible for evaluating and accrediting engineering programs according to European quality standards. It has accredited the following programs at Altinbas University:
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
2. FIBAA Accreditation
FIBAA (the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) is a prestigious European accreditation body that has granted its accreditation to a number of programs in the Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, including:
- Business Administration
- International Trade and Finance
- International Logistics Management
- Economics
3. ECZAKDER Accreditation
This accreditation is granted to the Faculty of Pharmacy by ECZAKDER (the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Pharmacy Education Programs), ensuring its curriculum meets international standards in pharmacy education.
4. AQAS Accreditation (Dual Law Program)
The dual Turkish-German bachelor’s program in law (in partnership with the University of Cologne) has received accreditation from the German AQAS agency (Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programs), alongside approval from the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
5. STAR Accreditation
This accreditation is granted by STAR (the Social Sciences, Humanities and Basic Sciences Accreditation and Rating Association) to English-taught programs in the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, including:
- International Relations
- Political Science and Public Administration
6. ILAD Accreditation (Communication Research Association)
This association has accredited the Radio, Television and Cinema program in the Faculty of Communication.
7. ACQUIN Accreditation
ACQUIN is a German accreditation body that has granted its accreditation to the Jewelry Design program within the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
8. DEDAK Accreditation
The university’s School of Foreign Languages, specifically its core English language department, has received accreditation from DEDAK (the Association for Language Education, Evaluation and Accreditation) for 5 years (2024–2029).
9. Comprehensive Institutional Accreditation (YÖKAK)
Altinbas University has received institutional accreditation from the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK/THEQC) — an accreditation held by only about 35% of Turkish universities — reflecting the university’s comprehensive commitment to quality standards across all its academic and administrative units.
Recognition of Altinbas University
The system for recognizing Turkish universities varies from one Arab country to another, and recognition mechanisms can generally be divided into two main patterns:
Pattern One: Automatic Recognition Based on Recognition in the Country of Origin
Some Arab countries apply the principle of automatic recognition for any university officially recognized by the higher education council in its own country (in this case: the Turkish Council of Higher Education, YÖK), without needing the university’s name to be listed separately. Since Altinbas University is officially recognized by YÖK, its degrees are, in principle, accepted in these countries under this general framework.
Pattern Two: Annually Updated Lists of Approved Universities
Other countries, most notably the Arab Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, follow a system of “recommended or approved lists,” where the ministry of higher education in these countries issues an annually updated list naming the specific foreign universities it recognizes. A university may be added to or removed from this list based on periodic evaluations.
Important tip: Since these lists are updated periodically, we always recommend that students confirm the university’s status on the official list of their country’s ministry of higher education before enrolling, via the ministry’s official website.
Altinbas University’s National and Global Rankings
Altinbas University has made notable progress across several officially recognized global rankings in recent years. Below are the most notable, officially confirmed results:
Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking 2026
The university placed in the (1501+) band globally in the THE ranking, coming in at 41st among Turkish universities and 16th specifically among Turkish foundation universities. The university also stood out in the “International Outlook” indicator, ranking 770th globally, 15th in Turkey, and 13
Altinbas University Accreditations 2026
Altinbas University has secured a wide range of specialized local and international accreditations covering its various faculties and academic programs. Below are the most notable:
1. MÜDEK Accreditation
MÜDEK is a Turkish body responsible for evaluating and accrediting engineering programs according to European quality standards. It has accredited the following programs at Altinbas University:
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
2. FIBAA Accreditation
FIBAA is a prestigious European accreditation body that has granted its accreditation to a number of programs in the Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, including:
- Business Administration
- International Trade and Finance
- International Logistics Management
- Economics
3. ECZAKDER Accreditation
This accreditation is granted to the Faculty of Pharmacy by ECZAKDER, ensuring its curriculum meets international standards in pharmacy education.
4. AQAS Accreditation (Dual Law Program)
The dual Turkish-German bachelor’s program in law (in partnership with the University of Cologne) has received AQAS accreditation from Germany, alongside approval from the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
5. STAR Accreditation
This accreditation is granted by STAR to English-taught programs in the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, including:
- International Relations
- Political Science and Public Administration
6. ILAD Accreditation
ILAD has accredited the Radio, Television and Cinema program in the Faculty of Communication.
7. ACQUIN Accreditation
ACQUIN is a German accreditation body that has granted its accreditation to the Jewelry Design program within the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
8. DEDAK Accreditation
The university’s School of Foreign Languages, specifically its core English language department, has received DEDAK accreditation for 5 years (2024–2029).
9. Comprehensive Institutional Accreditation (YÖKAK)
Altinbas University has received institutional accreditation from YÖKAK — an accreditation held by only about 35% of Turkish universities — reflecting the university’s comprehensive commitment to quality standards across all its academic and administrative units.
Recognition of Altinbas University
The system for recognizing Turkish universities varies from one Arab country to another, and recognition mechanisms can generally be divided into two main patterns:
Pattern One: Automatic Recognition Based on Recognition in the Country of Origin
Some Arab countries apply the principle of automatic recognition for any university officially recognized by the higher education council in its own country (in this case: the Turkish Council of Higher Education, YÖK), without needing the university’s name to be listed separately. Since Altinbas University is officially recognized by YÖK, its degrees are, in principle, accepted in these countries under this general framework.
Pattern Two: Annually Updated Lists of Approved Universities
Other countries, most notably the Arab Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, follow a system of “recommended or approved lists,” where the ministry of higher education in these countries issues an annually updated list naming the specific foreign universities it recognizes. A university may be added to or removed from this list based on periodic evaluations.
Important tip: Since these lists are updated periodically, we always recommend that students confirm the university’s status on the official list of their country’s ministry of higher education before enrolling, via the ministry’s official website.
Altinbas University’s National and Global Rankings
Altinbas University has made notable progress across several officially recognized global rankings in recent years. Below are the most notable, officially confirmed results:
Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking 2026
The university placed in the (1501+) band globally in the THE ranking, coming in at 41st among Turkish universities and 16th specifically among Turkish foundation universities. The university also stood out in the “International Outlook” indicator, ranking 770th globally, 15th in Turkey, and 13th among foundation universities specifically on this indicator.
URAP Ranking (Academic Performance)
According to the latest ranking issued by the URAP laboratory affiliated with Middle East Technical University (METU), covering the current 2025–2026 academic year:
- National Ranking: Altinbas University ranked 104th in the overall 2025–2026 ranking out of 198 Turkish universities, an improvement of 4 places compared to the previous year (it was 108th).
- Ranking Among Universities with Medical Faculties: The university placed 73rd among Turkish universities that have a faculty of medicine.
QS World Rankings 2026
- Europe and Western Asia: According to QS, the university ranked 79th among Western Asia universities, and within the 701–900 band at the European continental level.
Faculties and Programs at Altinbas University
Altinbas University offers more than 45 academic programs at the bachelor’s and associate degree levels, spread across 10 faculties and a specialized vocational school, covering fields such as medicine, engineering, law, business, the arts, and health sciences.
Faculty of Medicine
- Human Medicine (English)
Faculty of Dentistry
- Dentistry (Turkish)
Faculty of Pharmacy
- Pharmacy (English)
Faculty of Health Sciences
- Nursing (Turkish)
- Midwifery (Turkish)
- Healthcare Management (Turkish)
Faculty of Law
- Law (Turkish)
- Turkish-German Dual Law Program (Turkish)
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
- Architecture (English)
- Interior Architecture and Environmental Design (English and Turkish)
- Civil Engineering (English)
- Computer Engineering (English)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering (English)
- Industrial Engineering (English)
- Mechanical Engineering (English)
- Software Engineering (English)
Faculty of Business
- Business Administration (English)
- Marketing (English)
- International Logistics Management (English)
- International Trade (English)
Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
- Economics (English)
- International Relations (English)
- Political Science and Public Administration (English)
- Psychology (English)
- Sociology (English)
- Management Information Systems (Turkish)
Faculty of Communication
- Cinema and Television (Turkish)
- Public Relations and Advertising (Turkish)
- Visual Communication Design (Turkish)
Faculty of Applied Sciences
- Culinary Arts (Turkish)
- Jewelry Design (Turkish)
- Software Development (Turkish)
Vocational School of Health Services (Associate Degree – 2 years)
- Oral and Dental Health (Turkish)
- Operating Room Services (Turkish)
- First Aid and Emergency Care (Turkish)
- Audiometry (Turkish)
- Anesthesia (Turkish)
- Opticianry (Turkish)
- Radiotherapy (Turkish)
- Medical Imaging Techniques (Turkish)
- Physiotherapy (Turkish)
- Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services (Turkish)
- Medical Laboratory Techniques (Turkish)
- Pharmacy Services (Turkish)
Graduate Studies at Altinbas University
Graduate programs are offered in both Turkish and English, depending on the specialty.
Master’s Programs
- Business Administration (English and Turkish)
- Accounting and Auditing (Turkish)
- Banking and Finance (Turkish)
- Strategic Marketing and Brand Management (Turkish)
- Data Analytics (English and Turkish)
- International Trade Law (Turkish)
- Political Science and International Relations (English)
- Art and Design (Turkish)
- Information Technology (English and Turkish)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (English and Turkish)
- Architecture (English)
- Civil Engineering (English)
- Industrial Engineering (English and Turkish)
- Mechanical Engineering (English)
- Biomedical Sciences (English and Turkish)
- Histology and Embryology (Turkish)
- Psychology (Turkish)
- Clinical Psychology (Turkish)
PhD Programs
- Business Administration (English and Turkish)
- International Relations (English and Turkish)
- Private Law (Turkish)
- Public Law (Turkish)
- Health Management (Turkish)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (English and Turkish)
Tuition Costs at Altinbas University
Despite its prime location and program quality, tuition at Altinbas University remains competitively priced compared to other Istanbul universities, with clear differences between programs depending on their nature and language of instruction.
Associate Degree Costs
Associate degree programs at the Vocational School of Health Services cost $2,500 for the full 2-year program, at a roughly uniform rate across all programs at this level.
Bachelor’s Degree Costs
Bachelor’s program fees at Altinbas University range between $4,250 and $22,500. The Faculty of Medicine has the highest-cost program, followed by the Faculty of Dentistry, while most engineering, administrative, and humanities programs sit closer to the lower end of the range.
Master’s Degree Costs
Master’s program costs at the university range between $5,865 and $6,900 for the full 2-year program, priced relatively closely across most specialties.
PhD Costs
PhD program fees range between $6,000 and $9,900 for the full program duration, depending on the specialty and available track.
Note: To view all available majors and their detailed fees accurately, please click the button below to browse the university’s programs and prices schedule for 2026.
Career and Practical Life for Altinbas University Students
Altinbas University doesn’t stop at the academic side alone — preparing students for the job market and research participation is one of its top priorities, through an integrated system of supporting centers and programs.
Career Development and Alumni Center (Career Center)
This center accompanies students from their first academic year, offering career guidance and skills-analysis services, along with workshops on CV writing and job interview skills, preparing students to enter the job market with confidence after graduation.
Internship & Co-op Program
This program gives students the chance to apply what they study in a real work environment, through mandatory or cooperative internship periods at partner companies, ensuring they gain direct hands-on experience in their field before graduating.
International Student Exchange (Erasmus+)
The university takes part in Erasmus+ programs and international mobility networks, including the “Internship4All” program, which offers students funded international internship opportunities within a partner network of European universities.
Practical Student Achievements
The university’s practical orientation translates into tangible results: its team competing in the “TEKNOFEST” technology competition has produced 32 projects and won 12 awards over 6 years, while the university’s sailing team has won 23 trophies over the same period.
Health and Psychological Support
The university health center provides routine check-ups and first aid for students, alongside specialized psychological support offered through the student affairs office to help them adjust to university life.
Clubs and Student Teams
The university has a wide range of student clubs and university teams covering diverse cultural, sports, and academic fields, along with an active student council that represents students in university decisions.
Altinbas University Facilities and Campuses
Altinbas University’s faculties and units are spread across 3 main campuses in Istanbul, each designed to serve a specific group of programs.
Mahmutbey Technology Campus (Main Campus)
This campus is the university’s main site, located in the Bagcilar district on Istanbul’s European side, just about 400 meters from the TEM highway, making it easy to reach from across the city. This campus includes:
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
- Institute of Natural Sciences
- School of Foreign Languages
- Vocational School
- On-campus student housing
Bakirkoy Health Campus
Officially recognized as the largest campus dedicated to health sciences among Turkey’s foundation universities, it sits in the heart of the lively Bakirkoy district, close to shopping malls, restaurants, and a range of private housing options. This campus includes:
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Dentistry and the university’s affiliated dental hospital
Gayrettepe Social Sciences Campus
This campus is located in the heart of Istanbul, in an area close to the city’s major social and cultural activities and international restaurants. This campus includes:
- Faculty of Business
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Applied Sciences
- Graduate Institute of Social Sciences
Facilities Shared Across Campuses
A number of supporting facilities are available across the university’s various campuses, most notably:
- Central Library: Provides a rich collection of books and periodicals, along with access to global academic databases.
- Health Center: Offers medical and nursing services throughout official working hours.
- Psychology Research and Application Center: Provides psychological counseling services for adults, couples, children, adolescents, and families.
- Student Housing: Available at the Mahmutbey campus, alongside a support network for finding private housing near the other campuses.
- Transportation Services: University shuttle buses connecting the different campuses with Istanbul’s main transit points.
Altinbas University Services
Altinbas University offers a comprehensive set of student services under the Dean of Student Affairs, aiming to support students academically, administratively, and socially throughout their studies.
Learning Center
Provides extra academic support to students who need help with specific coursework, through dedicated mentoring and academic follow-up programs.
Special Needs Student Support Unit
This unit works to provide the necessary academic and physical arrangements to ensure equal access to all university facilities and services for every student, without exception.
Scholarships and Tuition Discounts
The university offers a scholarship and tuition-discount program for academically outstanding students, alongside Peer Coaches who help new students adjust to university life.
Distance Education (UZEM)
An online platform supporting some courses and programs remotely, offering added flexibility in continuing one’s studies.
Transportation and Housing Services
The university provides free shuttle buses connecting its various campuses, along with on-campus housing at the Mahmutbey campus, and a support network for finding private housing near the other campuses for those who prefer that option.
Documents and Admission Requirements for Altinbas University
Altinbas University focuses on just two core criteria when admitting international students: the appropriate academic qualification for the study level, and proficiency in the program’s language of instruction — without requiring complex international exams like the SAT, as it admits students directly with a high school diploma or its equivalent for bachelor’s level.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Required documents:
- Original high school diploma with translation and certification (English or Turkish)
- Original transcript with translation and certification
- Copy of a valid passport
- Recent personal photo
- Language test result (if available)
Master’s Degree
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree.
Required documents:
- Original bachelor’s degree
- Full bachelor’s transcript
- Copy of passport
- Personal photo
- TOEFL result or its equivalent (if available)
PhD
Applicants must hold a master’s degree.
Required documents:
- Master’s degree and thesis
- Master’s transcript
- Bachelor’s degree
- Copy of passport
- Personal photo
Language Requirements (All Levels)
For English-taught programs, Altinbas University uses the TOEFL iBT as its main criterion for proving language proficiency. For Turkish-taught programs, Turkish proficiency certificates issued by university Turkish-teaching centers, the Yunus Emre Institute, or any testing center approved by the Turkish Council of Higher Education are accepted.
If a student doesn’t hold any of these certificates, the university administers an internal test to determine their language level. If they don’t pass it, the student is enrolled in the prep year at the university’s School of Foreign Languages on the Mahmutbey campus, before starting their major coursework.
How Can I Enroll at Altinbas University?
We’ve made enrolling at Altinbas University simple through a set of organized, sequential steps that take you from your initial application all the way to sitting in your first class, in the shortest time and with the least effort possible.
1. Free Consultation and Choosing a Program
The journey starts with reaching out to our team, where we review your high school certificate, your grades, your career goals, and your available budget together, to help you pick the program that suits you best among the university’s offerings, with a detailed explanation of its fees and requirements.
2. Gathering Documents and Submitting Your Application
We guide you step by step through preparing the core documents (high school diploma, transcript, passport, personal photo), then handle their translation, certification, and electronic submission to the university’s admissions office to officially start processing your application.
3. Issuing the Preliminary Acceptance Letter
After the university reviews your file, it issues a preliminary (conditional) acceptance letter stating the program you’ve been accepted into, the annual fee amount, and the deposit required to secure your seat.
4. Paying the First Installment and Securing Your Seat
Once the first installment is paid into the university’s official bank account, your acceptance turns from preliminary to final, and the university issues the official approved acceptance letter.
5. Applying for a Student Visa
The final acceptance letter is used as the core document for submitting your student visa application at the nearest Turkish consulate or embassy in your country, along with your passport, health insurance, and the visa application form.
6. Arriving in Istanbul and Completing Final Registration
As soon as you arrive in Turkey, you head to the university’s International Students Office to submit the original certified copies of your documents and complete official registration procedures.
7. Starting Your Academic Studies
If you hold a recognized language certificate, you begin your major coursework right away. If not, you first join the prep year at the university’s School of Foreign Languages before moving on to your major.
How Can the Intilaqa Team Help You?
The Intilaqa Education team works step by step to help you choose the program and university that best fit you in Turkey, based on your academic interests and study budget.
We offer a comprehensive free consultation that includes:
- Recommending the best Turkish universities that teach your chosen specialty.
- Explaining the costs and available scholarships.
- Full follow-up throughout the registration process, all the way to final acceptance.
Whether you’re planning to study at Altinbas University in Turkey or any other university, you can start by learning more about studying in Turkey through our complete guide:
