Ankara Bilim University

Why Ankara Bilim University

Ankara Bilim University (Ankara Science University) is a young, dynamic private university in Ankara, Turkey’s capital. Although it is one of the country’s newest universities, it has quickly built a reputation for English-taught programs, modern facilities and very affordable tuition, with a clear emphasis on science, technology and sustainable development. With a small, close-knit community of around 1,400 students, including 200+ international students from 25-30 countries, it offers the personal attention of a boutique university alongside brand-new, tech-forward facilities. For international students who want quality and value in a safe, more affordable capital city rather than crowded Istanbul, it is an increasingly popular choice.

History & milestones

The university was founded on 21 April 2016 by the Turkish Productivity Foundation (Türkiye Verimlilik Vakfı), an organisation devoted to efficiency and sustainable development. It spent its first years building campus infrastructure and academic programs, and officially opened its doors in April 2020 after receiving full approvals, making it one of Turkey’s newest private universities. Despite this short history, Ankara Bilim quickly earned YÖK recognition, began admitting local and international students, and expanded its programs rapidly, integrating technology and practical skills into its teaching from day one. Its swift development reflects a clear ambition to align with global educational standards from the very start.

Ankara, the capital advantage

The university is based in Ankara and operates two campuses:

• Maltepe Campus (main), in the central Çankaya district, a downtown area of government offices, cultural venues and student amenities, with easy access to public transport, cafés, shopping and historic sites. It houses the administrative offices and many faculties, with modern classrooms, engineering labs, design studios and social spaces.
• Second Campus, also in the Çankaya/metropolitan area, a quieter, greener and more spacious site with landscaped grounds, modern buildings and specialised facilities for focused study and extracurricular activities.

Studying in the capital has real benefits: Ankara is safe, well-connected and noticeably more affordable than Istanbul, and home to ministries, embassies, international organisations and research centres, opening doors to internships, networking and cultural life just beyond the campus gates. Both campuses offer high-speed internet, comfortable study areas and dining, linked by the city’s transport network.

Vision & mission

Ankara Bilim’s vision is to become one of Turkey’s most successful and impactful universities in advancing knowledge, art and solutions for individual and social development. Its mission blends innovation and creativity with ethics, cultural understanding and sustainable thinking, organised around four objectives: delivering high-quality, continuously updated education; supporting research and innovation (especially aligned with sustainable development); developing students into socially responsible, entrepreneurial leaders; and engaging with the community and the wider world, which is why most programs are taught in English, to build a genuinely international academic environment.

Rankings & recognition

As a very young institution, Ankara Bilim is not yet listed in the major global league tables (QS, THE), which generally require a longer track record. It has, however, begun to appear in web- and output-based rankings: Webometrics 2024 places it around 153rd in Turkey (~7,565 worldwide) and uniRank (4ICU) around 188th in Turkey (~3,366 worldwide). Just as important for prospective students, it has been listed among the top 10 cheapest private universities offering English-language programs in Turkey for 2025, a practical “ranking” of value. With its research capacity and alumni network still growing, these positions are expected to rise in the coming years.

Academics & language of instruction

Ankara Bilim offers 20+ programs across bachelor’s, master’s and associate levels through four faculties, a graduate institute and a vocational school. Almost everything is taught 100% in English, the main exceptions being the Law (LLB) degree and English Translation & Interpreting, which are in Turkish (and Psychology, offered in both English and Turkish). Bachelor’s programs run four years and follow the European ECTS system, mixing theoretical coursework with practical projects and, where relevant, internships, engineering students take design projects and tech internships, while business students work on case studies and connect with companies in Ankara.

Faculties & specializations

The university is organised into four faculties plus a graduate institute and a vocational school:

• Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, the technological core, with Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Information Systems Engineering (all in English), plus Interior Architecture & Environmental Design. Programs are supported by electronics, computing and robotics labs and design studios.
• Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Political Science & Public Administration, Psychology (English and Turkish) and English Translation & Interpreting (Turkish), spanning management, public service and the social sciences.
• Faculty of Fine Arts & Design, creative programs including New Media & Communication and Film Design & Management (blending filmmaking, media production and the business of media), taught with studios and workshops.
• Faculty of Law, a Turkish-medium LLB following the national law curriculum, with a strong professional focus.
• Vocational School, about five two-year associate programs (mostly in Turkish) such as Computer Programming and Computer-Aided Design & Animation, geared to practical skills and quick entry into the job market or a later transfer to a bachelor’s.

Tuition & scholarships

Affordability is central to Ankara Bilim’s offer. The figures below are approximate guidance, exact current fees appear in the tuition table above:

• Bachelor’s programs: a flat ~$3,000 / year for all majors, among the most competitive in Turkey.
• Master’s programs: roughly $4,000-4,500 / year (with-thesis ~$4,500, non-thesis ~$4,000), so a 2-year thesis master’s totals about $9,000 and a 1.5-year non-thesis master’s about $6,000.
• Associate (2-year) programs: lower still, taught mainly in Turkish.

The university offers merit scholarships up to 50% (with some full awards through partner programs), early-application discounts, and accepts government Türkiye Scholarships (it is an accredited destination for Türkiye Bursları recipients). Combined with Ankara’s low cost of living, this makes a quality, English-medium degree genuinely accessible.

Graduate studies

The graduate institute offers a focused set of master’s programs with thesis and non-thesis tracks. English-taught options include the MBA (open to graduates of any discipline, focused on management, leadership and strategy), the M.Sc. in Computer Engineering (algorithms, advanced software, AI) and the M.Sc. in Management Information Systems (data management, IT project management, technology for business). Turkish-taught master’s include Software Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering and a cutting-edge M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence Engineering (machine learning and intelligent systems). Small cohorts mean graduate students work closely with faculty and have full access to the new research labs, for example, machine-learning research in the computer labs or applied business projects with local companies, and the university periodically offers graduate scholarships or assistantships to strong applicants.

Campus & facilities

As a “Bilim” (science) university, Ankara Bilim invests heavily in technology. Classrooms feature smart boards and high-speed internet for interactive learning; specialised engineering, electronics and robotics labs and design studios/workshops give students hands-on, project-based experience. The library is digital-first, a large collection of e-books, online journals and databases accessible on campus or remotely, alongside quiet reading areas, collaborative study spaces and computer terminals. The campuses are fully Wi-Fi enabled with dedicated computer labs and IT support, accessible for students with disabilities (lifts, ramps and accommodations), and dotted with green spaces and gardens. Dining includes a main cafeteria serving Turkish and international cuisine at student-friendly prices, plus snack bars and coffee shops that double as social hubs. Note that the university does not run its own on-campus dormitories, students live in private dorms or apartments in the city, with help from student services.

Student services & campus life

For a small university, Ankara Bilim offers a well-rounded support system. Academic advising and a low student-to-faculty ratio ensure close mentorship; an International Student Office assists with admissions, visas, residence permits and settling into Ankara. Student clubs span technology, entrepreneurship, art and design, literature and sports, and the university supports students who want to start new ones, providing activity rooms and a student centre. Regular fairs, workshops, conferences and industry talks, often with companies and professionals, give students networking and career exposure, while Erasmus+ exchange agreements open up a semester or year at partner universities in Europe. For sports and recreation, students use on-campus facilities and partnerships with nearby sports centres for basketball, football and fitness.

Accreditations & recognition

Ankara Bilim is fully accredited by YÖK, so its degrees are officially recognised in Turkey and valid for work at home or abroad. It is an accredited destination for Türkiye Scholarships recipients, an indirect endorsement of its quality and readiness for international students, and participates in Erasmus+ with European partners. Internationally, its degrees are increasingly recognised abroad, including a notable milestone of formal degree recognition by Saudi Arabia and equivalency in several Arab and European countries. Backed by the reputable Turkish Productivity Foundation, the university runs internal quality-assurance systems and is positioned to pursue program-specific accreditations (such as MUDEK for engineering) as it matures.

Why students choose Ankara Bilim

• English-medium programs across engineering, business, social sciences and design.
• Outstanding value, flat low tuition plus scholarships, in an affordable capital.
• A brand-new, tech-forward campus with smart classrooms and modern labs.
• Personal attention thanks to small cohorts and a low student-to-faculty ratio.
• A growing international community, Erasmus+ exchange and rising global recognition.

As a fast-developing university backed by a reputable foundation, Ankara Bilim offers ambitious students a modern, globally minded education in the heart of Turkey’s capital, and a degree that is recognized at home and, increasingly, abroad.