Top 5 student cities in Turkey

Discover the favourite cities for university students in Turkey and what makes them unique.

Choosing a destination isn’t just an academic matter; it also has to do with lifestyle, budget, and cultural experience. That's why learning about the top 5 student cities in Turkey is a great first step if you're thinking about doing an exchange, pursuing a full degree, or having a different international experience. Turkey has become an increasingly attractive destination for international students thanks to its universities, affordable cost of living, and location between Europe and Asia.

In this article, you’ll find a clear and practical guide to the country's main university cities. In each one, we analyse the pros and cons of studying there, the most prominent universities, and what student accommodation is like, so that you can compare options and choose the city that best suits your profile. What's more, our online platform allows you to search for and book student accommodation easily and securely, all in one place.

Istanbul

Istanbul’s one of the best university cities in Turkey and the largest city in the country. Although it isn’t the capital, it’s considered the main cultural, economic and academic centre of the country. Its lifestyle (blending Asia and Europe), history and active student life attract many Turkish and foreign students every year. It also has some very prestigious universities!

Pros and cons of studying in Istanbul

Being a student in Istanbul has many favourable aspects, but there are also factors that may be less appealing.

Pros of studying in Istanbul

It’s the city with the largest and most diverse cultural offering in the country, with events, museums, and activities throughout the year.
It has a multicultural atmosphere and a very large student community.
Its universities offer many programmes in English, in various fields of study.
There are excellent transport links, making it easy to travel around Turkey and to other countries.

Cons of studying in Istanbul

It’s a very large city, where distances are long and traffic is heavy.
The cost of living and rent is usually higher than in other Turkish cities.
The pace of the city is very fast and, in addition, it attracts a lot of tourism, which can be overwhelming.

Top Universities in Istanbul

Istanbul is home to many of Turkey's most important universities.

Istanbul Üniversitesi (University of Istanbul)

Istanbul University is one of the most prestigious universities in the country, as well as one of the oldest. Its campuses are located in different neighbourhoods of the city, such as Beyazit, Vezneciler, Vefa, and Çapa. If you’re going to study there, don't miss our guide to accommodation near Istanbul University.

Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi (Yildiz Technical University)

Yıldız Technical University is renowned for its programmes in engineering, architecture and applied sciences, with a highly practical approach to education and strong links to the job market. It has two campuses in Istanbul: the Davutpaşa Campus and the Yıldız Campus.

Find the best areas to live in our article on housing close to Yıldız Technical University.

Student housing in Istanbul

Istanbul has the highest accommodation costs in the country, mainly because it’s a well-known university city and also a tourist destination. Even so, it isn’t very expensive compared to other European cities: a single room in a flat shared with other students usually costs an average of €400, although it can range from €200 to €700 per month.

Are you looking for accommodation in Turkey? Read our guide to student housing in Istanbul, with the best neighbourhoods and approximate prices.

Ankara

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and another of the country's main academic centres. Unlike Istanbul, it offers a more organised and peaceful atmosphere. Its student community is diverse and university life is very dynamic, with institutions of excellent quality.

Pros and cons of studying in Ankara

Choosing Ankara to study brings with it great advantages, although certain disadvantages may affect the experience.

Pros of studying in Ankara

The city is orderly and easy to explore.
The cost of living is generally lower compared to Istanbul and other capital cities.
As the capital, it also has good connections with the rest of Turkey, Asia and Europe.
Its universities offer excellent teaching quality and a wide variety of programmes in English.

Cons of studying in Ankara

Nightlife and cultural and artistic options are scarcer than one might expect.
The climate is more extreme, with colder winters.
It attracts fewer tourists than Istanbul, so job opportunities tend to be fewer.

Top Universities in Ankara

Several internationally renowned universities are based in the Turkish capital.

Ankara Üniversitesi (Ankara University)

Ankara University’s very important in the country and was the first university to be established after the formation of the Republic of Turkey. It consists of several campuses located in different parts of Ankara, including the neighbourhoods of Cebeci, Tandoğan and Gölbaşı.

In this guide, we tell you more about their locations and how to find accommodation near Ankara University.

Hacettepe Üniversitesi (Hacettepe University)

Hacettepe University’s one of the country's leading institutions, attracting many Turkish and foreign students every year. Its faculties are spread across two campuses: one in Sıhhiye and one in Beytepe.

Find more practical information about the university and its faculties in the guide to housing close to Hacettepe University.

Student housing in Ankara

Rent for students in Ankara is generally more affordable than in Istanbul, mainly due to the lower number of tourists in the city. Single rooms in shared flats usually cost between €200 and €300 per month.

If you’d like to see all the options available in the Turkish capital, check out our guide to student housing in Ankara.

Eskişehir

Eskişehir’s one of Turkey's youngest university towns, attracting more and more students from all over the world. In fact, it’s often chosen by local and foreign students looking for a more relaxed experience than in larger cities.

Pros and cons of studying in Eskişehir

Eskişehir stands out for its benefits for students, but it also has some weaknesses.

Pros of studying in Eskişehir

Expenses and accommodation are more affordable than in the cities mentioned above.
It’s a very student-oriented city with a youthful and dynamic atmosphere.
The distances to travel are short and the public transport is very good.
It has good rail connections for visiting other parts of Turkey.

Cons of studying in Eskişehir

The academic offering in English is more limited than in Istanbul or Ankara.
Outside of the university environment, there may be language barriers if you don’t speak Turkish.
Job opportunities for foreign students are usually scarcer.

Top Universities in Eskişehir

Despite being less well known, Eskişehir has several prestigious universities.

Anadolu Üniversitesi (Anadolu University)

Anadolu University is one of the largest universities in the country and is well known for its modern approach. Its campuses include the Yunus Emre Campus, which is the main campus, and the İki Eylül Campus.

If you’d like to know more about their locations, faculties, and the best areas to live, check out our guide to accommodation near Anadolu University.

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi (Eskişehir Osmangazi University)

Eskişehir Osmangazi University has an excellent reputation nationally and offers a wide range of academic programmes. Its faculties are located on six different campuses, the main and largest of which is the Meşelik Campus, southwest of the city centre.

Student housing in Eskişehir

Accommodation prices in Eskişehir are considerably cheaper than in other Turkish cities. It’s common to find rooms in shared flats and student residences at affordable prices. For your reference, this type of accommodation usually costs around €100-150 per month.

Are you planning to study in Turkey? Don't miss our guide to student housing in Eskisehir, with up-to-date neighbourhoods and prices.

Izmir

Located on the Aegean coast, Izmir is one of Turkey's most attractive cities for students looking for a peaceful destination by the sea with a pleasant climate for much of the year. It also has a youthful atmosphere and a lively university life.

Pros and cons of studying in Izmir

The academic experience in Izmir has many advantages, but certain disadvantages could influence your stay.

Pros of studying in Izmir

It’s more economical than Istanbul.
Its climate is temperate and it has access to the Aegean Sea.
It has a good student atmosphere, with many outdoor activities.
There’s a wide range of cultural and artistic activities on offer.

Cons of studying in Izmir

Thanks to its location by the sea, the cost of living is generally average. In other words, it isn’t one of the cheapest places in Turkey.
Some universities are located far from the city centre and may require a considerable amount of time to travel to leisure areas.
Both academic and employment opportunities are more limited.

Top Universities in Izmir

Two universities in Izmir are particularly noteworthy.

Ege Üniversitesi (Ege University)

Ege University is one of the country's most important public universities and the first to be established in Izmir. Its main campus is located northeast of the city centre, just over half an hour away by public transport.

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi (Dokuz Eylül University)

Dokuz Eylül University is a leader in research in Turkey, as well as being one of the largest universities in the country. One of its campuses is located in the city centre and has beautiful sea views, while the Tinaztepe Campus is further away (approximately one hour from the centre).

Student housing in Izmir

Being located on the coast, student accommodation in Izmir is reasonably priced, although more affordable than in Istanbul. The most popular option is usually rooms in shared flats, which can be found for around €200-300 per month.

Bursa

Bursa’s a city with great historical significance and a more relaxed atmosphere, ideal for students seeking a university experience away from the fast pace of large cities. It’s well connected to Istanbul and offers a lower cost of living, making it an interesting alternative for studying in Turkey.

Pros and cons of studying in Bursa

Studying in Bursa can be very enriching, although you’ll also encounter some more complicated aspects.

Pros of studying in Bursa

Both the cost of living and rent are lower than in Istanbul and Izmir.
It’s a quiet town, with an environment that’s conducive to study.
You can reach Istanbul in a few hours by coach or ferry.
It’s surrounded by mountains and has many parks, which provide opportunities for outdoor sports.

Cons of studying in Bursa

Student life is quieter than in other university cities.
There are fewer options for nightlife and culture.
There are few programmes taught in English.

Leading universities in Bursa

In Bursa, there’s one university that stands out.

Uludağ Üniversitesi (Uludağ University)

Uludağ University is the city's main institution and is well known nationally. It offers a wide range of academic programmes in areas such as engineering, social sciences, health and economics. Its campus is located away from the centre of Bursa, but it has good public transport links, including various bus routes and the light rail system (BursaRay).

Student housing in Bursa

Prices in Bursa are generally very affordable, including accommodation. Rooms in shared flats are usually cheaper than in larger cities. On average, these single rooms cost around €150 per month.

Find accommodation in Turkey with Erasmus Play

Choosing from the top 5 student cities in Turkey largely depends on your budget, academic interests, and the type of experience you are seeking. From large metropolises with a wide range of universities to quieter and more affordable cities, Turkey offers a variety of options for international students who want to study in a culturally diverse environment with an affordable cost of living.

Whichever city you choose, finding accommodation is a key part of your planning. Through our online student accommodation platform, you can compare verified rooms, flats and residences, filter by price, location and dates, and book securely before you arrive at your destination. This way, you can focus on enjoying your academic experience in Turkey from day one.

Other guides on studying and living in Turkey

The following guides provide more detailed information on various topics related to studying in these cities.