Iskenderun Technical University (İSTE) — Iskenderun, Hatay

Iskenderun Technical University (İSTE) — known in Turkish as İskenderun Teknik Üniversitesi — is a public technical university in Iskenderun, a major port town in Hatay province on Turkey's southeastern Mediterranean coast. Founded in 2015, the university specialises exclusively in technology and applied sciences.

Important context — 2023 earthquakes: Hatay province, including Iskenderun, was severely affected by the February 2023 earthquakes. The university has worked to restore operations, but conditions on the ground continue to evolve. Verify the current state of campus facilities, housing, and academic continuity directly with the university before applying.

Language of instruction: Turkish across all programs. International students typically complete TÖMER Turkish preparation before joining their main degree.

Structure: The university operates 8 faculties, 3 higher-education institutes, 1 music institute, 7 institutes, and 4 higher vocational-training institutes.

Notable faculties:

• Faculty of Aviation and Space Navigation — a distinctive offering, taking advantage of Iskenderun's position and Turkey's growing civil aviation sector
• Faculty of Business and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Tourism

Admission: İSTE accepts its own YÖS exam only — SAT and high-school diplomas alone are not accepted. Apply at obs.iste.edu.tr.

Tuition (international students): Approximately $500–1,500 per year for most undergraduate programs.

Scholarships: Türkiye Bursları (full government scholarship) is the main pathway for fully funded international study.

Living in Iskenderun: Iskenderun is a port town on Turkey's southeastern Mediterranean coast, historically a major harbour for the eastern Mediterranean trade. The town has a warm Mediterranean climate, mixed Arab-Turkish cultural heritage, and historically lower cost of living than western Turkish cities. However, post-earthquake reconstruction has changed conditions significantly — verify current housing availability and infrastructure before applying.

Recognition: Diplomas are accredited by Turkey's YÖK (Higher Education Council) and recognised across the Arab world. İSTE is potentially attractive for technology and aviation students, though the post-earthquake context warrants careful verification.

Important: verify the current state of campus operations, housing, and academic continuity post-earthquake directly with the university before applying.