Malatya Turgut Özal University (MTÜ) — Malatya

Malatya Turgut Özal University (MTÜ) — known in Turkish as Malatya Turgut Özal Üniversitesi — is a public university in the city of Malatya, in eastern Anatolia. Founded in 2018, the university is named after Turgut Özal, the 8th President of Turkey (and earlier Prime Minister), who was born in Malatya province. MTÜ's stated mission is to deliver excellent education through productivity, creative thinking, and an open multidisciplinary approach.

Important context — 2023 earthquakes: Malatya was significantly 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: Predominantly Turkish. International students typically complete TÖMER Turkish preparation before joining their main degree.

Structure: The university operates 6 faculties, 2 secondary schools, 9 vocational schools, a higher-education institute, and a library and documentation department.

Notable faculties and programs:

• Faculty of Agriculture — particularly relevant given Malatya's role as Turkey's apricot capital (the world's largest apricot producer)
• Faculty of Fisheries
• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• School of Civil Aviation — a distinctive offering
• School of Foreign Languages
• Vocational School of Health Services
• Arapgir Vocational School

Admission: MTÜ accepts SAT, YÖS, and high-school diplomas with adequate GPA. Apply at obs.ozal.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 Malatya: Malatya is a mid-sized city in eastern Anatolia at ~960 m altitude, famous worldwide as the apricot capital (the city accounts for a substantial share of global apricot production). The climate is continental, the regional cuisine includes the famous Malatya kayısı (apricots), and historically cost of living has been well below western Turkey. Post-earthquake reconstruction has changed local conditions; student rent has traditionally been around $120–250/month, but verify current housing availability.

Recognition: Diplomas are accredited by Turkey's YÖK (Higher Education Council) and recognised across the Arab world. MTÜ is particularly attractive to students interested in agriculture, fisheries, civil aviation, or engineering — though the post-earthquake context warrants verification.

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