Marmara University — Istanbul

Marmara University is the second-largest university in Turkey. Founded in 1982, it spans 14 campuses on both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, and offers 136 undergraduate programs.

Scale: 13 faculties, 9 vocational schools, 31 research centres, 11 graduate institutes, and a continuing-education centre.

A defining strength — four languages of instruction: Marmara is the only Turkish university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in four languages — Turkish, French, English, and German. This makes it uniquely attractive to Arab students who want a European-style multilingual education without leaving Turkey.

Notable faculties:

• Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
• Faculty of Dentistry (Oral Surgery)
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Architecture and Design
• Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Arts and Foreign Languages
• Faculty of Sciences
• Faculty of Theology (renowned across the Arab world)

Admission: Marmara accepts SAT and YÖS for international applicants. Apply at basvuru.marmara.edu.tr.

Tuition (international students): Approximately $600–2,000 per year for most undergraduate programs; medicine and dentistry are at the higher end.

Scholarships: Eligible for Türkiye Bursları full government scholarship.

Accommodation: KYK state dormitories and private housing widely available across Istanbul. Living costs $500–1,000/month typical.

Recognition: YÖK-accredited; particularly well-regarded across the Arab world for its Faculty of Theology and Islamic studies programs. Marmara's diplomas in medicine, dentistry, engineering, and law open doors across Turkey, the Gulf, and Europe.