Turkish Aeronautical Association University (THK) — Ankara

Turkish Aeronautical Association University (THK) is a unique private university — the first and only specialised university in Turkey in the field of aviation and aerospace. It was founded in 2011 in Ankara by the Turkish Aeronautical Association (Türk Hava Kurumu — THK), one of Turkey's oldest aviation organisations.

Ranking: THK has a ranking of 141 in Turkey, with approximately 4,000–5,500 students and 90–180 faculty members. The Turkish Ministry of Higher Education accredits the university, and the YÖS exam is not required for admission.

Unprecedented aviation infrastructure — a defining strength: THK has resources unmatched by any other Turkish university:

• 4 campuses across 3 different cities
• 3 airports — located in:
  • Ankara (capital, main location)
  • Izmir (Aegean coast)
  • Eskişehir (central Turkey)
• The largest training aircraft fleet in Turkey

This aviation infrastructure — owning multiple airports with the largest training fleet — gives THK students hands-on flying experience that no other Turkish university can match.

Specialised programs in aviation and aerospace:

• Pilotage / Flight Training — leading to commercial pilot licenses
• Aerospace Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering
• Aviation Management
• Airport Operations
• Air Traffic Control
• Cabin Services

Plus complementary faculties in other disciplines including engineering, business, and applied sciences.

Why THK matters:

• The only specialised aviation university in Turkey
• The Middle East's growing aviation industry (Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Etihad) needs trained professionals
• Hands-on training with real aircraft fleet — unique value
• Career pathways directly into commercial aviation

Languages of instruction: English and Turkish.

Admission: No YÖS required. Pilotage programs have additional requirements including medical clearance and psychological evaluation. Standard programs require high school diploma with reasonable GPA, English-language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for English-medium programs.

Tuition (annual, international students):

• Pilotage (Flight Training): significantly higher due to flight hours — typically $30,000+ per year
• Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering: approximately $8,000–12,000
• Other aviation-related programs: approximately $5,000–8,000

Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships available; flight-training programs may have separate scholarship structures.

Recognition: YÖK-accredited. Aviation credentials are recognised internationally through standard equivalency. Particularly valuable for Arab students aiming for careers in Gulf-state airlines.