Altinbas University: fees, programs and admission for international students
Official fees, English-taught programs, country minimums and the questions to ask before you apply.
Altinbas University is a private foundation (vakıf) university in Istanbul, founded in 2008. Most of its bachelor's programs for international students are taught in English. By the university's own figures, 6,000+ of its 10,177 students are international, from 105 countries.
It suits students who want an English-taught degree in engineering, business, psychology, architecture or pharmacy in Istanbul at a mid-range private price. Fees are published openly: $5,000–6,000 a year at list price for most English programs (latest price list).
It is a weaker fit if you want medicine with a clear licensing route at home or in the US, fully English dentistry, or if your only English certificate is IELTS. Below we explain each limit and what to do about it.
| Parameter | Altınbaş University |
|---|---|
Type | Private foundation (vakıf) university, Istanbul |
Founded | 2008 (İstanbul Kemerburgaz University until 2017) |
Campuses | Mahmutbey (technology, main), Gayrettepe (social sciences), Bakırköy (health) |
Students | 10,177, including 6,000+ international from 105 countries (university data) |
English tests | TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge and others; IELTS not accepted |
Tuition, list price | $5,000–6,000 for most English programs; Pharmacy $12,000; Medicine $25,000 |
National accreditation | Full institutional accreditation by YÖKAK for 5 years (2025) |
THE World University Rankings | 1501+ |
Altinbas University fees for international students
Altınbaş publishes an official price list in US dollars. Fees for new students follow the latest published list; the amount that applies to you is the one in your offer letter.
Each program has three prices. Paying in two instalments cuts the list price by 10% (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy) or 15% (other programs); paying the year at once cuts it by 15% or 20%. So most students pay less than the list price.
| Program (latest price list, per year) | List price | Two instalments | Paid at once |
|---|---|---|---|
Medicine (English, see note below) | $25,000 | $22,500 | $21,250 |
Dentistry (30% English) | $22,000 | $19,800 | $18,700 |
Pharmacy (English) | $12,000 | $10,800 | $10,200 |
Engineering, Architecture, Interior Architecture, Psychology, Business Administration, Marketing (English) | $6,000 | $5,100 | $4,800 |
Economics, International Relations, Political Science, International Logistics, International Trade (English) | $5,000 | $4,250 | $4,000 |
Nursing / Law (Turkish) | $7,500 / $6,500 | $6,375 / $5,525 | $6,000 / $5,200 |
Most master's programs (whole program) | $6,900 | $5,865 | $5,520 |
Other costs and discounts
- The English prep year, if you need it, costs the same as one year of your program.
- Instalments are due before the fall and spring semesters; late payment carries a 5% penalty.
- Siblings studying for a bachelor's degree in the same year can apply for a tuition discount, renewed yearly. The international page gives no size; the site for Turkish applicants lists 10%.
- Any other scholarship counts only if it is written into your offer letter.
What a year at Altınbaş costs
USD per year, list price, latest price list
- Medicine (English)$25,000
- Dentistry (30% English)$22,000
- Pharmacy (English)$12,000
- Nursing (Turkish)$7,500
- Law (Turkish)$6,500
- Engineering, Architecture, Psychology & more$6,000
- Economics, IR, Political Science (English)$5,000
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Programs and language of instruction
Most bachelor's programs are taught in English; some are Turkish only.
- Engineering (English): Computer, Software, Electrical & Electronics, Industrial, Civil, Mechanical. There is no AI Engineering program.
- Business and economics (English): Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, International Trade, International Logistics Management.
- Social sciences (English): Psychology, International Relations, Political Science & Public Administration. Sociology is in Turkish.
- Architecture (English): Architecture, Interior Architecture & Environmental Design.
- Health: Pharmacy in English (5 years). Dentistry is 30% English, 70% Turkish (5 years). Nursing, Midwifery and Health Management are Turkish only.
- Law: Turkish only, plus Turkish-German Law (50% Turkish, 50% German) with the University of Cologne.
About Medicine: the international site lists a six-year Doctor of Medicine in English. The faculty's rules allow clinical training in years 4–6 in English and/or Turkish. In the last intake the university admitted Turkish applicants to Medicine in Turkish, as a new program. Before you plan on English-taught medicine for the next intake, we confirm with the International Office that the English track is open to international students.
Admission requirements for international students
Altınbaş admits international students on their school results; a Turkish entrance exam is not required. A TR-YÖS result gives you priority for your program. Check ÖSYM's calendar for upcoming TR-YÖS dates.
The minimums below come from the university's 2019 country table, which its admissions page still links to. Treat them as floors: Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy may require more.
| Country / system | Most programs | Pharmacy, Dentistry | Medicine |
|---|---|---|---|
Pakistan, India, Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Oman | 50% | 60% | 70% |
Saudi Arabia (school certificate and/or GAT / SAAT) | 50% | 70% | 80% |
Qatar | 50% | 60% | 70% |
Nigeria, WAEC/NECO (6 subjects) | A1–E8 | A1–D7 | A1–C6 |
Nigeria, JAMB | 180+ | 180+ | 200+ |
IB Diploma (out of 45) | 24 | 26 | 28 |
How to apply to Altınbaş
1
Check grades and program — compare your results with the table and confirm the language of instruction. School-leaving exams (IB, GCE) do not expire; tests such as the SAT are valid for 2 years.
2
Prepare English proof — TOEFL iBT 65, PTE Academic 55, Cambridge CAE or CPE grade C, Oxford Test of English (Advanced) 111, Linguaskill General 140, or 60 on the university's own exam. Certificates are valid for 2 years; submit them within 30 days of registration. IELTS is not accepted. Without a certificate you start with prep year.
3
Apply online — diploma or final-year certificate, transcript, passport, photo, language certificates if you have them.
4
Assessment and offer — the International Office may invite you to an interview. If you qualify, you receive an Offer Letter with your fee.
5
Pay the deposit — $1,000 for most programs, counted toward tuition. For Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy the university's pages differ, so we confirm the amount. The deposit is refunded only if Turkey officially refuses your student visa: $250 plus bank charges are kept; the refund takes about 2 months.
6
Acceptance Letter and visa — you receive the Acceptance Letter for your student visa application.
7
Legalize school documents — Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bangladesh use an apostille. Nigeria, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait need consular legalization: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the Turkish consulate. Turkish translations must be notarized or certified by the Turkish consulate.
8
Register in person and get Denklik — bring originals with notarized translations. Denklik (recognition of your school certificate) is issued by Turkey's Ministry of National Education via e-Denklik; the university sets the deadline.
Application dates are published closer to the intake. Legalization and consulate appointments are the slow part, so start early.
What to know before you apply
None of these rules out Altınbaş, but each needs a plan.
- Medicine is not accredited by TEPDAD. As we understand current ECFMG rules, the US route (USMLE) requires a WFME-recognized accreditor, which in Turkey means TEPDAD. Do not count on this program for the US today.
- Recognition is decided at home. Planning to practice medicine in Pakistan, India, Nigeria or Egypt? Check with your national regulator before applying.
- Clinical years are partly in Turkish. Start Turkish lessons in year 1 if you choose Medicine.
- Dentistry is 70% Turkish. You need proof of both English and Turkish.
- IELTS is not accepted. Book TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic.
- Engineering accreditation varies. MÜDEK accreditation for Computer and Electrical-Electronics Engineering expired on 30.09.2023, although some university pages still list it.
- Campuses are spread out. Dorms are in Mahmutbey, the medical faculty in Bakırköy, the teaching hospital in Bahçelievler.
- Istanbul is not cheap. Budget roughly $700–1,300 a month for living costs.
- Work is limited. You need a work permit; bachelor's students can work only part-time and only after year 1.
Find your programme in 2 minutes
Rankings and accreditation
- THE World University Rankings: 1501+ (41st in Turkey, by the university's count).
- QS: not in the QS World University Rankings; QS Europe 701–900.
- YÖKAK (Turkey's quality council): full institutional accreditation for 5 years, granted in July 2025.
- MÜDEK (engineering): Civil and Mechanical Engineering until 30.09.2028.
- TEPDAD (medicine): not accredited.
Housing and student life
Altınbaş runs separate women's and men's dorms on the Mahmutbey campus, open 24/7. Every room has its own bathroom and a mini-fridge. Cleaning, laundry, Wi-Fi, a gym and a restaurant are available; bring your own bedding.
| Room type | Academic year, 10 months (September–July) |
|---|---|
Single | $8,500–9,000 |
Double | $5,800 |
Double with bunk bed | $4,300–4,700 |
Quad | $4,000 |
Next year's prices are not published yet. Add a 20,000 TRY deposit. To move in, you need your passport, 2 photos, a criminal record certificate, a student certificate and a health declaration.
Health insurance is your job: the International Office does not arrange it. You can join Turkey's state insurance (GSS) within 3 months of enrollment or buy a private policy. Health students commute from the dorms to Bakırköy; the M3 metro line runs through both Mahmutbey and Bakırköy.
Student visa and residence permit
Citizens of Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Egypt need a visa. An e-Visa is officially for tourism and business, so apply for a student visa at the Turkish consulate with your Acceptance Letter. Saudi and UAE citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180.
The student visa is the safest route, although Altınbaş accepts residence permit applications from students who entered legally visa-free. After enrollment you fill in the e-ikamet form and hand the documents to the university. The card costs 964 TL, students pay no residence fee, and a decision takes up to 90 days.
Check your address before signing a lease. Bağcılar (Mahmutbey campus) and Bahçelievler are among the Istanbul districts closed to first-time residence applications from foreigners; students are exempt only if their university or faculty is in the same district. Details are on our student visa and residence permit page.
Other options in Turkey
For fully English medicine, compare Istanbul Medipol University and our guide to medicine in Turkey. Another private Istanbul option is Bahçeşehir University. Strong applicants on a tight budget should look at METU, Istanbul University or Türkiye Bursları. General rules are in our study in Turkey guide and on the admission requirements page.
14 questions to ask before you pay the deposit
Deposits are almost never refundable. Ask these by email before paying — and keep the university's answer on record.
- What to ask about the programme, accreditation and the degree
- What tuition does not include and when a deposit is refunded
- Who files the visa application — you or the university
- Five red flags that mean you should not pay
Other universities in Turkey
Compare the terms: fees, language of instruction and entry requirements differ.
Istanbul University
Istanbul Medipol University
Middle East Technical University
Send us your school results and target program. We check them against Altınbaş University's requirements, confirm the current fee and language of instruction, and compare 2–3 alternatives in Turkey that fit your grades and budget. The first consultation is free: use the form, WhatsApp or Telegram on the contacts page.