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Turkey’s capital and second-largest city, Ankara is located in the north-western part of the country, and although it may seem like a bustling concrete jungle on first glance, a closer look will reveal that the city has much to offer international students.
Living in Ankara is very cheap compared to other student cities featured in the rankings. The city ranks impressively well for affordability due to its low rent costs and low tuition fees.
Range of excellent universities
Ankara is home to some of Turkey's most prestigious universities, including the Middle East Technical University.
Cultural richness
With plenty of museums to explore, bars and clubs, parks and natural spaces as well as a long and interesting history, students will never be short of things to do.
A desirable city
Ankara earns a high score for the student view indicator, reflecting the positive impressions that students have of life in the city.
What is the cost of studying in Ankara?
Many students will be pleased to hear that it’s a fairly affordable study destination, with reasonable living costs and tuition fees. You can find programmes taught in English or Turkish, although international students may need to pay more to study in English. Tuition fees are cheap, costing around US$3,800 (approximately £2,730).
The cost of living in Ankara is reasonably inexpensive. According to Numbeo, a single person living in Ankara can expect to pay approximately £287 per month for general living expenses, not including rent. A single bed apartment in the city centre costs approximately £153 per month.
Life & culture in Ankara
Known as Ancyra and Angora in antiquity, Ankara has a history dating back to the Bronze Age, and archaeological sites from various periods of its history are still present in the city – from the Roman and later Byzantine Ankara Castle that overlooks the city and offers stunning views, to the remains of ancient Roman baths, and the Temple of Augustus and Rome.
Probably the most popular landmark in Ankara is the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, which is particularly striking to visit on a national holiday such as Republic Day, when it lights up with celebrations.
Ankara is also home to a number of interesting museums, attractive parks and open spaces, mosques, historic inns, bars, clubs and concert venues.
Ankara's students have a great reputation amongst graduate employers. Ankara is home to Turkey's many international embassies and the Turkish government hires quite a few of the city's graduates each year for governmental and civil service jobs.
Outside of governmental jobs, there is a high demand for multilingual workers and many English-speaking workplaces hiring graduates.
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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Study in Ankara
Sabrina Collier
Updated Jul 23, 2025Save
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Turkey’s capital and second-largest city, Ankara is located in the north-western part of the country, and although it may seem like a bustling concrete jungle on first glance, a closer look will reveal that the city has much to offer international students.
Top universities in Ankara
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
Ankara's QS Best Student Cities performance
Why study in Ankara?
Affordable cost of living
Living in Ankara is very cheap compared to other student cities featured in the rankings. The city ranks impressively well for affordability due to its low rent costs and low tuition fees.
Range of excellent universities
Ankara is home to some of Turkey's most prestigious universities, including the Middle East Technical University.
Cultural richness
With plenty of museums to explore, bars and clubs, parks and natural spaces as well as a long and interesting history, students will never be short of things to do.
A desirable city
Ankara earns a high score for the student view indicator, reflecting the positive impressions that students have of life in the city.
What is the cost of studying in Ankara?
Many students will be pleased to hear that it’s a fairly affordable study destination, with reasonable living costs and tuition fees. You can find programmes taught in English or Turkish, although international students may need to pay more to study in English. Tuition fees are cheap, costing around US$3,800 (approximately £2,730).
The cost of living in Ankara is reasonably inexpensive. According to Numbeo, a single person living in Ankara can expect to pay approximately £287 per month for general living expenses, not including rent. A single bed apartment in the city centre costs approximately £153 per month.
Life & culture in Ankara
Known as Ancyra and Angora in antiquity, Ankara has a history dating back to the Bronze Age, and archaeological sites from various periods of its history are still present in the city – from the Roman and later Byzantine Ankara Castle that overlooks the city and offers stunning views, to the remains of ancient Roman baths, and the Temple of Augustus and Rome.
Probably the most popular landmark in Ankara is the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, which is particularly striking to visit on a national holiday such as Republic Day, when it lights up with celebrations.
Ankara is also home to a number of interesting museums, attractive parks and open spaces, mosques, historic inns, bars, clubs and concert venues.
Testimonials
Careers in Ankara
Ankara's students have a great reputation amongst graduate employers. Ankara is home to Turkey's many international embassies and the Turkish government hires quite a few of the city's graduates each year for governmental and civil service jobs.
Outside of governmental jobs, there is a high demand for multilingual workers and many English-speaking workplaces hiring graduates.
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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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