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Biruni University

Quick Facts

  • Location: Zeytinburnu
  • Founded: 2014
  • Students: +9,000
  • Annual Tuition: $2,250 – $21,000/yr
  • Language of Instruction: English / Turkish
  • Ranking: Top 5 Medical

Overview

180 Degrees Academy Updated Guide · April 2026

Biruni University Istanbul
The Complete Student Guide

Everything you need to know about Biruni University — programs, rankings, tuition fees, and 2026 admission requirements

8 min read International students Istanbul, Turkey Last updated: April 2026 ✓ Verified and updated with official 2025–2026 data Table of Contents 1 History & Philosophy 2 Location & Campus 3 Faculties & Programs 4 Bachelor's Programs & Tuition 2026–2027 5 Academic Rankings 2026 6 Key Advantages 7 Student Housing 8 Admission Requirements 9 Frequently Asked Questions

In the heart of European Istanbul, where civilisation meets scholarship, Biruni University stands as one of Turkey's most distinguished private health sciences universities. Since its founding in 2014, the university has cemented its academic reputation and become a preferred destination for international students seeking European-standard medical education at competitive costs — in a city that is as culturally welcoming as it is historically magnificent.

2014Year Founded 9,000+Enrolled Students 6Faculties 26Bachelor's Programs 2University Hospitals

History & Philosophy Founding story and institutional mission

Founded in Istanbul in 2014 by the World Education Foundation, Biruni University was established with a clear purpose: to contribute to scientific research and academic life through a distinctive, rigorous curriculum centred on health sciences. The university takes its name from the medieval Islamic polymath Abu Rayhan al-Biruni — a towering intellect whose contributions to medicine, astronomy, mathematics and geography earned him recognition as a "world genius" by UNESCO in 1974.

"Biruni University aspires to be a pioneering and innovative institution — one that cultivates scientists and researchers who produce knowledge, think critically, continually renew themselves professionally and personally, and leave a genuine mark on their communities."

— Official Vision of Biruni University

The university grounds its teaching philosophy in two original educational models: BirBilginOl and BirDeHa. These frameworks integrate interactive lectures, clinical simulations, small-group studies, and problem-based learning sessions — producing graduates who are true research-minded professionals.

Location & Campus Zeytinburnu — Where history meets modernity

Zeytinburnu — Opposite the Walls of Topkapı

The main campus sits in a strategic location interwoven with Istanbul's historic fabric, surrounded by green parks, a major shopping centre, and tourist landmarks. It comprises three buildings: the Front Biruni Building, the Reyhan Building, and the Library Building — with a Dental Hospital attached to the campus.

🚇 Marmaray — Kazlıçeşme 🚌 Metrobus — Cevizlibağ 🚗 Near Eurasia Tunnel

The University General Hospital is located in Küçükçekmece, covering 65,000 m² with 130 outpatient clinics, 100 intensive care beds, 15 operating theatres, and a capacity of approximately 600 beds — providing students with comprehensive, real-world clinical training.

Faculties & Programs 6 specialist faculties in health and technology

🏥 Faculty of Medicine

  • Medicine (6 years)
  • Clinical training in university hospitals
  • English / Turkish

🦷 Faculty of Dentistry

  • Dentistry & oral surgery
  • On-campus simulation clinics
  • Dedicated dental hospital

💊 Faculty of Pharmacy

  • Clinical pharmacy
  • Modern research laboratories
  • Pharma industry partnerships

🩺 Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Nursing
  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
  • Biomedical Engineering

📚 Faculty of Education

  • English Language Teaching
  • Mathematics Teaching
  • Preschool Education

⚙️ Engineering & Natural Sciences

  • Computer Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Molecular Biology & Genetics

Bachelor's Programs & Tuition Official 2026–2027 academic year fee schedule

The table below lists all bachelor's programs available at Biruni University for the 2026–2027 academic year with their official fees. Instalment and upfront (10% discount) payment options are shown separately.

💡 Save 10% with upfront payment

Choosing the upfront (Peşin) payment option saves 10% on the annual tuition. For additional scholarship opportunities contact the 180 Degrees Academy team.

🏥 Faculty of Medicine

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
MedicineEnglish$21,000$18,900
MedicineTurkish$19,000$17,100

🦷 Faculty of Dentistry

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
DentistryEnglish$21,000$18,900
DentistryTurkish$19,000$17,100

💊 Faculty of Pharmacy

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
PharmacyEnglish$12,000$10,800
PharmacyTurkish$10,000$9,000

📚 Faculty of Education

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
Primary School Mathematics TeachingTurkish$4,000$3,600
English Language TeachingEnglish$5,000$4,500
Preschool EducationTurkish$5,000$4,500
Special Education TeachingTurkish$5,000$4,500
Guidance & Psychological CounsellingTurkish$4,000$3,600

⚙️ Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
Interior Architecture & Environmental DesignTurkish$5,000$4,500
Molecular Biology and GeneticsEnglish$5,000$4,500
Molecular Biology and GeneticsTurkish$5,000$4,500
Computer EngineeringTurkish$5,000$4,500
Computer EngineeringEnglish$5,000$4,500
Biomedical EngineeringEnglish$5,000$4,500
Electrical and Electronics EngineeringTurkish$4,000$3,600
Software EngineeringTurkish$5,000$4,500
Industrial Design NEWTurkish$4,000$3,600

🩺 Faculty of Health Sciences

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
Nutrition and DieteticsTurkish$4,000$3,600
Child DevelopmentTurkish$4,000$3,600
Speech and Language TherapyTurkish$4,000$3,600
Speech and Language TherapyEnglish$4,000$3,600
MidwiferyTurkish$5,000$4,500
Ergotherapy (Occupational Therapy)Turkish$4,000$3,600
Physiotherapy and RehabilitationTurkish$5,000$4,500
Physiotherapy and RehabilitationEnglish$5,000$4,500
NursingEnglish$5,000$4,500
NursingTurkish$5,000$4,500
AudiologyTurkish$4,000$3,600

🔬 Faculty of Applied Sciences

ProgramLanguageInstalment (USD/year)Upfront (USD/year)
Gastronomy and Culinary Arts NEWTurkish$4,000$3,600
English Translation and Interpretation NEWEnglish$4,000$3,600
Software Development NEWTurkish$4,000$3,600
📋 Note

All fees above are taken from the official 2026–2027 university document. Programs marked "NEW" are being offered for the first time this academic year. Fees may vary slightly depending on exchange rates or available scholarships.

Academic Rankings 2026 Updated figures from official sources

Webometrics#2,172Worldwide↑ Rising URAR#83Turkey↑ Rising Akademiklink#70Turkey↑ Rising Webometrics#674Europe↑ Rising Times Higher Ed.1501+World (2024)✓ Listed THE — TeachingTop 400Teaching quality index✓ Outstanding 📊 What do these rankings mean?

For a university barely a decade old to appear in Times Higher Education and Webometrics at this level is a remarkable achievement. The addition of TEPDAD accreditation in 2025 further strengthens the value of a Biruni degree in the medical job market.

Key Advantages What sets Biruni apart

  • Turkey's most comprehensive health university: Six health faculties under one roof, fostering unparalleled interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Broad international recognition: Degrees recognised across the EU under the Bologna Agreement and in numerous Arab countries. Official accreditation by YÖK.
  • Two university hospitals: 65,000 m² General Hospital (600 beds, 15 operating theatres) and a specialist Dental Hospital — delivering authentic clinical experience from day one.
  • Erasmus+ Programme: Active membership enabling students to study at leading European universities for one or two semesters, alongside Turkey's Farabi and Mevlana exchange programmes.
  • NAFSA Membership: Member of the Association of International Educators, opening doors to global academic cooperation networks.
  • TEPDAD Accreditation (2025): The university's most recently earned accreditation, reinforcing the value of its degrees in the medical sector.
  • English & Turkish instruction: Most medical programmes are available in both languages; a free Turkish preparatory year is available for those who need it.

Student Housing Safe, comfortable options near campus

Three trusted student residences are available within close distance of the main campus:

🏢 Female Student Dormitory — 932 Beds

Contains 422 rooms equipped with smart-card access control and 24/7 CCTV. Facilities include study rooms, a library, gym, cinema hall, and high-speed internet.

🏢 Male Student Dormitory — 1,216 Beds

Houses 528 rooms with full facilities including laundry rooms, personal storage, and social recreation spaces.

🏠 Tip from 180 Degrees Academy

We strongly recommend securing your accommodation immediately upon receiving your acceptance letter — dormitory capacity fills rapidly at the start of each academic year. Contact us for advance booking assistance.

Admission Requirements Documents needed for 2026 applications

  • Official high school diploma with certified Turkish or English translation.
  • Certified high school transcript with official translation.
  • Copy of valid passport (minimum 12 months remaining validity).
  • 4 passport-sized photographs (white background).
  • English proficiency certificate (TOEFL / IELTS) for English-medium programmes; YÖS exam result for Turkish-medium programmes (optional in some cases).
  • Motivation letter for certain competitive programmes.
ℹ️ Application Fee

Direct application to Biruni University carries a fee of $0. Enrolling through 180 Degrees Academy is completely free and includes personalised advisory support and full file management.

Frequently Asked Questions What international students ask most

Is a Biruni University degree recognised internationally?

Yes. The degree is recognised across EU member states under the Bologna Agreement, and in numerous Arab countries including Egypt, Palestine, Algeria, Morocco and most Gulf states. YÖK accreditation underpins this recognition.

What GPA is required for admission to the Faculty of Medicine?

There is no officially published minimum. However, a secondary school average of 75–80% or above is generally advisable for competitive medical programmes. The 180 Degrees Academy team can assess your individual admission prospects.

Are scholarships available for international students?

Yes. The university offers partial and full scholarships, as well as a 10% upfront payment discount. Scholarship conditions change each season, so we recommend contacting us for the most current opportunities.

Can I study without knowing Turkish?

Absolutely. Many medical programmes are fully taught in English. For Turkish-medium programmes, a free preparatory Turkish language year is available.

What is the monthly cost of living in Istanbul?

Estimated monthly expenses including accommodation, food and transport typically range between $400–$700 USD — significantly lower than comparable costs in London, Paris or Amsterdam.

Published by 180 Degrees Academy · Last updated: April 2026 Sources: Webometrics · URAR · Times Higher Education · YÖK · Biruni.edu.tr Biruni University Study in Turkey Medicine in Istanbul Private universities University admission 2026 Biruni University Istanbul Turkey scholarships