Many Turkish academics were fired as a result of these major changes, while European academicians, mainly of Hebrew ancestry and fleeing Nazi persecution in Germany, were recruited to key posts and a revised curriculum was implemented. In Turkey, these changes signal the beginning of true university education. 

Turkey has 203 universities as of 2020, with 10 state universities and 40 private institutions in Istanbul alone. Istanbul, being Turkey’s largest city, is home to the country’s oldest, largest, and most successful universities. We will look at some of these higher education institutions that lead academic life in Turkey in our list of “The Best Universities in Istanbul” 

Istanbul University

Let’s have a look at a large institution that deserves to be included in our list of “The Best Universities in Istanbul.” Istanbul University is the country’s oldest, largest, and most populous university. Its foundations were built in the 15th century by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II under the name “Sahn-i Seman.” This school was known as “Darulfunun Osmani” before the formation of the Republic. Istanbul Institution was established as the new Republic of Turkey’s first university with the proclamation of university reforms in 1933. 

Foreign academics from Europe were invited to Istanbul University as soon as it was founded. Academics, particularly those who had been subjected to political persecution in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, flocked to Istanbul and started teaching at Istanbul University. These individuals also assisted Turkish authorities in the development of a modern educational system. 

Bogazici University

Bogazici University, along with Middle East Technical University and Bilkent University in Ankara, has been regarded as one of Turkey’s top three institutions for decades. Every year, Bogazici admits students who get the best scores on their university entrance examinations. As a result, it is the primary goal of Turkey’s most successful pupils. 

Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, an American academic, and Christopher Rheinlander Robert, an American businessman, established Bogazici University in 1863 under the name “Robert College.” Robert College was transformed to Bosphorus University in 1971 after serving as a high school for more than a century. The renowned Bosphorus, which the campus is situated close to, inspired the name of this institution. 

Sabanci University

Sabanci University is one of three private enterprise-run foundation institutions on our ranking of “The Best Universities in Istanbul.” Sabanci University was established in 1999 by the Sabanci Family, one of Turkey’s richest families. Unlike other Turkish institutions, this one operates on an interdisciplinary basis. At Sabanci, students select their department at the conclusion of their sophomore year. Students take classes from a variety of fields until their third year, when they will major in a certain subject. 

Sabanci University is the 13th best institution in Turkey, according to US News and World Report, and the 850th best university in the world. Sabanci University also owns the Sakip Sabanci Museum, which is one of the city’s most well-known museums. 

Koc University

Koç Institution, like Sabanci University, is a foundation university founded by the Koç Family, another rich Turkish family. Since its inception in 1993, this university has provided higher education via seven faculties, four postgraduate institutions, 21 research centers, and 72 labs. With about 6.200 students and 400 professors, Koç University is housed on a single large campus on the Bosphorus. 

Koç University is regarded as one of Turkey’s most prestigious institutions. It only accepts the most deserving candidates for its scholarship positions. The “Computer Engineering,” “Electronic Engineering,” “Mechanical Engineering,” and “Industrial Engineering” departments of Koç University obtained the most base points in Turkey in 2019, followed by “Medicine” and “Law” scholarship programs.