METU Ankara: Tuition, English Programs & How to Apply (2026/27)

Middle East Technical University (METU, in Turkish ODTÜ) charges international students $1,200 per semester for engineering, architecture and science programs and $800 per semester for social sciences, economics and education in 2026/27. Graduate students pay $375 per semester. Every program is taught in English, which makes METU one of the strongest value options in Turkey.

This guide covers METU's official fees, its English-taught programs, the entry exams it accepts (including the Afghan Kankor), the 2026/27 application dates and the steps to apply.

Why METU is good value

METU is a state technical university in Ankara where all teaching is in English. That matters: at many Turkish state universities only a few programs are in English, and you need Turkish for the rest. At METU you can choose from engineering, sciences, architecture, economics, social sciences and education without learning Turkish first.

• Low fees for a top public university: two semesters of engineering cost $2,400 a year in 2026/27.
• Big English-taught catalogue: our data lists 43 bachelor's, 93 master's and 60 doctoral programs.
• No undergraduate application fee for 2026/27 international applications.
• Graduate fee discounts: graduate students can get 50% or 100% tuition discounts depending on their CGPA.
• Flexible entry: METU accepts SAT, ACT, IB, A-levels, AP, TR-YÖS, olympiad medals and many national exams.

METU tuition fees for international students (2026/27)

These are METU's official per-semester fees for students admitted through the international quota who started in 2023/24 or later. There are two semesters per year. Fees are set in US dollars but you pay in Turkish lira, converted at the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye selling rate one week before each payment period.

English-taught programs at METU

Because the whole university teaches in English, every program in the catalogue is open to you. Examples of bachelor's programs:

• Engineering and architecture: Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Industrial Design, plus the engineering programs of the Faculty of Engineering.
• Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Statistics.
• Economics and social sciences: Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science and Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology, History, Philosophy.
• Joint degrees with SUNY (US): Business Administration and Global and International Affairs with SUNY Binghamton (different fees).
• Education: Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Mathematics Education and more.

At graduate level, the graduate schools run master's and PhD programs such as Eurasian Studies alongside engineering and science programs. Browse the official undergraduate program list and our wider guide to English-taught programs in Turkey.

Admission requirements

Bachelor's

METU makes a holistic decision based on one qualifying exam or diploma. Minimums listed in METU's international requirements document include:

• SAT at least 1200 (Math at least 700 for engineering, architecture and sciences)
• ACT at least 27, or IB at least 33
• A-levels ABB, or four AP subjects with at least 4
• TR-YÖS in the top 5th percentile, or an olympiad medal
• Country-specific national exams (for example the Afghan Kankor, see below)

You also upload a photo, passport page, high-school diploma or graduation certificate (officially translated if not in Turkish or English) and your full transcript. A CV, statement of purpose and reference letters are optional extras. Exam results such as TR-YÖS and SAT are valid for two years.

English for bachelor's students

You do not need an English score to apply. At registration you show TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, or take the METU English Proficiency Exam. Otherwise you join a one-year English prep program. Important: METU does not accept IELTS taken on or after 24 December 2022.

Master's and PhD

Graduate schools ask for a program-specific CGPA, GRE or ALES (GRE is usually around 149–155), a statement of purpose, online references and an English score: TOEFL iBT 79–95, PTE Academic 70–75 or METU EPE 65–80 depending on the program. IELTS is not accepted. Some programs allow conditional admission without GRE. The application fee is $55 per program.

Deadlines and intakes

For the 2027/28 bachelor's intake, METU's academic calendar only says the application will be in July 2027. Exact dates are not published yet. The 2026 main window opened on 1 June, so prepare your exam score and documents by spring 2027.

Scholarships and fee discounts

• Graduate discounts: 50% or 100% tuition discounts based on CGPA.
• Sibling discount: 25% for families resident in Türkiye.
• Türkiye Scholarships: the government program covers tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a flight and a monthly stipend. Applications run 10 January to 20 February each year on TBBS. See our scholarships guide.

Honest downsides

How to apply to METU step by step

1. 1

   Pick your program

   Check the program list and confirm which fee group it falls into.

2. 2

   Get a qualifying score

   Take SAT, TR-YÖS or another accepted exam, or confirm your national exam meets METU's threshold.

3. 3

   Prepare documents

   Passport, photo, diploma or graduation certificate, transcript and official translations.

4. 4

   Apply online

   Use the International Students Office application during the window.

5. 5

   Get your visa

   After admission, apply for a student visa at a Turkish mission. Read our Turkey student visa guide.

6. 6

   Register and get a residence permit

   Register in person with originals and an equivalence letter, then apply for a student residence permit on e-İkamet while your visa is valid.

Comparing METU with other options? Read the full guide to studying in Turkey, or track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.