Bilkent University was founded on October 20, 1984 by Ihsan Dogramaci (1915 – 2010) through the joint resolution of the Ihsan Dogramaci Education Foundation, the Ihsan Dogramaci Science and Research Foundation, and the Ihsan Dogramaci Health Foundation. The aim was to create a center of excellence in higher education and research.
The name “Bilkent”‘ exemplifies the founder’s aim, since it is an acronym of “bilim kenti” in Turkish for “city of science and knowledge.”
The educational philosophy rests on the premise that those who produce new knowledge also have the best potential to impart it. Scholarly research at Bilkent extends across a wide spectrum. From nanoscience and nanotechnology to political science, from electronics to economics, from fine arts to management and industrial engineering, from philosophy to computer engineering, and in many other areas of science, letters and the performing arts, our academic staff and resources provide a uniquely integrated environment.
Chief among the factors that ensure a high standard of education are a remarkably productive body of faculty members, and a dynamic scholarly and scientific environment that fosters high-quality research. According to ISI Citation Indexes, Bilkent ranks high not only in Turkey but also internationally in the number of published papers per faculty member. Many faculty members actively engaged in research also receive external funding from TÜBITAK (the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey), the European Union, and other public institutions or private companies.
The Career Center, another service established at the incentive of Bilkent’s founder early in the University’s development, helps final-year students to acquire the skills necessary to apply successfully for a job. The Center arranges interviews between representatives of major corporations and students seeking employment.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 39 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 477 | 415 | 454 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 4 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 761 | 835 | 831 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | 601 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
The Office of International Students plays a significant role on the internationalization path of Bilkent University by promoting its programs and providing support for all international academic affairs.
In order to ensure easy transition of the students, the Office provides assistance and guidance to both international degree-seeking students and incoming/outgoing exchange students through all phases of their academic and social conduct.
As well as providing information on procedural matters, such as application process, course selection and accommodation opportunities, via orientation programs and cultural trips, the Office of International Students offers ongoing help to all international students.
Our dormitories – consisting of 26 buildings with various designs and features, provide a peaceful, secure, comfortable, pleasant and hygienic atmosphere for more than 4,800 Turkish and international students from diverse backgrounds, who have chosen to take advantage of the excellence in higher education offered by Bilkent University. all located on our Main and East Campuses, offer single, double, triple, quadruple and suite accommodation alternatives for our students, at varying rates.
All areas of our dorms, including student rooms, are cleaned on a frequent and regular basis by our ISO certificated contractors, according to health and hygiene regulations.
The Bilkent University Library contains a large book and periodical collection, music listening booths, CDs, records, audio and videocassettes, music scores and microfilms.
The Library receives periodicals from numerous institutions, scientific articles and technical reports from prominent research institutions in Europe and the USA, and subscribes to major foreign newspapers.
The Bilkent Computer Center (BCC) provides a variety of computing resources and services to meet the administrative, educational and research computing requirements in the university community. These services include providing computational equipment, their hardware and software maintenance, maintenance of software resources such as language compilers, utilities and application programs.
The Health Centers , located on the Main and East Campuses, provide health services to students and faculty members. The basic and urgent services are provided free of charge to all Bilkent graduate and undergraduate students by the University Health Centers.
A student at Bilkent has plenty of opportunities to develop intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, culturally, socially and physically. If you are interested in getting involved in school clubs and organizations, there are many to choose from. If you want to meet peers from around the globe who have come to call Bilkent home, then you will find a close-knit international community. Our campus is inviting, friendly, and safe. With residential and dining services, academic and personal assistance and counseling, and many other programs and services in addition to those just mentioned, Bilkent is dedicated to providing you with an experience that is both enriching and enjoyable.
Outdoor Sports Facilities
The Student Union organizes students’ social and cultural activities. Student representatives are elected by the student body; they are responsible for managing the Student Union and creating a program of activities. Located in the center of the Main Campus, the Student Union building houses a music room, video room, meeting rooms, offices and a conference hall.
Some of these clubs are:
Based on 100 reviews
Bilkent University is widely regarded as one of Turkey�s top private universities, praised for its strong academics, international outlook, and modern campus facilities. Students highlight its American-style education system, excellent professors, and career opportunities, though some note that extracurricular activities could be more diverse.
Haven't started yet but what am seeing I bet it would be a nice place
Bilkent University is challenging and strict regarding it's education. However, it is ensured to gain both general and departmental knowledge. Our professors are very knowledgable. The campus life holds great potantial however, the amount of workload makes it rather dull.
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