Middle East Technical University (METU, known in Türkiye as ODTÜ, Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi) is a public, English-medium university in Ankara. International students apply through a separate quota, which offered 444 places at the Ankara campus for 2026/27. Students who started in 2023 or later pay $1,200 per semester in engineering, architecture and the natural sciences and $800 per semester in social sciences, economics and education. For Russian school-leavers the key threshold is an EGE average of 80% across three subjects, with mathematics required for engineering.
| At a glance | Status on 30 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Type | Turkish public (state) university |
| Location | Ankara, Çankaya campus; separate Northern Cyprus campus |
| Language | English |
| International quota 2026/27 | 444 places across 39 undergraduate programmes in Ankara |
| Undergraduate tuition | $1,200 or $800 per semester depending on faculty |
| Graduate tuition | $375 per semester |
| 2026/27 applications | 1 June – 12 July 2026; extra round 26–28 August |
| Application fee | None for 2026/27 |
| Ranking | THE World University Rankings 2027: 326–350 band |
Who METU suits
METU is worth a close look if you want a strong English-taught engineering or science degree but cannot fund a private university. A year here costs $1,600–2,400, against $18,400 at Bilkent and $38,000 at Koç. The trade-off is high exam thresholds and small quotas: in 2026 Computer Engineering had 22 international places, Psychology 15, and Sociology and History four each.
If your EGE is below 80% or your SAT below 1200, Ankara's private universities are more realistic: Bilkent, TOBB ETÜ and TED University. In Istanbul, the comparable public option is Istanbul Technical University. All profiles are in our Turkey hub; for life in the capital see the Ankara city guide.
Do not mix up the campuses. The METU Northern Cyprus Campus runs its own admissions, fees and requirements; everything below applies to Ankara. For study in Northern Cyprus and how its degrees are recognised, see studying in Northern Cyprus.
Programmes and quotas for 2026/27
Bachelor's degrees last four years, plus a preparatory year if your English is not yet sufficient. International places in selected programmes:
| Faculty | Programme and quota |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Electrical and Electronics 30, Mechanical 24, Computer 22, Civil 22, Aerospace 14, Metallurgical and Materials 12, Industrial 11, Chemical, Food and Petroleum and Natural Gas 10 each |
| Architecture | Architecture 15, Industrial Design 10, City and Regional Planning 10 |
| Arts and Sciences | Physics 25, Statistics 18, Mathematics 16, Psychology 15, Molecular Biology and Genetics 14, Biology 12, Chemistry and Philosophy 8 each, Sociology and History 4 each |
| Economic and Administrative Sciences | Economics 16, Political Science and Public Administration 16, Business Administration 12, International Relations 12 |
| Education | English Language Teaching 12, Computer Education and Instructional Technology 8, and others |
The total is 444 places, including three or four seats each on the joint programmes with the State University of New York (SUNY) in business, global affairs and English teaching, which charge their own fees.
Which exams and scores does METU require?
You apply with one primary qualification from METU's list. Meeting the minimum lets you apply; faculties then decide within the quotas.
| Qualification | Minimum to apply |
|---|---|
| Russia, EGE (Unified State Exam) | Average of 80% across three subjects, two related to the programme; mathematics required for engineering, architecture and science |
| Kazakhstan, ENT (Unified National Testing) | At least 125 out of 140 across five subjects, including two related electives |
| Kyrgyzstan, ORT | At least 205 out of 250 |
| SAT | 1200 total; engineering, architecture and science also need Math 700 out of 800 |
| ACT | 27 out of 36 |
| A-levels | ABB in three subjects, two related to the programme |
| IB Diploma | 33 points with at least one relevant HL subject |
| AP | Grade 4 in four subjects; Calculus AB or BC for engineering and science |
| TR-YÖS | Top 5% of test takers |
| International olympiads | Medal at IMO, IPhO, IChO, IBO, IOI or listed Balkan olympiads |
A note for applicants from Russia: the International Baccalaureate Organization is on Russia's list of undesirable organisations; this does not affect how METU evaluates the IB Diploma.
In practice, 80% on the EGE means about 240 points across three exams, for example Mathematics 85, Computer Science 82 and Physics 74 for computer engineering. TR-YÖS and SAT results are valid for two years; school-leaving diplomas have no expiry. The Russian school certificate on its own is not listed as a qualifying document.
If your EGE falls short, SAT or TR-YÖS is the practical route. See our YÖS guide and which exams Turkish universities accept.
What English level do you need?
No English certificate is needed to apply, though you may upload one to strengthen your file. At registration, admitted students either present a certificate or sit the METU English Proficiency Exam (EPE). To start the degree directly you need:
- METU EPE 60 out of 100;
- TOEFL iBT 75 out of 120 (if taken in Türkiye, only at a state-university building);
- PTE Academic 65 on the scale used for tests taken after 12 November 2024.
METU does not accept IELTS taken on or after 24 December 2022. Students who miss the threshold spend a year at the Department of Basic English, charged at their programme's tuition rate.
How do you apply to METU?
Applications are online only and no paper is posted. METU states that it does not work with any third party for undergraduate recruitment to its Ankara campus: you apply yourself.
- Check that your exam is on the list and meets the minimum.
- Use a personal email address (METU asks applicants to avoid Hotmail, Live and Outlook) and fill in the form during the window: 1 June – 12 July for 2026/27, with an extra round on 26–28 August for some programmes.
- Upload a photo, passport page, diploma or expected-graduation letter, transcripts for all high-school years and your primary exam result, with translations if not in English or Turkish.
- Optionally add a language certificate, CV, statement of purpose, references, portfolio or other exams.
- "Freeze" the application when done; unfrozen applications are not evaluated.
Denklik, the Turkish education ministry's equivalence certificate for your school diploma, is not needed to apply but is required at registration. It can be obtained at a Turkish consulate before you travel; see our denklik guide.
A-level candidates in their final year receive an "admission deferral" status because results arrive in August; they still must submit during the main window.
How much does METU cost?
METU is a state university, but international-quota students pay tuition. Rates for 2026/27 for students who started in fall 2023 or later:
| Programmes | Per semester | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, molecular biology, statistics | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| Sociology, psychology, history, philosophy, economics and administrative sciences, education | $800 | $1,600 |
| Master's and PhD | $375 | $750 |
The English preparatory year costs the same as the programme. Fees are quoted in dollars but paid in Turkish lira at the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye selling rate one week before the payment period; if the converted amount falls below the official minimum in the Official Gazette, the minimum applies. Beyond the normal programme length plus two semesters, the rate rises by half.
Discounts. METU reviews merit-based discounts for international students every year, with no application needed. A 25% discount applies when a parent lives in Türkiye on a residence permit and another family member studies at METU or another Turkish public university. A tuition scholarship from your government or another institution exempts you from fees. For the Türkiye Bursları government scholarship (applications 10 January – 20 February), see our Türkiye Scholarships guide.
How much do housing and living in Ankara cost?
METU's international office publishes these 2026 benchmarks:
| Item | Turkish lira | US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Bed in a university or state dormitory | TL 4,000–20,000 a month | $82–408 |
| Private student dormitory in Ankara | TL 12,000–60,000 a month | $245–1,224 |
| Lunch in the university cafeteria | TL 80–120 | $1.6–2.4 |
| Student transport pass | TL 400–600 a month | $8–12 |
| Dormitory plus a frugal lifestyle, all in | TL 12,000–18,000 a month | $245–367 |
| Shared flat and moderate spending | TL 20,000–35,000 a month | $408–714 |
Campus shuttles are free. Adding engineering tuition, a realistic annual budget in a dormitory is around $5,500–7,000. Compare options in student accommodation in Turkey and the cost of living guide; for legal payment routes from Russia see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Do you need a visa, and how does the residence permit work?
Ordinary Russian passport holders may enter Türkiye visa-free for tourist and business trips of up to 60 days; Kazakh citizens for up to 90 days in any 180. Study requires a student residence permit, which at METU works like this:
- Apply on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr, choosing the student residence permit, then download and sign the form.
- Hand documents to METU's International Students Office (not the migration office) on the first Thursday after your online application; the office forwards files to the Ankara migration office in batches.
- Pay the 2026 card fee of TL 964 (about $20); students pay no visa fee or permit fee.
- Provide insurance for the whole period: a private policy or proof of application for General Health Insurance (GSS). GSS must be requested within three months of first registration; the 2026 annual premium is about TL 16,000 ($326).
METU advises under-18s to enter on a student visa, because visa-free entry triggers extra parental-consent and guardianship paperwork. Only the migration office decides on permits. See the Turkey student visa guide.
Graduates may stay until their card expires and can apply within six months of graduation for a one-time short-term permit.
Master's and PhD
International graduate tuition is $375 per semester. English, ALES or GRE requirements and deadlines are set by each graduate school and published before every intake; TOEFL thresholds are usually higher than for undergraduates. See master's programmes in Turkey.
Is a METU degree recognised in Russia and Kazakhstan?
METU awards Turkish state degrees: lisans (bachelor's), yüksek lisans (master's) and doktora. In Russia, recognition goes through the National Information Center of Rosakkredagentstvo (nic.gov.ru); in Kazakhstan through ENIC-Kazakhstan.
Common mistakes
- Submitting IELTS, which METU has not accepted since December 2022.
- Taking the EGE without mathematics while aiming for engineering.
- Mixing up the Ankara and Northern Cyprus campuses.
- Paying intermediaries who claim to represent METU Ankara; the university has no such partners.
- Missing the three-month GSS window, which cannot be reopened.
- Forgetting to freeze the online application.
FAQ
Can I apply to METU straight after Russian school?
Yes, if your EGE average across three subjects is at least 80% and two of them relate to the programme. For engineering, architecture and science one subject must be mathematics. Without such an EGE you can apply with a SAT of 1200 or a TR-YÖS result in the top 5%.
How much does METU cost for international students?
A year of engineering, architecture or science costs $2,400 and a year of social sciences, economics or education $1,600 for anyone who began in fall 2023 or later. The dollar amount is converted to lira at the Turkish central bank rate. Graduate students are charged $375 a semester.
Do I need an English certificate?
Not to apply. At registration you need TOEFL iBT 75, PTE Academic 65 or METU EPE 60; otherwise you take a year of preparatory English. IELTS taken since 24 December 2022 is not accepted, which catches many applicants out.
When can I apply for 2027/28?
The 2026/27 intake opened in early June, closed in mid-July and reopened briefly in late August for programmes with spare places. Next year's dates appear on METU's Application Dates page; plan for early summer.
Does METU offer scholarships to international students?
There is no entry scholarship, but METU reviews merit discounts every year without an application and offers 25% in certain family situations. Small meal and dormitory grants exist too. The main external option is Türkiye Bursları.
How is METU Ankara different from the Northern Cyprus campus?
They are separate campuses with their own admissions, quotas, fees and requirements. Everything on this page — fees, scores and dates — covers the Ankara campus. Check the Northern Cyprus campus's own website for its rules.
Can StudyU submit my METU application?
No. METU accepts applications only from candidates themselves and works with no intermediaries; StudyU does not represent METU and does not submit the form for you. Assessing your EGE or SAT, planning test preparation, checking documents and preparing for registration and the residence permit are provided under an agreement with StudyU, while you submit the form yourself. METU's faculties decide on admission, and Türkiye's migration authority issues the permit.
Sources
- METU ISO: application dates 2026–2027 and additional period
- METU ISO: minimum application requirements (PDF)
- METU ISO: international quotas 2026–2027
- METU ISO: tuition fees 2026–2027 (PDF) and exemptions and discounts
- METU ISO: required documents and how to apply
- METU ISO: English proficiency and exam equivalence table
- METU ISO: residence permit and health insurance
- METU ISO: cost of living in Ankara 2026 and scholarships
- Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visa information
- Türkiye Scholarships: dates and stipends
- Times Higher Education: Middle East Technical University
Checked on 30 September 2026. ECB reference rate on 30 September 2026: €1 = $1.1355 and TRY 55.6596, so $1 ≈ TRY 49.02.
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