Balıkesir University

History and Profile of Balıkesir University

The origins of Balıkesir University trace back to 1910, when the first teacher training school was established in the region—marking the beginning of formal education in the city of Balıkesir.

However, the university was officially founded as an independent Turkish public university in 1992, after several of its institutions had previously operated under Uludağ University.

Since then, Balıkesir University has experienced significant growth, becoming one of the leading regional universities in Western Turkey, with faculties, institutes, and vocational schools offering accredited and advanced academic programs in a wide range of disciplines.

The university adopts a progressive development model, making it a prominent center for education and research, serving tens of thousands of both local and international students.

Vision of Balıkesir University

Since its establishment, Balıkesir University has aimed to become a nationally and internationally recognized institution known for the quality of its education, its active engagement in scientific research, and its contribution to Turkey’s social and economic development.

The university aspires to be one of Turkey’s leading universities by providing a modern and well-qualified educational environment, preparing students who are competent, innovative, and globally oriented.

Core Objectives (as listed on the official website)

• Delivering high-quality education rooted in ethics and academic freedom.

• Graduating students with critical thinking skills, capable of addressing contemporary challenges.

• Serving society through research and technological partnerships.

• Promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and technological advancement.

• Supporting cultural integration and international academic exchange through programs like Erasmus+ and Mevlana.

Balıkesir University in Numbers

Academic Programs and Structure:

• 14 Faculties

• 4 Graduate Institutes

• 2 Higher Schools

• 12 Vocational Schools

• Over 70 Undergraduate Programs

• Dozens of Master’s and PhD Programs

Student Population (2023):

• Total: 29,927 students

  • 15,424 male

  • 14,503 female

Academic Staff (2023):

• Total: 1,274 academics

  • 174 Professors

  • 136 Associate Professors

  • 145 Assistant Professors

  • 140 Lecturers

  • 131 Research Assistants

Additional Statistics:

• 7,248 graduates annually

• 10,000 dormitory beds

• 12 conference halls and 12 meeting rooms

• Over 4,000 m² of scientific laboratories

• More than 30 research and application centers

• Partnerships with over 100 educational institutions worldwide

National and International Rankings

• QS EECA 2022: Ranked in the 351–400 band (Eastern Europe & Central Asia)

• Webometrics 2025: Ranked among the top 70 Turkish universities

• QS Western Asia 2025: Ranked 61st in Western Asia

• Officially recognized by YÖK, the Turkish Higher Education Council

• Active participant in Erasmus+, Mevlana, and Farabi exchange programs

• Under institutional evaluation by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC)

Key Features of Balıkesir University

• Located in Balıkesir, a scenic and vibrant coastal city on the Sea of Marmara, known for its rich nature and strategic location in western Turkey.

• Offers a calm and organized educational environment blending modernity with natural surroundings.

• The extensive campus hosts faculties, libraries, laboratories, research centers, sports halls, and student centers.

• Provides multilingual education, with select programs taught in English.

• Maintains strong academic partnerships, offering students opportunities for exchange and study in European countries.

• Implements practical training programs across various sectors, particularly in engineering, veterinary medicine, and tourism faculties.

• Embraces cultural diversity and integration, welcoming students annually from various Arab and Asian countries.

• Hosts more than 30 student clubs covering sports, arts, culture, science, and volunteer activities.

Academic Programs at Balıkesir University

Associate Degree Programs (~67 Programs – 2 Years)

Offered through vocational schools in various fields, such as:

• Accounting and Taxation

• Medical Laboratory Technologies

• Industrial Technology

• Information Technology

• Fashion and Design

• Agriculture

• Tourism and Hospitality Management

Bachelor’s Degree Programs (~78 Programs – Typically 4 Years)

Engineering and Technology:

• Computer, Electronics, Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Architectural Engineering

Applied and Health Sciences:

• Medicine (6 years, Turkish/English)

• Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Child Development

Economics and Management:

• Business Administration (Turkish/English)

• Finance, Economics, International Relations, Social Work

Arts and Humanities:

• Turkish and English Language & Literature

• Psychology, Sociology

• Media and Journalism

• Design, Fine Arts, Architecture

Education and Sports:

• Language Teaching

• Mathematics Teaching

• Physical Education

• Special Needs Education

Tourism:

• Tourism Management

• Tourist Guidance

• Culinary Arts

Master’s Degree Programs (with Thesis) (~76 Programs)

Research-oriented programs in:

• Engineering

• Sciences

• Business and Management

• Education

• Health Sciences

• Fine Arts

Master’s Degree Programs (Non-Thesis) (~58 Programs)

Professionally oriented and practical programs in:

• Management

• Languages

• Media and Communication

• Education

• Other applied fields

PhD Programs (~35 Programs)

Advanced research programs in:

• Engineering

• Medicine

• Natural Sciences

• Economics

• Education

• Humanities

  Sample Majors and Estimated Tuition Fees

  Program	Degree	Language	Duration	Estimated Annual Tuition
  Civil Aviation Management	Bachelor’s	English	4 years	$4,500 – $5,000
  Dentistry	Bachelor’s	English	5 years	$19,000 – $20,000
  Business Administration	Bachelor’s	Turkish / English	4 years	$3,600 – $5,000
  Civil Engineering	Bachelor’s	Turkish / English	4 years	$3,600 – $6,000
  Medicine	Bachelor’s	Turkish / English	6 years	$20,900 – $22,000
  Nursing	Bachelor’s	Turkish	4 years	$4,500 – $5,000
  Pharmacy	Bachelor’s	Turkish	5 years	$7,600 – $8,000

Campus Overview – Balıkesir University

The main campus, known as Çağış Campus, is located on the outskirts of the city of Balıkesir and spans an area of over 11,900 m². In addition to the main campus, there are other branches such as the Necatibey Campus and other specialized facilities situated within the city itself.

Thanks to its proximity to the city, the campus is easily accessible throughout the day via buses and minibuses running from the city center.

Academic and Administrative Facilities

The campus houses multiple buildings and is organized as follows:

• Administrative Building (University Presidency)

• Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

• Faculty of Science and Letters

• Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management

• Faculty of Medicine

• Faculty of Education (Necatibey Education Faculty – located in a separate city branch)

• Central Library

• Graduate Institutes (Institute of Science and Institute of Social Sciences)

On-Campus Dormitories

Student dormitories operated by KYK (Credit and Dormitories Institution) are available within the Çağış Campus of Balıkesir University:

• Male dormitory with a capacity of 1,480 students

• Female dormitory with a capacity of 2,150 students

In the 2023–2024 academic year, a new campus facility was opened within the same location as part of the university’s ongoing expansion to better serve students.

Dormitory Features

• Single and double rooms

• Free 24/7 internet and security services

• Shuttle transportation linking the campus to the city center (approx. 17 km)

• Priority accommodation is given to:

  • Syrian students

  • Children of martyrs

  • Students affected by natural disasters, under the scholarship support system

Legal and Institutional Recognition

• Balıkesir University has been officially recognized by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) since its establishment in 1992.

• It is also internationally acknowledged through platforms such as uniRank, where it is listed as an “officially recognized university by YÖK.”

Programmatic Accreditations

• As of now, no specific professional accreditations (such as MÜDEK for engineering, DEPAD for dentistry, etc.) have been officially announced for individual programs.

International Partnerships and Memberships

• The university is an active participant in the Erasmus+ academic exchange program, providing internationally recognized study-abroad opportunities.

• It is also involved in national programs aligned with the Bologna Process, such as Mevlana and Farabi, reinforcing its role within both the Turkish and broader European higher education network.