English-Taught Master's in Engineering and MBA Programs in Turkey

Contents

1. What is an English-taught master's in engineering or MBA in Turkey?

2. How do engineering master's and MBA programs compare?

3. How can you confirm a program is taught in English?

4. What do graduate schools require, and is ALES needed?

5. Which accreditations matter for engineering and MBA programs?

6. Thesis or non-thesis: which option suits your profile?

7. Does "English-taught" mean no Turkish at all?

8. How should you plan your application decision?

9. Real-World Examples

10. Frequently Asked Questions

11. References

12. Legal Notice

Introduction

English-taught master's programs in engineering and business administration (MBA) are offered by a number of Turkish universities, including Middle East Technical University (METU), Bilkent University, Boğaziçi University, Koç University and Sabancı University. At METU, most engineering master's programs are thesis-based. MBA programs are more often non-thesis and career-oriented. Under Article 35(2) of the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training, each university senate sets admission conditions for international applicants.

This article explains how the two degree types differ, how to check the language of instruction, what admission files usually contain and which accreditations to look for. It draws on YÖK regulation and statistics, university regulations and accreditation directories. According to a YÖK bulletin dated 27 March 2026, 330,464 students were enrolled in master's programs in Turkey in 2025-2026. Application calendars and quotas change each semester. "Masters" and "master's" refer to the same degree, and Türkiye is Turkey's official name.

What is an English-taught master's in engineering or MBA in Turkey?

An English-taught master's in engineering or MBA in Turkey is a graduate degree run by a university graduate school in which English is the designated medium of instruction. Engineering master's programs are usually completed with a thesis. MBA programs are frequently completed with a term project instead. Both degrees are governed by the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training issued by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

A graduate school is the academic unit within a Turkish university that runs graduate education and manages application and enrolment procedures. In Turkish universities, engineering master's degrees typically sit in a graduate school of natural and applied sciences, while MBA programs sit in a graduate school of social sciences or a dedicated graduate school of business. That administrative home matters, because the graduate school publishes the application calendar and the admission conditions.

An English-taught program is a degree program in which a university has designated English as the main medium of instruction for courses, assessment and the thesis or project. The designation is made program by program. A university can run some graduate programs in English and others in Turkish, so the language of each program needs to be checked individually.

The Regulation on Graduate Education and Training, published in the Official Gazette on 20 April 2016 (No. 29690) and last amended on 6 March 2026, sets the minimum structure that every master's program must follow. Universities can add requirements on top of that minimum, but they cannot go below it.

International applicants are a growing group within these programs. According to YÖK's Internationalization Strategy Document 2024-2028, published in February 2025, 31,438 international students were enrolled in master's programs in Turkey at the end of 2024. That figure covers all fields and both languages of instruction, so it includes Turkish-medium programs as well as English-taught engineering and MBA degrees.

How do engineering master's and MBA programs compare?

Engineering master's and MBA programs in Turkey differ mainly in structure and purpose. Engineering master's programs are usually thesis-based and prepare graduates for research, doctoral study or specialist technical roles. MBA programs are usually non-thesis, built around coursework and a project, and prepare graduates for management roles. Both are graduate degrees under the same YÖK regulation.

A master's with thesis is a graduate program completed through coursework and the preparation of a thesis. Under Article 6(2) of the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training, as amended up to 6 March 2026, a thesis master's consists of at least seven courses, one seminar course and thesis work, with a total of at least 21 credits.

A master's without thesis is a coursework-focused graduate program completed with a term project instead of a thesis. Article 11(2) of the same regulation requires at least ten courses and a term project course, totaling at least 30 credits and 60 ECTS.

Table 1. Engineering master's and MBA programs in Turkey compared by structure, focus and typical admission tests (sources: Regulation on Graduate Education and Training, as amended 6 March 2026; METU, Bilkent University and Koç University program pages, accessed October 2026)

Some MBA programs offer both routes. METU's MBA program page, accessed in October 2026, lists a thesis and a non-thesis curriculum.

How can you confirm a program is taught in English?

You can confirm that a Turkish master's program is taught in English by checking three official sources: the university's graduate regulation, the graduate school's program page and the university's course catalog. Language is designated program by program, so a university-wide statement is helpful but not sufficient on its own. The program page and catalog should state English as the medium of instruction.

Some universities write the language of instruction into their own graduate regulation. Middle East Technical University (METU) is one example. Its Rules and Regulations Governing Graduate Studies, published in the Official Gazette on 21 September 2016 and amended on 18 April 2017, state the rule directly in Article 5(1).

The medium of instruction in METU's graduate programs is English.
— Middle East Technical University, Rules and Regulations Governing Graduate Studies, Article 5(1), 21 September 2016

The same article also allows the METU Senate to decide that certain courses are taught in Turkish or another language. Other universities make similar statements in their catalogs. Bilkent University's general admission catalog states that English is the language of teaching at Bilkent University, and Boğaziçi University's international office states that English is its language of instruction, according to pages accessed in October 2026.

At the national level, YÖK's International Office notes on its language education page that the medium of instruction in most Turkish higher education institutions is Turkish and/or English. The International Office also reports, citing a Nikkei analysis dated 23 February 2026, that about 75% of international students study in Turkish and 23% in English. That proportion shows why checking the program-level language matters: an applicant who assumes English instruction without confirming it may end up applying to a Turkish-medium program.

When the program page is unclear, the graduate school's admissions office can confirm the language in writing. Keep that confirmation with your application file.

What do graduate schools require, and is ALES needed?

Graduate schools in Turkey set their own admission conditions for international applicants. Article 35(2) of the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training leaves the procedures for admitting foreign-national applicants to each university senate. As a result, the documents, exams and language evidence requested for an English-taught engineering master's or MBA vary between universities and between academic years.

An international student is a person who is not a citizen of the Republic of Turkey and who is admitted to a higher education institution under international student status.

ALES is the centralised examination administered by the Student Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM) and used in applications to graduate programs and in academic staff recruitment in Turkey. For non-thesis master's programs, Article 5(2) of the regulation states that universities may choose not to require an ALES score. Practice differs by program. METU's Graduate School of Social Sciences accepts ALES or GMAT for its MBA, Bilkent University lists GMAT, GRE or ALES for its MBA, and Sabancı University does not require ALES for its Executive MBA and Professional MBA, according to program pages accessed in October 2026.

English proficiency is usually shown with TOEFL or another exam the university accepts; Koç University's MBA page states that TOEFL may be required. Accepted tests and minimum scores come from each current admission announcement.

• Confirm on the program page that the medium of instruction is English

• Check whether the program is with thesis or without thesis

• Find out which admission tests the graduate school accepts (ALES, GRE or GMAT)

• Check which English proficiency tests are accepted and how long scores remain valid

• Prepare transcripts, diploma and reference letters in the format the graduate school requests

• Note the application deadline for international applicants in the current call

Applicants from a different field may meet one more step. A scientific preparatory program is a set of completion courses that a student admitted to a graduate program from a different field must complete before beginning the main program.

Which accreditations matter for engineering and MBA programs?

Engineering and MBA programs in Turkey use different accreditation systems. Engineering programs can be accredited by the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs (MÜDEK), which can award the European EUR-ACE label. Business schools can hold international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), EQUIS or the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

For engineering, the EUR-ACE label is a quality label awarded to an engineering degree program by an agency authorized by the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE). According to Erciyes University's MÜDEK accreditation page, MÜDEK was authorized by ENAEE to award the EUR-ACE label on 21 January 2009 and became a full signatory of the Washington Accord on 15 June 2011. Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) reported on 7 July 2025 that its graduate programs in Earthquake Engineering, Coastal Sciences and Engineering, and Textile Engineering were accredited by MÜDEK and awarded the EUR-ACE label, describing this as a first in Turkey.

For business schools, AACSB accreditation is an institutional accreditation granted to a business school by AACSB after a peer review against its standards. As of October 2026, the AACSB accredited-schools directory lists seven schools in Türkiye. Bilkent University reports first receiving AACSB accreditation in 2006, and Sabancı Business School in 2012. In August 2024, AACSB announced that the Higher Education Quality Council of Türkiye (YÖKAK) had recognized it as an international accrediting agency.

Table 2. Accreditation systems relevant to English-taught engineering master's and MBA programs in Turkey (sources: Erciyes University, İTÜ, AACSB, EFMD and Sabancı University pages, accessed October 2026)

Thesis or non-thesis: which option suits your profile?

The right choice depends on what you plan to do after graduating. An applicant aiming for a PhD or a research career usually benefits from a thesis-based engineering master's. An applicant aiming for management, consulting or a career change usually benefits from a non-thesis MBA. Mid-career professionals can also look at Executive MBA or Professional MBA formats, where offered.

The thesis question carries weight beyond the degree itself. A thesis gives you research output, a supervisor's reference and evidence of independent work, which doctoral admissions committees often look for. A non-thesis program is shorter: under Article 12 of the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training, it is completed in two to three semesters, compared with four to six for a thesis master's under Article 7.

Program availability narrows the choice in practice. METU's program list for its Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences shows most engineering master's programs with thesis and a few, such as Software Engineering and Engineering Management, offered without thesis. Because that list was last updated in 2017, confirm each program's current format with the graduate school.

• Research-focused engineering graduate: a master's with thesis in the same engineering field, often with a later PhD in view

• Engineer moving into management: a non-thesis Engineering Management master's or a full-time MBA

• Business graduate seeking specialization: a thesis MBA track where a university offers one, such as METU

• Working professional: an Executive MBA or Professional MBA, checking whether the schedule suits international students

• Graduate from a different field: a program that allows a preparatory stage before the main coursework

Funding plans also shape the decision. The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) reported on 15 January 2026 that the 2025 Türkiye Scholarships call, which includes master's study, received applications from 171 countries.

Does "English-taught" mean no Turkish at all?

An English-taught program in Turkey teaches its courses, assessment and thesis or project in English, but that does not always mean every element is in English. A university senate can designate certain courses in another language, and daily life, internships and some administrative steps may involve Turkish. Applicants should check how far English instruction extends in their chosen program.

The METU regulation illustrates the point. Article 5(1) of METU's Rules and Regulations Governing Graduate Studies states that graduate programs are taught in English, and the same paragraph lets the METU Senate decide that certain courses are taught in Turkish or another language. Other universities follow their own rules, so the extent of English instruction is a program-level question.

YÖK's International Office also notes, on its language education page, that many universities where the medium of instruction is Turkish offer some of their courses in other languages. That arrangement is different from a fully English-taught program. A Turkish-medium program with several English electives is still a Turkish-medium program for admission purposes, and it may ask for a certificate of Turkish proficiency.

Scale explains why the distinction matters. The YÖK International Office report of 23 February 2026, citing Nikkei, puts international students in Turkey at 379,507 in 2025-2026, most of them in Turkish-medium study. Reading the program page and the graduate school regulation together gives the most reliable answer.

How should you plan your application decision?

A practical plan moves from career goal to program shortlist to verified admission file. Start by deciding whether a thesis engineering master's or a non-thesis MBA fits your plans, then confirm the language, accreditation and admission tests for each shortlisted program on official pages. Application windows differ between graduate schools and semesters, so check each current call.

1. Define your goal: research and a possible PhD, or management and a career change.

2. Choose the degree type: master's with thesis or master's without thesis.

3. Shortlist programs and confirm on each program page that English is the medium of instruction.

4. Check accreditation where it matters to you: MÜDEK with EUR-ACE for engineering, AACSB, EQUIS or AMBA for business schools.

5. List the admission tests each graduate school accepts, such as ALES, GRE or GMAT, and the English tests it recognizes.

6. Check whether your bachelor's field matches the program or whether a preparatory stage applies.

7. Read the current admission announcement for international applicants and note its deadline.

8. Contact the graduate school in writing about any point the announcement leaves open.

The number of options is large. YÖK's statistics bulletin of 27 March 2026 lists 208 higher education institutions in Turkey for 2025-2026, and the Study in Türkiye portal states that applicants can choose among nearly 45,000 degree programs. Narrowing the field early by degree type and language saves time at the document stage.

Admission announcements are usually published per semester, and conditions can differ from one call to the next. Language test scores also have validity periods set by the testing body, so record each announcement date and your test date in one place.

Real-World Examples

The examples in this section are illustrative scenarios created to explain situations applicants may encounter.

Amina, civil engineering graduate aiming for a PhD. Amina holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and wants to continue to doctoral study. She shortlists thesis-based engineering master's programs and checks each university's graduate regulation to confirm that instruction is in English. She notices that one program is accredited with the EUR-ACE label at master's level, which matters to her because she may later work in Europe. She asks the graduate school whether it accepts the GRE for international applicants and contacts two faculty members about possible thesis supervision.

Daniel, software developer moving into management. Daniel has worked as a developer for several years and wants to lead technical teams. He compares a non-thesis Engineering Management master's with a full-time MBA. The Engineering Management program keeps a technical focus, while the MBA covers finance, marketing and strategy more broadly. He reads both programs' course lists, confirms that both are taught in English, and checks which one accepts the GMAT. He decides to apply to both and to choose after interviews, keeping a written note of each program's deadline.

Leila, business graduate unsure about thesis. Leila studied business administration and is undecided between an academic career and industry. She learns that some Turkish universities, such as METU, list both thesis and non-thesis MBA curricula. She chooses to look for a thesis track because it keeps the doctoral route open without closing the industry option. Before applying, she checks the graduate school's English test requirements and confirms that her bachelor's transcript and diploma can be submitted in the format the admissions office requests.

Kofi, mechanical engineer working full-time. Kofi works for a manufacturing company and cannot study full-time. He looks at Executive MBA and Professional MBA formats, which some Turkish business schools run in English for working professionals. He checks whether the class schedule allows him to attend while working, whether the program is open to international applicants, and which accreditations the business school holds. He emails the admissions office to confirm the language of instruction and the documents required, then prepares his file well ahead of the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Mezun Kampüsü
Mezun Kampüsü is a platform that brings together the graduate programs, application calendars and academic announcements of universities in Turkey. Applicants interested in English-taught engineering master's and MBA programs can compare programs by language, thesis type and graduate school through Atlas, follow application periods, track announcements from universities, and start a free application through the Universities section.

Legal Notice

This article is general information about English-taught engineering master's and MBA programs in Turkey, not personal academic, legal or financial advice. The Regulation on Graduate Education and Training and university-level rules can change over time, and admission conditions, accepted tests, language requirements and accreditation status vary between universities and academic periods. Before applying, confirm every detail with the relevant graduate school, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the accrediting body concerned.