Istanbul has dozens of private universities to choose from, and picking the right one takes more than just looking at a website brochure. Arel University is one that keeps coming up in searches from international students, and for good reason. Founded in 2007 by the Kemal Gözükara Education and Culture Foundation, it's grown fast over less than two decades into a proper multi-campus institution with over 1,400 international students from 70+ countries. It's not the most famous name in Turkey, but the combination of affordable fees, English-available programs, and an Erasmus-active exchange network makes it worth a serious look for 2026.
Here's everything you need to know.
Arel University Ranking in 2026
The ranking picture for Arel University is honest: it's a mid-tier private Turkish institution that's moving upward but isn't at the very top of any global table.
According to the AD Scientific Index 2025, Istanbul Arel University holds a global position of approximately #4,218, measured on scientific output, H-index scores, and citation metrics across its research faculty. Webometrics, which evaluates web presence, digital visibility, and academic productivity, places it in the 3,597th band globally. Nationally, the URAP (University Ranking by Academic Performance) system positions Arel at around 112th to 122nd among all Turkish universities depending on the year of measurement.
It's not featured in the main QS World University Rankings table, though it does appear in Times Higher Education global listings and is recognized by YÖK, Turkey's official Higher Education Council. Degrees from Arel are also recognized in several Arab countries including Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen, which matters for students planning to use their diploma back home.
The honest takeaway: if a top-100 global ranking is the main filter, Arel isn't there. But for students who care about program quality, English instruction, internship links, and a genuine international campus environment in Istanbul, the ranking numbers tell only part of the story.
Arel University Tuition Fees 2026
This is probably the strongest card Arel holds for international students. Istanbul Arel University fees are among the most competitive for a private university in Istanbul.
Associate degree programs: starting from around $1,860-$2,000 per year, making them genuinely one of the most affordable entry points for studying in Istanbul.
Undergraduate bachelor programs: most faculties, including engineering, business, law, communication, and social sciences, range between $3,500 and $8,000 per year. English-taught bachelor tracks tend to sit closer to the $8,000 band.
Medicine: approximately $15,000 per year. Worth flagging immediately: the medicine program at Arel is taught in Turkish only. There's no English-medium medicine option here. Dentistry and pharmacy are also not offered. So if you're specifically searching for English-taught medicine in Turkey, Arel isn't the right fit for that.
Master's programs: ranging from $2,800 to $8,000 per year depending on whether it's thesis or non-thesis track and the specific faculty.
PhD programs: around $5,500 per year.
These figures should be confirmed directly with the international office before applying, since Arel officially states on its website that tuition fees are reviewed and updated annually at the start of each academic year.
Payment can be made in two installments per year, which helps with budgeting. Application through the international admissions process carries no application fee.
Scholarships and Financial Support
Arel offers scholarship options for international students based on academic performance and financial need. Partial tuition waivers are available, and some agency-assisted applications come with additional discounts on top of standard scholarship amounts. If you're applying through an authorized representative or education consultant, it's worth asking specifically about any current discount structures for your target program.
There's no publicly published fixed scholarship table, so contact the international office early to understand what's available for your intake cycle and program.
Academic Programs and Faculties
Istanbul Arel University runs nine faculties plus graduate and vocational schools, with over 30 undergraduate programs and more than 25 postgraduate options. Here's how the main faculties break down:
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture - Computer engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, and architecture. The main Tepekent campus hosts well-equipped labs for technical programs. Students can also access over 2,500 industry partnership agreements, including links with companies like Mercedes, for internships and training certifications.
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Medicine (Turkish-medium), nursing, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, and related health programs. The medical and health sciences faculty moved into a dedicated campus in Cevizlibag, with laboratories occupying around 2,000 square meters. Clinical simulation centers support practical training alongside theoretical coursework.
Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences - Business administration, international trade, finance, marketing, and human resources management. Both bachelor and master programs are available, and the faculty has active internship connections in Istanbul's financial and corporate sectors.
Faculty of Law - Law degrees with a strong emphasis on international law and European law. Useful for students looking toward international legal careers or postgraduate legal studies abroad.
Faculty of Communication - Journalism, public relations, advertising, and visual communication design. The Sefakoy campus includes a professional television and radio studio used for practical training in media programs.
Faculty of Fine Arts - Graphic design, interior architecture, and related creative programs.
Faculty of Arts and Sciences - Psychology, translation and interpreting, and related disciplines.
Faculty of Education - Teaching programs at undergraduate and graduate level.
The language question is important here: English is the medium of instruction in a number of programs and departments, but not all. Some faculties operate in Turkish. Before applying, check the specific language of instruction for your chosen program directly with the international admissions team. Don't assume - it varies by department.
Campuses in Istanbul
Arel operates across three campuses in Istanbul, each serving different faculties:
Tepekent Campus (Kemal Gözükara Campus) - The main campus, located on the outskirts of Istanbul in Tepekent. Houses engineering, architecture, health sciences, and arts faculties. It's a spacious environment with sports facilities, student residences, laboratories, and a library. The atmosphere is quieter and more campus-like than the city center, which suits students who prefer a focused study environment.
Sefakoy Campus - Located in central Istanbul, this campus hosts economics, communication, and fine arts faculties. The 400 smart classrooms and professional media production studio make it a hub for business and communication students. It has cafes, student clubs, and easy public transport access.
Cevizlibag Campus - The dedicated medicine and health sciences campus, where the medical faculty's labs and clinical facilities are located.
The two main campuses are connected by Istanbul's metro and bus network, so getting between them isn't complicated. Istanbul's public transport is affordable, and student transit cards bring the cost down further.
Admission Requirements
For undergraduate programs, you'll need your high school diploma, official transcripts, a valid passport, and proof of English proficiency. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 are the standard benchmarks for English-medium programs. A personal statement is also typically required. Some programs may have additional criteria.
For graduate admissions: a relevant bachelor's degree, academic transcripts, two letters of recommendation, English test results, and in some cases a research proposal or statement of purpose. PhD applicants should expect a more detailed academic review process.
Applications go through the official international student portal. The international admissions office actively supports students through the visa application and Turkish residence permit process after acceptance, which is genuinely helpful given how much paperwork a Turkish student visa involves.
YÖS (the Turkish University Entrance Exam for foreign students) is accepted but generally not required for private universities like Arel. Check with the admissions team for your specific program.
Erasmus+ and International Exchange
Arel joined the Erasmus+ program in 2014, and it's been one of the university's international highlights since. Through Erasmus+, students can spend one or two semesters at partner universities across Europe, with credits transferred back and Erasmus grants covering part of the living costs abroad. Staff also participate in teaching and training mobility programs under the same scheme.
Beyond Europe, Arel has bilateral cooperation agreements with universities in Germany, the United States, Japan, and other Asian countries. The university describes itself as having partnerships across more than 2,500 international companies and institutions, which feeds into both exchange programs and internship placement. That's a serious number for a university of Arel's size, and it reflects a real commitment to industry connection rather than just academic partnerships on paper.
Campus Life and Student Support
The student community at Arel is genuinely diverse. Over 1,400 international students from more than 70 countries are enrolled, alongside a larger Turkish student body. That mix creates a real multicultural atmosphere in both campuses.
Student clubs cover music, sports, entrepreneurship, arts, and cultural societies. Cultural events, concerts, exhibitions, and university-organized city excursions give international students ways to engage beyond the classroom. The university's location in Istanbul is itself part of the experience: a city of 15 million people, bridging Europe and Asia, with cultural sites, a vibrant food scene, and a growing startup ecosystem.
Accommodation is available on campus at Tepekent, with furnished dormitories including internet, laundry, and cafeteria access. For students who prefer off-campus living, the areas around both main campuses have affordable student-friendly rental options.
The International Student Office handles orientation, ongoing support, residence permit guidance, and health insurance information. From what I've seen helping students navigate Turkish admissions, the quality of this office-level support varies a lot between institutions, and Arel's reputation here is generally positive among international students already enrolled.
Is Arel University Worth It in 2026?
For the right profile of student, yes. If you're looking for an affordable private university in Istanbul, with English-available programs in engineering, business, law, communication, or health sciences, active Erasmus exchange opportunities, and a multicultural campus environment, Arel University delivers on those fronts without asking you to pay premium prices.
The things to be clear-eyed about: medicine is Turkish-medium only, the global ranking numbers are modest, and some programs are Turkish-taught so you need to check language of instruction carefully before applying. But none of those are dealbreakers if your program of interest is English-taught and your priority is getting a YÖK-accredited Turkish degree from an Istanbul private university at a cost that doesn't stretch your budget to breaking point.
For 2026, Istanbul Arel University holds up as a solid mid-range option in Turkey's private university landscape.
