Medipol University vs Biruni University : Full Comparison for International Students 2026
If you have been researching medical or health science universities in Istanbul, there is a good chance that two names kept showing up in your search results: Istanbul Medipol University and Biruni University. Both are private foundation universities located in Istanbul, both have strong reputations especially in health sciences, and both actively welcome international students with English medium programs, scholarship options and their own teaching hospitals. But they are not the same institution, and the differences between them are real and important.
A lot of students make the mistake of choosing a university based only on what looks good in a brochure or what an agent recommends without fully understanding what each place actually offers. The faculty structure is different, the hospital training facilities are different, the research environment is different, and the level of international recognition each university has achieved so far in 2026 is also different. These things matter a lot when you are making a decision that will affect four to six years of your life and your career after graduation.
This comparison guide is written specifically for international students who are seriously considering either Medipol University or Biruni University in 2026 and want honest, updated information before they make a decision. We go through everything that actually matters including university rankings, available faculties and programs, teaching hospital facilities, scholarship options, admission requirements, campus environment and which type of student each university is better suited for.
Before we get into the full comparison, here are a few quick facts worth knowing. Istanbul Medipol University was founded in 2009 and currently has over 12,000 international students enrolled from 109 different countries. Biruni University was established in 2014, named after the famous Islamic scholar Al-Biruni, and has over 3,500 international students from more than 80 countries. Both universities are officially approved by YOK which is the Turkish Council of Higher Education, and both operate their own teaching hospitals in Istanbul that serve as clinical training facilities for medicine, dentistry and health sciences students.
If you are trying to decide between these two universities, this guide will give you everything you need to make a confident and well informed choice for 2026.
Before we start comparing Medipol University vs Biruni University in detail, here is a quick look at what each university is about:
Istanbul Medipol University
The university started in 2009 so it has some years of experience and is now very famous especially if you want to study anything related to health or medicine
There are more than 12,000 international students from 109 countries currently studying there which really shows how international the campus is
According to the TUBITAK index for 2025 it ranked 7th among the private universities in Turkey for entrepreneurship
Scimago puts the university at rank 734 globally and it is 20th inside Turkey out of 112 institutions
In the Webometrics 2025 list it is ranked 65th in Turkey and 2,430 in the whole world
The URAP ranking for 2024 to 2025 says it is 66th in Turkey among 166 universities total
Times Higher Education places Medipol in the 1001 plus category for its world rankings
One of the best things about it is the Medipol Mega Hospital because it is one of the biggest private hospitals in Istanbul and students can train there
They offer more than 100 different programs for bachelor and master degrees
Their strongest departments are medicine dentistry pharmacy engineering and also business administration
Biruni University Istanbul
This university was established in 2014 and they named it after Al Biruni who was a very famous scientist in Islamic history
Right now they have over 3,500 students from about 80 different countries studying on their campus
Even though it is a younger university they already have more than 22,000 graduates working now
The total number of students they have at the moment is around 13,600
They own a Technopark with over 300 startup companies which is great for people who like innovation and research
The university has its own medical hospital and a dental hospital in Istanbul so students get real clinical practice
They have seven faculties including medicine and dentistry but also education and applied sciences
All programs are approved by YOK and they have EPDAD accreditation for their education department
You can find more than 90 programs starting from bachelor degree up to PhD level
The main campus is located in Zeytinburnu on the European side so it is very easy to go there using public transport
Rankings are not the only thing that matters when choosing a university but they do give you a useful sense of where each institution stands academically and in terms of research output. When comparing Medipol University vs Biruni University, here is an honest picture of both universities for 2026.
Istanbul Medipol University Ranking and Global Standing
Medipol is a relatively young university founded in 2009 but it has moved up quite fast in the rankings considering its age. Here is where it stands right now:
Scimago Institutions Rankings 2025 places it 734th globally out of 3,897 universities and 20th in Turkey out of 112 universities, which is genuinely strong for a private university this young
Webometrics World Ranking 2025 puts it at 2,430th globally and 65th inside Turkey
URAP University Ranking Index 2024 to 2025 ranks it 66th in Turkey out of 166 universities and 2,090th globally
Times Higher Education puts it in the 1001 plus group in the World University Rankings and 401 plus in the Young Universities classification specifically
TUBITAK Entrepreneurship Index 2025 ranked it 7th among all foundation universities in Turkey, selected from 185 universities total
In terms of QS ranking Istanbul Medipol University sits in an emerging and growing group of competitive private universities in Turkey
Biruni University Istanbul Ranking
Biruni is younger, founded in 2014, and its global ranking profile is still developing. But there are other indicators worth looking at:
Approved by YOK and holds EPDAD accreditation for its education programs which signals institutional quality
Recognized by several European and Arab countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Libya and Yemen
Biruni Technopark with over 300 startups contributes to the university research and innovation profile
BAMER the Biruni Research Center runs active research projects across all faculties
To be straightforward, in the Medipol University vs Biruni University comparison, Medipol currently holds a stronger position in global ranking indices. But Biruni has grown very fast since 2014 and its health sciences infrastructure and hospital facilities are genuinely competitive with much older institutions.
Istanbul Medipol University Faculties and Programs
When weighing Medipol University vs Biruni University in terms of academic offerings, Medipol has a quite broad range compared to most private universities in Turkey. Here is what is available for international students in 2026:
Faculty of Medicine
International School of Medicine taught 100 percent in English
School of Medicine taught 30 percent in English and 70 percent in Turkish, which is the more affordable track
Faculty of Dentistry
Available fully in English or in the mixed English and Turkish format
Faculty of Pharmacy
Offered in both English and Turkish tracks depending on your preference and budget
School of Health Sciences
Covers nursing, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, nutrition and dietetics, audiology, midwifery and health management among others
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Includes computer engineering, biomedical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering and civil engineering
School of Business
Covers economics and finance, international trade and finance, management information systems, logistics management, aviation management, banking and insurance and psychology
Most of these are available fully in English
School of Law
Available in mixed English and Turkish format
Biruni University Faculties and Programs
Biruni focuses more heavily on health sciences and engineering but still covers a solid range of disciplines. Here is what international students can study:
Faculty of Medicine
Offered in English and Turkish with clinical training done at Biruni University Hospital in Istanbul
Faculty of Dentistry
Strong practical component using the university own dental hospital for hands on training
Faculty of Pharmacy
Available in English and Turkish tracks
Faculty of Health Sciences
Includes physiotherapy and rehabilitation, nursing and related health programs
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Covers computer engineering, biomedical engineering and molecular biology and genetics
Faculty of Education
Special education and psychological counseling, accredited by EPDAD
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Interior architecture, management information systems and similar fields
Graduate School
Master and PhD programs available across all major disciplines
For students choosing between these two universities for medicine, dentistry or health sciences, the hospital training setup is honestly one of the most important things to look at. Here is how both universities compare on this point in the Medipol University vs Biruni University debate.
Medipol University Hospital
Medipol Mega Hospital is probably the biggest practical advantage the university offers to health sciences students. Here is what makes it stand out:
It is one of the largest private hospitals in Istanbul and in Turkey overall, which means students get exposure to a very high volume and variety of clinical cases
Medical, dental, pharmacy and health sciences students all get direct clinical training access through this facility
Real patient interaction starts from the early stages of the program, not just in the final years like at some other universities
The scale of the hospital means students are training in a real working medical environment with proper departments, specialists and equipment
This is a significant advantage for students who plan to work in clinical settings after graduation, especially in competitive markets
Biruni University Hospital Istanbul
Biruni also has its own hospital setup which is important to understand before you make a decision:
Biruni University Hospital is located in the Kucukcekmece area of Istanbul and serves as the main clinical training facility for medicine and health sciences students
Students get hands on training through direct patient interaction, simulation centers and advanced laboratory work
The hospital supports the faculty of medicine with a real working environment for clinical practice from early years
The university also runs a completely separate dental hospital specifically for dentistry students, which is a good sign because it means dedicated facilities rather than shared spaces
Both hospitals are connected to the university academically which keeps the training structured and supervised properly
Overall, when evaluating Medipol University vs Biruni University on clinical infrastructure, both universities take training seriously and have real facilities to support it, not just agreements with outside hospitals.
Fees are honestly one of the biggest factors when comparing these two universities, and the difference between them is quite significant especially for medicine and dentistry. Both universities offer much more affordable options compared to equivalent programs in Europe or North America, but you need to look carefully at each program because prices vary a lot depending on the language of instruction.
One important thing before the tables. If you apply through Imtiyaz Education, the application is completely free of charge and students also benefit from extra discounts that are not available when applying directly. The team also provides free visa assistance and residence permit support for their students, which saves a lot of time and stress especially for first time international students. They have helped a large number of students get admitted to both Medipol and Biruni and you can read more about their services and student experiences on their about us page at About us.
Istanbul Medipol University, Bachelor Programs, Annual Tuition USD
Program | Language | Original Fees USD | Discounted Fees USD |
|---|---|---|---|
Medicine | English | 44,000 | 43,750 |
Medicine | 30% English 70% Turkish | 34,000 | 33,750 |
Dentistry | English | 34,000 | 33,750 |
Dentistry | 30% English 70% Turkish | 33,000 | 32,750 |
Pharmacy | English | 18,000 | 17,750 |
Pharmacy | Turkish | 15,000 | 14,750 |
Artificial Intelligence Engineering | English | 10,000 | 9,750 |
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation | English | 9,500 | 9,250 |
Nursing | Turkish | 8,750 | 8,500 |
Law | 30% English 70% Turkish | 8,000 | 7,750 |
Midwifery | Turkish | 8,000 | 7,750 |
Computer Engineering | English | 6,500 | 6,250 |
Biomedical Engineering | English | 6,500 | 6,250 |
Nursing | English | 6,000 | 5,750 |
Business Administration | English | 5,500 | 5,250 |
Psychology | English | 5,500 | 5,250 |
Civil Engineering | English | 5,000 | 4,750 |
Architecture | English | 5,000 | 4,750 |
Economy and Finance | English | 4,500 | 4,250 |
International Trade and Finance | English | 4,500 | 4,250 |
Management Information Systems | English | 4,500 | 4,250 |
Aviation Management | English | 4,500 | 4,250 |
Healthcare Management | English | 4,500 | 4,250 |
Students who pay the full yearly tuition in one installment receive a 10 percent advance payment discount. A 15 percent special country discount is also available for students from specific countries including most Arab countries. Both discounts can sometimes be combined.
Biruni University, Bachelor Programs, Annual Tuition USD
Program | Language | Annual Tuition USD |
|---|---|---|
Medicine | English | 21,000 |
Dentistry | English | 21,000 |
Pharmacy | English | 12,000 |
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation | English | 5,000 |
Biomedical Engineering | English | 5,000 |
Computer Engineering | English and Turkish | from 4,000 |
Molecular Biology and Genetics | English and Turkish | from 4,000 |
Nursing and Health Sciences | English and Turkish | from 4,000 |
Faculty of Applied Sciences | English and Turkish | from 3,500 |
Faculty of Education Programs | Turkish | from 2,400 |
A 10 percent discount is available at Biruni when paying the full annual fee in a single installment.
Master and PhD Programs, Annual Tuition USD
University | Program Level | Language | Annual Tuition USD |
|---|---|---|---|
Istanbul Medipol University | Master Programs | English or Turkish | 3,000 to 5,000 |
Istanbul Medipol University | MBA without thesis | English | 4,000 |
Istanbul Medipol University | MBA with thesis | English | 4,500 |
Istanbul Medipol University | PhD Programs | English or Turkish | 6,000 |
Istanbul Medipol University | PhD Business Administration | English | 8,000 |
Biruni University | Master Programs | English or Turkish | 3,000 to 4,000 |
Biruni University | PhD Programs | English or Turkish | 9,000 to 13,000 |
Fees are updated annually by each university board. Always verify current fees directly with the university or check Imtiyaz before applying.
Both universities have scholarship options worth knowing about before you apply. Here is an honest breakdown of what is available at each one.
Istanbul Medipol University Scholarship Options
Merit based scholarships are available for undergraduate students who finish in the top three of their class at the end of each academic year
A 10 percent advance payment discount is offered across most programs when the full yearly tuition is paid in one installment instead of two
A 15 percent special country discount is available for students coming from specific countries, mostly Arab countries, and this can sometimes be combined with the advance payment discount to reach up to 25 to 35 percent total reduction
SAT exam result scholarship of up to 15 percent is also available for students with strong SAT scores
Application to Medipol through a partner agency is completely free of charge and the university itself states that no application fees should be charged to students
Turkiye Scholarships YTB government program is also applicable for qualifying international students and covers full tuition plus accommodation and monthly stipend
Biruni University Scholarship Options
Merit based scholarships are awarded based on high school academic performance and are reviewed each year
Students who pay the full annual tuition in one single installment receive a 10 percent discount automatically
The university also considers financial need alongside academic achievement when awarding scholarship support
Turkiye Scholarships YTB government program applies at Biruni University as well for eligible international applicants
Some partner education agencies have additional discount agreements with the university that are not available when applying directly, so it is worth checking with your advisor before you apply
In general Medipol offers more structured and clearly published scholarship options while Biruni is more flexible and case by case, so it is important to ask directly about what is available for your specific program and nationality before making a final decision.
The admission process at both universities is quite straightforward for international students. Here is what you need to prepare for each one in the Medipol University vs Biruni University comparison.
Istanbul Medipol University Admission Requirements
High school diploma with a good GPA, the exact requirement varies by program and medicine and dentistry are naturally the most competitive to get into
Official transcripts from your last three years of high school, translated into English or Turkish
Valid passport copy
English proficiency certificate for English medium programs, TOEFL with a minimum score of 84 or IELTS is accepted
Some programs may also ask for SAT results or equivalent international exam scores as additional academic proof
Passport size photographs
Fall intake applications usually open from January and close around July or August, but this can vary by program so always check directly with the university
Application is completely free of charge whether you apply directly or through a partner agency
Biruni University Admission Requirements
High school diploma for undergraduate programs, or a relevant bachelor degree if you are applying for a graduate program
Official academic transcripts from previous studies
Valid passport copy
English proficiency proof for English medium programs, TOEFL is accepted and Biruni also has its own internal English Proficiency Exam for students who do not have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate yet
SAT, IB or similar international qualifications may be required depending on the specific program
Some programs require a short interview as part of the admission process
Application is free of charge, whether applying directly or through a partner agency
Fall intake is in September and October, spring intake is in February and March
Overall the admission requirements in the Medipol University vs Biruni University comparison are reasonable and accessible for most international students. The main difference is that Medipol is slightly more structured in what it asks for while Biruni has a bit more flexibility especially around language certification.
When comparing Medipol University vs Biruni University on campus life and location, there are some important differences to understand before you decide where to study and where to live.
Istanbul Medipol University Campus
Medipol is not a single campus university, it actually operates across several campuses in different parts of Istanbul which is something worth knowing before you choose where to live. Here are the main things to know:
The main campus is in Kavacik on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the Beykoz area next to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and it includes most of the faculties and university housing for male and female students
The Halic campus is located in the historic Fatih district on the European side, right on the edge of the Golden Horn, and hosts faculties like pharmacy, law, engineering, business and communication
The Bagcilar campus is where Medipol Mega Hospital is located, which is the main clinical training facility for medicine and dentistry students
All campuses are connected to public transport but students should try to find housing near their own campus because commuting between campuses daily can get tiring and expensive
The university has an international student office on campus that helps with paperwork, social integration and any issues that come up during university life
Over 12,000 international students from 109 countries study at Medipol which makes the campus environment genuinely diverse and multicultural
Biruni University Campus
The main campus is in Zeytinburnu, specifically in the Merkezefendi and Topkapi area on the European side of Istanbul
The campus is well connected by buses, trams and metro which makes it easy to get around the city
Facilities on campus include modern laboratories, simulation centers, anatomy labs, a medical library and student common areas
Biruni Technopark is on a separate campus in Kazlicesme and hosts over 300 startups linked to the university research ecosystem
Students can generally find comfortable accommodation in the surrounding neighborhoods for around 300 to 600 USD per month depending on the type of housing and exact location.
Overall in the Medipol University vs Biruni University campus comparison, Medipol offers a more distributed multi-campus experience across both sides of Istanbul while Biruni provides a more centralized and well-connected single campus setup on the European side.
After going through everything in this Medipol University vs Biruni University comparison, here is an honest summary to help you make the right decision based on what you actually need.
Medicine in English
Medipol charges 44,000 USD per year for medicine fully in English
Biruni offers medicine in English at 21,000 USD per year, which is less than half the price
Both universities have their own teaching hospitals and real structured clinical training
If budget is a concern but you still want English medium medicine with hospital training, Biruni is the more practical option
If global rankings and a larger international student community matter more to you, Medipol is the stronger choice here
Dentistry in English
Medipol charges 34,000 USD per year for dentistry in English
Biruni charges 21,000 USD per year for dentistry in English
Both have dedicated dental hospitals connected to the university for practical training
The gap in fees is significant especially when you multiply it over five or six years of study
Pharmacy in English
Medipol charges 18,000 USD per year for pharmacy in English
Biruni charges 12,000 USD per year for pharmacy in English
Biruni is again the more affordable option here without sacrificing the English medium instruction
Engineering Programs
Medipol charges 6,500 USD per year for computer engineering and biomedical engineering in English
Biruni charges 5,000 USD per year for the same programs in English
Both are solid choices but Biruni is slightly more affordable
Business Administration and MBA
Medipol has a more developed business school with wider range of English medium options
If business or MBA is your main goal, Medipol is the better fit between the two universities
Master and PhD Programs
Master programs at both universities are in similar range, generally 3,000 to 4,000 USD per year
For PhD programs Medipol starts from 6,000 USD per year while Biruni PhD fees range from 9,000 to 13,000 USD for the full program
Medipol is actually more affordable at the doctoral level
Rankings
Medipol is ranked 20th in Turkey by Scimago 2026 and 31st by Webometrics 2026
Biruni is ranked 95th in Turkey by Webometrics 2026 and is still growing its research profile
If global rankings are a priority for you, Medipol currently holds the stronger position
Overall both Istanbul Medipol University and Biruni University are legitimate YOK approved private universities with real teaching hospitals and active international student communities. The right choice in the Medipol University vs Biruni University decision comes down to your program, your budget and your career goals. What is clear is that both offer far lower fees than equivalent programs in Europe or North America, which makes Istanbul one of the smartest places to study health sciences in 2026.
