Best MBA Programs in Turkey

The Best MBA Programs in Turkey and Cyprus

One of the most popular graduate degrees in the world is the Master’s in Business Administration, and it is continuing to grow at a steady rate. Countries like the US, UK, Canada, and others are seeing more and more students enroll in their programs with increasing diversity. Turkey is not an exception when it comes to the fact that business administration ranks as one of the top career paths for students [insert link to top fields of study in Turkey article] around the world.

Many international businesspeople and students come to Turkey to continue their education and help advance their careers through the country’s high-quality MBA programs and access to Istanbul, the major international hub bridging Europe and Asia. Turkish universities offer a wide range of MBA opportunities, but with so many world-class programs to choose from, where do students begin their search? We’ve compiled a list of Turkey’s best MBA programs for…

...the price

MBAs have among the highest enrollment and tuition rates in the world, and while financial aid and scholarships are often available to those who qualify, for many, these either aren’t an option or don’t cover enough of the tuition cost to allow students to attend a given program. Luckily, those interested in Turkish MBA programs have less to worry about – with some of the most affordable MBA programs in the world, the country, and renowned universities like Middle East Technical University, attract students from around the world.

METU’s MBA program offers students with backgrounds in a wide range of disciplines a comprehensive education in management skills. The rigorous curriculum equips students with an enhanced awareness of an organization and the challenges they face, and is aimed at developing the student's ability to apply managerial concepts and techniques to practical business situations. While the program offers no formal concentrations, this gives students the flexibility to craft their own through the many electives offered at the school.

Founded in 1956, Middle East Technical University is a public institution located in Ankara, Turkey’s capital. The school offers a total of 43 undergraduate programs in five faculties of undergraduate programs, and 107 graduate and 69 doctorate programs available.

Learn more about Middle East Technical University’s MBA program here.

...the large campus student

Many students taking part in a new and unfamiliar environment prefer to blend in with their surroundings. Large campuses and student bodies allow those pursuing MBA degrees in Turkey the chance to meet thousands of students from around the world and figure out their new life by learning societal norms and expectations. While many universities in Turkey can offer this advantage, one of the best is Istanbul Aydin University.

Aydin’s MBA Program is designed to train professional executives who are seeking to advance their careers. The program provides infrastructure surrounding key academic and analytical information directed at candidates who have a role as a leader in their companies. Istanbul Aydin University’s MBA prides itself on offering an efficient and interactive educational atmosphere that adapts to the world’s constantly changing dynamics and develops students’ abilities to find constructive solutions for management challenges.

With over 39,000 students enrolled and a campus located in Turkey’s largest city, MBA students looking for a large campus have found the right match with Istanbul Aydin University. Considered to be one of the most premier private universities since its establishment, Istanbul Aydin University, with its campuses in Bahcelievler and Florya, exceeds student expectations with its state-of-the-art techno centers, world famous research centers, and rigorous academic units.

Learn more about Istanbul Aydin University’s MBA program here.

...the small campus student

Some students take a different approach when it comes to university. Rather than incorporate themselves into a program surrounded by thousands of others, they prefer the comfort provided by a smaller institution. Feeling that they are a part of a more familial community is more important to them than blending into the crowd or having a larger network. If you prefer this, Istanbul Sehir University’s MBA program might be for you.

Sehir’s MBA programs aim to help students develop the leadership, administrative, and managerial skills needed to find success in the global business world. The MBA is constructed with keen awareness of contemporary academic and professional knowledge as unique and dynamic programs specific to the Turkish business world. The program is designed to meet individual needs and enrich knowledge through engagement with business leaders and faculty who have specialized in their field both academically and professionally.

Istanbul Sehir University is a private school that serves as home to just under 4,000 students each year, making it one of Turkey’s smaller universities. As of 2016, the university has six faculties, three graduate institutes, a vocational high school, and a language school.

Learn more about Istanbul Sehir University’s MBA program here.

...the Island of Cyprus

Cyprus is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, just south of Turkey and east of Palestine. The island is divided into two sections, the southern of which is Greek and the northern of which is Turkish. Providing a unique landscape both physically and culturally, the island is an ideal place for students to take their studies, especially considering the high quality of schools located there. For students interested in pursuing their MBA on Cyprus, one of the best institutions is Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU).

EMU’s MBA program is open to graduates from all academic backgrounds and has thesis and non-thesis routes. The program tends to last for three semesters without a thesis, and usually slightly longer should students choose the thesis option; however, depending on your background, a semester of foundation courses may be necessary prior to or together with your regular courses. Those students looking to continue to their PhD are encouraged to complete the program with a thesis, and those aiming to work in the industry after completion should complete their MBA without a thesis.

With a highly developed infrastructure, prominent academic staff members, 20,000 students from 106 and 1,100 academics from 35 different countries, international accreditations, and a diploma recognized throughout the world, EMU prepares its students for their international careers by educating them in becoming creative and competitive individuals with enhanced entrepreneurial skills.

Learn more about Eastern Mediterranean University’s MBA program here.

...You

This part is where you come in. Weighing the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, focuses and emphases of different universities can be a challenging task. Be sure to consider your top priorities – whether you want to study for one year or two, what your budget looks like, and where you would like you see yourself post-graduation – before making your final decision and sending in your applications.

It’s a big decision, but whatever you choose, the breadth and quality of MBA programs in Turkey provide the perfect place to begin or continue your career once you’ve completed your chosen MBA program.