Biruni

Where is Biruni University?

Biruni University’s main campus is in the Topkapı–Cevizlibağ / Zeytinburnu area on the European side of Istanbul. This is a historic and relatively central part of the city, with access to public transport and to other educational and hospital sites around Topkapı.

The university also lists additional healthcare and research facilities. Students on clinical programs may therefore study both on the main campus and in hospital buildings.

History of Biruni University

Biruni University was founded in 2014 by the World Education Foundation (Dünya Eğitim Vakfı). It was named after Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, the scholar known for work in astronomy, mathematics and the natural sciences.

The university was created with a clear health-sciences identity rather than as a general university that later added medicine. Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other health fields have been central to its public profile from the beginning.

Is Biruni University public or private?

Biruni University is a private foundation university. It operates under YÖK rules. Admission and tuition are those of a foundation university.

Why is Biruni of interest to international students?

Biruni is frequently compared with other Istanbul health universities by applicants for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and related fields. Its location in Topkapı and its own hospital and dentistry hospital are part of that interest.

It also offers engineering, education and other non-health programs, but health remains the university’s main identity.

Programs at Biruni University

The university’s listed programs include:

• Medicine
• Dentistry, including specialist dental fields
• Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
• Health sciences such as nursing, physiotherapy, midwifery, nutrition and occupational therapy
• Engineering and related technical fields
• Education and some social-science and design programs
• Associate degrees in health and technical areas
• Master’s and doctoral programs, especially in health

Language of instruction is Turkish in most programs, with English in a smaller group. Check the language of the chosen program.

Studying medicine, dentistry and pharmacy at Biruni

These three fields are the ones international applicants ask about most. The university operates Biruni University Hospital and the Biruni University Faculty of Dentistry Hospital, which support applied and clinical training.

Hospital placement rules, language of instruction and tuition for these programs should be confirmed for the intended year. They are not the same as for engineering or associate programs.

Educational and research facilities

Biruni describes laboratories, research units and healthcare training environments as part of its campus. Because the university is health-focused, many facilities are clinical or laboratory-based rather than large sports or arts complexes.

Applied education and hospitals

The combination of a city campus and university hospitals is Biruni’s main applied-education feature. This matters most for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other clinical fields.

Student facilities and campus life

Topkapı is an urban setting. Students live in or commute to a historic, busy part of Istanbul rather than a suburban green campus. Public transport access is an advantage; city living costs and traffic should be planned for.

International programs

Biruni participates in international student admission and, where agreements exist, exchange programs such as Erasmus+. Current partnerships should be checked with the university.

Language of instruction

Turkish is the main teaching language. Some programs are in English. Applicants who need English-medium medicine or dentistry should verify that the specific program is offered in English before applying.

Admission to Biruni University

International admission depends on the program. Health programs may have additional requirements. Compare listed fees, language and program length with other Istanbul health universities on this site.

Tuition fees at Biruni University

Tuition varies widely between health and non-health programs and between languages. Use the listed fees on this page as a guide and reconfirm them for the intake year.

Accreditation and structure

Biruni is a YÖK-recognized foundation university. Any program-level accreditation or hospital affiliation details should be read on official university pages.

Advantages and features of Biruni University

• Founded in 2014 and named after Abu Rayhan al-Biruni
• Strong focus on medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health sciences
• Main campus in Topkapı / Zeytinburnu
• University hospital and dentistry hospital
• Associate, bachelor’s and graduate programs
• Urban European-side location
• Some English-taught programs alongside Turkish programs
• Also offers engineering, education and other fields

Summary: Is Biruni University a good place to study?

Biruni University is a relatively young foundation university with a clear health-education profile and its own hospitals in historic European-side Istanbul. It is most often a fit for applicants comparing Istanbul options in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health sciences.

For other fields, students should look carefully at the listed program, language and campus facilities and compare them with broader universities on this site.

Biruni University quick facts