Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

The Turkish universities recognized in Iraq are those that have been granted recognition by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education. This means that any degree issued by these universities is officially recognized in Iraq.

For this year, the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education has issued a new list that includes all Turkish universities recognized in Iraq, both public and private.

Therefore, this article is a comprehensive guide to Turkish universities recognized in Iraq for the year 2026, aimed at Iraqi students who wish to study at their own expense (self-funded study).

Note: (All information contained in this article is updated for the year 2026, and is taken from official, reliable sources under the supervision of educational consultants officially accredited by private Turkish universities, as well as from official university websites and according to the tuition fee guide of the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK – Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education).)

List of Private Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

Istanbul Aydın University – Aydin University

Istanbul Aydın University is a private university founded in 2007 in Istanbul. It is the preferred choice for many students among the recognized universities, and it is also one of the universities accredited in Jordan and even in Syria.

Tuition fees at Aydın University start from $5,000 and reach up to $25,000 per year for Medicine (Human Medicine).

Bahçeşehir University 

Bahçeşehir University is one of the private universities that is internationally recognized in many countries, including European countries and several Arab countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Tuition fees at Bahçeşehir University start from $5,950 and can reach $28,000 per year for Medicine.

Istanbul Medipol University 

Istanbul Medipol University is the most preferred option for many Iraqi students who are interested in studying medical specialties in Turkey, as it holds various international accreditations that attest to its strong academic standards. Most importantly, it is among the universities recognized in Iraq.

Tuition fees at Medipol University range from $4,500 and may reach up to $44,000 for medical programs.

Istanbul Bilgi University 

Bilgi University is considered one of the best private Turkish universities recognized in Iraq. It was founded in 1996 in Istanbul and is the first Turkish university to obtain WASC international accreditation in Turkey. It is distinguished in teaching engineering majors as well as arts and sciences.

For the year 2026, tuition fees at Bilgi University range between $4,800 and $15,200 per year.

Istanbul Gelişim University

Gelişim University is classified among the most accredited Turkish universities, as more than 65 bachelor’s programs have been accredited there due to the university’s adherence to international and European teaching standards. For this reason, it is considered one of the best Turkish universities recognized in Iraq.

For the year 2026, tuition fees at Gelişim University range between $3,500 and $17,250 per year.

Fenerbahçe University 

Fenerbahçe University is one of the leading private Turkish universities, and it has recently been recognized in Iraq. This recognition is well deserved, as the university adheres to global teaching standards and provides excellent infrastructure for training and development at both professional and personal levels for students.

For the year 2026, tuition fees at Fenerbahçe University range between $2,677.5 and $8,000 per year.

Özyeğin University 

Özyeğin University is considered the most affordable private Turkish university recognized in Iraq. It also stands out for its modern academic programs and numerous international accreditations, especially in the fields of engineering, architecture and aviation.

For the year 2026, tuition fees at Özyeğin University range between $2,300 and $22,000 per year.

Atilim University 

If you are looking for a private Turkish university in Ankara that is recognized in Iraq, then Atilim University is the ideal choice. It follows the latest teaching curricula, has a strong academic staff, and applies advanced modern teaching technologies.

For the year 2026, tuition fees at Atilim University range between $11,000 and $26,000 per year.

Acıbadem University 

If you are wondering about the best Turkish university recognized in Iraq for studying Medicine, it is Acıbadem University. The university specializes in teaching medical majors according to international standards and provides fully equipped laboratories and research centers to implement comprehensive training programs.

Tuition Fees at Acıbadem University for the New Academic Year

(The article mentions this heading but does not list the detailed fees under it.)

Important Note

According to a statement issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education, any student who obtains a residence permit in Turkey, regardless of its type, and enrolls in a Turkish university will have the degree issued by that university recognized in Iraq.

List of Public Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

• Atatürk University 

• Ankara University 

• Hacettepe University 

• Istanbul Technical University 

• Middle East Technical University – Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi (METU)

• Gazi University

• Ege University

• Istanbul University 

Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq for Master’s Studies

The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education recognizes all university degrees issued by the following Turkish universities for master’s-level studies:

• Istanbul Aydın University

• Bahçeşehir University

• Gelişim University

• Medipol University

• Bilgi University

• Özyeğin University

• Atilim University

• Fenerbahçe University

Is Studying Medicine in Turkey Recognized in Iraq?

Yes. Doctors who have completed their studies in Human Medicine or any other medical specialty at one of the Turkish universities recognized in Iraq can have their degrees equivalized and are allowed to practice the profession in Iraq and in many other countries around the world.

Advantages of Studying at Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

• Obtaining a degree recognized in Iraq means the student can have their qualification equivalized if they wish to return to the country and work there.

• Turkish universities recognized in Iraq are distinguished by their high academic standards and by simulating the best universities in the world, which ensures that students receive top-quality education.

• Most universities recognized in Iraq use English as the main language of instruction, especially private universities.

• Many recognized universities participate in the Türkiye Scholarship (the Turkish government scholarship program), and some of them also offer partial scholarships of up to 40% on tuition fees.

Admission Requirements for Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

There are several different requirements, as follows:

Admission Requirements for Public Universities

• First, you must pass an aptitude / entrance exam such as YÖS (the Turkish exam for international students) or SAT, especially if you want to enroll in medical faculties.

• High school diploma.

• It is preferable to submit a language proficiency certificate, either TOEFL or IELTS for English, or TÖMER for Turkish.

Admission Requirements for Private Universities

A high school diploma is required, and even a first-semester transcript is sufficient for students to apply to most faculties, including the Faculty of Medicine, without any additional conditions.

Steps to Enroll in Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

• Decide on your university major.

• Select the recognized universities where you would like to study.

• Prepare the documents required for admission.

• After submitting the documents, you will receive an initial conditional acceptance.

• The condition is to pay a specific amount of money in order to obtain final acceptance.

• After that, you can start the procedures for obtaining a student visa to Turkey.

As official representatives (agents) of Turkish universities, you can contact us to receive student counseling and a university admission offer free of charge.

Available Majors at Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

Turkish universities cover a wide range of scientific fields at all academic levels, from associate degree (diploma) programs all the way to PhD. The most prominent majors include Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, and Nutrition & Dietetics.

They are also known for offering top engineering programs such as Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering.

In addition, they offer programs in Management Information Systems, Psychology, Business Administration, International Trade, and many other specialties.

How to Choose Among Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq

• Your university major, so you can identify the Turkish universities that are strongest in teaching it.

• The academic level you wish to study: PhD, Master’s, or Bachelor’s.

• The city in which you prefer to study, if you want a particular Turkish city.

• The total cost of study.

• Academic accreditations and recognitions.

Best Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq for Studying Medicine

• Medipol University

• Istanbul Aydın University

• Bahçeşehir University

Best Turkish Universities Recognized in Iraq for Studying Engineering

• Gelişim University

• Özyeğin University

• Istanbul Aydın University

Frequently Asked Questions

1 - What are the Turkish universities recognized in Iraq?

• Medipol University

• Istanbul Aydın University

• Bahçeşehir University

• Bilgi University

• Fenerbahçe University

• Gelişim University

• Atilim University

• Özyeğin University

• Acıbadem University

2 - Are Turkish university degrees recognized in Iraq?

Degrees from Turkish universities are recognized in Iraq provided that the university from which the student graduates is recognized in Iraq. Therefore, the student must make sure that the university they plan to study at is recognized before paying any tuition fees. This can be confirmed by contacting us, or by checking directly with the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education.

3 - Is Maltepe University recognized in Iraq?

No, currently Maltepe University is not recognized in Iraq. You can confirm this by visiting the official website of the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education, which has issued a new list of universities recognized for the year 2026—and Maltepe University was not included in that list.

4 - Is Altınbaş University recognized internationally?

Altınbaş University is recognized internationally and by the European Union as well. It is also recognized by Arab countries, with the exception of Iraq.

Conclusion

Turkish universities recognized in Iraq hold some of the best global rankings, and they are among the top choices for studying various scientific fields, gaining strong professional competence, and obtaining a graduation certificate that is internationally recognized.

To find out which universities are recognized in Iraq for sponsored students (scholarship students), you can visit the website of the Scholarships Department (Dā’irat al-Ba‘thāt) to keep track of updates to the list of institutions recognized in Iraq.