International Relations Research and Application Center

Greetings, I am Seda ŞAHİN, the director of the Balıkesir University International Relations Research and Application Center. Additionally, I am a faculty member in the tourism faculty of our university. Balıkesir University is a leading institution in Turkey when it comes to internationalizing higher education. We have been actively participating in the ERASMUS program since 2004, making us one of the first universities to do so.
Over the years, numerous students, academic staff, and administrative staff have benefited from educational, teaching, and internship opportunities in Europe through the ERASMUS program. Likewise, many European students and staff have had the chance to study and intern at our university. With a history dating back 113 years, our university is one of the largest and most established institutions in Turkey, with approximately 30,000 students and 3,500 staff members.
International students who choose Balıkesir University will have access to excellent facilities and a comfortable student life. Our university is situated in a unique location, with a coastline along the Marmara and Aegean Seas. Balıkesir is renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey.
Balıkesir University offers a student-friendly environment both on-campus and in the city. Although it is smaller compared to cities like Ankara, Izmir, and Istanbul, it boasts numerous facilities and resources. Our city offers a range of affordable housing options, including private and state-run dormitories, which are more budget-friendly compared to metropolitan areas. Moreover, our university has its own foundation dormitories, providing comfortable and convenient accommodation options. On-campus, there are private and state dormitories available as well.
Balıkesir University features a sprawling campus spanning 6,000 decares, making it one of the largest campuses in Turkey. The campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and offers various social, cultural, and sports opportunities for our students and staff. Notably, the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center and the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Central Library, with a capacity of approximately 1,500 people, are located on our campus. International students experience a peaceful and fulfilling educational journey, thanks to the abundance of social opportunities available on campus.
Our university provides numerous international opportunities. We were among the first universities to receive the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) label, enabling seamless credit transfers. Since 2011, our students' diplomas have had international recognition, thanks to the diploma supplement. We have approximately 250 ERASMUS agreements with 33 different countries, allowing our international students to participate in this exchange program. Additionally, we have cooperation protocols with 30 universities from 17 countries, facilitating academic events, personnel exchanges, and student collaborations. Furthermore, our university actively hosts TÜBİTAK and European Union projects at both national and international levels. International students have the opportunity to engage in these projects and benefit from them.
There are two methods to become an international student at Balıkesir University. The first is to apply with the results of the BAUN (Balıkesir University) YÖS (Foreign Student Programme) exam, organized by our university, or with other internationally recognized exam results such as TR (Turkey) YÖS (Foreign Student Programme). The second method is to apply with a diploma grade. Interested students can find detailed information and announcements on our university website or directly contact our office.
International students who wish to commence their studies at our university or improve their Turkish language skills can take advantage of the Turkish preparatory education offered at Balıkesir University TÖMER (Turkish Teaching Application and Research Center). Tuition fees for international students vary depending on the desired departments and programs. Each year, we announce the fees on our website prior to the application period. For instance, for the 2023-2024 academic year, students pursuing engineering studies are required to pay an annual fee of 22,000 TL, while those in the Faculty of Health Sciences only need to pay 15,000 TL per year.
Balıkesir University is highly sought-after due to its exceptional educational, training, research, and socio-cultural accommodation opportunities. We eagerly await international students who wish to join the Balıkesir University family and wish them success in their educational journey.