Hacettepe University; Turkey’s Medical Hub and Ankara’s Health Square
When it comes to medical education in Turkey, few names are as familiar to professionals and students as Hacettepe. A state-run university with an area of nearly 6.3 million square meters, it has grown from a small medical center to one of the most renowned medical centers in the world. If you are looking for a major in health, engineering or basic sciences and have met the admission standards, Hacettepe could be your first choice.
A story that began with a children’s hospital
The history of this university is more interesting than many other universities, as it started from the lowest level of medical care and reached the peak of science. The path of Hacettepe’s formation can be traced as follows:
– 1957 – Establishment of the “Children’s Health and Medicine Institute” in Ankara; the point where the first cornerstone of this university was laid.
– 1961 — Expansion of the institution and its name change to “Health and Medical Science Center”.
– 1963 — Upgrade to “Medical and Health Science University” and the beginning of scientific fame at the national level.
– 1967 — Officialization of the name “Hajtepe University” and the beginning of a new chapter in Turkish higher education.
It is interesting to know that the main center of the university is located in a square that the locals call “Health Square”; a nickname given to this spot due to Hajtepe’s boundless fame in medicine.
Figures that emerged from this university
The output of Hajtepe was not only doctors and engineers; this university has introduced famous figures to the international community, including:
– Professor Canan Dağdeviren: MIT professor and one of the world’s leading figures in physics, who is also on the list of the most influential young scientists.
– Tekin Bingöl: Former Speaker of the Turkish Parliament and one of the country’s well-known political figures.
Hacettepe in the Mirror of World Rankings
Perhaps the most important sign of the university’s credibility is its position in international rankings:
– First place among Turkish state and public universities
– 179th best university in the world among medical universities
– 251st place in the prestigious Times ranking
– The world’s best medical university in 2019 according to the American Center for Scientific Statistics
The ranking table of this university in 2025 is as follows:
Rank in ARWU equivalent: 601
Rank in CWTS equivalent: 451
Rank in QS equivalent: 801
Rank in RUR equivalent: 391
Rank in USNWR equivalent: 532
Academic structure; Faculties and Institutes
Hajettepe has a complete and diverse set of educational centers: 14 faculties, 13 research institutes, 4 departments and 2 schools.
Its faculties include:
Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Communications, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Education, Engineering and Technology, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Law, Literature, Basic Sciences, and Language Sciences.
It is noteworthy that a field called the Faculty of Dentistry also has a separate branch in the city of Qastamonu (Black Sea coast).
Specialized departments also include: Educational Sciences, Foreign Language Teaching, Preparatory Education, and Basic Sciences and Pre-university Mathematics.
Schools also include the Foreign Languages School (with three languages: English, German and French) and the Sports Sciences School, which offers certificate courses.
The university’s 13 research institutes also operate in the following areas:
Turkish History Studies (Atatürk Institute), Child Health, Demography, Pure and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences, Health and Hygiene, Fine Arts, Public Health, Neuroscience, Cancer Studies, Nuclear Science and Energy, Turkish Language and Literature, and Environment and Sustainable Development.
Student and Faculty Statistics (2025)
Number of Students by Degree
Associate: 5,484Bachelor: 37,004Master: 5,960PhD: 4,292
The university’s faculty includes more than 1,000 teaching staff, 1,581 research staff, and 559 special faculty members in the medical schools. In addition, 58 visiting faculty members of American and European origin also teach at the university.
Main and Popular Majors
Although medicine and dentistry are the most important and prestigious majors at Hacettepe and there is a heavy competition for admission every year, this university is not limited to the health field and offers a variety of majors:
– Pharmacy
– Economics
– English Language and Literature
– Physiotherapy
– Nursing
– Communication Sciences
– Law
– Health and Wellness
– Sports Sciences
– Engineering
Receiving scholarships and admission requirements for each of these majors are different, and each has its own independent tuition fees. However, the most prestigious gateways to entering this university are the SAT and YÖS exams.
Educational and Welfare Facilities
Life at Hacettepe is not just about the classroom:
– Dormitories: More than 20 dormitories with a capacity of over 10,000 students; single to quadruple rooms, bathrooms, internet, gym, and library.
– Counseling Centers: 10 specialized counseling and psychology centers for students, staff, and the general public.
– Hospitals and Clinics: 2 state-of-the-art hospitals and 5 clinics with specialized and sub-specialized services.
– Sports Halls: 20 equipped halls for individual and group sports and 6 professional sports teams at the provincial level.
– Libraries and Laboratories: 466 active libraries and laboratories along with 150 student self-governing organizations and associations.
– Baytepe Campus: An artificial forest and a suitable place for walking, cycling, and recreational activities.
Admission Requirements; What You Need to Know
Getting accepted to Hacettepe is not for everyone, and this is exactly what keeps its degree valuable. Key Points:
Language Proficiency
Study at this university for international students requires full proficiency in Turkish or English. The university announces the courses open to foreign students every year, and after reviewing the documents, applicants are invited to an academic interview.
Admission with SAT and high GPA
– Main admission is done through the SAT exam with a score above 1200.
– For a limited number of students whose high school and pre-university GPA is above 18, there is a possibility of admission without an exam.
– This university does not accept the YÖS exam and the assessments are carried out under the supervision of the American Collegeboard.
– The SAT exam is not limited to Turkey; you can take it anywhere in the world. This exam is held 6 times a year.
Important note: Passing the SAT takes precedence over the GPA; that is, a good score on the test is your most important trump card, not your academic record.
Structure of medical courses
– General medicine (MD/MBBS or MD/PHD): 6-year course including three years of basic courses, two years of medical and clinical courses, and one year of internship.
– During the internship, students practice medicine under the supervision of professors and doctors.
– The MD degree is internationally recognized and graduates can work in all countries of the world.
– Dentistry and Pharmacy: 5-year courses with the best medical facilities and equipment.
– The language of instruction in medical fields is Turkish and English, and passing the English language test is essential.
Why is the admission path shorter with Nihad Group?
Admission to Hacettepe is strict and quota-based for domestic and international students; therefore, careful planning is the main criterion for success. This is exactly where Nihad Group comes in; from resume analysis and realistic major selection to SAT preparation, document compilation, and support throughout the application and visa process — we are there to maximize your chances of acceptance.
If you have any questions about your desired major requirements or the test preparation process, ask us now and we will guide you step by step.
