Middle East Technical University (METU), a state university founded in 1956, currently has over 20,000 students, academic staff of about 2,700, and 37 undergraduate (bachelor's degree) programs in 5 faculties, and 77 master's and 51 PhD programs in 5 graduate schools. The University's mission statement underlines its devotion to the pursuit and application of knowledge for the social, cultural, economic, scientific and technological development of humanity and society through achievements in teaching, research and community service that are of highest international standards. METU is the leading technical university in Turkey in terms of the number of publications in international journals, and the amount of funds generated from international research projects. Almost all of faculty members have international experience, and the majority with PhD degrees received from prestigious universities abroad. METU's undergraduate and graduate programs have traditionally attracted the best qualified students.
English as the language of instruction in all its degree programs has greatly facilitated METU's efforts to accommodate international students and researchers. During the last decade, METU hosted an average of 900 international students from nearly 65 different countries studying toward myriad of academic degrees.
The reputation of METU as a world-class teaching institution has made METU an attractive destination for exchange students and faculty. At the moment, each year, there are about 35 incoming and 30 outgoing students. METU has extensive experience in mobility programs since it has already exchanged students with more than 40 universities around the world based on bilateral agreements. In order to organize exchange programs, the Study Abroad (SAO) Office was founded in 1992. This office, providing service to exchange students at METU, will also function as the Erasmus Office for EU programs. For the incoming students, ISSA office organizes an orientation program to help the students adapt to living in a new environment and culture. The Study Abroad Office co-ordinates the Welcome and Orientation Program for Exchange and Visiting Students. The Orientation program usually starts two weeks prior to the beginning of semester. The orientation program consists of TFL 271, “Survival Turkish”, a 3-credit course (6 ECTS with 42 hours) and “Contemporary Turkey”, a 3-credit course (6 ECTS with 42 hours), both of which will be partially completed before the semester begins. Both courses are offered to all exchange/erasmus and visiting/special students and attendance is compulsory during the orientation program; however, it is recommended but optional to take as credit courses during the semester.
During the orientation program, the office also arranges tours of Ankara and study trips to nearby historical sites. To get a broader perspective of the culture, they are also taken to the villages and small towns to see the contrast in life.
Exchange Students are met at the airport by METU host students upon request. For the first few days these host students are available throughout the day to help new students settle in, make telephone calls, use the bank and other facilities, and in general, to learn how to get around the campus and the city. Free rooms are provided during this orientation program.
The Office also organizes the METU International Summer School.
In addition to the guidance provided by this Office to the outgoing students, courses on various foreign languages (such as German, Italian, Spanish, French, Arabic ) prepare the outgoing students for their stay abroad.
If you would like to be an Erasmus Exchange Student at METU for one or two semesters; first of all, you should check with your International (Relations) Office at your home university if your department has a bilateral Erasmus Agreement with the equivalent department at METU. For a list of METU Erasmus Partner Universities abroad, please click.
Below, you may find the required and relevant application documents for studying at METU for one or two semesters. Please bare in mind that, the applications must be submitted to Study Abroad Office.
2007-2008 Current Incoming Exchange Students List
Application Form
Accommodation Form
METU Procedures for Applying to Exchange Programs
General Academic Catalog
Offered Courses
METU Academic Calendar
