Studying biology opens up a world of opportunities. The complexities of living things and their relationships with the environment provide information that can shape future research, health care, conservation, and technology. As researchers continue to study diseases and develop treatments, biology graduates can pursue paths in research, education, medicine, biotechnology, and related fields.
Biology programs are widely available around the world. In Turkey, several universities offer Biology or Molecular Biology and Genetics at undergraduate and/or graduate levels, and these programs can also prepare students for further study in medicine, education, research, and related fields.
Several Turkish universities in this list place a strong emphasis on molecular biology and genetics. This focus connects biology education with areas such as biotechnology, genetics, bioinformatics, and disease research.
Below are some of the top universities to study biology in Turkey!
Top Schools Offering Biology in Turkey
1. Hacettepe University
Hacettepe University is one of Turkey’s leading universities for the biological sciences. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Hacettepe ranked first in Turkey for Biological Sciences and was placed in the 301-350 band worldwide for the subject. The university is also recognized for its broad academic and research activity in Turkey.
The Hacettepe Department of Biology facilitates the learning and training of biology students. The department traces its roots to a Biology Institute founded in 1965 and currently includes divisions such as botany, molecular biology, zoology, hydrobiology, general biology, biotechnology, ecology, and applied biology.
Students follow an academic program that combines lectures, research, and laboratory work for a comprehensive understanding of how life forms function. The department’s subject areas and graduate programs give students opportunities to work in fields such as botany, ecology, general biology, biotechnology, and molecular biology.
Hacettepe University offers biology-related study at undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduates may pursue careers as educators, researchers, scientists, or continue into professional fields such as medicine and law.
2. Istanbul University
Istanbul University is a public university with an official Biology undergraduate program listed in the Istanbul University Education Information System. The program provides students with foundational training in biology and related laboratory-based study.
The Department of Biology, under the Istanbul University Faculty of Science, oversees students’ academic journey in biology. Its curriculum includes core biological sciences courses and supports students who want to pursue research-oriented careers in life sciences.
Istanbul University offers biology-related study across undergraduate and graduate levels. Current university pages list the formal undergraduate Biology program and graduate options in related areas, including Turkish-taught thesis master’s programs such as Zoology and Medical Biology, as well as doctoral programs such as General Biology and Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics. Students should check the current Education Information System pages for available tracks, language of instruction, and admission conditions.
3. Koc University
Koc University is a nonprofit private university in Istanbul. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 table for Turkey, Koç University was ranked first overall among Turkish universities. For students interested in biology, its main related program is Molecular Biology and Genetics rather than a general Biology major.
Koç University’s College of Sciences recognizes the importance of innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Under the Molecular Biology and Genetics program, students learn how biological systems work at the molecular level and how this knowledge connects with modern research and technology.
The program is available at undergraduate and graduate levels. Students receive training through courses in areas such as biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, and molecular biology. Elective options also allow students to explore fields such as cancer biology, neuroscience, and bioinformatics.
4. Bilkent University
Bilkent University is Turkey’s first private, nonprofit university. Its name comes from “bilim kenti,” a Turkish phrase meaning “city of learning and science.” Bilkent also provides a comprehensive program in Molecular Biology and Genetics through its Faculty of Science.
The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Bilkent University oversees the training and education of students with a passion for studying life forms at the molecular level. Students develop research and laboratory skills that can support work in biology, biotechnology, medicine-related research, and other life science fields.
Undergraduate and graduate students can enroll in Bilkent University’s Molecular Biology and Genetics programs, which lead to B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. The curriculum and research environment cover areas such as genetics, cell biology, recombinant DNA technology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and disease-related molecular research.
5. Bogazici University
Bogazici University is a prominent public university in Turkey with strong programs across disciplines such as science, engineering, and social sciences. Its Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics was founded in 1977 as the first molecular biology department in Turkey.
The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Bogazici University delivers a strong biology-related program in Turkey. In addition to its undergraduate program, the department offers graduate degrees at the master’s and Ph.D. levels.
The department mentors students through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, and research engagement. Students gain a foundation in subjects such as biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, genetics, and laboratory techniques, with elective opportunities in areas such as developmental biology, plant genetics, human genetics, and immunology.
Bogazici University’s Molecular Biology and Genetics program is available for undergraduate and graduate students. The department is also one of Turkey’s leading centers for molecular biology and human genetics, with research that places special emphasis on complex genetic disorders and disease mechanisms.
Turkey is home to several universities that appear in major international rankings and have strong science and technology programs. This list covers five institutions with notable offerings in biology or molecular biology and genetics in Turkey, but many other Turkish universities also offer competitive biology-related programs. Biology is a versatile field of study, with overlaps in subjects such as chemistry, computer science, and engineering. The breadth of biology and its direct focus on life forms make it a suitable pre-medical course.
We hope that this article on the Best Universities for Biology in Turkey was helpful. If you are interested, check the Study in Turkey and Available Programs for International Students!
