Most people know Antalya as a holiday city, with beaches, resorts and the old harbour of Kaleiçi. Fewer know it is also a growing university city with more than 100,000 students across state and private campuses. Studying in Antalya makes a lot of sense if you want a calmer place than Istanbul, warm weather most of the year and strong programmes in tourism, health sciences and agriculture
We have placed students in Antalya for several years, and the feedback is consistent. They love the lifestyle, but the city works differently from Istanbul or Ankara, especially when it comes to rent and English-taught options. Here is what you should know before choosing it for 2027
Why Choose Antalya for Your Studies?
Antalya is Turkey’s fifth-largest city and one of its fastest growing. It has an international airport with direct flights to dozens of countries, a large foreign community and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. You can study in the morning and be at Konyaaltı beach by four in the afternoon, which is not something Ankara students can say
The economy runs on tourism, agriculture and construction, and that shapes the universities. Hospitality and tourism management here is taught right next to some of the biggest hotel groups in the Mediterranean, so internships are easier to find than almost anywhere else in the country. Health sciences are strong too, partly because Antalya is a major centre for health tourism
Universities in Antalya
Akdeniz University (state)
Founded in 1982, Akdeniz University is the region’s largest university, with a big green campus between the centre and Konyaaltı. It has faculties of medicine, dentistry, engineering, agriculture, law, fine arts and one of Turkey’s best-known tourism faculties. Most programmes are taught in Turkish, so international students usually need a year of Turkish preparation before starting. Admission is through the university’s own international application, generally based on YÖS, SAT or high school results depending on the year
Antalya Bilim University (private)
Antalya Bilim University, founded in 2010, is the main English-medium option in the city. It offers programmes in engineering, law, business, psychology, tourism, architecture and health sciences, with many taught fully in English. International students regularly receive tuition discounts. Its published international tuition for most bachelor’s programmes has been in the mid four-figure US dollar range per year, but you should check the current 2026–27 fee list on the university’s international office page
Antalya Belek and Alanya universities
Antalya Belek University is a smaller private university near the Belek tourism area, with a focus on health sciences, dentistry and tourism. Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University is a state university based in Alanya, about two hours east, and Alanya University is a private option in the same town. Alanya is beautiful, but it is a smaller resort town, so think about whether that suits you for four or more years
What Can You Study in English?
This is the main limitation of Antalya. Compared with Istanbul or Ankara, there are far fewer English-taught programmes, and most of them are at Antalya Bilim. If you are set on studying in English, list the exact programme you want and confirm its language of instruction before you apply. Otherwise, consider learning Turkish through a TÖMER Turkish preparatory course, which opens up most Akdeniz programmes
Popular fields for international students in Antalya include
- Tourism and hotel management, and gastronomy and culinary arts
- Medicine, dentistry, nursing and physiotherapy
- Agriculture, horticulture and food engineering
- Civil, computer and electrical engineering
- Psychology, law and business administration
If medicine is your goal, compare Akdeniz with the options in our guide to the best medical universities in Turkey before deciding
Cost of Living When Studying in Antalya
Antalya used to be cheap. It is not anymore. Strong demand from tourists, retirees and foreign residents pushed rents up quickly after 2022, and furnished flats near the sea can cost as much as parts of Istanbul. Food and transport are reasonable, though, and students who live in dorms or share flats away from the coast still manage well
| Expense | Typical monthly range (TL, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private dorm or shared room | 10,000 to 25,000 | Cheaper near Akdeniz campus and in Kepez |
| 1+1 flat alone | 20,000 to 40,000 | Konyaaltı and Lara at the top end |
| Food and groceries | 7,000 to 11,000 | Local markets are cheaper than supermarkets |
| Transport (Antalyakart) | 800 to 1,500 | Tram and bus network |
| Personal and social | 2,500 to 6,000 | Beach life is mostly free |
These figures are rough guides from current listings and our students’ experience, so confirm prices when you arrive. Our full breakdown of the cost of living across Turkey helps you compare Antalya with other cities
Where Students Live in Antalya
Most Akdeniz students live in the neighbourhoods around the campus, such as Pınarbaşı, Meltem, Uncalı and parts of Konyaaltı. Kepez and Muratpaşa’s inland areas are cheaper. Lara is attractive but far from most campuses and expensive. Antalya Bilim’s main campus is in Döşemealtı, north of the city, so many of its students use the university shuttle or live closer to the bus routes
One warning for long leases: many landlords in Antalya prefer short-term holiday lets in summer. Make sure your contract covers the full year at a fixed price, or you may be asked to leave in June. For documents and dorm options, read our guide to student housing in Turkey
Is Antalya the right city for you?
Saya Group can compare programmes in Antalya with other Turkish cities, check language requirements and handle your application from start to finish
Student Life and Climate
Antalya is warm almost all year. Winters are mild and rainy, and you can often sit outside in a T-shirt in February. Summers are another story, with temperatures above 40°C in July and August and high humidity. Most of the academic year falls in the pleasant months, but September and early June can still be very hot
Free time revolves around the sea and the mountains. Students hike in the Taurus Mountains, visit Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls, take day trips to Side, Olympos or Kaş, and go skiing at Saklıkent in winter, sometimes on the same weekend as the beach. The social scene is smaller than in Istanbul, but friendly and less rushed
Residence Permit and Practical Notes
As elsewhere in Turkey, you apply for a student residence permit after enrolling, using your student certificate and proof of address. Antalya has had restrictions on new residence permits in some neighbourhoods because of high foreign populations. Students have generally been treated differently from short-term permit holders, but rules change, so check the current list before signing a lease. Our guide to the student visa and residence permit process explains the full file
Your Next Step
If you like the idea of Antalya, decide first whether you will study in English or Turkish, because that narrows your university options right away. Then shortlist one state and one private programme, check the campus location, and apply early in spring to get better scholarship percentages at private universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Antalya good for international students?
Yes, especially for tourism, health sciences and agriculture. It offers a relaxed lifestyle and warm weather, though there are fewer English-taught programmes than in Istanbul or Ankara
Which universities in Antalya teach in English?
Antalya Bilim University offers the widest range of English-taught programmes. Akdeniz University teaches mostly in Turkish, with a few English-medium options at some levels
Is it expensive to live in Antalya as a student?
Rent has risen sharply, especially near the coast. A student sharing a flat or living in a dorm can usually manage on roughly 22,000 to 40,000 TL a month in 2026
Can I work part-time in Antalya while studying?
Bachelor’s students can usually work only after the first year and need a work permit. Tourism jobs are common, but they must be legal. See our guide on working while studying in Turkey for details
How hot does Antalya get?
Summer temperatures often exceed 40°C, while winters are mild, usually between 10°C and 18°C during the day
