Istanbul Technical University (ITU), also known as Technical University of Istanbul, is an international technical university located in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the third-oldest technical university in the world and one of the most prominent educational institutions in Turkey.
The history of Istanbul Technical University (ITU) can be traced back to 1773, when the Ottoman Empire established a military engineering school in Constantinople as part of a modernization effort. The school was initially known as the Imperial School of Engineering, and it was the first technical school in the Ottoman Empire.
In 1795, the school was renamed the School of Civil Engineering and Military Architecture. In 1881, it was again renamed the School of Engineering and Architecture. In 1884, a separate department in the school was set up for civilian students.
In 1909, the school was renamed the Mühendis Mekteb-i Ali'si (Higher Engineering School). In 1928, it was renamed the School of Higher Engineering. In 1941, the Graduate School of Engineering was established.
In 1944, the school was finally renamed Istanbul Technical University. It was the first technical university in Turkey to be granted university status.
ITU has played a leading role in the development of engineering and architecture in Turkey. It has produced many of the country's most prominent engineers and architects, and it has been involved in many major infrastructure projects.
ITU has also been a pioneer in research and development. It has established many research centers and institutes, and it has produced a large number of scientific publications.
Today, ITU is one of the leading technical universities in the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of engineering and natural science disciplines, as well as social sciences. It is also a leading research institution in Turkey.
ITU is a prestigious institution with a long and distinguished history. It has played a leading role in the development of Turkey and the world, and it continues to be a leader in engineering and architecture education and research.
Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, Istanbul Technical University is positioned as the #326 top university in the world, which makes it the #2 top university in Turkey. The university's global rank is improved by 78 points from last year.