Balıkesir University is in the Global League: It Entered the THE World University Rankings

Balıkesir University (BAUN), which has previously been featured in international ranking organizations such as SCIMAGO, QS Asia, URAP, Greenmetrics, Webometrics, EduRank, and USNews, achieved a significant milestone by making its first appearance in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 list.

According to the THE World University Rankings 2026 results, Balıkesir University was ranked in the 1501+ band globally and 41st in Turkey, securing its place among the 2,191 evaluated institutions worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), also highlighted this success in his speech at the Academic Year Opening Ceremony at the Presidential Complex, stating, "The fact that a total of 109 of our universities are on the list, and 18 of them are entering the ranking for the first time, is a proud development for us."

BAUN Secured a Place in the World's Most Trusted Ranking

Times Higher Education (THE) is one of the most respected ranking systems, comprehensively evaluating higher education institutions globally. The 2026 ranking included 2,191 universities from 115 countries and territories, and is considered a globally reliable reference by students, academics, governments, and industry representatives.

The THE methodology assesses universities under five core pillars:

• Teaching (The Learning Environment)

• Research Environment (Volume, Income, and Reputation)

• Research Quality (Citation Impact, Excellence, and Research Strength)

• International Outlook (Diversity of Students, Staff, and Research)

• Industry (Income and Patent Generation)

Remarkable Performance in Key Areas

The scores for Balıkesir University in these areas—which aim to holistically measure the quality of education, research capacity, international collaborations, and societal impact—are as follows:

These results indicate that BAUN holds a strong position, especially in the fields of Industry Collaboration (21 points) and International Visibility (20.7 points).

Quality in Education, Impact in Research

With over 31,000 students, Balıkesir University contributes value to its region and country. Its balanced learning environment is reflected in its student gender ratio of 48% female to 52% male. Furthermore, the 2% international student ratio demonstrates the university's increasing global appeal.

BAUN's inclusion in the THE ranking for the first time is considered a tangible outcome of its strategic policies focused on strengthening innovative learning environments, boosting research capacity, and expanding international collaborations.

A Strategic Step Towards Global Recognition

Balıkesir University's debut on the THE list serves as a certification of its academic capacity, research productivity, and international competitiveness. BAUN is confidently continuing its steady ascent in global rankings based on its efforts in scientific productivity and academic quality.