Balıkesir University in the Global League: Ranked in the World THE University Rankings
Balıkesir University (BAÜN), which has previously been ranked by international ranking organisations such as SCIMAGO, QS Asia, URAP, Greenmetrics, Webometrics, EduRank, and USNews, has achieved significant success in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 list, which it has been included in for the first time this year.
According to the THE World University Rankings 2026 results, Balıkesir University ranked 1501st in the world and 41st in Turkey, placing it among the institutions ranked out of 2,191 universities.
In his speech at the Academic Year Opening Ceremony held at the Presidential Complex, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated, ‘The fact that a total of 109 of our universities are included in the list, with 18 of them being ranked for the first time, is a source of pride for us.’
BAÜN Takes Its Place in the World's Most Reliable Ranking
The Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 ranking, one of the most prestigious ranking systems that evaluates higher education institutions worldwide in a multidimensional manner, included 2,191 universities from 115 countries and regions; the ranking is recognised as a reliable global reference by students, academics, governments and industry representatives.
THE methodology evaluates universities based on: Teaching (Teaching – Learning Environment) Research Environment (Research Environment – Volume, income and reputation) Research Quality (Research Quality – Citation impact, excellence and research strength) International Outlook (International Outlook – Student, staff and research diversity) and Industry (Industry – Income and patent production).
Notable Performance in Strong Areas
Balıkesir University's scores in these areas, which aim to comprehensively measure the educational quality, research capacity, international collaborations, and social impact of universities, are as follows:
Teaching: 14.6
Research Environment: 9.9
Research Quality: 15.7
Industry (Industry Collaboration and Patents): 21
International Outlook: 20.7
These results show that BAÜN has a strong position, particularly in the areas of industry collaboration (Industry-21 points) and international visibility (International Outlook-20.7 points).
Quality in Education, Impact in Research
With over 31,000 students, Balıkesir University adds value to its region and country, and with a 48% female and 52% male student ratio, it offers a balanced learning environment. The 2% international student ratio also demonstrates the university's growing global appeal.
The university stands out for its strategic policies aimed at strengthening innovative learning environments, increasing research capacity and expanding international collaborations. Balıkesir University's first-ever inclusion in THE rankings is seen as a tangible result of these efforts.
A Strategic Step Towards Global Recognition
Balıkesir University's inclusion in the THE list is a testament to its academic capacity, research productivity and international competitiveness. Balıkesir University continues its steady rise in global rankings with confidence, based on its scientific productivity and academic quality.
