Fırat University (FÜ)

Fırat University (FÜ), is a public university located in the city of Elazığ, Türkiye. Its establishment is based on a law dated 11 April 1975. The university continues higher education activities in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions by establishing institutions in Elazığ as well as in the districts of Bingöl, Muş, Tunceli and Kemaliye in Erzincan.

Higher education activities in Elazığ began with the establishment of the Higher Technical School in 1967. In the same year, the Senate of Ankara University decided to establish a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Elazığ, and this faculty commenced education and instruction in 1970. The Higher Technical School was transformed into the Elazığ State Academy of Engineering and Architecture (EDMMA) in 1969.

Fırat University officially came into existence on 11 April 1975 through the consolidation of these institutions under a single umbrella. At the time of its founding, it included the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Letters. EDMMA was converted into the Faculty of Engineering and integrated into the university, and the Faculty of Medicine was established in 1982.

The university primarily conducts its educational and operational activities at campuses centered in Elazığ. Educational activities are also extended across the province through vocational schools located in Baskil, Karakoçan, Keban, Kovancılar and Sivrice districts of Elazığ.

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• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Communication
• Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Sport Sciences
• Faculty of Aquatic Products
• Faculty of Technical Education
• Faculty of Technology
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

• Institute of Educational Sciences
• Institute of Health Sciences
• Institute of Social Sciences
• Institute of Natural Sciences
• Institute of Software and Information Technology Research

• College of Foreign Languages
• State Conservatory
• College of Civil Aviation

• Baskil Vocational School
• Elazığ Organized Industrial Zone Vocational School
• Karakoçan Vocational School
• Keban Vocational School
• Kovancılar Vocational School
• Health Services Vocational School
• Sivrice Vocational School
• Social Sciences Vocational School
• Technical Sciences Vocational School

The total number of students enrolled at Fırat University is 43,614. Admission to undergraduate and associate degree programs is conducted based on the results of the national centralized Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS).

Fırat University offers undergraduate and associate degree programs through its faculties and colleges.

Undergraduate programs are concentrated in engineering, health, basic sciences, social sciences and education.

Engineering and Technology Fields: Programs are offered both within the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Technology. These include Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, and Software Engineering. The Faculty of Technology also offers a program in Forensic Informatics Engineering.

Health and Medical Fields: Programs include Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, Midwifery, Nursing and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.

Basic Sciences and Architecture: The Faculty of Science offers programs in Biology, Physics, Statistics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Molecular Biology and Genetics. The Faculty of Architecture offers a program in Architecture.

Education Fields: The Faculty of Education offers programs in Science Teaching, Primary School Mathematics Teaching, English Language Teaching, Preschool Teaching, Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Classroom Teaching, Social Studies Teaching and Turkish Language Teaching.

Social, Humanities and Communication: The Faculty of Human and Social Sciences offers programs in German Language and Literature, Geography, Contemporary Turkic Dialects and Literatures, English Language and Literature, Art History, Sociology, History and Turkish Language and Literature. The Faculty of Communication offers programs in Journalism, Visual Communication Design, Public Relations and Promotion, and Radio, Television and Cinema.

Administrative, Theological and Sports Fields: The Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences offers programs in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Political Science and Public Administration, Social Work and Management Information Systems. Additionally, programs include Theology (Faculty of Theology), Sports Management (Faculty of Sport Sciences), Aquatic Products Engineering (Faculty of Aquatic Products), Aviation Electricity and Electronics and Aircraft Maintenance and Repair (College of Civil Aviation).

Associate degree programs are delivered through nine vocational schools.

Health and Social Services Vocational Schools: The Health Services Vocational School offers programs in Anesthesia, Physiotherapy, Audiometry, Autopsy Assistance, Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services, Medical Imaging Techniques and Medical Laboratory Techniques. The Social Sciences Vocational School offers programs in Culinary Arts, Banking and Insurance, Office Management and Executive Assistance, International Trade, Public Relations and Promotion, Business Administration, Accounting and Tax Applications, Marketing, Tourism and Hotel Management and Local Governance.

Technical and Industry-Oriented Vocational Schools: The Technical Sciences Vocational School provides training in Computer Programming (including distance learning), Biomedical Device Technology, Electricity, Electronic Technology, Graphic Design, Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology, Interior Design, Construction Technology, Occupational Health and Safety, Machinery, Mechatronics, Architectural Restoration and Automotive Technology. The Elazığ Organized Industrial Zone Vocational School offers programs in Computer Programming, Natural Gas and Installation Technology, Electronic Technology, Industrial Product Design, Garment Production Technology, Construction Technology, Welding Technology, Chemical Technology and Building Inspection.

District and Other Vocational Schools: District vocational schools and other institutions offer the following programs: Alternative Energy Sources Technology and Garden Horticulture and Rail Systems Locomotive Operation (Baskil Vocational School); Environmental Protection and Control, Electrical Power Generation Transmission and Distribution, Geotechnics, Food Technology, Occupational Health and Safety and Landscape and Ornamental Plant Cultivation (Keban Vocational School); Horse Breeding and Training, Cartography and Cadastre, Laboratory and Veterinary Health and Tourism and Hotel Management (Sivrice Vocational School); Computer Programming, Child Development, Food Technology, Land Registry and Cadastre and Building Inspection (Karakoçan Vocational School); and Computer Programming, Pharmacy Services, Home Patient Care, First Aid and Emergency Care, Business Administration, Opticianry and Health Institution Management (Kovancılar Vocational School).

Fırat University supports student and academic staff mobility as part of its internationalization strategy. To this end, it implements exchange programs such as Erasmus+ and Mevlana to provide opportunities for international experience.

The university actively participates in research, innovation and cooperation activities under European Union (EU) projects. It serves as the coordinating institution for projects supported by the Central Executive Agency in Brussels, including one Higher Education Capacity Building project and three Jean Monnet Module projects. Additionally, it participates as a beneficiary in one Horizon Marie Curie Staff Exchange project and one Virtual Exchanges project supported by the Central Agency.

The university holds leadership and supporting roles in projects funded by the Türkiye National Agency under the ESC (European Solidarity Corps) program and benefits from two KA154 (Youth Participation) projects. These activities aim to encourage academic staff and students to join global research networks, support the development of innovative ideas and strengthen scientific collaborations.^【1】

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Fırat University has achieved recognition in various fields through national and international ranking institutions.

• URAP Turkey Ranking (2025-2026): Ranked 17th in the 2025-2026 Turkey ranking prepared by URAP (University Ranking by Academic Performance) within the Institute of Informatics at Middle East Technical University. It rose to 14th place among public universities.^【2】

• URAP World Field Ranking (2024-2025): In the 2024-2025 World Field Ranking published by URAP, the university ranked among the top universities worldwide in 12 distinct scientific fields.^【3】

• YÖKAK Full Institutional Accreditation: Following an evaluation by the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), the university met all quality assurance criteria and earned a Full Accreditation certificate (18 July 2025).^【4】

• US News Engineering Field Ranking (2019): According to the US News ranking, Fırat University ranked 409th globally and 5th nationally in the field of Engineering.^【5】

• TÜBİTAK 2209-A Student Projects (2024/1): Based on the results of the 2024/1 cycle of the TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Student Research Projects Support Program, Fırat University was among the top three universities in Türkiye with the highest number of accepted projects. Out of 881 applications, 461 projects were granted funding, achieving a high acceptance rate.^【6】

• YÖK Accessible University Flag Awards (2024): Under the YÖK Accessible University Flag Awards, the Faculty of Education and the Directorate of the Technical Sciences Vocational School were awarded the orange flag for spatial accessibility.^【7】

• TEKNOFEST 2025 Finals: At TEKNOFEST 2025, 13 teams from the university successfully advanced to the finals with their developed projects.^【8】

Student housing needs are met by dormitories operated by the Credit and Hostels Institution (KYK) and private dormitories located on and around the campus. Social facilities such as cafeterias and dining halls are available for student use. Students actively participate in social life through numerous student clubs that organize cultural, artistic and sporting events.