National Defence University (NDU) is a higher education institution operating under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defence. It was established by Decree Law No. 6756 dated 9 November 2016 and officially entered into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on 14 November 2016. Its founding purpose is to train the officers, non-commissioned officers, and specialist personnel needed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in line with contemporary requirements in military, academic, and professional terms.

The University unified Türkiye’s military higher education system under one roof and gave it a centralised structure; the Army, Naval, and Air Force War Colleges, which previously operated as separate legal entities, as well as non-commissioned officer vocational schools, were incorporated into the university. Military institutes and institute-like bodies providing graduate education were also integrated into NDU’s academic structure.

The National Defence University combines military discipline with contemporary academic standards. Educational activities are planned in harmony with national defence strategies; while developing the leadership, management, and technical skills of officer and NCO candidates, their capacities for academic research, analysis, and problem-solving are also strengthened.

The University offers associate, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes, and includes various faculties, institutes, war colleges, and non-commissioned officer vocational schools. The primary language of instruction is Turkish, with foreign-language support offered in some programmes. While supplying trained human resources in line with TAF’s needs, the National Defence University also aims to contribute strategically to Türkiye’s military capacity through scientific research in the field of defence.

Establishment and History

The National Defence University (NDU) was established in 2016 within the scope of restructuring Türkiye’s military higher education institutions. Under Decree Law No. 669 dated 31 July 2016, military schools were attached to the Ministry of National Defence; subsequently, NDU was formally instituted by Decree Law No. 6756 dated 9 November 2016. The establishment decision entered into force upon publication in the Official Gazette No. 29888 on 14 November 2016.

The creation of NDU is directly linked to the post–15 July 2016 coup attempt process of placing the military education system under civilian oversight and reshaping TAF’s educational structure. In this period, the Army War College, Naval War College, Air Force War College, along with NCO vocational schools and military health sciences institutions, were closed in their former legal forms and restructured under NDU. Thus, long-established military schools whose roots date back to the early 19th century were redefined within a modern university system. The organisational structure of the university was set out in the “Regulation on the Organisational Structure of the National Defence University,” published in the Official Gazette on 4 January 2017 (No. 29938). This regulation established the principles governing NDU’s rectorate, faculties, institutes, war colleges, NCO vocational schools, and research centres.

Historically, the schools incorporated into NDU trace back to the Ottoman era. The foundations of the Army War College were laid in 1834 as the Mekteb-i Harbiye-i Şahane; the Naval War College dates to 1773 with the Mühendishane-i Bahrî-i Hümâyun; and the Air Force War College began operations in 1912 in Yeşilköy. These institutions continue their activities within NDU through updated programmes aligned with contemporary needs. Today, NDU combines its historical legacy with a modern military academy approach and stands as one of the principal higher education institutions forming the intellectual and strategic foundation of Türkiye’s defence capability.

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Process to Become a Military Student

NDU Entrance Exam
Physical Proficiency Test
Interview
Health Report (Military Hospital)
Security Clearance and Archive Research
Placement and Registration
Education Period
Commissioning into the TAF upon graduation

Military Colleges

The War Colleges operating within the National Defence University educate qualified, disciplined, and academically equipped officers to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. These schools aim to impart not only military discipline but also academic, technical, and leadership skills. Admission to the War Colleges is conducted through the annual NDU examination and subsequent interview processes. Education is intensive and requires high levels of physical and mental competence.

Turkish Military College – Ankara: Trains officers for the Land Forces Command. Students receive comprehensive education in leadership, strategy, engineering, and the social sciences. Graduates begin service as officers in various Land Forces units.
Naval Military College (DHO) – Tuzla, İstanbul: Under the Naval Forces Command; offers education in seamanship, engineering, naval warfare strategies, and leadership. Students reinforce their knowledge and skills through sea training.
Air Force Military College (HHO) – Yeşilköy, İstanbul: Trains pilots and officers for the Air Force Command, with specialised programmes in aviation, engineering, and space sciences. Graduates proceed to flight training and operational duties.

Education at the War Colleges is structured around military discipline, leadership, ethics, academic proficiency, and physical development. Graduates are commissioned as officers (lieutenants) in the Turkish Armed Forces.

Sergeant Vocational Schools

The NCO Vocational Schools within NDU are associate-degree institutions that train qualified NCOs to serve in technical, administrative, and operational roles within the TAF. The programmes last two years and combine academic curriculum with military discipline.

The curriculum includes technical knowledge, leadership skills, ethical values, and core military formation. Graduates begin service in the TAF with the rank of “petty officer sergeant.” In addition to theoretical and practical courses, students receive physical training, weapons instruction, and unit-level competency development.

Land Forces NCO Vocational School (Balıkesir): Prepares NCOs for logistics, maintenance, communications, and combat support branches of the Land Forces Command; includes mechanical systems, vehicle technologies, and domain-specific engineering knowledge.
Naval Forces NCO Vocational School (Yalova): Trains specialists for deck, machinery, electronics, and related areas needed by the Naval Forces Command; provides core seamanship knowledge and applied training.
Air Forces NCO Vocational School (İzmir): Under the Air Force Command; offers training in aircraft maintenance, ground support systems, radar and electronic systems; prepares personnel to provide technical support to air platforms.
Band NCO Vocational School (Ankara): Provides professional music education for military bands within the TAF; includes music theory, instrument training, and military band culture.

These colleges provide students with both professional expertise and a sense of military responsibility, enabling them to begin their careers as professional noncommissioned officers.

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^{NDU Wins Teknofest 2020 International UAV Competition (Umut Okur)}

Graduate Programmes (Master’s and PhD)

The National Defence University (NDU) offers a broad range of graduate programmes in defence, security, and strategy. Through its institutes, NDU runs many master’s and doctoral programmes open both to TAF personnel and civilian students. Besides theoretical training NDU also gives opportunity to participate competitions to students like Teknofest. Taught by specialised academic staff, these programmes provide strategic-level education enabling participants to gain in-depth knowledge. Featured programmes include:

Defence Management
International Security and Strategic Studies
Air and Space Security
Naval Strategy and Operations
Land Systems and Technologies

Doctoral Programmes

Focus on advanced academic research, particularly in strategic analysis, military history, leadership, and advanced engineering. Participants engage in comprehensive studies on defence and security policies.

Physical Education and Sports Programmes

Shooting
Orienteering
Athletics
Cross-country
Swimming
Court Tennis
Football
Basketball
Handball
Volleyball
Military Pentathlon
Modern Pentathlon
Archery
Taekwondo
Kickboxing
Wrestling
Judo
Karate
Canoe
Surf
Scuba (Diving)
Skiing

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Organisational Structure

The National Defence University (NDU) is a centrally structured institutional university operating under the Ministry of National Defence in the field of military higher education. Its organisational structure is regulated by the “Regulation on the Organisational Structure of the National Defence University,” and is built on an integrated system comprising academic, administrative, and military components.

Rectorate

The highest academic-administrative unit is the Rectorate. The Rector is appointed upon the proposal of the Minister of National Defence and the approval of the President. The Rectorate includes vice-rectors, a general secretariat, directorates, and academic boards. It is responsible for determining overall education policies, coordinating subordinate units, and operating internal oversight mechanisms.

Directorates and Administrative Units

Within the administrative structure, various directorates oversee educational planning, student affairs, personnel, and financial affairs, ensuring smooth management and oversight of academic-administrative processes.

Education and Academic Programmes

NDU combines its mission of training military personnel with contemporary academic criteria through a multi-level education system. The university runs associate, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes designed to cultivate disciplined individuals equipped with applied and theoretical knowledge to meet TAF’s personnel needs.

Military Training and Leadership Formation

All academic programmes at NDU are integrated with military training. Students receive regular discipline training, command and leadership skills, military history, strategy, and applied field training, balancing academic knowledge with field-oriented competencies.

Institutes under the NDU Rectorate

Army Military Institute
Naval Military Institute
Air Military Institute
Defence and Security Institute
Strategic Research Institute

These institutes provide graduate-level education in military sciences, strategy, security studies, engineering, and management, and conduct scholarly research on defence policy and security strategies.

NDU War Academies Command

The structure inherited from the former War Academies has been reorganised into institutes providing graduate education. Together with the War Institutes, command and staff education is conducted, imparting advanced leadership and strategic planning skills to senior officers.

The National Defence University (NDU) is one of Türkiye’s most prestigious military education institutions, offering comprehensive education through faculties, vocational schools, and institutes in defence, security, science, and technology. NDU develops strong collaborations with domestic military institutions and foreign universities to create international learning opportunities. In addition to military academic studies, it contributes to defence and security through research and development (R&D) activities. Alongside faculties, vocational schools, and institutes, students are provided with opportunities that support their social and cultural development.

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Facilities

NDU offers students modern educational and social facilities. Faculties and schools are equipped with up-to-date classrooms, laboratories, and simulation centres that enable students to gain practical experience alongside theoretical training. Campuses also provide sports halls, social spaces, libraries, and recreational areas.

Simulation and Training Centres: High-technology centres capable of simulating military operations, where students receive applied training in military strategies and tactics.
Social and Cultural Opportunities: Students may join clubs, participate in sports events, and engage in artistic activities—supporting their physical, social, and cultural development.

International Activities and Collaborations

Beyond domestic activities, NDU conducts numerous academic and military collaborations abroad. Through international partnerships and academic agreements, NDU works with many universities and military schools worldwide, providing globally oriented education opportunities for students and staff.

International Education Agreements: Partnerships with leading universities around the world. These agreements allow NDU students to study abroad, while offering foreign students opportunities to study in Türkiye.
Training for Foreign Officers: NDU provides training programmes for foreign military personnel; many countries’ officers benefit and serve in their own armed forces.
International Defence Research Projects: Participation in international projects on defence technologies, military strategy, and security policies.
Military Training Programmes: Collaboration with NATO, the United Nations (UN), and other international defence organisations to conduct military training and exercises—enhancing the Turkish Armed Forces’ international effectiveness.

National Defence University