Bezmialem Vakıf University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. According to Council of Higher Education (YÖK) data, it hosted 100 international students in the 2024–2025 academic year.
Key facts about Bezmialem Vakıf University
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey – Turkey’s largest student city, on both the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus.
- Language of instruction: the programs we list here are taught in Turkish. Each program in the table below shows its language.
- Admission: private universities in Turkey usually admit international students on their high school or bachelor’s grades, without a central entrance exam. Some programs, such as medicine, set higher requirements.
- Tuition and deposits: see current fees for every program in the table below, or compare them with other universities in our program search.
About Bezmialem Vakıf University
Bezmialem Vakıf University became a university in 2010. It is a foundation university set up under the General Directorate of Foundations (Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü), and it describes itself as Turkey’s first thematic university in the health field. Its history goes back to 1845, when Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan founded the Gureba hospital in Istanbul. Today this is the Bezmialem Valide Sultan Vakıf Gureba Hospital, which has more than 500 patient beds and is linked to the Faculty of Medicine.
The university focuses only on health. It has four faculties: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences, plus a Vocational School of Health Services. The main campus is on Vatan Caddesi in the Fatih district, in the historic centre of Istanbul. The university also has campuses in Eyüp and Sultangazi.
Popular programs for international students
All Bezmialem programs are in health and medical sciences. Programs that international students often apply for include:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
- Nursing
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Audiology
- Occupational Therapy
If you want to study medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, see our guide to studying medicine in Turkey. You can compare all programs on our program search page, or read about private universities in Istanbul.
Campus and student life
The Vatan campus in Fatih is easy to reach: Emniyet Müdürlüğü metro station is about 50 metres from the entrance, and many city bus lines stop on Vatan Caddesi. The Faculty of Medicine has anatomy and microscope laboratories and 13 OSCE labs for clinical skills training. Each campus has a library, with the Valide Sultan Library as the central library in Fatih. The university also has student clubs and an international office.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bezmialem Vakıf University recognized?
Yes. Bezmialem Vakıf University is a foundation university approved by YÖK, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey. Its degrees have the same legal status as degrees from other Turkish universities.
Does Bezmialem Vakıf University teach in English?
Only partly. The university states that Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy are taught about 70% in Turkish and 30% in English. Health Sciences programs and the Vocational School are taught fully in Turkish. Students without an accepted TOEFL or Cambridge result take the university’s English Proficiency Exam, and those who do not pass it study in the English Preparatory Program first.
How do I apply to Bezmialem Vakıf University?
Choose a program in the table on this page and press Apply, or request a free consultation. The university reviews applications online, using your diploma grades, exam results and other certificates. If you finished all of high school abroad, you can apply with your diploma, subject to minimum grades. You will also need a diploma equivalency certificate. Read more in our guide to applying to Turkish universities.
Does Bezmialem Vakıf University offer scholarships or discounts for international students?
The university’s FAQ says you get a 5% discount if you pay the year’s tuition in advance, and tuition can also be paid in instalments. Its fee page lists general scholarship levels but does not say whether they apply to international students. An advisor will confirm the current offer for your program. For living costs, see the cost of studying in Turkey.
Apply to Bezmialem Vakıf University with Lord Agency
Choose a program from the list on this page and press Apply to create your free student account, or request a free consultation and an advisor will check your documents, scholarship options and deadlines with you. You can also compare Bezmialem Vakıf University with our other partner universities or read our step-by-step application guide.