Aydın vs Okan comes down to location and study style. Choose Istanbul Aydın University if you want a large university on the European side with direct Metrobus access and many English-taught programs, and choose Istanbul Okan University if you prefer a self-contained campus on the Asian side with dormitories, its own hospitals and a strong focus on links with business life. Both are private foundation universities approved by YÖK, and both teach Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, engineering and business in English.
Aydın vs Okan at a glance
This table sums up the main facts. Each point is explained in more detail below.
| Topic | Istanbul Aydın University | Istanbul Okan University |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | University status by law in 2007 (roots in a vocational school opened in 2003) | 1999; teaching started in 2003–2004 |
| Foundation | Anatolian Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV) | Okan Culture, Education and Sports Foundation |
| Main campus | Florya, Küçükçekmece (European side) | Tuzla (Asian side), plus Mecidiyeköy, Şişli (European side) |
| Faculties | 14 | 11, plus two vocational schools and a conservatory |
| Students (THE data, 2027 ranking) | 16,088, about 25% international | 12,188, about 18% international |
| Hospitals | Health Application and Research Center Hospital (next to Florya); DENTAYDIN dental hospital (Esenyurt) | University hospital and dental hospital on the Tuzla campus; second dental hospital in Mecidiyeköy |
| On-campus housing | Not described on the pages we checked | Five dormitory buildings for about 1,500 students |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 1601–1800 | 1801–2000 |
Founding and background
Istanbul Aydın University was set up by the Anatolian Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV). Its roots go back to Anadolu BİL Vocational School, which opened in 2003, and it became a full university by law in May 2007. The university lists 14 faculties, from Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy to Engineering, Law, Communication and Fine Arts, plus an Institute of Graduate Studies and vocational schools.
Istanbul Okan University is a little older. It was founded in 1999 by the Okan Culture, Education and Sports Foundation, and its first students started in the 2003–2004 academic year. Okan has 11 faculties, two vocational schools, a conservatory and a graduate school, with 56 undergraduate programs. Its motto is “The University Closest to Business Life”, and it puts weight on internships and links with industry.
Both are foundation (non-profit private) universities approved by YÖK, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey, so their degrees have the same legal status as degrees from state universities.
Campus and location
Aydın: Florya, on the European side
Aydın’s main campus is the Halit Aydın Florya Campus in Küçükçekmece, in the west of the European side. Its biggest practical strength is transport: the campus is about a two-minute walk from the Beşyol and Sefaköy Metrobus stops, with direct links to Bakırköy and Yenibosna. The Faculty of Dentistry and its DENTAYDIN dental hospital are in Esenyurt, further west. The university reports more than 70 student clubs.
Okan: a full campus in Tuzla
Okan’s main campus is in Akfırat, Tuzla, on the far Asian side of Istanbul, with a second campus in Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, in the city centre on the European side. The Tuzla campus works almost like a small town: a student centre with cafeterias, shops and a cinema, a sports complex with a semi-Olympic swimming pool and tennis and basketball courts, and five dormitory buildings for about 1,500 students. University shuttles connect the campus with metro stations and other city points.
In short: Aydın suits students who want to live in the city and commute by Metrobus, while Okan suits students who want to live and study on one campus, away from the centre. For a wider view, read our guide to private universities in Istanbul for international students.
English-taught programs
Both universities teach many bachelor’s programs in English, and several also have a Turkish version. The table below uses each university’s own international program lists.
| Program | Aydın | Okan |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | English or Turkish | English or Turkish |
| Dentistry | English or Turkish | English or Turkish |
| Pharmacy | English or Turkish | English or Turkish |
| Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation | English or Turkish | English or Turkish |
| Computer and Software Engineering | English | English |
| Business Administration | English | English or Turkish |
| Other examples | Architecture, Psychology | Flight Training (Pilotage) |
One detail matters for medical students at Aydın: in the English Medicine program, the first three years are fully in English, but from Year 4 hospital training is in Turkish. Plan to learn Turkish early if you choose this path. At Okan, some programs, such as Law, are taught only in Turkish, so always check the language of your exact program.
If you do not have an accepted English test score, both universities let you take their own English exam. If you do not pass, you study in the English preparatory program first, which adds a year to your studies and your budget. Programs and languages change, so check the details on our program search.
Hospitals and labs
For Medicine and Dentistry, clinical training is a key point in any Aydın vs Okan decision.
- Aydın: medical students train at the university’s own Health Application and Research Center Hospital, next to the Florya Campus, and at other hospitals approved by the health authorities. Dentistry students train at DENTAYDIN, the university’s dental hospital in Esenyurt.
- Okan: the university hospital and a dental hospital are on the Tuzla campus, and a second dental hospital is in Mecidiyeköy. Having the hospital on the same campus as the dormitories makes daily life simpler for health students.
For more health options, see our guide to studying medicine in Turkey in English.
Accreditations and rankings
Program accreditations are given to single programs, not to whole universities. Here is what each university states:
- Aydın: the Software Engineering (English) department page says the program is accredited by MÜDEK, the Turkish engineering accreditation body. Ask about other engineering programs if accreditation matters to you.
- Okan: the Faculty of Engineering lists MÜDEK accreditation for Electrical and Electronics Engineering (current period 2024–2027) and Civil Engineering (2022–2027).
In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, Aydın is in the 1601–1800 band and Okan is in the 1801–2000 band. Rankings are one signal among many. For most students, the program, the language of teaching and the campus matter more.
Admission, fees and scholarships
Both universities admit international students based on high school documents, such as your diploma and transcript, without a central exam. Requirements can differ by program, so check yours before you apply. Read our guide on how to apply to Turkish universities for the full process.
We do not quote fees here, because they vary by program and change every year. You can see the current fees for each program in our program search.
- Aydın: its international admissions pages do not describe a fixed scholarship for international students. Ask an advisor about the current offer for your program.
- Okan: the university lists several discounts, including family member and alumni discounts, country- or nationality-based discounts for some programs, and a discount for paying the full program fee at enrolment. Conditions change each year.
For rent, food and transport, see our guide to the cost of studying in Turkey.
Aydın vs Okan: which one is right for you?
Both are solid choices. The better one depends on your program and the life you want in Istanbul.
Choose Istanbul Aydın University if:
- you want to live on the European side and use the Metrobus every day;
- you want a large university with 14 faculties and many student clubs;
- you want English-taught Architecture or Psychology, or Software Engineering with MÜDEK accreditation;
- you are ready to study in Turkish from Year 4 if you choose English Medicine.
Choose Istanbul Okan University if:
- you want dormitories, sports facilities and a hospital on one campus;
- you are happy to live on the Asian side, away from the busy centre;
- you want a university that stresses internships and business links;
- you are interested in Flight Training or want to compare its discount options.
How Lord Agency can help
Since 2017, Lord Agency has helped international students apply to private universities in Turkey and North Cyprus, including Istanbul Aydın and Istanbul Okan. We can compare the current fees, languages and intakes for your program, explain the English or Turkish requirements and help you prepare your documents. You can also browse all universities we work with. Our consultation is free. Request a free consultation or start your free application in our student portal.
Frequently asked questions
Are Istanbul Aydın and Istanbul Okan recognized?
Yes. Both are foundation (private) universities approved by YÖK, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey. Their degrees have the same legal status as degrees from state universities. For medicine and other regulated professions, also check recognition with your home country.
Which is better for medicine, Aydın or Okan?
Both teach Medicine in English and in Turkish, and both have their own hospital. Okan’s hospital is on its main campus. At Aydın, hospital training in the English program is in Turkish from Year 4. Compare entry requirements and fees for your nationality before you decide.
Which university has dormitories?
Okan has five dormitory buildings on its Tuzla campus for about 1,500 students. The Aydın pages we checked do not describe on-campus dormitories, so plan for private housing near Florya or ask our advisors.
Which campus is easier to reach?
Aydın’s Florya Campus is next to two Metrobus stops on the European side. Okan’s main campus in Tuzla is far from the centre, but university shuttles run to metro stations and most students live on or near campus.
Do I need an English certificate to apply?
No. You can apply without one. If you do not have an accepted score, you take the university’s English exam after admission, and if you do not pass, you study one preparatory year first.
