Istanbul Bilgi University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. According to Council of Higher Education (YÖK) data, it hosted 1,857 international students in the 2024–2025 academic year.
Key facts about Istanbul Bilgi 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 and English. 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 Istanbul Bilgi University
Istanbul Bilgi University was established in 1996. It is a foundation (non-profit private) university, run by the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation, and its precursor was the Istanbul School of International Studies. According to Times Higher Education, Bilgi offers associate, undergraduate and graduate programs in seven faculties and also runs three vocational schools. Programs are taught in English or Turkish.
Bilgi appears in international rankings: it is placed in the 1401+ band of the QS World University Rankings 2026 and in the 1801–2000 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027. Its full-time MBA is listed in the QS MBA rankings for Europe.
Popular programs for international students
Bilgi has programs at associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, including a Faculty of Architecture and a Faculty of Health Sciences. Programs with international recognition include:
- Full-time MBA (master’s, listed in QS MBA rankings for Europe)
- Master’s in Marketing (listed in QS business master’s rankings)
- Master’s in Supply Chain Management (listed in QS business master’s rankings)
- Bachelor’s programs of the Faculty of Health Sciences (Dolapdere campus)
- Associate degree programs of the School of Applied Sciences (Dolapdere campus)
Check the language and details of each program in the table on this page, or compare options on our program search page. You can also read about other private universities in Istanbul.
Campus and student life
Bilgi has four campuses in Istanbul. The largest, santralistanbul in Eyüpsultan, is built on the site of the former Silahtarağa Power Plant and houses the Energy Museum. Kuştepe in Şişli was the university’s first campus, Dolapdere near Taksim has a fitness centre and a swimming pool, and Kozyatağı is on the Asian side. The university runs shuttle services between campuses. Bilgi reports more than 100 student clubs, and its International Student Advising Office helps degree students settle into life in Turkey.
Frequently asked questions
Is Istanbul Bilgi University recognized?
Yes. Bilgi is a foundation university approved by YÖK, the Council of Higher Education of Turkey, since 1996. An advisor can confirm the latest status before you apply.
Does Istanbul Bilgi University teach in English?
Yes. Bilgi teaches programs in English and in Turkish, so check the language of your program in the table on this page. English-taught programs usually require an accepted English certificate or the university’s own English exam.
How do I apply to Istanbul Bilgi University?
Choose a program in the table on this page and press Apply, or request a free consultation. Read more in our guide to applying to Turkish universities.
Does Istanbul Bilgi University offer scholarships or discounts for international students?
Private universities in Turkey often offer discounts to international students, and an advisor will confirm the current offer for your program. For living costs, see the cost of studying in Turkey.
Apply to Istanbul Bilgi 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 Istanbul Bilgi University with our other partner universities or read our step-by-step application guide.
