Istanbul Okan University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. According to Council of Higher Education (YÖK) data, it hosted 2,308 international students in the 2024–2025 academic year.
Key facts about Istanbul Okan 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, English and Russian. 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 Okan University
Istanbul Okan University was founded in 1999 by the Okan Culture, Education and Sports Foundation, and teaching started in the 2003–2004 academic year. It is a private foundation university with its main campus in Akfırat, Tuzla, on the Asian side of Istanbul, and a second campus in Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, on the European side. The university has 11 faculties, two vocational schools, a conservatory and a graduate school, with 56 undergraduate programs.
The university’s motto is “The University Closest to Business Life”, and it puts weight on internships and links with industry. Okan has its own university hospital and dental hospital on the Tuzla campus, plus a second dental hospital in Mecidiyeköy, which support its medicine, dentistry and health programs. The university reports more than 3,000 students from over 100 countries.
Popular programs for international students
Many Okan programs are offered in English, and some in both English and Turkish. These programs are often chosen by international students (language as stated by the university):
- Medicine (English or Turkish)
- Dentistry (English or Turkish)
- Pharmacy (English or Turkish)
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (English or Turkish)
- Computer Engineering (English)
- Software Engineering (English)
- Business Administration (English or Turkish)
- Flight Training (Pilotage) (English)
Compare all programs and current fees in the table on this page or use our program search. For health degrees, see our guide to studying medicine in Turkey in English.
Campus and student life
The Tuzla campus has a student centre with cafeterias, shops, a cinema and a game room. Its sports complex includes a semi-Olympic swimming pool, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts and a fitness centre. Five dormitory buildings on campus house about 1,500 students, with separate buildings for women and men and rooms with a private bathroom. University shuttles connect the campus with metro stations and city points. The International Admissions and Relations Directorate supports foreign students, and the university has a range of student clubs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Istanbul Okan University recognized?
Yes. Istanbul Okan University is a private foundation university approved by the Council of Higher Education of Turkey (YÖK). Its degrees are official Turkish university degrees.
Does Istanbul Okan University teach in English?
Yes, for many programs. Most engineering programs are taught in English, and Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Business Administration have both English and Turkish options. Some programs, such as Law, are taught only in Turkish. Check the language column in the program table before you apply.
How do I apply to Istanbul Okan University?
Choose a program in the table on this page and press Apply, or request a free consultation. Read more in our guide on how to apply to Turkish universities.
Does Istanbul Okan University offer discounts for international students?
Yes. 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 enrollment. Conditions change each year, so an advisor will confirm which offer applies to you.
Apply to Istanbul Okan 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 Okan University with our other partner universities or read our step-by-step application guide.