🏛️ University Overview

Istanbul Gelişim University (İGÜ) is a non-profit private university founded in 2008 by the Gelişim Education, Culture, Health and Social Service Foundation. Originally established as a vocational school, it gained university status in 2011, and today serves over 13,000 students, including around 2,000 master’s and doctoral candidates, supported by a faculty of approximately 372 academicians .

Located in the Avcılar district on Istanbul’s European side, the campus spans multiple interconnected buildings near the Metrobus corridor, offering modern infrastructure with over 140 labs, research centers, a large library, student-friendly cafés, and sports facilities . The university emphasizes vocational and professional readiness, with hands-on training, internships, Erasmus+ exchanges, and robust career services .

Istanbul Gelişim comprises 6 faculties (Engineering & Architecture, Applied Sciences, Economics & Administrative Sciences, Fine Arts, Dentistry, Health Sciences), 4 vocational schools, a School of Foreign Languages, a School of Physical Education & Sports, and a Graduate Institute . Together, these units offer a wide array of study paths—77 undergraduate, 77 master’s, and 9 PhD programs, across disciplines including engineering, health sciences, business, arts, social sciences, and dentistry .

Academic quality is reinforced by strong international accreditation—65 programs are accredited by respected bodies such as AQAS (Germany), AHPGS (German health accreditation), ABET (US engineering), and Pearson (English language education) . Many engineering and health programs hold ABET accreditation, enabling graduates to work in the US and Europe . The university ranks within the 301–350 band in the QS Emerging Europe & Central Asia region for 2022 .

Research and innovation are central to İGÜ’s mission: it has generated over 781 patents, 12,000 academic publications, and manages more than a thousand projects . The university collaborates with over 130 institutions worldwide, providing vibrant exchange opportunities and reinforcing its international profile .

Campus life at İGÜ is lively, driven by more than 90 student clubs, athletic programs, cultural events, and a multicultural student body representing numerous countries . With hands-on-labs, smart classrooms, a strong internship network, and direct career support, the university aims to produce industry-ready graduates .

💸 Tuition Fees

Tuition varies by program and language of instruction:

• Undergraduate English programs typically range $3,500–4,185/year, with engineering and aviation majors around $4,650–5,115/year .

• Undergraduate Turkish programs average $3,255–3,500/year, except Dentistry which is approximately $12,000–13,000/year .

• Medicine in Turkish comes in at about $15,000/year .

• Master’s programs range between $2,500–4,000/year .

• PhD programs cost approximately $3,000–4,000/year .

• Prep-year English courses cost around $1,000 .

Scholarships and discounts are generous:

• OSYM-based placement scholarships covering 25–100% of tuition, renewable during regular study periods .

• Additional incentives include sibling, early decision, leadership-based, R&D, and IB diploma scholarships .

🎓 Programs Offered

Vocational / Associate Programs

Includes fields like Anesthesia, Child Development, Operating Room Services, Oral & Dental Health, Electroneurophysiology, Medical Imaging, First Aid, Physiotherapy, Social Services, Justice.

Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor’s)

Offered in both Turkish and English, covering:

• Engineering & Architecture: Computer, Civil, Mechatronics, Mechatronics, Software, Aerospace, Electrical & Electronics, Architecture, Interior Design.

• Health Sciences: Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Audiology, Occupational Therapy.

• Business & Social Sciences: Business Administration, International Trade, Economics & Finance, Aviation Management, Logistics, Public Relations & Advertising, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Media and Communication, Culinary Arts.

• Arts & Applied Sciences: Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion & Style Design, New Media, Interior & Environmental Design.

Postgraduate Programs

Over 77 master’s programs and 9 doctoral programs, including:

• MSc/PhD in Aeronautical Engineering, Business Administration, Architecture, Clinical Psychology, Political Science & International Relations.

Doctoral Programs

Includes engineering, health sciences, business, architecture, social sciences, and dentistry fields.

📝 Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions

• High school diploma with certified transcripts in Turkish or English.

• Valid passport copy, personal photo.

• English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for English programs; optionally Turkish TÖMER for Turkish programs.

• YÖS is not mandatory; university may offer its own entrance exam.

Master’s Admissions

• Bachelor’s degree and transcripts.

• English proficiency for English-medium programs.

• CV, statement of purpose, reference letters.

PhD Admissions

• Master’s degree, transcripts, CV, research proposal.

• English language certification.

• Possible interview with faculty.

Application Documents

Typically require diploma/transcript copies translated and certified, passport, photo, language proof.

🌐 Website & Contact

• Official Website: gelisim.edu.tr (English/Turkish)

• Campus Address: Avcılar district, European Istanbul, near Metrobus line