Ibn Haldun University

Why Ibn Haldun University

Ibn Haldun University (IHU) is a private foundation university in Istanbul with a rapidly growing reputation in the humanities and social sciences. Founded in 2015 and opened to students in 2017, it stands out for its multilingual education in English, Turkish and Arabic, its research intensity, over half its students are postgraduates, and its guiding motto, “Intellectual Independence.” Named after the great 14th-century scholar Ibn Khaldun, IHU blends classical intellectual heritage with modern, impact-driven scholarship across six schools and three Istanbul campuses, drawing a deliberately international community from 70+ countries, and supporting it with an extraordinary scholarship policy under which every undergraduate studies tuition-free.

History & milestones

IHU’s journey began in 2015, when it was established by the TÜRGEV Foundation (Turkish Youth and Education Service Foundation), and it welcomed its first cohort of just 215 undergraduates in 2017-18. From the outset it set a clear ambition: to become a leading research university rooted in the social sciences and humanities, reflecting the legacy of its namesake. Milestones followed quickly, in 2019 it launched the Alliance of Civilizations Institute for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, and in 2020 it opened a purpose-built Başakşehir Campus modeled on traditional Ottoman madrasa architecture, consolidating its faculties. Leadership passed from founding rector Prof. Recep Şentürk to Prof. Atilla Arkan in 2021. In just a few years, IHU has built a reputation for rigorous education, international collaboration and a bold blend of tradition and innovation.

Istanbul, three distinctive campuses

IHU operates three campuses across Istanbul, each with a distinct character:

• Başakşehir Campus (the Ibn Haldun University Complex), the modern flagship on the European side, opened in 2020 as a “green campus” with classical Turkish-Islamic courtyards and archways yet cutting-edge technology. It houses all the major faculties, the main library, dormitories for 700+ students, dining, a sports center, a mosque and a free health clinic, and sits close to the new Istanbul Airport for easy international travel.
• Süleymaniye Campus, set within the restored 16th-century madrasa of the Süleymaniye Mosque, designed by Mimar Sinan, an inspiring home for Islamic Studies and the Alliance of Civilizations Institute, steps from the Grand Bazaar and Golden Horn.
• Bakırköy Taş Mektep Campus, the elegant 1874 “Stone School,” beautifully restored, now the Continuing Education Center in a lively central district near the Marmara Sea.

Together they give students both a tranquil academic setting and the cultural, internship and networking opportunities of metropolitan Istanbul.

Vision & mission

IHU’s vision is to be an “international authority and pioneer in the field of social sciences”, setting the benchmark for research and education not only in Turkey but globally, producing authentic knowledge that addresses contemporary issues while drawing on the intellectual traditions of many cultures. Its mission is to be “open to all sources of knowledge” and to prioritize contribution to society, valuing Western, Eastern and Islamic scholarship alike. Its core values give the university its distinctive character: intellectual independence, tradition-based innovation, open civilization, comparative education, multilingual education, character education, and readiness for global competition, together shaping a holistic, purpose-driven education.

Rankings & recognition

As a young, specialized university, IHU sits in the lower-middle of Turkey’s 200+ institutions by overall ranking but is rising on the strength of its research. EduRank 2025 places it around #155 in Turkey (~#8,888 globally), Webometrics 2025 about #156 nationally (~#7,473 globally), and uniRank roughly #145 among Turkish privates. It is not yet listed in QS or THE world tables, common for newer, specialized universities, but its emphasis on postgraduate study and research (over half its students are in graduate programs) is expected to lift its standing markedly as publications, citations and partnerships grow. Within Turkey it is widely regarded as a leading foundation university in the social sciences and humanities, with a growing reputation across the Middle East and South Asia.

Academics & language of instruction

IHU offers around 10-12 undergraduate majors across its six schools, plus roughly 27-28 master’s and 11-12 doctoral programs through its School of Graduate Studies and the Alliance of Civilizations Institute, a portfolio deliberately tilted toward graduate study and research. Education is delivered in English, Turkish and Arabic: most social-science majors (International Relations, Economics, Business, Sociology, History) are in English; Law and Psychology are in Turkish with English support; and Islamic Studies is trilingual, using Arabic for primary texts. The School of Languages runs preparatory English and Turkish programs and offers electives in German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and more, training students to access knowledge in its original languages. With a ~7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a comparative, research-rich approach, IHU offers an unusually intimate and intellectual experience.

Schools & specializations

• School of Humanities & Social Sciences, the research core, with Sociology, History (including Ottoman Turkish and archival research), Political Science & International Relations (a flagship, with Model UN and think-tank links), Psychology, Philosophy and Comparative Literature, taught comparatively across Western, Eastern and Islamic traditions.
• School of Business, Economics (including development and Islamic economics) and Management (Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Business), many programs FIBAA-accredited, plus a Big Data & Business Analytics master’s.
• School of Law, a comparative LL.B. in Turkish with English terminology and electives, moot courts and legal clinics.
• School of Communication, New Media & Communication, with journalism, digital production and PR and Istanbul-based media internships.
• School of Education, Guidance & Psychological Counseling, with school-based practicums.
• School of Islamic Studies, a trilingual immersion in theology, Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh and Islamic history, often based at the Süleymaniye madrasa.

Flexible double-major and minor options let students tailor their studies across schools.

Tuition & scholarships

IHU’s published fees are moderate, but its scholarship policy is exceptional. Figures below are quoted in US dollars as approximate annual guidance, exact current fees appear in the tuition table above:

• Bachelor’s programs: about $4,800 / year list price, yet in recent years all enrolled undergraduates have studied on full scholarship, funded by the foundation
• Master’s programs: around $5,200 / year for most thesis programs, up to about $12,000 / year for specialized tracks such as Air Transport Management
• PhD programs: about $6,400 / year

Crucially, roughly 80% of graduate students receive full scholarships or tuition waivers, and nearly all PhD candidates are funded with monthly stipends, typically serving as research or teaching assistants. A 5% sibling discount applies to fee-paying students, and government Türkiye Scholarships are accepted. Preparatory-year language fees (English ~$5,000-6,000, Turkish ~$2,000-2,650) are often covered for scholarship students. The result is an elite, research-grade education that is financially accessible regardless of background.

Graduate studies

Graduate programs are the crown jewel of IHU, aligned with its goal of being a leading research university. Standout master’s options include Political Science & International Relations (advanced theory with a focus on Eurasia, the Middle East and Muslim-majority countries), Clinical Psychology (with supervised practice via the university’s counseling center), the English-medium MBA (with electives in Islamic finance, entrepreneurship and analytics), the interdisciplinary MA in Civilization Studies at the Alliance of Civilizations Institute, and a career-focused MSc in Big Data Analytics & Management. The PhD programs, spanning Sociology, History, Economics, Political Science & IR, Psychology, Management, Civilization Studies and Islamic Studies, are research-intensive, usually four years, and often require published articles before graduation. Doctoral candidates work closely with internationally trained supervisors, contribute to the university’s research centers, and are nearly always fully funded, making IHU a genuine destination for serious scholars.

Campus & facilities

IHU’s campuses pair modern facilities with historic atmosphere. The Başakşehir complex offers smart lecture halls and seminar rooms, language and computer labs, a spacious multi-floor main library with multilingual collections, databases and group study rooms, and a digital research center. Living and social life are well served: dormitories for 700+ students (triple rooms with en-suite bathrooms, laundry, common kitchens and study halls), a central student center with cafés and dining serving international and halal cuisine, a sports center, green courtyards, a mosque and prayer rooms, and an on-campus health clinic offering free healthcare to students. Around 12 research and application centers, in fields from Conflict & Peace Studies and Islamic Economics to Psychotherapy, Oral History and International Law, actively involve students. The Süleymaniye madrasa adds an intimate, heritage-rich venue for seminars and conferences, and a shuttle plus campus-wide Wi-Fi connect the sites.

Student services & campus life

IHU surrounds its compact, international community with strong support. An International Office handles admissions, visas, residence permits and orientation, while the School of Languages / TÖMER helps students master English, Turkish and Arabic. Counseling and mentorship services and a very low student-to-faculty ratio ensure close personal attention, and a Career Center with industry ties supports internships at Istanbul’s NGOs, think-tanks, banks and media companies. The free campus health clinic covers basic care. Beyond academics, 23+ student clubs, from Law and Political Science societies to Cinema, Debate and Entrepreneurship, run frequent events, competitions and workshops, and undergraduates frequently join faculty research and student conferences. Dormitories, dining, sports and prayer facilities round out a supportive, multicultural campus life.

Accreditations & recognition

IHU is fully accredited by Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK), so its degrees are recognized for employment and further study. It is aligned with the Bologna Process, uses ECTS and issues a Diploma Supplement for international recognition, and participates in Erasmus+ exchange with partner universities across Europe. Impressively, 18 of its programs hold FIBAA accreditation (a respected European quality mark for business, social-science and law programs), and the university is a member of the International Association of Universities (IAU) and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW). Its degrees are recognized by education ministries across the Middle East (Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and others), it is developing dual-degree partnerships in Malaysia, Pakistan and Europe, and it has earned TÜBİTAK research grants, so an IHU qualification is credible and portable across borders.

Special highlights & why choose

IHU’s appeal is its rare combination of research-grade social-science education, trilingual study and an extraordinary scholarship model, every undergraduate funded, most graduate students funded too. Few universities pair a flagship Political Science & IR program, FIBAA-accredited business, a unique Alliance of Civilizations Institute and a trilingual Islamic Studies school taught inside a Mimar Sinan madrasa beside the Süleymaniye Mosque. Add a green, purpose-built main campus, a ~7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 12 research centers, 70+ nationalities, free campus healthcare and Erasmus+ mobility, and Ibn Haldun University offers a uniquely intellectual, purpose-driven education, ideal for students who want to study the humanities and social sciences deeply, at the crossroads of Istanbul’s Ottoman heritage and a modern, globally minded campus.