Istanbul Beykent University

Why Istanbul Beykent University

Istanbul Beykent University is one of Turkey’s leading private (foundation) universities, known for quality education, an international outlook and affordable tuition. Based in Istanbul across four campuses, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in English, Turkish and even Russian, with around 30,000 students, including internationals from 50+ countries, taught by 600+ academics. With modern facilities, a university hospital, strong faculty and broad partnerships, Beykent is a persuasive choice for students who want a globally recognized degree in one of the world’s great cities. Its motto: “The Future Is Now” (İşte Gelecek).

History & milestones

Beykent was founded in 1997 by the Adem Çelik Beykent Educational Foundation as a non-profit university, its founder envisioning a continuum of education from primary school to university, and opened in the 1997-98 academic year in the Büyükçekmece district. It even formed an early educational cooperation with Liverpool John Moores University (1995) that helped shape its initial academic framework. From that single campus it expanded rapidly to four campuses, adding faculties in engineering, fine arts, law, economics and health sciences plus vocational schools and a graduate institute. Notably, former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu served as a Professor of International Relations here (1999-2004). Today, with 55,000+ graduates in just over two decades, Beykent is one of Istanbul’s prominent universities, guided by an ethos of “serving the community.”

Istanbul, four campuses

Beykent’s four campuses, all on the European side, give students remarkably varied environments:

• Beylikdüzü Campus (main), a coastal, integrated complex near the Sea of Marmara housing Medicine, Dentistry, Health Sciences and Arts & Sciences alongside the Beykent University Hospital, plus a mall, hotels, cinemas and restaurants, everything from healthcare to entertainment beside the classrooms.
• Ayazağa-Maslak Campus (Sarıyer), in Istanbul’s northern business district among skyscrapers, home to Engineering & Architecture, Fine Arts and Communication, with a modern dormitory walking distance away.
• Hadımköy Campus (Esenyurt), opened in 2017 for Economics & Administrative Sciences and the Vocational School, in an industrial growth corridor ideal for internships.
• Taksim Campus, in the cultural heart of Istanbul (Cihangir), home to the Faculty of Law with a mock courtroom, steps from İstiklal Street and close to courthouses and consulates.

Free inter-campus shuttles connect them, giving students the best of cosmopolitan, coastal and business Istanbul, a unique diversity of settings within one university.

Vision & mission

Beykent’s vision is to become a global higher-education institution delivering a high level of education that prepares students to work not only in Turkey but anywhere in the world, emphasising internationalisation, quality and lifelong learning. Its mission is to educate qualified, intellectually minded individuals who can use their professional skills for the benefit of society, guided by core values of knowledge and quality, internationality, collaboration and participation, social responsibility, analytical and innovative thinking, and personal development. The motto “İşte Gelecek” (“The Future Is Now”) captures this forward-looking commitment to shaping tomorrow’s leaders and professionals.

Rankings & recognition

Beykent has earned respectable positions in major rankings. Webometrics 2025 places it around #2,716 worldwide and 74th in Turkey, and uniRank 2025 similarly #3,699 globally / 74th nationally, consistently among Turkey’s top ~80 foundation universities. It also appears in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (overall 1001+), which measure contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, performing notably in the 401-600 band for “No Poverty.” EduRank further notes Beykent in the top 50% worldwide across 11 research topics. While not yet among the oldest research-intensive universities globally, its steady ranking progress reflects a clear commitment to quality and improvement.

Academics & language of instruction

Beykent offers a wide portfolio, about 64 bachelor’s, 49 master’s, 7 doctoral and 77 associate programs across 9 faculties and 3 vocational schools. Courses run in Turkish and English, with some programs offered in Russian or dual languages (e.g. English-Russian Translation), and a School of Foreign Languages provides Pearson-accredited English preparation (and Turkish support) for those who need it. Many undergraduate majors have English-medium options, a strong draw for international students, and the university was an early adopter of distance learning (its BUZEM centre dates to 2008). Following the Bologna Process with a Diploma Supplement and ECTS, Beykent degrees are easily recognised across Europe.

Faculties & specializations

• Faculty of Medicine, a 6-year MD (Turkish) with clinical training at the Beykent University Hospital, and Faculty of Dentistry, a 5-year DDS with on-campus dental clinics.
• Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Child Development and Health Management, with simulation labs and hospital internships.
• Faculty of Engineering & Architecture, Computer, Software, Mechanical, Civil, Industrial and Electrical-Electronics Engineering (many in English) plus Architecture and Interior Architecture, with a finance/robotics-rich lab culture.
• Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences, Business Administration, Economics, International Trade & Finance, International Relations, Logistics and Management Information Systems, with a Finance Lab and double-major options.
• Faculty of Law, a Turkish LL.B. at Taksim with moot courts, comparative-law electives and courthouse proximity.
• Faculties of Communication, Fine Arts and Arts & Sciences, Cinema-TV (with Beykent TV & Radio), New Media, PR, Graphic and Fashion Design, plus Psychology and English/Russian Translation.

Tuition & scholarships

Beykent is known for reasonable fees, especially after its automatic international scholarship; figures below are quoted in US dollars as typical post-scholarship approximate annual guidance, exact current fees appear in the tuition table above:

• Associate (2-year) programs: roughly $1,905 / year (a ~$3,400 base halved by a 50% scholarship)
• Bachelor’s programs: about $2,000-3,700 / year for most fields (Turkish-taught ~$3,300, English-taught ~$3,700, Law ~$3,565)
• Medicine & Dentistry: premium, Medicine ~$12,000 / year and Dentistry ~$11,000 / year (after 50% scholarship)
• Master’s: ~$2,240-11,205 depending on track (non-thesis ~$2,500, English thesis ~$3,665; specialised Clinical Psychology up to ~$11,205)
• PhD: about $4,490 / year

Crucially, all international students receive at least a 50% tuition scholarship by default (already reflected above), with a 10% sibling discount, merit awards, an alumni scholarship (50% off graduate tuition for Beykent graduates), and occasional country-specific discounts. Government Türkiye Scholarships are accepted, application is typically free, and Beykent’s flexible prep-year policy ensures students don’t pay double for language preparation.

Graduate studies

Beykent’s Institute of Graduate Studies runs about 49 master’s and 7 doctoral programs, with both thesis (research) and non-thesis (professional) tracks and a notable distance-learning option via BUZEM. Flagship master’s programs include a flexible MBA (with Finance, Marketing, HR, Hospital Management and MIS concentrations, plus an Executive and e-MBA), the renowned MA in Clinical Psychology, MA in International Relations / Political Science, LL.M. tracks in Public and Private Law, and engineering and fine-arts masters (including Cinema-TV and design). Doctoral programs span Business Administration, Political Science & IR, and Proficiency in Art degrees in Cinema-TV and Art & Design. With only ~130 doctoral students, PhD candidates receive close faculty attention, assistantship opportunities and access to the university’s 12 research centers, library databases and TÜBİTAK-linked projects, at a fraction of Western tuition.

Campus & facilities

Across its four campuses Beykent offers strong, varied infrastructure: the Beykent University Hospital and dental clinics at Beylikdüzü, engineering, science and media labs, moot courtrooms at Taksim, architecture and design studios, the university’s own Beykent TV and Radio for communication students, and libraries with major databases (EBSCO, ScienceDirect) plus 12 research centers. Student life is genuinely vibrant: a modern Ayazağa dormitory (24/7 security, free breakfast, study lounges, laundry), 8 sports facilities (its men’s volleyball team won gold at the 2018 European University Games), and 80-106 student clubs. Prayer rooms, ATMs, bookstores, cafés and dining round out daily life, with high-speed internet and online portals across every site.

Student services & campus life

Beykent surrounds students with comprehensive support. The International Office assists with admissions, visas, residence permits, airport pickup and orientation, plus extra Turkish classes and cultural trips (to Cappadocia, Ephesus and Istanbul’s landmarks) and a mentorship program pairing newcomers with current students. A Personal Development & Career Center runs CV and interview coaching, internships and Career Days, while free, confidential Psychological Counseling & Guidance and faculty advisors support well-being and progress. On-campus health clinics (and access to the university hospital with student discounts) and a Disability Advisory Service ensure care and accessibility. With 8 sports facilities, dozens of clubs, an International Day, spring festivals and guest-speaker events, campus life is lively and welcoming for Beykent’s diverse, 50+ nationality community.

Accreditations & recognition

Beykent is recognised by Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) (since 1997) and participates in the European Bologna Process, issuing a Diploma Supplement and using ECTS for easy EU recognition. It is an active Erasmus+ member with exchange agreements at 130+ universities across 22 European countries, and holds program-level marks including MYK (vocational qualifications), Pearson (English prep), TÜRKAK (lab quality) and ÖSYM alignment. Its degrees are recognised by education ministries across Europe and the Middle East and Africa (Jordan, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Yemen and others), and it is a member of the International Association of Universities (IAU) with TÜBİTAK research cooperation, so a Beykent diploma travels well across careers and borders.

Special highlights & why choose

Beykent’s appeal is its rare blend of scale, breadth, four distinct Istanbul campuses and genuine affordability. Its Medicine and Dentistry train on an own university hospital at competitive fees; its English-medium engineering (computer, software, AI, cybersecurity) and architecture connect to Istanbul’s tech and construction industries; its business and MBA programs emphasise real-world cases, entrepreneurship and double majors; and its creative faculties give students a real broadcasting outlet through Beykent TV & Radio plus a distinctive Digital Game Design track. Add multilingual study (including Russian), automatic 50%+ scholarships, Erasmus+ mobility across 22 countries, a Europe-ready diploma, 8 sports facilities and a buzzing club scene, and Istanbul Beykent University is an established, well-rounded and welcoming choice for students who want a recognised degree in the heart of Istanbul.