Quick Facts

• Location: Tuzla
• Founded: 1999
• Students: 20,000+
• Annual Tuition: $2,000 – $11,000/yr
• Language of Instruction: English / Turkish
• Ranking: Industry Connected

Overview

• History
• Campuses
• Faculties
• Rankings
• Programs & Fees
• Apply

Istanbul Okan University
The Complete Student Guide

Everything you need to know about Okan — programs, official fees, the trademarked Career & Life Programme, ABET accreditation, and 2026 admission requirements

On the Asian side of Istanbul, Istanbul Okan University sets itself apart with a bold motto: "The University Closest to Business Life." Established in 1999 by the Okan Culture, Education and Sports Foundation — itself founded in 1986 — and opening its doors for the 2003–2004 academic year, Okan today offers 56+ bachelor's programmes, 858 academic staff, and 20+ research centres across three campuses. Its most distinctive achievement is the Career & Life Programme — launched in 2008 as a Turkish first, trademarked in 2023 — which connects every student with the real-world professional landscape from the very first year of study.

History & Academic Philosophy "The university closest to business life" — since 1999

The Okan Culture, Education and Sports Foundation established the university in 1999, securing YÖK recognition ahead of the 2003–2004 academic launch. The main Tuzla campus spans 160,000 m² — a green, self-sufficient environment that produces its own electricity through renewable energy and enforces rigorous water and waste management policies. This commitment to sustainability is embedded in the institution's identity, not merely its marketing.

"Our vision is to be a leading institution in education and research, recognised both nationally and internationally — cultivating graduates who are not just academically prepared, but immediately effective in the professional world."

Okan holds the distinction of being the first Turkish university to be licensed by Pearson to award HNC and HND international qualifications. In aviation, it offers accredited pilot training in collaboration with the Atlantic Flight Academy (AFA). The university has also held and renewed the ISO 9001 quality certificate continuously since 2012.

The Career & Life Programme A Turkish first in 2008 — mandatory for all students, trademarked in 2023

💼 What is the Career & Life Programme?

Launched in 2008 as the first programme of its kind in Turkey — and formally trademarked in 2023 — Career & Life is a mandatory, structured programme that connects every Okan student with industry professionals and alumni from year one. The dedicated Career Center provides career planning, sector introductions and post-graduation employment support. The result: Okan graduates enter the job market with genuine professional networks and practical readiness that most universities only promise.

Three Campuses Tuzla (Asian side) · Mecidiyeköy · Kadıköy

🏛️ Tuzla Campus — Main Campus

160,000 m² of green, self-sufficient campus. Houses 5 student residences, 16 restaurants and cafeterias, a medical centre, sports facilities, and a cinema. Produces its own electricity through renewable energy sources.

🦷 Mecidiyeköy Campus

Houses the Faculty of Dentistry and the American-accredited Okan University Dental Hospital. Located in Mecidiyeköy on Istanbul's European side — centrally positioned and easy to reach.

📚 Kadıköy Campus

Located in the culturally vibrant Kadıköy district on the Asian side. Houses selected vocational programmes and specialised units.

Faculties & Programs 11 faculties · 3 vocational schools · 20+ research centres

🩺 Faculty of Medicine

• Medicine (English / Turkish)
• 6 years — TEPDAD + WDOMS

🦷 Faculty of Dentistry

• Dentistry (English / Turkish)
• 5 years + US-accredited hospital

💊 Faculty of Pharmacy

• Pharmacy (English / Turkish)
• 5 years

🩹 Faculty of Health Sciences

• Nursing, Physiotherapy
• Nutrition, Child Development

⚙️ Engineering & Natural Sciences

• 9 engineering programmes
• ABET + MÜDEK accreditation

💼 Business & Administrative Sciences

• Business Admin, Economics & Finance
• International Trade, Logistics
• ACBSP accreditation

🎨 Art, Design & Architecture

• Architecture, Interior Architecture
• Cinema, Digital Game Design

⚖️ Faculty of Law

• Law (Turkish)
• 4 years

🧠 Humanities & Social Sciences

• Psychology (English / Turkish)
• Translation: English / Chinese / Russian

🎓 Faculty of Education

• English Language Teaching, Pre-School
• Special Education, Counselling

✈️ Applied Sciences

• Aviation Management, Pilotage
• Gastronomy, Sports Management

🎵 Conservatory

• Music, Theatre (Turkish)
• 4 years

Bachelor's Programs & Tuition Official 2026–2027 fee schedule

Instalment payment: Annual fee split into two payments. | Full upfront payment: Automatic 5% discount — shown in the "Prepaid" column throughout the tables.

🩺 Faculty of Medicine — 6 Years

🦷 Faculty of Dentistry — 5 Years

💊 Faculty of Pharmacy — 5 Years

English-medium Pharmacy at Okan ($8,000) is cheaper than Turkish-medium ($9,000) — the reverse of what is typical. This makes English Pharmacy at Okan one of the most competitively priced options at any internationally accredited Turkish private university.

🩹 Faculty of Health Sciences — 4 Years

⚙️ Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences — 4 Years

💼 Faculty of Business & Administrative Sciences — 4 Years

✈️ Faculty of Applied Sciences — 4 Years

🎨 Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture — 4 Years

⚖️ Faculty of Law — 4 Years

🧠 Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences — 4 Years

🎓 Faculty of Education — 4 Years

🎵 Conservatory — 4 Years

Medicine: $19,500–$22,500 | Dentistry: $15,000–$18,000 | Pharmacy: $8,000–$9,000 | Health Sciences & Engineering & Business (English): $5,000 | (Turkish): $4,500 · All fees are annual and valid for the 2026–2027 academic year only.

Academic Rankings Growing presence in regional and international listings

Accreditations & International Recognition ABET + MÜDEK + ACBSP + TEPDAD + ISO 9001

ABET (USA)

Applied sciences and engineering programmes — the most prestigious US accreditation body

MÜDEK (Europe)

Electrical-Electronics and Civil Engineering — European engineering standards

ACBSP

Faculty of Business & Administrative Sciences accreditation

TEPDAD + WDOMS

Faculty of Medicine national and international accreditation

FEDEK

Social, natural sciences and mathematics programme accreditation

Pearson / HNC–HND

First Turkish university licensed to award Pearson HNC and HND international qualifications

ISO 9001

Quality management certification continuously renewed since 2012

Erasmus+ / CHEA / ISEP

200+ European partnerships + CHEA membership + ISEP network (300 universities)

The Okan degree is recognised across all EU member states and in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. YÖK accreditation also extends recognition to all countries that accept this certification.

Key Advantages What makes Okan a compelling choice for international students

• English-medium Pharmacy at just $8,000: Cheaper than the Turkish-medium equivalent at the same university — making it one of the most price-competitive English pharmacy options at any internationally accredited private university in Turkey.
• Turkish-medium Medicine at $19,500 — highly competitive: Among the lowest tuition for TEPDAD-accredited medicine at a major Turkish private university, making Okan a strong value proposition for cost-conscious students.
• Career & Life Programme — trademarked and unique: Running since 2008 and formally trademarked in 2023, this mandatory programme is the most concrete expression of Okan's "closest to business life" motto — real professional connections from year one.
• ABET (US) Engineering Accreditation: Okan engineering graduates carry one of the most internationally portable accreditations available — rare among Turkish private universities and particularly valuable for careers in the US, Canada and the Gulf.
• Tuzla Campus — self-sufficient, fully integrated: 160,000 m² with 5 residence buildings, 16 dining options, a medical centre and renewable energy generation. A genuinely complete living and learning environment.
• AFA pilot training partnership: International-standard flight training in cooperation with Atlantic Flight Academy — $8,000/year academic fee, with flight hours billed separately.

Student Housing & Campus Life 5 residence buildings + a complete on-campus ecosystem

• 5 on-campus residence buildings: Fully equipped student accommodation within walking distance of all faculties at the Tuzla campus — no commute required.
• 16 restaurants and cafeterias: Including three specialist cuisines, patisseries and canteens — a remarkable dining infrastructure for an on-campus community.
• Okan Life Center: A multifunctional social hub housing a cinema hall, games room and entertainment centre — campus life is never quiet.
• Medical centre + 24/7 ambulance: On-campus health services including outpatient care and round-the-clock emergency support.

Admission Requirements Documents needed + 180 Degrees Academy support

• Official high school diploma with certified translation.
• Official high school transcript (certified and translated).
• Copy of valid passport + passport-sized photograph.
• Double Major and Minor degree options are available across most programmes.
• English and Turkish preparatory programmes are available for students who require language support.

Enrolling through 180 Degrees Academy is completely free — full advisory support from application to acceptance. Official international page: okan.edu.tr/en/international

Official Links Everything you need in one place

Frequently Asked Questions What international students ask most