Quick Facts

• Location: Beşiktaş
• Founded: 1998
• Students: 25,000+
• Annual Tuition: $3,500 – $28,000/yr
• Language of Instruction: English \ Turkish
• Ranking: Top 5 in Turkey

Overview

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

Bahçeşehir University
The Complete Student Guide

Everything you need to know about BAU — programs, official fees, seven campuses, the unique CO-OP system, and 2026 admission requirements

On the shores of the Bosphorus, in the vibrant districts of Beşiktaş and Beyoğlu on Istanbul's European side, Bahçeşehir University (BAU) has established itself as one of Turkey's most internationally recognised private universities. Founded in 1998 under the motto "A Global University at the Heart of Istanbul", BAU holds a place among Turkey's top 5 universities in Times Higher Education — and stands entirely apart through branches in 8 countries and the CO-OP cooperative education system it pioneered as the first and only university in Turkey to do so.

History & Academic Philosophy A global university at the heart of Istanbul — since 1998

The Uğur Education Foundation established Bahçeşehir University in 1998, securing YÖK recognition from the outset. In under three decades, BAU grew into one of Turkey's most visible private institutions, distinguished by its internationally oriented academic programmes, 18+ research centres, a technology transfer office, and an ambitious partnership network spanning 200+ universities across Europe and North America. The university also signed an agreement with Medical Park Hospital in Göztepe as its clinical training affiliate — in pursuit of becoming Turkey's leading medical education institution.

"BAU believes that real education does not end at the classroom wall — it extends into lived professional experience, cross-cultural encounters, and an ever-expanding connection with the world beyond the campus."

BAU also pioneered the ApplyBAU admissions system — unique in Turkey — which allows candidates to be evaluated not merely on grades, but on their personal projects, talents, and ambitions. This ethos of recognising the whole person, rather than a transcript alone, defines the university's approach to both admissions and education.

The CO-OP System — First in Turkey Integrating academic study with paid professional training

🎓 What is the CO-OP System?

Cooperative Education (CO-OP) alternates academic semesters with paid professional placements at real companies. Students rotate between university coursework and structured work terms at partner firms — graduating with verified professional experience before they ever send a CV. BAU is the first and only university in Turkey to have formally implemented this model.

Seven Campuses & International Branches From the Bosphorus to Washington, Berlin and Toronto

🏛️ Beşiktaş South — Main Campus

The primary hub housing Pharmacy, Engineering and Administrative Sciences, overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.

🦷🩺 Göztepe Medical Campus

Home to the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, with Medical Park Hospital as the integrated clinical training affiliate.

🎨 Galata — Arts Campus

The Conservatory and Music Institute are housed here, in the atmospheric historic Galata district of Beyoğlu.

🌳 Future Campus — Göktürk

A modern, green-environment campus with advanced facilities designed to support academic excellence across disciplines.

Washington DC · Berlin · Toronto · Tbilisi (Georgia) · Shanghai · Rome · Kyrenia (North Cyprus) + 6 branches within Turkey — an international footprint unmatched among Turkish private universities. Free shuttle service connects all campuses.

Faculties & Programs 9 faculties · conservatory · 2 applied schools

🩺 Faculty of Medicine

• Medicine (English)
• Medical Park Hospital affiliate
• TEPDAD accreditation

🦷 Faculty of Dentistry

• Dentistry (English)
• Advanced clinical labs
• DEPAD accreditation

💊 Faculty of Pharmacy

• Pharmacy (English)
• STAR + ECZAKDER accreditation

⚙️ Engineering & Natural Sciences

• Computer, Software, Biomedical
• 🤖 Artificial Intelligence Engineering
• MÜDEK + EUR-ACE accreditation

🏛️ Architecture & Design

• Architecture, Interior Architecture
• Industrial Design, Fashion Design
• MIAK accreditation

💼 Economics, Admin. & Social Sciences

• Business Admin, Economics, Psychology
• International Trade, Finance
• STAR accreditation

📢 Faculty of Communication

• Film & Television, New Media
• Digital Game Design, Animation
• İLEDAK accreditation

🎓 Faculty of Educational Sciences

• English Language Teaching
• Psychological Counselling, Pre-school
• EPDAD accreditation

🩹 Faculty of Health Sciences

• Nursing, Physiotherapy
• Nutrition, Speech & Language Therapy

🎵 Conservatory

• Music & Music Technology
• Vocal Training, Performing Arts

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

The table below is drawn directly from Bahçeşehir University's official 2026–2027 fee schedule. All fees are annual and quoted in USD. All programmes are English-medium unless marked (TR).

The vast majority of BAU programmes are taught in English. Programmes marked (TR) are Turkish-medium. An English preparatory year is available for students who require it.

All fees are taken from BAU's official 2026–2027 fee schedule. Fees are annual and may be subject to change. Verify at: bau.edu.tr

Academic Rankings 2026 Among Turkey's top 5 in Times Higher Education

International Accreditations 9+ national and international quality certifications

TEPDAD

Faculty of Medicine — Turkish institutional accreditation authority

DEPAD

Faculty of Dentistry programme accreditation

MÜDEK + EUR-ACE

Industrial and Energy Systems Engineering — European engineering standards

TPD

Psychology — Turkish Psychological Association accreditation

İLEDAK

Communication and Public Relations programmes accreditation

CEA

English preparatory programme — US Commission on English Language Accreditation

MIAK

Architecture and environmental design programme accreditation

EPDAD

Educational Sciences and Psychological Counselling programme accreditation

STAR + EUA + Erasmus+

Business accreditation + European University Association membership

The BAU degree is recognised in the United States, all EU member states, and across the Arab world including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Palestine.

Key Advantages What sets BAU apart from every other university in Turkey

• #5 in Turkey — THE 2025: Times Higher Education places BAU firmly in the country's academic elite, with a global reputation supported by research output, international outlook and sustained investment.
• CO-OP System — First and only in Turkey: Paid professional placements alternated with academic semesters mean BAU graduates enter the job market with real, verified work experience — a tangible career advantage no other Turkish university replicates.
• Branches in 8 countries: Washington, Berlin, Toronto and beyond — students can access genuine international academic environments without leaving the BAU ecosystem.
• Artificial Intelligence Engineering — $12,000: BAU is among the first Turkish universities to offer a full bachelor's degree in AI engineering, positioning graduates at the forefront of the most sought-after field in technology.
• Bosphorus-side campuses in Istanbul's finest districts: Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu and Galata offer an unrivalled urban academic experience, with free shuttle service connecting all seven campuses.
• ApplyBAU — a uniquely human admissions process: Projects, talents and ambitions are considered alongside transcripts — a philosophy of recognition that runs through BAU's entire educational model.

Student Housing On-campus residences · nearby private options

• On-campus student residences: BAU operates student accommodation at several of its campuses, with fully equipped rooms, common areas, libraries and dining facilities.
• Unrivalled location: Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu and Galata are among Istanbul's most culturally rich, connected and vibrant neighbourhoods — with direct access to public transport across the city.
• Nearby private options: Furnished and unfurnished apartments close to campus are widely available — the university actively assists students in finding suitable accommodation.

Beşiktaş and Beyoğlu are among Istanbul's most sought-after areas — we strongly recommend arranging accommodation as soon as your acceptance letter arrives. Contact us for early booking assistance.

Admission Requirements Documents needed for 2026 applications + ApplyBAU

• Official high school diploma with certified translation — Medicine / Dentistry: 85% | Engineering: 75% | Other faculties: 60%
• Official high school transcript (certified and translated).
• Copy of valid passport + passport-sized photograph.
• YÖS is not required for high school graduates — the diploma alone is sufficient in most cases.
• English preparatory year available for students who need it prior to English-medium programmes.

BAU's unique ApplyBAU admissions process evaluates candidates on projects, talents and goals — not grades alone. Application fee: $0. Enrolling through 180 Degrees Academy is completely free and includes personalised advisory support and full file management.

Frequently Asked Questions What international students ask most