Istanbul Kultur University

Istanbul Kultur University (IKU) is one of the most important private nonprofit universities in Istanbul, Turkey. The university was founded in 1997 and has four campuses located close to each other in the western part of Istanbul. The campuses are located in Şirinevler, Iņeğöl, Başaksehir, and Atakoy. The university campus includes five faculties and two vocational schools. In 2009, the International Political Trends Research Center was established under the sponsorship of the university. Istanbul Kultur University is a preferred choice for international students who decide to study abroad due to its distinctive academic programs and student life.

Overview of Istanbul Kultur University:

Istanbul Kultur University was founded in Istanbul in 1997 by the Kultur Foundation for Cultural and Educational Services in Turkey. Although it is a private university, it enjoys all the rights and privileges of a government university. The university aims to become one of the most successful universities in Turkey and in European countries as well. Kultur University focuses on employing modern technology and scientific research to serve society and aims to provide high-quality education through scientific research and the investment in human capabilities.

Istanbul Kultur University carries out its academic and scientific activities through a total of 59 departments and programs in eight faculties. These include the Faculty of Science and Letters, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Arts and Design, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Health Sciences. The university also has two vocational schools: the Vocational School and the Justice Vocational School. In addition, the university offers higher education in 54 master’s degrees and 11 doctoral degrees. The university is also known for its distance learning programs.

Mission of the University:

The mission of Istanbul Kultur University is to raise the level of critical thinking and evaluate individuals based on professional competence and creativity. It aims to contribute to society by increasing scientific, artistic, and cultural activities.

Vision of the University:

The vision of Istanbul Kultur University (IKU) is to be a university that shapes the future through innovative activities that serve social progress, support lifelong learning, and encourage scientific research. It strives to become one of the leading universities locally and internationally, with an active role in serving the community. This is achieved through:

• Providing student-focused study programs.
• Utilizing the university’s knowledge and research capabilities and continuing integrated research and development activities with various national and international institutions.
• Having competent faculty members and providing academic support that promotes lifelong learning.
• Graduating competent students who can contribute to the service and development of society.

Local and International Rankings:

Istanbul Kultur University is ranked 3333 globally and occupies the 106th position among Turkish universities.

University Accreditation and Recognitions:
Istanbul Kultur University is accredited by the Council of Higher Education in Turkey (YOK) and has obtained several accreditations that qualify students to obtain academic degrees such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. These degrees are officially recognized in various fields of study. The university’s most important international accreditations include:

• European Union accreditation.
• Accreditation of the Faculty of Architecture Evaluation Association.
• FEDEK accreditation for sciences.
• MÜDEK accreditation for engineering programs and specializations.
• DEDAK accreditation for arts, languages, and history programs.
• YOKAK accreditation for the experimental program of external evaluation for English preparatory schools.
• MIAK accreditation for engineering programs and architectural design.
• PEARSON accreditation, a British accreditation for the Faculty of Foreign Languages.

Registration Requirements at Istanbul Kultur University:

The application requirements for Istanbul Kultur University vary depending on the academic degrees that students are applying for, whether it is a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Here are the required documents for each:

Requirements for bachelor’s degree application:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photo.
• High school completion certificate.
• Translated grade transcript in English or Turkish.
• Visa application.
• Receipt of application fee payment.
• Passing an English language test (TOEFL or IELTS if required).

Requirements for master’s degree application:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photo.
• Bachelor’s degree certificate.
• Minimum GPA of 60%.
• Translated university grade transcript in English or Turkish.
• Visa application.
• Receipt of application fee payment.
• Passing an English language test (TOEFL or IELTS if required).

University Location and Campus:

The administrative building of Istanbul Kultur University is located in the Bakırköy campus in the European part of Istanbul. The address is Ataköy, D100 Side Road, 34158 Bakırköy. Istanbul Kultur University occupies an area of 127,966 square meters and is conveniently situated in the heart of Istanbul, near public transportation. It is a 5-minute distance from the metro line. IKU has four campuses:

1. Ataköy Campus: This is the main campus of the university, located in the Ataköy area near Atatürk International Airport. It houses the university’s buildings, administrative offices, and faculties of Engineering, Sciences and Arts, Fine Arts and Design, and the Graduate School.
2. Şirinevler Campus: It includes the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Foreign Languages, and the School of Professional Justice.
3. İncirli Campus: It houses all vocational schools of Istanbul Kultur University.
4. Halkalı Campus: It includes the fields of Economics, Business Administration, and the Faculty of Education.

Istanbul Kultur University in Numbers:

• The university comprises 8 faculties, a graduate school, and two vocational schools.
• The university offers its programs through 59 departments.
• It has 37 undergraduate programs, 54 master’s programs, and 11 doctoral programs.
• The university has graduated 16,000 students.
• It has 47 sports clubs.
• The campus has 22 laboratories.
• The university has a total of 809 faculty members.
• There are 20 units and 52 research and development laboratories.

Student Housing:

• Istanbul Kultur University provides comfortable accommodation for its students through its residential facilities located in Bahçelievler. The university residences can accommodate 359 students, providing them with a comfortable and safe environment for their education.
• The IKU girls’ dormitories have rooms for two, three, or four individuals, with a total capacity of 211 beds. The rooms are equipped with a bathroom (24-hour hot water), a bed, a comforter, a pillow, a wardrobe, a bedside table, a work desk, a mini-fridge, air conditioning, and wireless internet.
• The male student dormitories have rooms for two, three, or four individuals, with a total capacity of 148 people. The rooms have a bathroom and toilet (24-hour hot water), a bed, a comforter, a pillow, a wardrobe, a work desk, and wireless internet.
• All the residences have 24/7 security, and access is controlled through identity cards. The check-in time for the residences is 00:00 on weekdays and 01:00 on weekends. Students can also benefit from free medical and psychological services provided by the Health, Culture, and Sports Department at Istanbul Kultur University.
• Each residence has separate lounges, study halls, study halls with drawing tables for architecture students, internet lounges, laundry rooms, and ironing facilities (with free use of washing machines and dryers). There is also a dining hall where breakfast and dinner are served (located in a separate building for male students).

Academic Programs:

Istanbul Kultur University consists of 8 faculties offering 37 undergraduate programs taught in both English and Turkish. Some of the key disciplines taught include:

• Mathematics.
• Physics.
• Chemistry.
• Molecular Biology and Genetics.
• Nanotechnology.
• Computer Engineering.
• Electronics Engineering.
• Industrial Engineering.
• Civil Engineering.
• Business Administration.
• Economics.
• Law.
• International Relations.
• Entrepreneurship and Project Management
• Fine Arts.
• Distance Education.
• History.
• Social Sciences.
•  Foreign Languages.

Fellowship Programs and Bachelor’s and Postgraduate Studies.

Istanbul Kultur University offers a total of 37 academic programs in English and Turkish, with 29 programs within the İKÜ Professional School, which was established in 2019 through the integration of vocational schools in Turkey.

Scholarship Opportunities:

92% of the departments and programs at IKU listed in the YKS guidebook are allocated scholarship quotas of 100%, 50%, and 25%. The university provides special scholarship opportunities for all its students at different rates.

Advantages of studying at Istanbul Kultur University:

• The university’s prime location in the heart of Istanbul near public transportation facilitates student mobility.
• The university provides academic and professional support throughout the study period by offering internship opportunities.
• Istanbul Kultur University in Turkey provides continuous healthcare services, counseling, and psychological support for students.
• The university offers affordable student housing with separate accommodations for males and females, ensuring necessary safety and security measures.
• Istanbul Kultur University allows its students to work part-time within the university to gain practical work experience for better employment opportunities after graduation.
• The university has a vast library that provides all the necessary resources and references students may need during their study period.
• The university has state-of-the-art infrastructure and is equipped with modern educational facilities, including distinguished classrooms, advanced laboratories, a vast library, and various recreational, sports, and cultural facilities.