İstanbul Üniversitesi
İstanbul Üniversitesi is not just a university; it is a historical landmark and a cornerstone of Turkish higher education. Founded in 1453 (the year of the conquest of Constantinople), it is the oldest university in Turkey and has evolved over the centuries to become a symbol of both modernity and long-standing academic tradition. Its main campus, renowned for its imposing historical gate, is located in the Beyazıt district in the heart of historic Istanbul, and is itself a tourist and academic attraction.
In 2018, a radical change occurred when some faculties (such as engineering, veterinary medicine, and forestry) separated to form a new university, "Istanbul Cerrahpaşa University," while "Istanbul University" retained its core, long-established faculties of social sciences, medicine (Istanbul Faculty of Medicine - Çapa), law, and science. Therefore, a clear distinction must be made between the two universities.
The university is distinguished by its vast libraries and rare manuscripts, and by having produced a large number of presidents, ministers, and literary figures (including Nobel laureate novelist Orhan Pamuk). It is the premier destination for students seeking authenticity and rigorous classical academic education in an environment steeped in history.
Why do students prefer İstanbul Üniversitesi?
long-standing academic reputation
A degree from Istanbul University carries significant weight in the Turkish and international job market, and is considered the "Harvard of Türkiye" in the fields of law and political science.
Unique geographical location
Studying at the Bayezid campus means you are in the heart of history, surrounded by ancient markets, Ottoman mosques, and easy transportation (tram and metro).
Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa)
It is considered one of the top two medical schools in Türkiye (along with Cerrahpaşa), and is distinguished by its huge teaching hospitals and diverse medical cases.
Cultural diversity
The university has a large number of international students from all over the world, creating a rich and diverse environment.
Lower costs
Being a public university, its tuition fees are very low compared to its high quality and private universities.
What colleges and majors are available at İstanbul Üniversitesi?
İstanbul Üniversitesi currently focuses on medical, humanities, and basic science disciplines. Its most important faculties are:
- Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Turkish/English).
- Faculty of Dentistry (Turkish/English).
- Faculty of Pharmacy.
- Faculty of Law.
- Faculty of Economics (Turkish/English): Economics, Political Science and International Relations.
- Faculty of Business Administration.
- Faculty of Arts: Psychology, Sociology, History, Languages and Literature (includes very strong departments for Arabic, Persian, and English).
- Faculty of Science: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy.
- Faculty of Political Science.
- Faculty of Communication.
- Faculty of Sharia (Arabic and Turkish Languages).
- Faculty of Architecture.
- Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology.
What are the accepted exams and required grades for admission to İstanbul Üniversitesi?
The university adopts a flexible policy in accepting international students, and the priorities are as follows:
Unified YÖS Exam (TR-YÖS):
- Medicine and Dentistry: require near-perfect scores (usually above 95% and sometimes 98%).
- Engineering and Law: Requires high grades (above 85-90%).
- Other specializations: The minimum application requirement is 40-50%, but competition raises the acceptance rate to 70% and above.
Istanbul University YÖS Exam (İÜYÖS):
- The university used to administer its own exam, which was the most well-known, but now relies heavily on TR-YÖS.
International exams (SAT):
- Medicine: Usually requires 1450-1500/1600 and above.
- Other specializations: Minimum 1200/1600 for good competition.
Secondary school certificate (Tawjihi/Baccalaureate):
- Some strong international qualifications (ABITUR, IB, French Baccalaureate, GCE) are accepted at high rates.
Local secondary school certificates (Arabic):
- The chances of being accepted directly into top-tier specialties (medicine) are almost non-existent without a YÖS or SAT exam, and may be accepted into less competitive specialties.
What documents and papers are required for applying to İstanbul Üniversitesi?
Essential documents (for online application):
- A personal photograph.
- A valid passport photo.
- High school diploma translated into Turkish and certified.
- The transcript is translated and certified.
- The result of the (TR-YÖS) or (SAT) exam.
- Receipt for payment of application fees (if applicable).
Additional documents (for final registration):
- Equivalence Certificate (Denklik Belges): Very necessary for registration.
- Turkish Language Certificate (TÖMER): Level C1 is mandatory for studying in Turkish. (Istanbul University is very strict about the language, and its Language Center is the primary reference).
- English Language Certificate (TOEFL): For English majors.
What are the official application deadlines and selection criteria for İstanbul Üniversitesi?
The university follows a relatively fixed annual calendar for international students, and data will be updated as it becomes available:
Based on the projected calendar for 2025 (and based on the dates of 2024):
- Application period starts: It is usually a very short and specific period, often in the middle of July.
- Results announcement: Beginning of August.
- Registration deadline: mid- to late August.
- Vacancies selection process: It may open in September, but medical positions rarely remain vacant.
The selection process:
- It is done electronically through the university's AKSİS system. Absolute priority is given to the highest scores in the YÖS/SAT exams.
- "Country quotas" are applied so that students of one nationality do not exceed a certain percentage (often 20%) in a single department.
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