Istanbul Bilgi University () is a

private university Private universities and private colleges are higher education institutions not operated, owned, or institutionally funded by governments. However, they often receive tax breaks, public student loans, and government grants. Depending on the count ...

founded in 1996, located in

Eyüpsultan Eyüpsultan or Eyüp () is a municipality and Districts of Turkey, district of Istanbul Province, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Its area is 228 km2, and its population is 422,913 (2022). The district extends from the Golden Horn all the way to t ...

Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...

, Turkey. The university has four campuses in Istanbul: SantralIstanbul, Kuştepe, Dolapdere, and Kozyatağı.

History

The university was established with the principle " ''Non scholae, sed vitae discimus''", and is regarded as Turkey's fourth private university. Its precursor institution was the Istanbul School of International Studies. In 2007, the university expanded with the opening of its SantralIstanbul Campus, located on the site of the Silahtarağa Power Plant, the first urban-scale power plant of the Ottoman Empire. The Kozyatağı Campus was later established on the Asian side of Istanbul in 2015. In 2019, Can Holding became a supporter of the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation, which oversees the university. The university furthered its internationalization efforts in 2020 through a collaboration with

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public university, public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is o ...

aimed at improving the quality of education and research. According to the 2020 Turkey University Satisfaction Survey, Istanbul Bilgi University ranked among the ''A group universities'' in the country. In 2025, Istanbul Bilgi University is ranked among the top 5 private universities in Turkey according to the

QS World University Rankings The ''QS World University Rankings'' is a portfolio of comparative college and university rankings compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds, a higher education analytics firm. Its first and earliest edition was published in collaboration with '' Times ...

. Academic representatives from each department, elected by the students in the fall semester, are part of the university council. The university also offers a vibrant student life, with various student clubs. In 2007, Istanbul Bilgi University established an official student LGBT organization, named ''Gökkuşağı'' ( English: Rainbow). Since its foundation, Istanbul Bilgi University has been administered by the Board of Trustees, consisting of 11 members. The current president of the board is Dr. Çağrı Bağcıoğlu.

Campuses

Istanbul Bilgi University Santralistanbul Campus in March 2023

SantralIstanbul Campus is the largest of Istanbul Bilgi University's four campuses. The campus is home to the Main Gallery building, which serves as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events. In 2010, the Main Gallery received the prestigious

International Architecture Awards The Chicago Athenaeum is a private museum of architecture and design, based in Galena, Illinois. The museum focuses on the art of design in all areas of the discipline: architecture, industrial and product design, graphics, landscape architecture ...

. Additionally, the campus includes an annex building offering over 5,000 square meters of space to approximately 3,000 students, located just a four-minute walk from the main campus. Dolapdere Campus is situated near Taksim in Istanbul. This campus has received multiple accolades, including the "Structure and Life Architecture Award" in 2002 and the "European Award for Steel Structure" in 2005. Dolapdere Campus houses the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, as well as a fitness center and a short-course swimming pool. Kuştepe Campus is located in the Şişli district of Istanbul and is Istanbul Bilgi University's first campus.

Libraries and museums

Istanbul Bilgi University has three libraries, one in Dolapdere Campus, one in Kuştepe Campus, and one in santralistanbul Campus. İstanbul Bilgi University's Library offers an extensive system to support degree programs, research and teaching. santralistanbul Campus has the Energy Museum. Istanbul Bilgi University Press was founded in 2000.

Memberships and international affiliations

The university has partner agreements in 40 countries within the scope of Erasmus Programme, Bilateral and Swiss Mobility programs. It is a member of the

European University Association The European University Association (EUA) represents more than 800 institutions of higher education in 48 countries, providing them with a forum for cooperation and the exchange of information on higher education and research policies. Members of ...

(EUA), The Magna Charta Observatory of Fundamental University Values and Rights,

United Nations Global Compact The United Nations Global Compact is a non-binding United Nations pact to get businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. The UN Global Compact is the world's ...

(UNGC), Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), OECD Higher Education Programme, IMHE, and the

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is an American professional and accreditation organization. It was founded as the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business in 1916 to provide accreditation to busines ...

(AACSB). Additionally, the university offers

University of London Worldwide The University of London Worldwide (previously called the University of London International Academy) is the central academic body that manages external study programmes within the federal University of London. All courses are branded as simply ...

double degree programs in economics. Istanbul Bilgi University is accredited by the Council of Higher Education of Turkey and the

European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education The European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), formerly the European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, was established to represent quality assurance and accreditation Accreditation is the independent ...

(ENQA).

Rankings and awards

Istanbul Bilgi University has ranked among the top 130 universities in the “Top Universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia” 2020 list of the reputable higher education quality surveyor QS. According to the rankings, BİLGİ is among the top four non-profit universities in Turkey. In 2024, Istanbul Bilgi University was recognized in the QS Sustainability Ranking, where it was ranked as the fourth-best non-profit university in Turkey. This ranking evaluates universities' efforts in addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Globally, Bilgi University was placed in the 1001-1050 range. Notably, it ranked third among Turkish foundation universities for 'environmental impact' and 'governance', and fourth in 'social impact'. The 2019 results of Turkey's University Satisfaction Survey (TÜMA) ranked Istanbul Bilgi University in the A group, indicating a high level of satisfaction. The university was also ranked among the top 400 universities in the field of political sciences according to the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019 report conducted by

Shanghai Ranking The ''Academic Ranking of World Universities'' (''ARWU''), also known as the Shanghai Ranking, is one of the annual publications of world university rankings. The league table was originally compiled and issued by Shanghai Jiao Tong University ...

. Additionally, Istanbul Bilgi University ranked third in

Bloomberg Businessweek ''Bloomberg Businessweek'', previously known as ''BusinessWeek'' (and before that ''Business Week'' and ''The Business Week''), is an American monthly business magazine published 12 times a year. The magazine debuted in New York City in Septembe ...

's "Best Universities of Turkey 2018" survey.

Controversies

According to the Turkish media outlet ''

Cumhuriyet ''Cumhuriyet'' (; English: "Republic") is the oldest up-market Turkish daily newspaper. It has been described as "the most important independent public interest newspaper in contemporary Turkey". The newspaper was awarded the ''Freedom of Press ...

'', Bilgi has been accused of having connections with the US

Central Intelligence Agency The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA; ) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States tasked with advancing national security through collecting and analyzing intelligence from around the world and ...

. It was part of an investigation into an alleged 2016 taking by a Bilgi University board member of $18 million in funds meant for a Turkish reforestation program was closed in 2018 by the

US Department of Justice The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the U.S. government that oversees the domestic enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice. It is equ ...

, having considered charges of corruption violations. In 2018, the

closed its inquiry into possible corruption violations.

Notable people

Faculty

* Asaf Savaş Akat — Turkish economist *

Ulus Baker Ulus Sedat Baker (July 14, 1960 – July 12, 2007) was a Turkish Cypriot sociologist. Biography Baker was born on July 14, 1960, in Leningrad, USSR. He was born to a cosmopolitan family; his mother was the Cypriot poet Pembe Marmara, and his fath ...

— Turkish sociologist * Murat Belge — Turkish literary critic *

İsmail Cem İsmail Cem (born İsmail Cem İpekçi, 15 February 1940 – 24 January 2007) was a Turkish Centre-left politics, centre-leftist politician, intellectual, writer, author and journalist who served as the Minister of Culture (Turkey), Minister ...

— Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey * Ricky Ford — American jazz tenor saxophonist * Pınar Kür — Turkish author and dramatist * Şule Kut — Turkish international relations scholar *

Butch Morris Lawrence Douglas "Butch" Morris (February 10, 1947 – January 29, 2013) was an American cornetist, composer and conductor. He was known for pioneering his structural improvisation method, ''Conduction'', which he utilized on many recordings. ...

— American cornetist and composer * Niyazi Öktem — Turkish law academic * İlter Turan —Former president of the

International Political Science Association The International Political Science Association (IPSA) is an international scholarly association, founded under the auspices of UNESCO in 1949. IPSA is devoted to the advancement of political science in all parts of the world. During its history ...

* İlhan Usmanbaş — Turkish contemporary classical composer * Serap Yazıcı — Turkish politician and academic of constitutional law *

Derviş Zaim Derviş Zaim (born Derviş Zaimağaoğlu in 1964) is a Turkish Cypriot filmmaker and novelist, who has twice won the Golden Orange for Best Director for '' Elephants and Grass'' (2000) and ''Dot (2008)''; Golden Oranges for Best Film and Best S ...

— Turkish-Cypriot filmmaker * Rona Serozan — Turkish jurist and civil law scholar *

Betül Mardin Betül Mardin (born 1 December 1926) is a Turkish journalist who laid the foundations of public relations in Turkey. Early life and education Mardin was born on 1926 in Istanbul. She is the second child of the Mardin family, an Ottoman family ...

— Turkish publicist

Alumni

Refik Anadol Refik Anadol (born November 7, 1985) is a Turkish media artist and the co-founder of Refik Anadol Studio and Dataland. Recognized as a pioneer in the aesthetics of data visualization and AI arts, his work merges art, technology, science, and a ...

— Turkish-American new media artist * Meriç Aral — Turkish actress *

Enis Arıkan Enis Arıkan (born 3 January 1983) is a Turkish actor, comedian and TV presenter. Born in Istanbul, Arıkan took acting lessons at Müjdat Gezen Art Center and later graduated with a degree in Stage and Performing Arts from Istanbul Bilgi Univer ...

— Turkish actor * Simay Barlas — Turkish actress *

Can Bonomo Can Bonomo (born 16 May 1987) is a Turkish singer who represented Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Early life Bonomo was born in İzmir, Turkey to a Sephardic Jewish family. At the age of 17, he began his offici ...

— Jewish-Turkish singer who represented Turkey in the

Eurovision Song Contest 2012 The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 was the 57th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, following the country's victory at the with the song "Running Scared (Ell & Nikki song), Running Scared" by Ell & Nikki, El ...

Murat Boz Murat Boz (born 7 March 1980) is a Turkish people, Turkish singer, songwriter and actor. Boz began his solo career by releasing his first single, "Aşkı Bulamam Ben", in 2006. In the following year his first studio album titled ''Maximum (Mura ...

— Turkish singer and songwriter *

Kenan Doğulu Kenan Doğulu (; born 31 May 1974) is a Turkish pop musician. He represented Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, where he was placed fourth, with 163 points. In the summer of 2006, Doğulu released the album ''Festival (Kena ...

— Turkish singer and songwriter who represented Turkey in the

Eurovision Song Contest 2007 The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was the 52nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Helsinki, Finland, following the country's victory at the with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" by Lordi. Organised by the European Broadcasti ...

* Ebru Günay — Kurdish politician * Hazal Kaya — Turkish actress *

Uraz Kaygılaroğlu Uraz Kaygılaroğlu (born 30 June 1987) is a Turkish actor, stand-up comedian and TV presenter. He is a graduate of Istanbul Bilgi University with a degree in commercials and advertising. Career TV series Kaygılaroğlu started his career in ...

— Turkish actor *

Halit Özgür Sarı Halit Özgür Sarı (born 4 October 1993) is a Turkish actor and model. He is most famous for his role as Yaman in the TV series Yabani (2023-present). He is also known for his role as Kadir Eren in the series Kardeslerim (2021). Early life Ha ...

— Turkish actor * Sıla — Turkish singer and songwriter * Nimet Tanrıkulu — Turkish human rights activist * İrem Derici — Turkish singer and songwriter *

Pelin Çelik Pelin Çelik (born 23 May 1982) is a Turkish volleyball player. She is 172 cm and plays as setter for Azeri volleyball club Azerrail Baku. She studied at Istanbul Bilgi University. She played 275 times for the national team. She also play ...

— Turkish volleyball player * Eda Ece — Turkish actress *

Tuba Ünsal Tuba Ünsal (born 7 December 1981) is a Turkish actress and model. Biography Tuba Ünsal was born in Denizli on 7 December 1981. Her paternal family, who are of Turkish origin, emigrated from Greece. Other part of her maternal family is Oghu ...

— Turkish actress and model *

Yalın Hüseyin Yalın (born 30 March 1980), better known by his surname Yalın, is a Turkish pop singer and songwriter. He achieved success with the song "" in 2004. Early life Hüseyin Yalın was born on 30 March 1980 in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, as ...

— Turkish singer and songwriter * Furkan Andıç — Turkish actor * Hande Soral — Turkish actress * Sümeyra Koç — Turkish actress *

— Turkish actor * Gül Gölge — Turkish TV presenter * Hakan Demirel — Turkish basketball player * Sarp Levendoğlu — Turkish actor * Aytekin Mindan — Turkish swimmer

References

External links

* {{Authority control Educational institutions established in 1996 Beyoğlu Eyüp Şişli 1996 establishments in Turkey