Bahçeşehir (BAU)

Where is Bahçeşehir University?

The main campus of Bahçeşehir University is on Çırağan Street in Beşiktaş, on the European shore of the Bosphorus. This is one of the most central university locations in Istanbul and is close to public transport, the waterfront and the city’s business and cultural districts.

BAU also uses other Istanbul sites, including campuses associated with Galata, Göztepe and Şişli. Which building a student attends depends on the faculty and program. The Beşiktaş campus remains the university’s best-known address.

History of Bahçeşehir University

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey authorized the establishment of Bahçeşehir University by the Bahçeşehir Uğur Education Foundation in 1998. The first students enrolled after the 1999–2000 university placement exam.

The university was founded by Enver Yücel and is linked to Bahçeşehir Uğur Educational Institutions, which also include Bahçeşehir College and Uğur Schools. Over time BAU became the Istanbul center of the wider BAU Global network.

Is BAU public or private?

Bahçeşehir University is a private foundation university. It operates under Turkish higher-education law and YÖK regulations. Tuition, admission and language rules are those of a foundation university, not a public state university.

Why is BAU popular among international students?

BAU is often chosen by students who want an English-taught degree in a central Istanbul location. Many undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in English, and the university emphasizes international campuses and partnerships through BAU Global.

The university also highlights its CO-OP program, which is designed to connect students with workplaces during their studies. This combination of a Bosphorus-side campus, English instruction and international branding is the core of BAU’s appeal.

Programs at Bahçeşehir University

BAU’s academic structure includes faculties and schools such as:

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Communication
• Faculty of Architecture and Design
• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Vocational School
• English Preparatory School
• Graduate schools of natural and applied sciences and of social sciences

The program list on this page shows the departments and listed fees currently published here. Language and availability should still be checked for the intended intake.

Studying medicine and professional fields at BAU

BAU has a Faculty of Medicine and a Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as law, engineering, architecture and communication. Medicine and health programs have their own clinical and language conditions; they should not be assumed to follow the same rules as English-taught business or engineering degrees.

Educational and research facilities

The Beşiktaş campus is an urban campus rather than a large suburban park campus. The university describes library, conference and student-service facilities on campus and in nearby buildings. Because space in Beşiktaş is limited, some faculties use other Istanbul sites.

Applied education and the CO-OP program

A distinctive BAU feature is the Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP). The university describes CO-OP as a model that lets students gain work experience while continuing their studies, with local and international workplace partners.

This is especially relevant for business, engineering, communication and other professional fields. Health and law programs have their own internship and placement rules.

Student facilities and campus life

Studying at BAU means studying in central Istanbul. Students can use the city’s transport, cultural life and internships more easily than on a distant suburban campus, but they should also plan for city living costs and commuting if they do not live nearby.

BAU Global and international programs

BAU is a member of BAU Global, which the university describes as an international education network with universities, language schools and K-12 schools. Public descriptions of the network have included study points in cities such as Washington, D.C., Boston, Berlin, Rome, Toronto, Batumi and Hong Kong. Current options should be confirmed with BAU, because overseas sites and programs change.

Erasmus and other exchange routes also exist, depending on the department.

Language of instruction

English is the main language of instruction in a large share of BAU programs; Turkish is used in others. An English preparatory school is part of the university. Applicants should confirm the language of the exact program, not only the university’s general reputation for English teaching.

Admission to Bahçeşehir University

International admission depends on the program and level. Academic records, language evidence and other documents vary. Because BAU is well known among international applicants, it is useful to compare listed fees and program language with other Istanbul universities before applying.

Tuition fees at Bahçeşehir University

Tuition at BAU is generally higher than at many newer foundation universities, especially for English-taught and professional programs. Fees change by year and field. Use the listed amounts on this page as a starting point and confirm them for the intended academic year.

Accreditation and international structure

BAU is a YÖK-recognized foundation university and a member of BAU Global. International recognition, exchange agreements and any program-level accreditations should be checked on official BAU pages.

Advantages and features of Bahçeşehir University

• Founded in 1998 in central Beşiktaş
• Bosphorus-side urban campus
• Many English-taught programs
• Part of the BAU Global network
• CO-OP program linking study and work
• Faculties in medicine, law, engineering, business, communication and design
• Graduate education across social and applied sciences
• Strong name recognition among international applicants in Istanbul
• Access to internships and city life in Beşiktaş

Summary: Is BAU a good place to study?

Bahçeşehir University is one of Istanbul’s established foundation universities, with a central campus, a strong English-medium profile and an international network. It can be a good match for students who want to study in Beşiktaş and who are prepared for the tuition and living costs that come with a central private university.

The right choice still depends on the field, language, budget and whether the student prefers a city campus or a larger suburban campus.

Bahçeşehir University quick facts