Bahçeşehir University (BAU)

• Location: Istanbul, Turkey,
• Established: 1998,
• Number of students: more than 22,000 ,
• Language of instruction: English, Turkish,
• Type: mixed.

Bahçeşehir University (BAU) is a basic university opened in 1998 by the Bahçeşehir Uğur Educational Foundation in Istanbul.

Throughout its history, the main goal of Bahçeşehir University has been affordable education for students from all over the world. The university has achieved it, because at the moment about 5000 representatives of different countries study at six campuses in the capital of Turkey: from the USA to China, from France to South Korea. Applicants come here because they consider BAU to be an excellent university due to its central location, international power and modern approach to education.

The university is distinguished by its scale, helping to get an education at educational sites in Berlin, Toronto, Washington, Batumi, Cyprus, Kiev and other cities. Undergraduate and postgraduate students study here, gaining competitive knowledge and skills, care and support at every stage of the academic path.

The teaching staff of the university consists of 1350 highly qualified subject specialists who provide assistance both in standard classes and in an individual format.

As part of the university:

• 9 faculties,
• 113 departments,
• College
• Conservatory
• Language School,
• Vocational School,
• Institute of Postgraduate Education.

Specializations of faculties and departments:

• Stomatology
• Pharmaceutics
• Pedagogical sciences,
• Law and jurisprudence,
• Communication
• Economics, administrative and social sciences,
• Conservatory
• Architecture & Design,
• Engineering and Natural Sciences,
• Medical Sciences,
• Medical School.

The institution does not provide dormitories on campus, but helps in finding housing near the study area.

BAU is a branch of the student dormitory REPUBLIKA Residence, which is located in 10-15 minutes. Thanks to the cooperation of the two organizations, students of the programs are offered discounts for long-term accommodation. Basically, students are accommodated in single, double rooms with shared kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms.

Outside the classroom, students are given the opportunity to develop personal interests in sports, science, creativity, charity and other areas by visiting clubs and sections. There are more than 55 associations on Istanbul campuses in the following areas: dance, chess, extreme sports, art, playing musical instruments and much more.

Sports at BAU allow students to develop their physical fitness and reach a professional level in basketball, football, volleyball and tennis. National teams of girls and men defend the honor of the university at city and national competitions, annually winning prizes.

• International partnerships with more than 193 organizations,
• More than 5000 foreign undergraduate and postgraduate students,
• Cooperation with 92 universities for international student exchange,
• The university was twice awarded by the Assembly of Exporters of Turkey (in 2017 and 2018),
• More than 200 programs in 9 faculties,
• The university is one of the three best universities in the country,
• Eight campuses in different countries: Germany, Italy, Georgia, Ukraine and others.

The university has six campuses in Istanbul. The central location of the educational area allows students to feel the pace of the city, explore its sights, visit many cafes and taste national cuisine, get to know the locals.

The campus is equipped with modern classrooms for classes, specialized laboratories, conference rooms and sports facilities. The library of the university covers an area of 11,400 square meters and stores more than 250,000 books, publications and scientific journals. There are seven cafes and restaurants on the territory that provide students with a variety of meals: Turkish, European, Chinese, Asian, Italian food and dishes from other countries.

BAU has its own port with a green area and a wonderful view of the Bosphorus, from which free boat transfers take students to classes on university campuses. They run on a schedule and allow students to enjoy a boat trip instead of city traffic jams.

The academic year lasts for all students from autumn to mid-summer. Students study in semesters, between which exams are held, the academic year ends with final tests that check their level of knowledge. Holidays are organized on international and national holidays, as well as in the summer months: from mid-June to the end of August. In summer, thematic courses are held on the BAU campus.

Additionally, students will need to pay for educational materials, accommodation and meals, public transport and other services. An approximate list of monthly expenses:

• Rental housing - from $ 450 to $ 1000,
• Utility bills - $ 50-150,
• Internet fee - $ 10-30,
• Meals - $ 150-300,
• Mobile communication - $ 10-30,
• Public transport - $ 10-20,
• Entertainment - from $ 50,
• Medical insurance - $ 50-100 per year.

BAU Admission Process:

• Choosing a faculty and program,
• Filling out the online form and providing the necessary documents,
• Obtaining approval of the application,
• Filling out the registration form and paying a deposit of $ 1000 or $ 5000 to book a place on the program (the fee depends on the faculty and will be deducted from the total cost of the course),
• Receiving an official letter of acceptance for education.

If the prospective student does not have a certificate of proficiency in English or Turkish, he can take the exam on campus. In the event that the student has never studied in these languages, he will be enrolled in the courses of the language preparatory school at BAU for one to two semesters.

Thanks to high-quality education, caring support of academic staff and effective development of social qualities, students successfully continue their education at BAU or another university of their choice. Some of the graduates successfully start a career in their specialty within three months after the end of the program.

Foreign applicants, if wishing to study at BAU, must provide:

• Passport
• Original academic documents: school certificate, bachelor's degree or equivalent,
• Transcripts
• Two passport-size photographs,
• Motivation letter in English of at least 300 words (for applicants to medical courses),
• Essay on learning goals, achievements, and reasons for applying to BAU,
• A letter of recommendation from one of the teachers of the previous place of study,
• Any certificates of achievement in the field for which admission is planned,
• Certificate confirming the level of English proficiency: TOEFL (IBT 79) or BAU Proficiency Exam (minimum score: 65/75/80),
• Certificate confirming the level of knowledge of the Turkish language (for programs in Turkish): TÖMER / TÜRKMER B2.

The university does not accept IELTS certificates. 

BAU offers several large-scale scholarships, the recipients of which are elected each year. They reward students on two parameters: overall academic success or achievements in a narrow field.

• Academic Success Scholarship – awarded at the end of the second year of study if the student is ranked first or second in their department. If he takes the first place in his department, then the amount of the scholarship reaches 100% coverage of the program fee, and if the second - 50%,
• The Faculty Scholarship is offered to those who are enrolled in the Faculties of Medical and Educational Sciences. Students can receive a scholarship of 30%,
• A 25% scholarship for those with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4-point scale,
• A 50% scholarship for graduates of any university program while continuing their studies.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision