Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul — Admissions, Programs and Tuition

Ibn Haldun University is a private university in Istanbul that departs from the usual pattern of the city's private institutions in two ways. First, the majority of its catalogue is English-medium: of 46 published programs, 28 are taught in English and 18 in Turkish. At most Istanbul private universities that ratio runs the other way.

Second, there are no associate programs in its list. Three levels are offered — bachelor's, master's and doctoral. A catalogue that starts at bachelor's and runs up to the doctorate describes an institution that put its weight into degree-level and research study rather than into the two-year vocational market.

There is a third fact you should have before anything else: the published list records no program in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing or engineering. Annual tuition runs from $6,000 to $18,200 — the university itself states $7,500 as its catalogue tuition, but that is an average, and the top of the actual priced rows in the table on this page reaches $18,200.

The clear advantage for an Iranian applicant is the language ratio. 28 English-taught programs out of 46 means the English route here is the norm rather than the exception, and it can remove a Turkish preparatory year from your calendar and your budget outright. If your age or opportunity cost matters to you, a year is not a small saving.

The second advantage is for postgraduate applicants: master's and doctoral study both appear in this list, so a research path can be planned without changing institutions partway.

Set a real limitation against those. The tuition floor is $6,000 a year, above the floor at many private universities on this site. The reason is the absence of associate programs — but having a reason does not make it cheaper for you. If the lowest possible tuition is your first criterion, this is not the right starting point.

The figure above is the university's own tuition — not our fee. Everything involved in getting you admitted here, from checking your documents to holding your acceptance letter, is done at no cost to you.

Bachelor's admission is assessed on your high-school record; Iran's national entrance exam plays no part. Because the larger share of the catalogue is English-medium, an English certificate or a pass in the university's own language exam is a main condition on most files here, not an occasional extra.

For master's and doctoral study, the previous degree and its transcripts are the basis of assessment, with a statement of purpose, references and in some cases a research sample added depending on the field. We confirm each program's exact conditions with the university before submitting rather than guess at them.

For bachelor's study: high-school transcripts and diploma with official translations, a copy of a valid passport, a passport photo, and an English certificate for English-taught programs.

For master's and doctoral study: the previous degree and transcripts with official translations, passport, language certificate and — depending on the field — a statement of purpose and references. Since postgraduate files make up a large share of applications here, this is the stage that usually takes the most time; preparing and checking it is part of the same free service.

Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, a layered metropolis spread across two continents, and for many students the ferry crossing between Europe and Asia is part of the daily commute. It holds the country's largest concentration of universities, so student life turns up everywhere, from library cafes to cheap lunch spots in almost every district. Public transit is extensive — metro, tram, Marmaray rail under the Bosphorus, and city ferries all work with a single Istanbulkart — though rush-hour traffic tests everyone's patience. It is also Turkey's most expensive city, with rent taking the biggest share of a student budget, which is why shared flats and dormitories are common. Winters are mild and rainy, summers warm and humid.