Founded in 2007, Özyeğin University is a non-profit foundation university located on the Asian side of Istanbul. Considered one of the leading private universities in Istanbul after Koç and Sabancı, Özyeğin ranks among the top institutions in terms of student satisfaction, according to surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018.
The university defines itself as a financially accessible and entrepreneurial research university, with nearly 90% of undergraduate students receiving some form of financial support. Placing great emphasis on freedom, flexibility, and accessibility, Özyeğin University enforces a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and is committed to advancing gender equality.
The university cites Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as its long-term models. Currently, international students make up 8% of its population, and the female-to-male ratio is 44:56.
Key Facts
University Type: Private / Foundation (Non-profit)
Established: 2007
Location: Çekmeköy, Istanbul, Turkey
International Students: ~8%
Student Population: ~7,000+
Female-to-Male Ratio: 44:56
Specialization: Engineering, Business, Law, Social Sciences, Architecture & Design, Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences
Faculties: 6
Programs: 20+ undergraduate and graduate programs
Scholarships: ~90% of undergraduates receive financial support
History & Foundation
Özyeğin University was founded by the Hüsnü M. Özyeğin Foundation in 2007 with the mission of becoming an entrepreneurial and research-focused learning centre. The groundwork for the university began two years earlier, based on the results of comprehensive surveys with more than 500 participants, including business leaders, faculty members, and high school and university students, which shaped the university’s design process.
The university admitted its first students at the Altunizade Campus in September 2008, before opening the doors of its Çekmeköy Campus in September 2011. The Çekmeköy Campus is a green and sustainable campus built on a 283,000 m² area.
Education & Research
Özyeğin University offers 23 undergraduate programmes across seven faculties, along with a variety of minors, graduate, and doctoral programmes. The university values academic freedom and institutional autonomy, providing students with flexible structures, dynamic programs, and course choice freedom. It also strives to remain financially accessible to students from both Turkey and abroad.
Positioning itself as a learner-focused institution, Özyeğin University provides the OzU Transformative Learner Experience (TLE), designed to help students "learn to learn." Administrative support mechanisms such as analytics, advising, and learning & development initiatives continuously enhance the curriculum and student experience. Professional advisors support students during their first two years, while faculty academic advisors guide them throughout their undergraduate education.
Aspiring to be one of Turkey’s leading entrepreneurial research universities, Özyeğin University hosts ten research centres and over 50 laboratories. It actively encourages academics and students to conduct original research and publish in internationally recognised journals. The curriculum also incorporates applied courses, independent studies, and dissertations, enabling students to build strong research competence and experience.
Student Life & Global Opportunities
Among the alumni of Özyeğin University, 76% pursue professional careers while 20% continue to graduate-level education. Notably, 35% of graduates live abroad, working or studying in countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, USA, Germany, and Italy.
Many alumni secure positions at prestigious firms like PwC, Vodafone, Bosch, and Turkish Airlines, while a significant number choose to establish their own businesses, reflecting the university’s entrepreneurial vision and global outlook.
Contact Information
Visitor Address:
Özyeğin University – Çekmeköy Campus
Nişantepe Mah. Orman Sok. No:13
34794 Çekmeköy / Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 (216) 564 90 00
Fax: +90 (216) 564 99 99
Email: info@ozyegin.edu.tr
