Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul is considered a unique academic model among Turkish universities, dedicating its educational and research path exclusively to the fields of social sciences, humanities, and law. The university is headquartered in the Basaksehir district and is distinguished by adopting a multilingual education system combining English, Turkish, and Arabic.
This article provides a direct and comprehensive guide containing all the necessary information about Ibn Haldun University, starting from the available majors and tuition fees, to admission requirements and academic recognition paths, serving as an accurate reference to help you make your universitWhere is Ibn Haldun University Located? study decision clearly.
About Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul
Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul is one of the modern foundation (private) universities that has adopted the research university model since its inception, fully dedicating its academic programs to social sciences and humanities disciplines.
Establishment and Location
The university was established in 2015, and its academic journey practically began in the 2017-2018 academic year. Its main campus is located on the European side of Istanbul, a vibrant and well-serviced area providing an excellent, stable environment for international students.
Majors and Language System
The university’s faculties are limited to the fields of social sciences, humanities, law, and Islamic sciences. Academically, it is distinguished by implementing a multilingual education system, adopting English, Turkish, and Arabic as primary languages for teaching and research. This system creates a stimulating environment for international students, allowing them to utilize multiple languages academically in parallel with mastering vital languages for research and the global job market.
Research Vision and Student Environment
Reflecting its identity as a research university, the student structure was designed to be dominated by the postgraduate category. According to official data, the total number of students is approximately 1,850, with Master’s and PhD students constituting about 60% of them. In terms of international diversity, the university hosts more than 530 foreign students from 70 countries (about 30% of the total student body), providing the student with a global, scientifically focused academic environment away from student overcrowding.
Advantages of Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul
The university features several organizational and academic characteristics supporting the student’s university and research path:
1. Academic-to-Student Ratio
The university maintains a low ratio between the number of students and professors. This system allows for direct and effective communication between the student and the academic staff, facilitating supervision and guidance processes in research projects and scientific theses.
2. Scholarships and Financial Support
The university offers scholarship programs including partial or full exemptions from tuition fees, benefiting a large percentage of Turkish and international students across various study levels. This system helps students focus on academic and research achievement and alleviates financial burdens.
3. Academic Exchange Programs
The university possesses a network of international partnerships and participates in student exchange programs such as “Erasmus+”. This provides students with the possibility of completing a semester or a full year at partner universities outside Turkey.
4. Infrastructure and Central Library
The university provides a specialized central library containing references and resources in multiple languages. It is designed to cover research needs in the fields of social sciences and humanities, facilitating international students’ access to diverse and reliable global sources.
Ibn Haldun University Accreditations 2026
The educational programs and systems at Ibn Haldun University undergo evaluation by local and international accreditation bodies, having obtained the following accreditations:
Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK):
It holds institutional accreditation documenting the university’s fulfillment of quality standards in education, scientific research, and administrative structure.
Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA):
This European foundation accredits several university programs, most notably “New Media and Communication,” Business Administration, and Air Transport Management, ensuring the curricula align with European higher education standards.
Pearson Assured Accreditation:
Pearson is specialized in evaluating the quality of the university’s language preparatory program, documenting the efficiency of the teaching and assessment system according to British standards.
Ibn Haldun University Recognitions
Thanks to its official accreditation by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Ibn Haldun University possesses a broad network of recognitions allowing its graduates to equate their degrees academically and professionally at the international and regional levels:
In the Middle East and Globally:
The recognition status of the university varies based on the legal system followed in each Ministry of Education. Countries adopting the “list system” for foreign universities often have not included Ibn Haldun University in their lists yet due to it being newly established. Conversely, countries applying the “automatic recognition” system for any accredited institution in its home country consider the Ibn Haldun University degree recognized and eligible for direct equivalency thanks to its (YÖK) accreditation.
In European Union Countries:
The university is included within the “Bologna Process” for European higher education. It grants its graduates the “Blue Diploma Supplement,” a document guaranteeing direct recognition of the degree and facilitating procedures to pursue postgraduate studies or work in all European Union countries.
In the United States of America and Canada:
The university’s academic degrees are recognized by accredited international credential evaluation bodies in North America, headed by World Education Services (WES). This recognition enables the graduate to equate their degree and meet admission requirements for employment or pursuing Master’s and PhD degrees in American and Canadian universities, in addition to the university holding student exchange agreements with several American universities.
Faculties and Majors of Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul
Below is a list of the available Bachelor’s programs at the university along with the approved language of instruction for each:
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- Business Administration (English).
- Economics (English).
- Law (70% Turkish – 30% English).
- Islamic Studies (70% Turkish – 30% English).
- Political Science and International Relations (English).
- New Media and Communication (English).
- Sociology (English).
- Psychology (English).
- Guidance and Psychological Counseling (English).
- History (English).
Postgraduate Studies at Ibn Haldun University
Master’s programs are available in (with thesis) and (non-thesis) tracks according to the following majors:
- Business Administration: (English – With Thesis) / (Turkish – With Thesis) / (Turkish – Non-Thesis).
- Economics: (English – With Thesis).
- New Media and Communication Systems: (English – With Thesis).
- Religious Sciences: (70% Turkish, 30% English – With Thesis).
- Political Science and International Relations: (English – With Thesis).
- Turkish Studies: (English – With Thesis).
- Financial Economics: (English – With Thesis).
- Sociology: (English – With Thesis).
- Radio, Television, and Cinema: (70% Turkish, 30% English – With Thesis).
- History: (English – With Thesis).
- Business and Big Data Analytics: (Turkish – With Thesis) / (70% Turkish, 30% English – Non-Thesis).
- Philosophy: (English – With Thesis).
- Psychological Counseling: (70% Turkish, 30% English – With Thesis).
- Islamic Studies: (70% Turkish, 30% English – With Thesis).
- Social and Historical Philosophical Foundations of Education: (With Thesis).
- Air Transport Management: (English – With Thesis) / (English – Non-Thesis).
- Private Law: (Turkish – With Thesis).
- Educational Institutions Management: (Turkish – With Thesis).
- International and Comparative Law: (Turkish – With Thesis).
- Public Law: (Turkish – With Thesis).
- Middle Eastern Studies: (English – With Thesis).
- Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Education: (Turkish – With Thesis).
- Islamic Economics and Finance: (English – With Thesis).
- Clinical Psychology: (70% Turkish, 30% English – With Thesis).
- Civilization Studies: (Turkish – With Thesis).
PhD Programs
- Business Administration: (English).
- Psychology: (English).
- History: (English).
- New Media and Communication Systems: (English).
- Economics: (English).
- Sociology: (English).
- Civilization Studies: (Turkish).
- Private Law: (Turkish).
- Islamic Studies: (70% Turkish, 30% English).
- Clinical Psychology: (70% Turkish, 30% English).
- Philosophy: (English).
- Political Science and International Relations: (English).
- Air Transport Management: (English).
Study Costs at Ibn Haldun University
Tuition fees at Ibn Haldun University vary based on the academic level and the chosen major. The costs are as follows:
Bachelor’s Costs
Tuition fees for Bachelor’s majors range between $6,000 and $7,500 annually.
Master’s Costs
Prices for Master’s programs start from $7,280 and reach $18,200 for the full program.
PhD Costs
Tuition fees for studying PhD programs range between $8,645 and $9,100 for the full program.
Note: To view all available majors and their detailed fees accurately, please click the button below to browse the university’s programs and prices schedule for 2026.
Practical Life for Ibn Haldun University Students
Ibn Haldun University is concerned with preparing its students for the job market by linking academic knowledge in social sciences and humanities with practical application, providing several tools to support the student’s career path:
Career Development Center:
The center provides consultations and guidance to students, organizes applied workshops, and coordinates periodic employment fairs aimed at connecting graduates with academic institutions and multinational companies.
Integration into Research Centers:
As a university focusing on scientific research, it offers its students the opportunity to actively participate in projects and reports issued by its research centers. This participation earns the student documented practical and academic experience supporting their CV before graduation.
Competitive Advantage of Languages:
The multilingual education system at the university (English, Turkish, and Arabic) is a strong point for the graduate. This advantage raises the international student’s chances in the global job market, specifically in sectors such as diplomacy, media, education, and multinational institutions that require high communication competence across different regions.
Facilities and Campuses of Ibn Haldun University
Academic and research activities of Ibn Haldun University are distributed across two main campuses, equipped to meet the educational and living needs of the students:
- Main Basaksehir Campus: It is the university’s main campus located in the “Basaksehir” district. It hosts the main faculties, Bachelor’s programs, and most postgraduate programs. The campus includes the main classrooms and administrative centers of the university.
- Suleymaniye Campus: Located in the historical Suleymaniye district in the heart of Istanbul, it is primarily dedicated to certain postgraduate programs and specialized research, particularly those related to Islamic sciences and civilization studies.
Most Prominent Facilities Available to Students:
- Central Library: It is the fundamental pillar of scientific research at the university, housing thousands of printed and digital resources in multiple languages. It is specifically designed to serve social sciences and humanities majors globally.
- Student Housing: The university provides separate student dormitories (for males and females) equipped with basic services and located within or near the campus, providing a safe and stable environment for international students and saving them the trouble of commuting.
- Sports and Social Facilities: The campus includes gyms, courts, cafes, and restaurants to meet the daily needs of students. The university also supports the presence of student clubs that organize cultural and social activities.
Ibn Haldun University Services
The university provides a range of administrative and logistical services to support students and facilitate their academic and living journey. The most important of these services are:
International Students Office:
Concerned with foreign students’ affairs, it provides them with the necessary support to complete legal procedures, such as assistance in obtaining a student residence permit and health insurance procedures, facilitating the international student’s settlement in Turkey.
School of Languages (Preparatory Program):
The university offers intensive linguistic support to new students through the School of Languages to ensure they reach the required academic proficiency in the languages of instruction before actually starting major studies.
Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center:
Provides specialized and free counseling sessions to help students deal with academic pressures and overcome the challenges of adapting to the demands of university life and the new environment.
Nutrition and Healthcare Services:
The campus includes dining halls and cafes offering daily meals at subsidized prices for students, along with a medical clinic on campus to provide primary healthcare and handle emergency cases.
Documents and Admission Requirements for Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul
Ibn Haldun University adopts clear mechanisms for admitting international students, relying directly on the academic evaluation of previous certificates.
Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s Level
The basic requirement for application is the student obtaining a high school diploma (or its equivalent) from an accredited educational institution. Given the university’s exclusive specialization in social sciences, humanities, and law (and the absence of medical or engineering faculties), the GPA criteria are almost uniform:
- All University Majors: Initial admission requires obtaining an average of no less than 60% in the high school diploma.
Language Proficiency Requirements
Submitting language proficiency certificates is not a mandatory condition for obtaining the initial acceptance document, but it is a fundamental requirement to actually begin studying major courses.
- English Language: A (TOEFL) certificate is accepted with a score meeting the minimum required for the academic program.
- Turkish Language: Submitting a (TÖMER) certificate at the (B2) or (C1) level is required for programs adopting Turkish as a primary or auxiliary language of instruction.
- Arabic Language: Native Arabic speakers are exempted from the Arabic language requirement in programs that include it, while they are required to fulfill the English and Turkish language requirements.
If the student does not possess international language certificates, they undergo a placement and exemption test organized by the university; if they do not pass it, they are obligated to study the preparatory year at its affiliated School of Languages.
Required Documents for Application:
- A copy of the high school diploma (translated into English or Turkish and notarized).
- A copy of the high school transcripts (translated and notarized).
- A clear copy of a valid passport.
- A recent personal photo.
- Language proficiency certificates (if available).
Documents and Requirements for Studying a Master’s at Ibn Haldun University
The Bachelor’s degree is considered the primary document for application, and as a minimum, the student’s cumulative GPA must not be less than 60%.
Required Documents for Application:
- A copy of the Bachelor’s degree and transcripts (translated and notarized).
- A copy of a valid passport.
- A recent personal photo.
- A CV and a letter of intent explaining the academic goal.
- Language proficiency certificate (if available, used only for the purpose of exemption from the preparatory year).
Documents and Requirements for Studying a PhD at Ibn Haldun University
Admission requires the applicant to have completed the Master’s stage (in the thesis track).
Required Documents for Application:
- A copy of the Master’s degree and transcripts, with a copy of the Bachelor’s degree (translated and notarized).
- A copy of the passport.
- A recent personal photo.
- A CV and a letter of intent identifying the applicant’s research orientation.
- Language proficiency certificate (if available, used only for the purpose of exemption from the preparatory year).
How Can I Register at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul?
Registration procedures can be completed smoothly through the following stages:
1. Consultation and Major Selection:
Begins with contacting the “Intilaqa” team to evaluate your academic qualifications and determine the most suitable major for you, providing you with all details related to fees and available programs.
2. Preparing and Submitting the Application:
The team guides you to prepare your documents (high school diploma, transcripts, passport, personal photo). The papers are translated and notarized, then uploaded electronically to the university administration.
3. Obtaining Initial Acceptance:
After evaluating your file, the university issues the initial acceptance letter, outlining the major, annual fees, and the first installment amount to secure the seat.
4. Paying the First Installment and Confirming the Seat:
It is required to transfer the first installment to the university’s official bank account; upon which the university issues the final acceptance document.
5. Obtaining the Study Visa:
The final acceptance letter is used as a primary document to apply for the student visa at the Turkish consulate, within a file including the passport and health insurance.
6. In-Person Registration:
Upon your arrival in Turkey, the original and notarized copies of your papers are submitted to the student affairs office on campus to complete the final registration process.
7. Starting Studies or the Preparatory Year:
Major studies begin immediately if you possess an accredited language certificate, or you join the preparatory year program at the university’s School of Languages as a first step.
How Does the Intilaqa Team Help You?
The Intilaqa Educational Team works to assist you step-by-step to choose the most appropriate major and university for you in Turkey, according to your academic interests and study budget.
We offer you a comprehensive free consultation that includes:
- Recommending the best Turkish universities that teach your major.
- Clarifying available costs and scholarships.
- Full follow-up in the registration process until final acceptance.
Whether you plan to study at Ibn Haldun University in Turkey or any other university, you can start by learning about the details of Studying in Turkey via our complete guide:
