{"id":420,"date":"2026-07-16T15:36:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intilaqa-edu.com\/en\/?p=420"},"modified":"2026-07-16T15:36:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:36:30","slug":"isik-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intilaqa-edu.com\/en\/isik-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Isik University"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many international students planning to study abroad look for a university that balances quality education with affordable costs, and this is where Isik University<\/strong>‘s name comes up repeatedly among the private university options in Istanbul. But before making a decision of this scale, it’s natural to have many questions: Is the degree recognized? What are the actual fees? And what are the admission requirements? In this article, we answer all these questions in detail.<\/span><\/p>\n

About Isik University<\/b><\/h2>\n

Isik University<\/b> is a private Turkish university located in Istanbul, and it is considered one of the universities with a relatively long educational history compared to other private universities in Turkey.<\/span><\/p>\n

Founding and Historical Background<\/span><\/h3>\n

The university officially began academic operations in 1996, and it operates under the Feyziye Schools Foundation, which was established in 1885. In 1934, the foundation’s name changed to “Isik,” with the approval of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who had once been one of its students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic Programs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The university offers its programs through 3 faculties comprising 22 bachelor’s programs, in addition to a vocational school with 11 diploma programs, and a graduate school with 52 master’s and PhD programs combined. These programs cover fields such as engineering, architecture, administration, and the humanities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Student Body and International Diversity<\/span><\/h3>\n

The university currently has around 7,000 students, including more than 1,100 international students from 68 countries. The number of graduates since its founding has exceeded 19,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages of Isik University<\/b><\/h2>\n

Beyond its location and history, Isik University<\/strong> offers a number of practical advantages that directly shape the student experience throughout the years of study.<\/span><\/p>\n

Double Major and Minor System<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the most notable things the university offers is its “Double Major” system, which allows a student to study two academic majors at once and receive two separate degrees upon graduation, in addition to the option of choosing a “Minor” to strengthen skills in a field that complements the main major. This system gives Isik graduates greater flexibility in the job market compared to single-major programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Career Guidance and Practical Training<\/span><\/h3>\n

The university connects its academic programs to the job market through partnerships with local and international companies and institutions, and it provides career guidance services that include workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and internship programs, with the goal of preparing students practically, not just academically, before graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Student Housing at Competitive Prices<\/span><\/h3>\n

University housing at Isik is considered one of the more affordable options compared to some other private universities in Istanbul, which is especially important for international students coming from abroad who are looking for a balance between quality and the overall cost of study and living.<\/span><\/p>\n

International Partnerships and Exchange Programs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The university participates in the Erasmus program in addition to more than 80 international academic partnerships, giving students the opportunity to study a semester or a full year at a European university within their field.<\/span><\/p>\n

Isik University Accreditations 2026<\/b><\/h2>\n

Isik University<\/strong> holds two publicly listed accreditations: MUDEK accreditation for the Faculty of Engineering programs, and EAQUALS accreditation for the School of Foreign Languages. Below is a breakdown of each and what it means for students.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. MUDEK Accreditation and the EUR-ACE Label<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Faculty of Engineering programs at Isik University<\/strong> have obtained accreditation from MUDEK (the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs) \u2014 the only authorized body in Turkey for accrediting engineering programs \u2014 for a period of 5 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

This accreditation grants graduates of these programs the European EUR-ACE label, making their degrees equivalent in countries that are signatories to the Washington Accord, easing their admission into other accredited master’s and PhD programs, and facilitating recognition of their qualifications by engineering associations in countries that regulate the profession.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. EAQUALS Accreditation for the School of Languages<\/span><\/h3>\n

The university’s School of Foreign Languages holds EAQUALS accreditation, an international accreditation specialized in evaluating the quality of language teaching institutions, which ensures the quality of the English preparatory program before students begin their specialized studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Isik University Recognitions<\/b><\/h2>\n

Since Isik University<\/strong> is officially accredited by Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YOK), this accreditation forms the basis on which its degrees are recognized as equivalent in various countries, although the exact procedure differs from one country to another depending on the system it follows.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Arab Countries<\/span><\/h3>\n

Recognition of Isik University<\/strong>‘s degrees varies depending on the system each Arab ministry of higher education follows. Countries that apply an “automatic recognition” system for any university officially accredited by YOK in its home country treat an Isik degree as eligible for direct equivalency without needing to be included on a pre-approved list. In countries that apply a predetermined “list system,” the university’s status varies from one country to another, so students are always advised to check the list of recognized universities with their own country’s ministry of higher education before enrolling, since these lists are updated periodically.<\/span><\/p>\n

In European Union Countries<\/span><\/h3>\n

Since Turkey is a member of the Bologna Process for the European Higher Education Area, this framework gives accredited Turkish universities, including Isik University<\/strong>, a basis for mutual recognition of degrees and credit hours (ECTS) with other European universities within the same system, making it easier for graduates to pursue further studies in EU countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the United States and Canada<\/span><\/h3>\n

For students wishing to continue their studies or work in North America, having any Turkish university degree recognized as equivalent, including a degree from Isik University<\/strong>, usually goes through accredited international credential evaluation agencies there, such as World Education Services (WES), which reviews the student’s file based on the university’s YOK accreditation and academic record, rather than on any automatic prior recognition of the specific university.<\/span><\/p>\n

Isik University Faculties and Programs<\/b><\/h2>\n

Isik University<\/strong> offers its undergraduate (bachelor’s) programs at the Sile Campus, spread across three main faculties, in addition to diploma programs taught at the Maslak Campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences<\/span><\/h3>\n