Boğaziçi University
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi
A public, English-medium university on the Bosphorus that grew out of Robert College, the first American college abroad.
- Students
- 16,173
- 13,181 undergraduates
- Tuition
- $8,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1863
- QS World Ranking
- #345
- 2027 edition
About Boğaziçi
Boğaziçi University traces its roots to Robert College, founded in Bebek in 1863 by the American philanthropist Christopher Robert and the educator Cyrus Hamlin; the college's higher-education section became the public Boğaziçi University in 1971. Its main South Campus sits on a ridge above the Bosphorus near Rumelihisarı, and the university now spreads over seven campuses covering about 1.9 million square metres.
Instruction is in English. The university has seven faculties (Economics and Administrative Sciences, Education, Engineering, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, and Communication), a School of Foreign Languages and eight institutes, offering 34 undergraduate, 72 master's and 35 doctoral programmes. In 2020-21 it had 16,173 students, about 13,200 of them undergraduates, with 162 research laboratories and 28 research centres.
Most students are Turkish and are placed through the national YKS exam, where Boğaziçi describes itself as bringing together Türkiye's top students. International students apply directly with SAT, IB, A-levels, ACT, TR-YÖS or national qualifications, and pay modest fees by international standards. It suits strong students who want a public university with a liberal-arts style culture, a historic campus and a large, influential alumni network in business, politics and the arts.
Yarından Sonrası İçin
“For the Day After Tomorrow” — university motto
Why students choose Boğaziçi
All teaching is in English, on a historic campus above the Bosphorus that began as Robert College in 1863.
International undergraduate tuition is USD 8,000-10,000 a year, low for an English-medium university of its standing.
International undergraduates whose families live outside Istanbul are guaranteed on-campus housing in their first year, and about 45% of undergraduates live on campus.
Alumni include the Cannes-winning director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, former Sabancı Holding chair Güler Sabancı and Princeton economist Faruk Gül.
Admissions
2027-28 academic year (international applications expected in spring 2027; YKS placement summer 2027)
Selectivity
Boğaziçi does not publish an acceptance rate. Turkish students are placed centrally by ÖSYM on YKS scores. International applicants compete for a limited international student quota and must meet high minimum scores, such as SAT 1350 with 700 in Math for Engineering, IB 36 or three A grades at A-level.
Typical entry requirements
| SAT | Engineering 1350 with Math 700; Science 1300 with Math 700; Education 1200; other programmes 1300 (College Board code 0796) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Minimum 36 out of 45 |
| A-levels (GCE or International A Levels) | At least three A-levels relevant to the programme, each at grade A |
| ACT / AP | ACT composite 29; or four AP exams at 4 or above, with 5 in Calculus AB or BC for Engineering and Science |
| TR-YÖS and national diplomas | TR-YÖS 450/500; Abitur 2.0; French Baccalaureate 14.5/20; Gaokao 550/750; Pakistan HSSC 80%; Olympiad gold or silver medallists also eligible |
| YKS (Turkish students) | Central placement by ÖSYM according to YKS score and preferences |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 English proficiency is needed to start the degree without the English Preparatory Programme: Boğaziçi's own BÜYES/BUEPT, IELTS Academic 6.5 with 6.5 in Writing (IELTS Online not accepted), or TOEFL iBT 4.5 overall and in each section on the new scale (from 12 June 2026; Home Edition not accepted). Scores must be under two years old and approved in person by YADYOK. Law and Turkish Language and Literature also need B2 Turkish at application. |
Deadlines
- International undergraduate application window (2026-27 intake, past) Non-binding Passed5 June 2026, 17:00 Turkey time
Online system open 6 April to 5 June 2026. Shown for reference; the 2027-28 window had not been announced.
This is the 2026-27 international window, shown for reference; the 2027-28 dates had not been published as of September 2026. If the pattern holds, expect a roughly two-month window in April-June 2027. Turkish students follow the ÖSYM YKS calendar.
How to apply
Turkish students: take the YKS and list Boğaziçi programmes in the ÖSYM preferences. International students: apply online during the spring window with an accepted exam or diploma score report, an official high school transcript, a diploma or graduation letter, an English proficiency score report, a statement of purpose, a passport copy and a USD 103 application fee; all documents must be in English.
What admissions looks for
- A strong score on one accepted exam or diploma, at or above Boğaziçi's minimum for your faculty.
- Solid mathematics for Engineering and Science, reflected in the SAT Math 700 minimum and AP Calculus 5 requirement.
- English proficiency good enough to study in English, or willingness to complete the English Preparatory Programme.
- A clear statement of purpose explaining your choice of programme.
Tips for applying to Boğaziçi
- 1 Send SAT scores directly from the College Board to code 0796; superscores are not accepted.
- 2 Bring an IELTS Academic 6.5 (with 6.5 in Writing) or a new-format TOEFL iBT 4.5 if you want to skip the preparatory year; online and home editions are not accepted.
- 3 Do not count on institutional aid: Boğaziçi says it offers no scholarships or financial aid to international students.
- 4 Plan to apply in April-May: the 2026 window was only two months long.
- 5 If you are applying to Law or Turkish Language and Literature, get a B2 Turkish certificate from a state-university TÖMER or the Yunus Emre Institute before you apply.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Boğaziçi states that it does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students. Turkish students are placed at this public university through the YKS; home tuition is not listed on the pages reviewed.
- None offered by the university
- Scholarships for international students
- USD 103
- Undergraduate application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall and Spring), plus a summer term
Computer Engineering (BS)
Part of the Faculty of Engineering, which sets the highest SAT bar for international applicants (1350 with Math 700).
Industrial Engineering (BS)
One of six Faculty of Engineering departments, alongside Computer, Electrical and Electronics, Civil, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering.
Economics (BA)
Taught in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, whose graduates include Princeton economist Faruk Gül.
Political Science and International Relations (BA)
A department whose alumni include former prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, who also earned his master's and PhD at Boğaziçi.
Molecular Biology and Genetics (BS)
One of four Faculty of Science programmes, alongside Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Tourism Administration (BA)
A less common business programme; comedian Cem Yılmaz studied tourism and hotel management at Boğaziçi.
Research
- 162 research laboratories and 28 research centres (2020-21).
- The university library offers about 700,000 printed items, 2.69 million e-books and 139,395 e-journals, and is open 24/7 except on official holidays.
- Boğaziçi runs a technology transfer office, business incubators and the Boğaziçi University Technopark.
- Archives on campus include the Robert College-Boğaziçi University Archive and the Aptullah Kuran Archive.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Communication
- School of Foreign Languages
Student life
Student life centres on the South and North campuses in Bebek and Rumelihisarı, with other campuses at Hisar, Uçaksavar, Kandilli, Anadolu Hisarı and Kilyos-Sarıtepe on the Black Sea coast. About 45% of undergraduates live in university dormitories, which had capacity for 4,243 students in 2020-21. The university lists 44 student clubs, a cultural programme around Albert Long Hall, sports facilities and a health centre, and its library is open around the clock.
- 44 student clubs (2020-21)
- Historic South Campus buildings from the Robert College era overlooking the Bosphorus
- Albert Long Hall hosts concerts and cultural events
- Seven campuses including Kilyos-Sarıtepe on the Black Sea
Housing. International undergraduates whose families live outside Istanbul are guaranteed on-campus housing in their first year only; about 45% of undergraduates live on campus.
Location
The main campuses sit in Bebek and Rumelihisarı on the European shore of the Bosphorus, the strait from which the university takes its name. Other campuses include Kandilli, Anadolu Hisarı and Kilyos-Sarıtepe on the Black Sea coast. Istanbul spans Europe and Asia and offers a huge range of culture, food and history.
Nearest airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Notable alumni
- NB Nuri Bilge CeylanFilm director, winner of the Best Director award at Cannes; studied electrical engineering at Boğaziçi
- AD Ahmet DavutoğluFormer Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Türkiye; economics and political science graduate, master's and PhD at Boğaziçi
- GS Güler SabancıBusiness leader and former chair of Sabancı Holding; studied business administration
- CY Cem YılmazComedian, actor and cartoonist; studied tourism and hotel management
- FG Faruk GülEconomist and professor at Princeton University; undergraduate studies at Boğaziçi
- TÇ Tansu ÇillerTürkiye's only woman prime minister (1993-96); economics graduate of Robert College's higher-education section, Boğaziçi's predecessor
Frequently asked questions
How much is Boğaziçi University tuition for international students?
USD 8,000 a year for Education, Science and Law, and USD 10,000 a year for Economics and Administrative Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering and the English Preparatory year.
What SAT score do you need for Boğaziçi University?
At least 1350 with 700 in Math for Engineering, 1300 with 700 in Math for Science, 1300 for most other programmes and 1200 for Education. Superscores are not accepted.
Does Boğaziçi University accept IELTS?
Yes. IELTS Academic 6.5 with 6.5 in Writing exempts you from the English Preparatory Programme; IELTS Online is not accepted.
Does Boğaziçi offer scholarships to international students?
No. The university states that it does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students.
When is the Boğaziçi application deadline for international students?
For 2026-27, applications ran from 6 April to 5 June 2026. The 2027-28 window had not been announced as of September 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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