Koç University
Koç Üniversitesi
A non-profit private research university on a hilltop campus above the Bosphorus, teaching all programmes in English.
- Students
- 8,000
- International
- 9%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- TRY 1.7M
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1993
About KU
Koç University was founded in 1993 by the industrialist Vehbi Koç and is supported by the Vehbi Koç Foundation. It is a private, non-profit research university whose main campus sits on the hills of Sarıyer at Rumelifeneri, north of Istanbul, between the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. It has more than 8,000 students, about 9% of them international, and teaches all of its programmes in English.
Undergraduates study in seven colleges and schools: Administrative Sciences and Economics, Engineering, Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law, Medicine and Nursing. Together they offer 22 undergraduate programmes, alongside 44 master's and 30 PhD programmes in four graduate schools. The university reports a student-faculty ratio of 13.6 and 256 research laboratories, and describes its teaching philosophy as creative teaching and participatory learning, with double majors and minors open to all undergraduates.
Most students are Turkish and are placed through the national YKS exam, where around two thirds of places carry full or half tuition scholarships. International students apply directly with SAT, ACT, IB, A-levels, AP or national qualifications and are reviewed holistically. Koç suits academically strong students who want a residential, research-oriented campus with a small-university feel and good links to universities in Europe, the US and Asia.
Why students choose KU
Every programme is taught in English, and students who already hold a qualifying TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge score skip the preparatory year and start their degree directly.
Around 65% of the 2026 YKS places were offered with full or 50% tuition scholarships, and international applicants are considered automatically for merit tuition scholarships.
The university reports more than 300 exchange agreements with partner universities and a student-faculty ratio of 13.6.
The main campus is fully residential, with 60 buildings including dormitories, sports facilities, a health centre and a 24-hour cafeteria in one dorm building.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (international applications typically January to July 2027; YKS placement summer 2027)
Selectivity
Koç does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Turkish students are placed centrally by ÖSYM based on YKS scores and preferences. For international applicants, Koç describes its process as highly competitive and selective, says a large percentage of applicants to each programme are not offered admission, and sets small YÖK-approved international quotas (for example 20 places each for Computer Engineering and Medicine, 15 for Law in 2025-26).
Typical entry requirements
| SAT | Minimum 1200 (Administrative Sciences and Economics, Social Sciences and Humanities, Nursing), 1260 (Sciences), 1300 (Engineering), 1420 (Law), 1450 (Medicine), out of 1600 |
|---|---|
| ACT | Minimum 25 (Administrative Sciences and Economics, Social Sciences and Humanities, Nursing), 27 (Sciences), 28 (Engineering), 32 (Law), 33 (Medicine) |
| IB Diploma | Minimum 33 (Administrative Sciences and Economics, Social Sciences and Humanities, Nursing), 35 (Sciences), 39 (Engineering), 41 (Law and Medicine), with at least three HL subjects; predicted scores accepted |
| A-levels | Three A-levels at B or higher (Social Sciences, Business, Sciences, Nursing); A in Mathematics plus two at B or higher (Engineering); three at A or higher (Law and Medicine); Cambridge, Oxford AQA or Pearson Edexcel boards |
| AP | At least four AP exams, e.g. Calculus AB/BC at 5 plus three science subjects at 4 for Engineering, Sciences and Medicine |
| TR-YÖS | 425/500 (Social Sciences, Business, Nursing), 450/500 (Engineering and Sciences), 475/500 (Medicine); not accepted for Law |
| YKS (Turkish students) | Central placement by ÖSYM according to YKS score and preferences; Medicine only admits full- or half-scholarship YKS places |
| English language | TOEFL iBT 80 Needed to skip the English preparatory programme: TOEFL iBT 80 with 20 in Writing (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.5 on the new scale; PTE Academic 67; Cambridge CAE/CPE grade C; YDS 80. IELTS is not accepted under YÖK rules, and tests taken at private centres in Türkiye are not accepted. Students who spent the last three years of high school in listed English-speaking countries are exempt. Law requires C1 Turkish; Medicine requires B1 Turkish before year 2 and C1 before year 4. |
Deadlines
- Early Application (Fall 2026 intake, past) Non-binding Passed1 March 2026
Window 1 January to 1 March 2026. Shown for reference; Fall 2027 dates not yet published.
- Regular Application (Fall 2026 intake, past) Non-binding Passed31 May 2026
Window 2 March to 31 May 2026. School of Medicine applications ran 15 April to 31 May 2026.
- Late Application (Fall 2026 intake, past) Non-binding Passed15 July 2026
Window 1 June to 15 July 2026, extended to 5 August 2026. Applications received by 15 July were guaranteed on-campus housing.
These are Koç's Fall 2026 international application windows, shown for reference; Fall 2027 dates had not been published as of September 2026. If the pattern repeats, applications open in January 2027. Turkish students follow the ÖSYM YKS calendar (exam in June, placement in summer).
How to apply
Turkish students: take the YKS and list Koç programmes in the ÖSYM preference system. International students: apply online at apply.ku.edu.tr with up to three programme choices, uploading high school transcripts, one qualifying test or diploma score (sent electronically where possible), a 1-2 page motivation letter, referee contacts for recommendation letters, English test results, a pre-recorded video interview answer and a non-refundable application fee (no waivers).
What admissions looks for
- Academic performance in high school, judged through transcripts from every grade attended.
- A qualifying entry qualification at or above the programme minimum; meeting the minimum does not guarantee an offer.
- Extracurricular activities and recommendation letters, though Koç says having no extracurriculars will not count against you.
- Motivation to study your chosen programme at Koç, shown in a personal motivation letter and a short video interview answer.
Tips for applying to KU
- 1 Apply in the early window if your documents are ready: Koç strongly recommends applying as early as possible, and in 2026 applications by 15 July were guaranteed campus housing.
- 2 Send SAT scores electronically to college code 1931 (ACT code 3017) and report all tests taken; Koç does not accept superscores.
- 3 Take TOEFL iBT, PTE or Cambridge rather than IELTS, which Koç cannot accept under YÖK rules; a qualifying score lets you skip the preparatory year.
- 4 Write the motivation letter yourself and make it specific to Koç: the admissions team says plagiarism means automatic rejection and suggests asking whether anyone else could have written it.
- 5 Also apply for Türkiye Scholarships (except for Medicine and Law), which Koç recommends because it covers tuition, housing, a stipend and flights.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in TRY
For Turkish students, 65% of 2026 YKS places carried full (100%) or partial (50%) tuition scholarships, equivalent to 43% full scholarships; scholarships continue for the normal programme length plus up to two semesters of English prep. International applicants are considered automatically for full or partial merit tuition scholarships, with no separate form; country schemes (Azerbaijan, HEC Pakistan) and Türkiye Scholarships are also available.
- 65% (equivalent to 43% full scholarships)
- Share of 2026 YKS places with full or 50% scholarship
- Full or partial tuition, awarded automatically at admission for the length of the programme
- International merit scholarships
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall and Spring)
Medicine (MD)
Taught in English with 20 international places in 2025-26; entry requires SAT 1450, IB 41 or ACT 33, and non-Turkish speakers must reach C1 Turkish before the clinical years.
Computer Engineering (BSc)
One of five engineering programmes, each with 20 international places in 2025-26 and an SAT minimum of 1300.
Law (BA)
The most demanding non-medical entry (SAT 1420, IB 41) and one of the few programmes that requires C1 Turkish.
Business Administration (BA)
The largest international quota among Koç's programmes (40 places in 2025-26), in a college with graduate business programmes in the CEMS alliance.
Psychology (BA)
45 international places in 2025-26, one of the largest quotas in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Molecular Biology and Genetics (BSc)
A College of Sciences programme with 15 international places in 2025-26 and an SAT minimum of 1260.
Research
- Koç reports 256 research laboratories and more than 200 interdisciplinary research centres, forums and laboratories open to undergraduate research.
- Research centres include ANAMED (Anatolian Civilizations) in Beyoğlu, VEKAM in Ankara and AKMED (Mediterranean Civilizations) in Antalya.
- The university says 95% of its faculty earned their PhDs at leading universities in Europe and the US, and that its publications per faculty member are among the highest in Türkiye.
- Koç University Hospital in Topkapı is the clinical base for the School of Medicine and School of Nursing.
Schools & faculties
- College of Administrative Sciences and Economics
- College of Engineering
- College of Sciences
- College of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Law School
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- Graduate School of Business
- Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering
- Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Graduate School of Health Sciences
Koç reports more than 25,000 alumni, 83% of them employed within six months of graduation.
Student life
Koç is a residential campus university. The Rumelifeneri main campus has 60 buildings covering academic colleges, labs, the Suna Kıraç Library, sports facilities, a health centre, dormitories and faculty housing, plus a grocery, bank and cafés. Dormitories sit on the main campus, where one building has a 24-hour cafeteria, and on the West Campus 3 km away, which has an indoor pool and gym and is linked by shuttles. Rooms range from singles to five-person rooms in single-gender buildings. Arts and culture are anchored by the Sevgi Gönül Cultural Centre, and the Koç Rams represent the university in sport.
- Campus of 60 buildings on a 62-acre estate about 20 minutes from the Black Sea coast
- Dormitories on the main campus and the West Campus, with single to five-person rooms
- Koç Rams sports teams and the Sevgi Gönül Cultural Centre
- More than 300 exchange agreements with partner universities abroad
Housing. International undergraduates can apply for campus dormitories after receiving an offer; in the Fall 2026 cycle, applications received by 15 July were guaranteed on-campus housing.
Location
The Rumelifeneri campus is in Sarıyer at the northern edge of Istanbul, on wooded hills above the Black Sea end of the Bosphorus. It feels quieter and greener than central Istanbul, and students reach the city centre by public transport. Istanbul itself spans Europe and Asia, with a very large population, a deep historic core and a big student scene.
Nearest airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Notable alumni
- UA Ufuk AkcigitEconomist at the University of Chicago working on innovation and growth; BA in economics from Koç (2003)
- MA Metin AkdülgerActor in television and film; studied international relations at Koç
- MS Melis SezenActress; graduated in Media and Visual Arts
- EÜ Ece ÜnerTelevision journalist and news anchor; sociology and history graduate (2003)
- KK Kerem KabadayıDrummer and founding member of the rock band Mor ve Ötesi, and writer; graduated from Koç in 2000
- NT Nurcan TunçbağComputational biologist and 2019 L'Oréal-UNESCO International Rising Talent; master's and PhD at Koç
Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Koç University?
Minimums range from 1200 for business, social sciences and nursing to 1300 for engineering, 1420 for Law and 1450 for Medicine. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee an offer, and superscores are not accepted.
Does Koç University accept IELTS?
No. Under YÖK rules Koç does not accept IELTS; it accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge CAE/CPE and YDS for exemption from the English preparatory programme.
How much is tuition at Koç University for international students?
Koç's latest published international fees (for students admitted in 2025-26) are USD 38,000 a year for all programmes except Medicine (USD 59,000); 2026-27 international fees had not been posted as of September 2026. Koç automatically considers international applicants for full or partial merit tuition scholarships.
When is the Koç University application deadline?
For Fall 2026, international applications ran from 1 January to 15 July 2026 in early, regular and late windows (Medicine 15 April to 31 May). Fall 2027 dates were not yet published; Turkish students apply through the YKS.
Is there an interview for Koç University?
Yes, all international applicants record a short pre-recorded video answer to one random question about their motivation and strengths; it does not test technical knowledge, and being asked to record it does not mean you have been shortlisted.
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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