Özyeğin University

History and Mission

Özyeğin University (OzU) owes its existence to Hüsnü Mustafa Özyeğin, one of Turkey's most distinguished entrepreneurs and philanthropists. The founder of Finansbank and chairman of the FIBA Group investment holding, Hüsnü Özyeğin graduated from Robert College in Istanbul before earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he became only the second Turkish student in the school's history to receive the degree. After leading Yapı ve Kredi Bankası and then building Finansbank from a single-branch operation into an international banking network spanning nine countries with over 200 branches, Özyeğin turned his attention to his lifelong dream: establishing a university in Turkey that could compete with the world's finest institutions. In the autumn of 2005, the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation began preparatory work, and on May 18, 2007, Özyeğin University was officially established pursuant to Law No. 5656, published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey. Hüsnü Özyeğin announced his intention to invest up to one billion dollars in the university's development over the following 15 years — one of the largest private investments in higher education in Turkish history. The first class of students was admitted in 2008, and within just a few years OzU transformed from a startup institution into one of the most dynamically developing private universities in the country. The university initially operated from a temporary campus in the Altunizade district, but in 2011 it ceremoniously inaugurated its main campus in the Çekmeköy district (Nişantepe, Orman Sokak) on Istanbul's Asian side — a sprawling complex of over 260,000 square meters designed according to principles of environmental sustainability and open architecture. The campus is surrounded by green spaces and forested areas, creating a unique atmosphere for study and research, while transportation links to major highways and Istanbul metro stations ensure excellent accessibility. From its very founding, Özyeğin University rapidly expanded its academic capacity. The Faculty of Engineering opened in 2009, offering students programs at global standards. In 2016, OzU's engineering programs in Industrial Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science received accreditation from MÜDEK (the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs), a full signatory of the Washington Accord through the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) and a member of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE). In 2020, the Civil Engineering program also earned MÜDEK accreditation. Notably, all programs received the maximum accreditation period ever awarded for a first-time application, a testament to their exceptional quality. The OzU Business School became one of the few in Turkey to earn the prestigious AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation, held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide. This recognition confirmed the highest standards of teaching, research, and engagement with the business community. In 2009, the university established the Center for Energy, Environment and Economy (CEEE/EÇEM), which grew into one of the leading interdisciplinary research platforms in the region. Subsequently, the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center for Computational Finance, the Deloitte Leadership Institute, and the Turkcell-backed Start-Up Factory were created — a business accelerator guiding technology startups from the ideation stage through product launch. Maker Studio, another incubation platform, assists entrepreneurs with prototype development, market analysis, and establishing connections with investors and production partners. The OzU-X innovation hub building became a symbol of interdisciplinary collaboration and the transformation of university education in the 21st century. In global rankings, OzU demonstrates impressive momentum. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, the university is placed in the 801–1000 band worldwide, while in subject rankings it holds positions 501–600 in Computer Science and 601–800 in Engineering and Social Sciences. Most notably, OzU ranks second globally among foundation and private universities established within the last 20 years in the THE Young University Rankings. For seven consecutive years, OzU has led Turkey's foundation universities in the THE Impact Rankings, which evaluates universities' contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025, the university placed 370th worldwide and was recognized as the fourth-best foundation university in Turkey. In the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, OzU achieved 89th place globally and first among Turkish foundation universities, confirming its sustainability leadership for the seventh consecutive year. Today, Özyeğin University comprises six faculties: Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, Architecture and Design, Law, and Aviation and Aeronautics, along with a School of Applied Sciences offering distinctive programs in Hospitality Management and Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. International collaboration extends to over 200 partner universities worldwide through Erasmus+, Global Exchange, and bilateral agreements with institutions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The university welcomes students from more than 70 countries, making it a truly global academic community at the crossroads of East and West.

Campus Features

Özyeğin University's mission is to be a socially responsible, applied, and research-driven university that not only transmits knowledge but also creates it, cultivating an intellectual environment capable of addressing the most complex challenges of the modern era. The university builds its activities on three fundamental pillars: excellence in teaching, cutting-edge scientific research, and deep integration with industry and society. OzU strives to produce graduates who can change the world — leaders equipped not only with profound academic expertise in their professional fields but also with entrepreneurial thinking, critical analysis skills, and a strong sense of social responsibility. At the heart of OzU's educational philosophy lies the principle of learning through practice and real-world experience. All of the university's programs are oriented toward solving real problems — from developing technology startups at the Start-Up Factory and Maker Studio to conducting fundamental research in laboratories focused on artificial intelligence, cognitive robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing. The university actively develops interdisciplinary research centers — the Center for Energy, Environment and Economy (CEEE), the Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Center for Computational Finance — creating an ecosystem where students, faculty, and industry representatives work side by side on projects with genuine social and economic impact. OzU considers it its duty to contribute to the sustainable development of society, as confirmed by its longstanding leadership in international sustainability rankings (THE Impact Rankings, UI GreenMetric, QS Sustainability). The university is committed to creating an inclusive educational environment in which every student — regardless of country of origin, social background, or economic status — receives equal opportunities to unlock their potential. A comprehensive scholarship and financial support system, an extensive international partnership network spanning over 200 universities worldwide, and instruction in English make OzU a truly global university, open to talent from every corner of the planet.

Advantages for International Students