# Istanbul Bilgi University

Istanbul Bilgi University (Turkish: İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi) is a private university founded in 1996, located in Eyüpsultan, Istanbul, Turkey. The university has four campuses in Istanbul: SantralIstanbul, Kuştepe, Dolapdere, and Kozyatağı.

## History

The university was established with the principle "Non scholae, sed vitae discimus", and is regarded as Turkey's fourth private university. Its precursor institution was the Istanbul School of International Studies.
In 2007, the university expanded with the opening of its SantralIstanbul Campus, located on the site of the Silahtarağa Power Plant, the first urban-scale power plant of the Ottoman Empire. The Kozyatağı Campus was later established on the Asian side of Istanbul in 2015.
In 2019, Can Holding became a supporter of the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation, which oversees the university. The university furthered its internationalization efforts in 2020 through a collaboration with Arizona State University aimed at improving the quality of education and research. According to the 2020 Turkey University Satisfaction Survey, Istanbul Bilgi University ranked among the A group universities in the country. In 2025, Istanbul Bilgi University is ranked among the top 5 private universities in Turkey according to the QS World University Rankings.
Academic representatives from each department, elected by the students in the fall semester, are part of the university council. The university also offers a vibrant student life, with various student clubs. In 2007, Istanbul Bilgi University established an official student LGBT organization, named Gökkuşağı (English: Rainbow). Since its foundation, Istanbul Bilgi University has been administered by the Board of Trustees, consisting of 11 members. The current president of the board is Dr. Çağrı Bağcıoğlu.

## Campuses

SantralIstanbul Campus is the largest of Istanbul Bilgi University's four campuses. The campus is home to the Main Gallery building, which serves as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events. In 2010, the Main Gallery received the prestigious International Architecture Awards. Additionally, the campus includes an annex building offering over 5,000 square meters of space to approximately 3,000 students, located just a four-minute walk from the main campus.
Dolapdere Campus is situated near Taksim in Istanbul. This campus has received multiple accolades, including the "Structure and Life Architecture Award" in 2002 and the "European Award for Steel Structure" in 2005. Dolapdere Campus houses the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, as well as a fitness center and a short-course swimming pool. Kuştepe Campus is located in the Şişli district of Istanbul and is Istanbul Bilgi University's first campus.

## Libraries and museums

Istanbul Bilgi University has three libraries, one in Dolapdere Campus, one in Kuştepe Campus, and one in santralistanbul Campus. İstanbul Bilgi University's Library offers an extensive system to support degree programs, research and teaching. santralistanbul Campus has the Energy Museum. Istanbul Bilgi University Press was founded in 2000.

## Memberships and international affiliations

The university has partner agreements in 40 countries within the scope of Erasmus Programme, Bilateral and Swiss Mobility programs. It is a member of the European University Association (EUA), The Magna Charta Observatory of Fundamental University Values and Rights, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), OECD Higher Education Programme, IMHE, and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Additionally, the university offers University of London Worldwide double degree programs in economics. Istanbul Bilgi University is accredited by the Council of Higher Education of Turkey and the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

## Rankings and awards

Istanbul Bilgi University has ranked among the top 130 universities in the “Top Universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia” 2020 list of the reputable higher education quality surveyor QS. According to the rankings, BİLGİ is among the top four non-profit universities in Turkey. In 2024, Istanbul Bilgi University was recognized in the QS Sustainability Ranking, where it was ranked as the fourth-best non-profit university in Turkey. This ranking evaluates universities' efforts in addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Globally, Bilgi University was placed in the 1001-1050 range. Notably, it ranked third among Turkish foundation universities for 'environmental impact' and 'governance', and fourth in 'social impact'.
The 2019 results of Turkey's University Satisfaction Survey (TÜMA) ranked Istanbul Bilgi University in the A group, indicating a high level of satisfaction. The university was also ranked among the top 400 universities in the field of political sciences according to the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019 report conducted by Shanghai Ranking. Additionally, Istanbul Bilgi University ranked third in Bloomberg Businessweek's "Best Universities of Turkey 2018" survey.

## Controversies

The university According to the Turkish media outlet Cumhuriyet, Bilgi has been accused of having connections with the US Central Intelligence Agency. It was part of an investigation into an alleged 2016 taking by a Bilgi University board member of $18 million in funds meant for a Turkish reforestation program was closed in 2018 by the US Department of Justice, having considered charges of corruption violations. In 2018, the US Department of Justice closed its inquiry into possible corruption violations.

## Notable people
### Faculty

* Asaf Savaş Akat — Turkish economist
* Ulus Baker — Turkish sociologist
* Murat Belge — Turkish literary critic
* İsmail Cem — Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
* Ricky Ford — American jazz tenor saxophonist
* Pınar Kür — Turkish author and dramatist
* Şule Kut — Turkish international relations scholar
* Butch Morris — American cornetist and composer
* Niyazi Öktem — Turkish law academic
* İlter Turan —Former president of the International Political Science Association
* İlhan Usmanbaş — Turkish contemporary classical composer
* Serap Yazıcı — Turkish politician and academic of constitutional law
* Derviş Zaim — Turkish-Cypriot filmmaker
* Rona Serozan — Turkish jurist and civil law scholar
* Betül Mardin — Turkish publicist

### Alumni

* Refik Anadol — Turkish-American new media artist
* Meriç Aral — Turkish actress
* Enis Arıkan — Turkish actor
* Simay Barlas — Turkish actress
* Can Bonomo — Jewish-Turkish singer who represented Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012
* Murat Boz — Turkish singer and songwriter
* Kenan Doğulu — Turkish singer and songwriter
* Ebru Günay — Kurdish politician
* Hazal Kaya — Turkish actress
* Uraz Kaygılaroğlu — Turkish actor
* Halit Özgür Sarı — Turkish actor
* Sıla — Turkish singer and songwriter
* Nimet Tanrıkulu — Turkish human rights activist