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Istanbul University

Ranked
Fatih, Türkiye
1201–1500th in World University Rankings 2025
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About

Basic information and contact details for Istanbul University

institution

Istanbul University can trace its origins back to 1453, when it was founded by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II as a school of philosophy, medicine, law, and letters. It has gone through many iterations since then, serving as a madrasah (Islamic theological school) and as an institution of higher education called the Darülfünûn (House of Sciences) in the 19th century, before being established as Istanbul University in 1933 after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk reformed Turkey’s education system.

Today it has 17 faculties – including the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Aquatic Sciences – as well as 14 institutes, two vocational schools, two schools, two departments, 75 research and application centres, and 263 student clubs.

The university's campuses are located in Beyazıt, Vezneciler, Vefa, Süleymaniye, Laleli, Horhor, Avcılar, Çapa, Gülsuyu, and Maslak. The Beyazıt Campus is located in the historic peninsula and its main gate is one of the symbols of higher education in Turkey.

There are over 63,000 students, 4,000 academics, and 6,000 administrative staff.

Istanbul University is the only university in Turkey whose alumni have been awarded two Nobel Prizes: the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 (Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar) and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006 (Orhan Pamuk).

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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at Istanbul University

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
58 F : 42 M (1)
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International student percentage
9% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
23.2 (1)
student
Student total
59626 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

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Subjects Taught at Istanbul University

See below for a range of subjects taught at Istanbul University

Life Sciences601–800th

  • Biological Sciences

Arts and Humanities601+

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design
  • Architecture

Business and Economics601–800th

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Business and Management
  • Accounting and Finance

Clinical and Health601–800th

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Other Health

Social Sciences601–800th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography
  • Communication and Media Studies

Physical Sciences1001+

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics