If you have been searching for a clear, honest breakdown of Istanbul Okan University fees for international students, you're in the right place. A lot of websites give vague ranges or outdated numbers this guide uses the official 2026–2027 fee schedule published directly by Okan's International Office, so what you see here is what the university actually charges.
We'll cover tuition by faculty, how the payment system works, what discounts and scholarships are available, living costs in Istanbul, and what kind of university Okan actually is so you can make a proper decision, not just a financially uninformed one.
About Istanbul Okan University
Istanbul Okan University is a private university founded in 1999 by the Okan Culture, Education and Sports Foundation, with teaching starting in the 2003–2004 academic year. Its main campus is in Tuzla, on the Asian side of Istanbul a large, modern site built on 160,000 square meters with its own dormitories, hospitals, sports complex, restaurants, and research centers.
The university currently offers 242 degree programs across 56 undergraduate, 44 associate, and 142 postgraduate tracks, delivered by 858 academic staff. It has grown fast in the international student space it currently hosts 3,782 registered international students from 107 different countries according to YÖK data.
In terms of rankings, Webometrics places it 3,511th globally and 108th among Turkish universities, while the Times Higher Education 2026 rankings put it in the 1501+ bracket with a strong international outlook score of 58.4. QS ranks it between 701–900 in Europe and 79th in Western Asia. For a private university of its age and size, those numbers are competitive.
What actually sets Okan apart from many private universities in Turkey is the on-campus infrastructure. The Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry have their own hospitals accredited by the American Accreditation Commission International, and the campus includes a semi-Olympic swimming pool, fitness center, cinema hall, and five fully-equipped dormitories. For students planning to live on campus, this setup is genuinely above average.
How Okan University Fees Are Structured
Before the numbers, a few things worth knowing about how Okan charges its international students:
English vs Turkish medium: Every major faculty offers programs in both languages. English-medium programs cost more usually around $500 more per year for most faculties, and around $3,000 more per year for medicine specifically.
Early payment discount: Okan University offers a 5% discount when tuition fees are paid in cash or upfront in advance. On medicine fees of $22,500, that saves you $1,125 per year which is $6,750 over the full six-year program. Worth planning for if your budget allows it.
Sibling discount: The university provides a 10% discount for sibling students so if you and a brother or sister are both enrolling, it's worth flagging that during your application.
Deposit on confirmation: Programs with annual tuition under $10,000 require a $1,000 deposit when you accept your offer. For higher-fee programs like medicine, the deposit is $5,000. This gets applied toward your first year's tuition.
Okan University Medicine Fees
This is the question most international students come here asking. Medicine at Okan is a six-year program, and the 2026–2027 fee for medicine in English is $22,500 per year, dropping to $21,375 with advance payment. The Turkish-medium medicine track is $19,500 per year, or $18,525 with early payment.
Over the full six years, the English-medium medicine program totals $135,000 in tuition or around $128,250 with consistent advance payment. That's a serious financial commitment, but still considerably lower than UK medical schools (typically $40,000–$60,000 per year) and below some of Turkey's more expensive private medical faculties like Bahcesehir, which charges $28,000 per year for medicine in English.
The case for the Turkish-medium track is clear on paper you save roughly $18,000 over six years. But in practice, most international students go English because they'll be doing clinical rotations in hospitals by year four, dealing with real patients. Strong Turkish becomes necessary regardless of which track you choose, but starting in Turkish from day one without solid language skills is a difficult path.
Okan's Faculty of Medicine has its own accredited hospital on campus, which is where medical students do their clinical training so the practical exposure is built into the infrastructure, not outsourced elsewhere.
Dentistry Fees
Dentistry is a five-year program. The English-medium dentistry fee is $18,000 per year ($17,100 with advance payment), and the Turkish-medium option is $15,000 per year ($14,250 with advance payment). The dental hospital is also on or adjacent to campus, like the medical one, so clinical training happens in a proper facility.
Pharmacy Fees
Pharmacy runs for five years. The English-medium track costs $8,000 per year and the Turkish track is $9,000 one of the rare cases at Okan where the Turkish version is actually priced higher than the English one. Worth double-checking with the admissions office if you're considering this program.
Engineering, Business, and Most Other Undergraduate Programs
For the large majority of four-year undergraduate programs engineering (Computer, Software, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Mechatronics, Industrial, Automotive), business, architecture, interior design, psychology, international trade, logistics, nutrition, physiotherapy, and nursing the fee structure is consistent: English-medium programs sit between $4,000 and $5,000 per year, which is competitive within Istanbul's private university market for large-campus institutions with labs and English-medium delivery.
Turkish-medium versions of the same programs generally run at $4,500 per year. So the price gap between English and Turkish is fairly small for non-medical programs usually just $500 making the English track the more practical choice for most international students.
One note on Flight Training (Pilotage): the listed tuition is $8,000 per year in English, but that does not include the flight school fees, which are charged separately and can be substantial. If aviation is your goal, ask for the full cost breakdown before deciding.
Postgraduate Programs (Master's and PhD)
Okan University charges $4,500 per year for master's degrees and $9,000 for doctoral programs. For international students coming specifically for a postgraduate qualification, that places Okan in a reasonable range within Istanbul's private university landscape especially considering the industry links the university has built over the years.
Scholarships at Okan University
Okan does offer partial scholarships, though they're merit-based and not guaranteed. The university gives eligible students scholarships and discounts, with the acceptance rate for scholarship recipients determined by the university based on academic merit. Students may receive additional discounts depending on their chosen major and high school GPA.
Beyond institutional scholarships, Okan students can also apply for the Turkish Government's Türkiye Scholarships program, which is a fully funded national award covering tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and health insurance. That program is competitive, but international students who qualify and are accepted to Okan can apply simultaneously. It's worth exploring early the application window typically opens in the first quarter of the year.
Language Requirements
If you don't have an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, that doesn't close the door at Okan. For English-medium programs, students either score 79 on the TOEFL iBT or pass the university's internal language proficiency test with 80%. For Turkish-medium programs, students need to pass the TOMER test at level A or B, or complete a one-year intensive Turkish language course.
So in practical terms: arrive, sit the internal English test, pass it, and start your program. Most students with a solid secondary education in English manage this without a problem. Those who don't pass get placed in the prep year to bring their English up before starting the main curriculum.
Living Costs for Students at Okan
Tuzla is on the outer Asian side of Istanbul, which actually works out well financially. It's cheaper than central areas like Şişli, Kadıköy, or Beşiktaş you won't be paying Bosphorus-view rent.
Most students at Okan spend between $500 and $800 per month on living expenses, roughly broken down as:
Accommodation is the biggest cost a shared flat near campus in Tuzla runs somewhere between $200 and $400 per month. The university also offers five fully equipped on-campus dormitories with single, double, and quadruple room options, which tend to be cheaper than off-campus renting and remove the hassle of finding a flat as a new international student.
Food is manageable $150 to $200 per month if you cook regularly. The campus has 16 restaurants and cafeterias, four dining halls, and various other food options, so you're not forced to cook or travel far for meals.
Transport around Istanbul is inexpensive. A monthly Istanbulkart for metro, buses, and ferries costs around $30 to $50. Getting to the city center from Tuzla takes time — factor that in if you plan to explore Istanbul frequently.
On top of all this, budget for health insurance (required for your student residence permit, roughly $100–$200 per year), books and academic materials, and general personal expenses.
Admission Documents You'll Need
The admissions process at Okan is relatively straightforward for international students. You'll need a high school diploma with official transcripts, a valid passport copy, proof of language proficiency or readiness to take the internal test, and a student visa application after receiving your acceptance letter. Postgraduate applicants need their previous degree certificate as well.
The university accepts applications year-round for most programs and typically issues offer letters within a few business days of receiving complete documents.
Is Istanbul Okan University Worth It?
That depends entirely on what you're studying and what you need from your degree.
For medicine: $22,500 per year is a real investment, but you get a WDOMS-listed degree, accredited hospital training from year four, English-medium instruction, and a qualification that opens doors to USMLE, PLAB, and licensing exams in many countries. Compared to the UK or Western Europe, it's still significantly more affordable. For students who need a solid, internationally recognized medical degree without spending a quarter of a million dollars, Okan is a genuinely viable option.
For engineering and business: $4,500–$5,000 per year for an English-medium degree from a university with direct industry partnerships Turkish Airlines, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, major logistics and construction firms is hard to dismiss. Internship pipelines from those partnerships are real. If you plan to work in Istanbul or use Istanbul as a launchpad, the location and connections matter.
Where Okan doesn't shine is pure academic prestige or research output. If rankings and research reputation are your priority, there are stronger options in Turkey. But for practical education, a large modern campus, a well-connected international student community, and fees that don't require a bank loan, Okan holds its ground.
