Institution

Founded in 1993, Koç University is “an international university focused on creating globally competitive leaders who contribute to society and succeed professionally. More and more so, KU is considered to be among the elite institutions of Turkey and beyond.” A leader in research and innovation, Koç University boasts state-of-the-art resources and a beautiful 62-acre campus. Koç University has around 3,400 students and welcomes around 300 exchange students from 125 different partner schools each year.

Main features include:

- Exchange students have access to all resources and opportunities provided for Turkish students
- 93 laboratories
- 48 active student clubs
- Low student-faculty ratio
- 24-hour computer labs
- On-campus swimming pool, tennis courts, squash room, soccer field, fitness center, cafeteria, canteens, cafes, library, hairdresser, full-service bank, ATM machines, supermarket, dry cleaning, bookstore, KU store, post office, and more

City of Istanbul

You’ve probably studied Istanbul, the second-most populated city proper in the entire world, in your history classes; formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul is the prehistoric capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Today it is a megacity with a population of 13 million. In 2010 Istanbul was designated a European Capital of Culture, and several historic areas of the city are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Istanbul is full of shopping malls, restaurants, Turkish baths, sports centers, nightlife, and historical architecture. You can choose from many different forms of public transportation in Istanbul – buses, trams, metro, ferries, cable cars, trains, and more. KU is located in Sariyer, Istanbul.

Program in Brief

Over 96% of courses at Koç University are taught in English. A minimum of 4 courses, 3 KU credits each, is recommended for PC students, but a normal workload is 5 courses. Students should fulfill prerequisite courses where appropriate. Independent study is available upon agreement with a KU faculty member. The Turkish Language & Society (TURK 201) course is offered for non-native speakers each semester. This course is 3 KU credits and 5 contact hours per week. There is no additional fee for this course. International students are guided by the Office of International Programs and by a supplementary Mentorship Program.

Academic Programs and Areas of Study

Koç University has four different Colleges: a College of Administrative Sciences and Economics (CASE), which includes Business Administration, Economics, and International Relations; a College of Sciences, which includes Chemistry, Mathematics, Molecular Biology & Genetics, and Physics; a College of Social Sciences and Humanities, which includes Archeology & Art History, English Language & Comparative Literature, Sociology, History, Psychology, and Philosophy; a College of Engineering (CE), which includes Chemical & Biological Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering; and a College of Law. In addition, KU also has a School of English Studies and Sociology and Statistics programs.

Orientation

There is a mandatory set of pre-departure orientations at PC for all students planning to participate in the program.

Housing and Meals

International students have guaranteed housing. Most international students are placed in a double-occupancy room with a Turkish roommate. Each dorm has a refrigerator, bed, closet, desk, chair, bed stand, light, pillow, and duvet. Each dorm building has a laundry room, kitchen, and lounge with a TV and computers. Heating and cleaning services are included within the fees paid at the beginning of the semester. Exchange students will be given several choices for housing before arriving in Turkey, but will be informed of housing specifics once they arrive on campus.

If you choose to live on the main campus, you will need to provide your own meals; if you choose to live on the west campus, you may be able to purchase a meal plan.