İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi

What İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi does

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi (İGÜ) is a private non-profit foundation university (Vakıf Üniversitesi) established in 2008, headquartered in Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey, with 1,001–5,000 employees. The institution delivers undergraduate, associate, graduate, and continuing education programs across seven faculties (Engineering and Architecture, Applied Sciences, Economics/Administrative/Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Dentistry, Health Sciences, Sports Sciences), two vocational schools, a School of Foreign Languages, and a Graduate Education Institute. It serves both domestic Turkish students and a substantial international cohort of 10,000+ students drawn from 150+ countries, with English-medium instruction, Erasmus+ and Bologna Process mobility, and an English preparatory program supporting international enrollment.

The university's academic operations are supported by a comprehensive digital infrastructure including OBIS (student information system), PERSIS (personnel management), GBS (Bologna information system), EBYS (electronic document management), an LMS for distance education, and iOS/Android mobile applications. Research and innovation activities span 50+ research centers coordinated through BAPK, a Technology Transfer Office (TTO) for commercialization, İGÜTEKMER for startup incubation, and UYGARMER for application and research center coordination. The university holds YÖKAK 5-year full institutional accreditation plus three international program accreditations (AQAS, ABET, AHPGS) and ISO 27001 information security certification.

İGÜ's business model is tuition-driven, with annual subscription-style fees varying by program level (Lisans/Ön Lisans) and department, supplemented by scholarships, free dual-major (Çift Anadal) and minor (Yan Dal) options for qualifying students. Secondary revenue streams include TÜBİTAK and government-funded research grants via BAPK and continuing education through the SEM center. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer, combining an online prospective-student portal, campus open days, regional representative offices, counselor support programs, a Coach Program (İGÜ Koçun Olsun), and a dedicated International Student Office. Student retention is reinforced by 100+ clubs, a Career Development Center (KARYON), a Student Dean's office, and psychological counseling services.

Name

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi

Legal name

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi

Website

https://gelisim.edu.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi is a private foundation university in Istanbul, Turkey, offering undergraduate, graduate, and vocational programs across seven faculties to domestic and international students from over 150 countries, with tuition as its primary revenue source.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Applied Research & Innovation Universities (EDAHAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Marketing, Sales & Brand Management Schools (EDAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Distance learning programs
• University degree programs
• Continuing education courses
• Research university services

Headquarters

HQ city

Avcilar

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: The university generates primary revenue from tuition fees charged for undergraduate, associate, and graduate programs. Fee structures vary by program (Lisans, Ön Lisans) with specific tuition rates published for each department and intake period.
2. Research and Project Funding: Revenue generated through scientific research projects coordinated by BAPK (Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinatörlüğü), including TÜBİTAK-funded projects and government research grants.
3. Continuing Education Services: Revenue from SEM (Sürekli Eğitim Merkezi) offering professional development courses, workshops, and certificate programs for external participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi is a foundation university providing undergraduate, associate, and graduate degree programs across 7 faculties (Engineering & Architecture, Applied Sciences, Economics & Administrative Sciences, Fine Arts, Dentistry, Health Sciences, Sports Sciences), 2 vocational schools, a Foreign Languages School, and a Graduate Studies Institute. The university delivers on-campus education at its Avcılar, Istanbul campus, distance learning via LMS, continuing education through SEM, and research coordination through BAPK, TTO, and İGÜTEKMER. Career development is supported by KARYON, and student life by 100+ clubs and comprehensive sports, library, and lab facilities.

Product overview

İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi operates as a comprehensive university with a multi-faceted educational infrastructure. The institution offers a unified higher education platform comprising faculties (Mühendislik ve Mimarlık, Uygulamalı Bilimler, İktisadi İdari ve Sosyal Bilimler, Güzel Sanatlar, Diş Hekimliği, Sağlık Bilimleri, Spor Bilimleri), vocational schools (Meslek Yüksekokulu, Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksekokulu), a School of Foreign Languages, and a Graduate Studies Institute. Supporting the academic core are digital platforms including OBİS (student information system), PERSİS (personnel management), GBS (Bologna system), EBYS (document management), and LMS (distance learning). Research and innovation are facilitated through TTO (Technology Transfer Office), İGÜTEKMER (technology development center), and BAPK (research projects coordination). Career development services via KARYON, open access repository, and mobile applications complement the ecosystem. The university also operates a Sustainability Center, demonstrating institutional commitment to environmental responsibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs (Lisans)
• Associate Degree Programs (Ön Lisans)
• Graduate Degree Programs (Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü)
• English Preparatory Program (Yabancı Diller Yüksekokulu)
• Continuing Education Services (Sürekli Eğitim Merkezi - SEM)
• Distance Education Programs (LMS)
• Career Development Services (Kariyer Gelişim Merkezi - KARYON)
• Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
• Technology Development Center (İGÜTEKMER) Technology development center supporting startup incubation, technology projects, and entrepreneurship activities.
• Double Major and Minor Programs (Çift Anadal / Yan Dal) Dual degree (Çift Anadal) and minor/specialization (Yan Dal) programs enabling eligible students to pursue additional majors concurrently. Free for Çift Anadal students with GPA ≥2.90 and top 20% class ranking; free for Yan Dal students with GPA ≥2.50.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 9th among foundation universities in Turkey by Times Higher Education
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Erasmus+ Program PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive Erasmus+ exchange program network enabling student and faculty mobility with European universities. Part of Bologna Process ensuring international degree compatibility and credit transferability.
• AQAS (Agentur für Qualitätssicherung durch Akkreditierung von Studiengängen)coreOthersGerman quality assurance agency providing international accreditation for university programs under European Higher Education Area standards.
• ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)coreOthersInternational accreditation organization for engineering and technology programs, recognized as a leading quality assurance body for technical education globally.
• AHPGS (Akkreditierungsagentur im Bereich Gesundheit und Soziales)coreOthersGerman accreditation agency specializing in health and social sciences programs, supporting international quality standards in these disciplines.
• Times Higher Education (THE)coreOthersGlobal university rankings organization providing rankings including THE World University Rankings, THE Impact Rankings, and THE Europe Rankings.
• QS Quacquarelli SymondscoreOthersInternational higher education analytics company providing university rankings including QS World University Rankings and QS Europe rankings.
• Universitas Indonesia (UI GreenMetric)minorOthersInitiator of UI GreenMetric World University Rankings on sustainability and environmental performance for universities worldwide.
• YÖKAK (Yükseköğretim Kalite Kurulu)coreOthersNational Higher Education Quality Board providing institutional accreditation and quality assurance for Turkish higher education institutions.
• TÜBİTAK (Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkey's primary scientific and technological research council providing funding for research projects including TÜBİTAK 2237-A projects.
• Bologna ProcesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean higher education reform process ensuring degree compatibility, credit transferability, and quality assurance across European universities.
• SHGM (Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü)coreOthersDirectorate General of Civil Aviation authorized İGÜ as an education resource provider and examination center for aviation training.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• İstanbul Aydın University: Istanbul-based foundation university with comparable scale, multi-faculty structure, and similar emphasis on international student recruitment and digital education infrastructure.
• Bahçeşehir University: A leading Turkish foundation university headquartered in Istanbul with a similar international student strategy, multiple campuses, and comparable private higher-education operating model.
• Maltepe University: Istanbul-based foundation university with similar multi-faculty structure, tuition-driven model, and comparable domestic and international student mix.
• Doğuş University: Istanbul-based foundation university with similar scale, multi-faculty structure, and tuition-driven private operating model.
• Başkent University: Major Turkish foundation university with comparable faculty structure, YÖKAK accreditation, and similar private higher-education operating model.
• İstanbul Arel University: Private foundation university in Istanbul with a comparable scale of programs, similar student demographics, and overlapping recruitment approach.
• İstanbul Medipol University: A Turkish foundation university with strong health sciences orientation, comparable faculty breadth, and a similar tuition-driven private operating model in Istanbul.
• İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University: Istanbul-based foundation university with similar multi-faculty structure, private tuition-driven economics, and comparable YÖKAK accreditation profile.
• İstanbul Kültür University: Istanbul-based foundation university with overlapping faculty mix, similar scale, and comparable positioning in the private Turkish higher education market.
• Okan University: Private foundation university in Istanbul with multi-faculty structure and similar international student recruitment and applied education orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gelisimedu
• Facebookfacebook.com/gelisimedu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gelisimedu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi