This is a summary of the webinar, that you can view here: https://thestudyabroadportal.com/open-day/webinar-and-discover-why-more-international-students-are-choosing-bahcesehir-university-in-istanbul/?utm_source=Blog
Introduction
The webinar focused on introducing BAU Istanbul to prospective students from around the world. The admission specialist (Ines Bugarra) presented BAU Istanbul’s campuses, bachelor and master program options (including language of instruction and thesis/non-thesis formats), scholarship/fee structures, career support through the Career Center Co-op, global opportunities (exchange/dual degree/partnerships), social life for international students, and the application process. The session also included a live Q&A and polling to address participant concerns (notably cost of living, documents, and admission letters).
Key Points Discussed
BAU Global overview: BAU is part of the BAU Global family with five universities across 13 countries, supported by campuses and liaison offices.
BAU Istanbul positioning and student scale: BAU Istanbul was described with international rankings/standing, 8,500+ international students, and 71,000 alumni (global reach emphasized).
Multiple campuses within Istanbul: BAU Istanbul includes several campuses, each highlighted for different faculties and study environments (e.g., South Campus, architecture/design-oriented campus, Galata, Conservatory, medical campus locations).
Bachelor programs (language + structure):
South Campus highlighted for engineering/natural sciences, social sciences, and English-taught programs (e.g., international trade and business).
Law program noted as primarily Turkish (70% Turkish / 30% English), with a separate building for law.
Bachelor schedules described as morning classes (approx. 8:30/9:00 onward).
Master programs (format + timing + language):
Master classes described as evening (from 7:00–10:00) with four courses per semester.
Master formats include thesis (2 years), non-thesis (1.5 years), and online non-thesis options.
Language availability depends on program (English and/or Turkish).
Scholarships and fees (master level):
Thesis master: $14,000 total, scholarship reduces to $10,500 (GPA threshold stated: 2.7/4, scholarship 25%), paid in three installments.
Non-thesis master: $12,000 total, scholarship reduces to $9,000, paid in three installments.
Noted exceptions: clinical psychology and executive MBA with different fee figures even after scholarship.
Online master programs: $7,000 total (no scholarship mentioned).
Undergraduate scholarships: examples included up to 30% for certain programs (and for other programs an Academic Achievement Award based on early ranking and GPA).
Career Center Co-op support: From the moment students receive a student email, the Career Center shares open job opportunities, supports internships (mandatory vs non-mandatory internship pathways), organizes boot camps with recruiters, and facilitates networking through courses with partner organizations (e.g., Netflix writing, Amazon Academy, Mercedes-Benz, and United Nations-related courses mentioned).
International mobility opportunities:
Erasmus Plus exchange from the second year (one semester to one year; scholarship indicated).
Dual Diploma / dual lab program example: business/architecture/communication-track students could study in Berlin, gain a second diploma, and be eligible for an 18-month work period across Europe (described as a structured pathway).
University of Kansas School of Law partnership for law students: after completing studies at BAU, students can obtain a US master and potentially sit for the US bar exam (states listed: New York, California, Washington, Georgia, Wisconsin).
Social life for international students:
Mention of international student community via an organization (BISC) and WhatsApp groups.
Events referenced: Independence Days, international-themed celebrations (International Day and an invitation to watch the year’s edition).
Notable Quotes
“For cost of living… having around $800 each month should be enough to live in Istanbul.” — Ines Bouguerra
“We cannot issue an acceptance or admission letter unless you submit a travel document.” — Ines Bouguerra
Questions from the Audience
Q: How about career opportunities?
A: Career Center supports internships depending on whether they are mandatory; non-mandatory opportunities start from the beginning via student email communications. Corporate courses and electives help students meet recruiters and build a CV/network.
Q: What makes your university unique?
A: Uniqueness was framed around updated labs/equipment, presence across multiple countries, BAU Istanbul acting as a “bridge” location, and additional strengths for specific faculties (medicine emphasized with campus/hospital setup and integrated curriculum).
Q: Is accommodation provided?
A: BAU Istanbul is described as a “city campus” and does not provide its own accommodation; students use partner dormitories/lists and contact them directly.
Key Takeaways
BAU Istanbul offers a broad set of bachelor and master programs with clear distinctions in campus location, language of instruction, and master formats (thesis/non-thesis/online).
Scholarship opportunities exist, especially for masters (with GPA-based scholarship for thesis/non-thesis programs) and for selected bachelor programs (up to 30% mentioned, plus Academic Achievement Award for others).
Career support and networking are structured through the Career Center Co-op, recruiter events/boot camps, and corporate course opportunities starting early in enrollment.
International pathways are a core theme (Erasmus Plus, dual diploma/work in Europe, and law partnership details).
Call-to-Action
Apply via the admissions link and online application form (provided during the webinar).
Prepare required documents based on program level and language:
Undergraduate: passport, high school transcripts/diploma; TOEFL/other English proof recommended (not mandatory).
Graduate (masters/other): passport, bachelor transcripts/diploma; English/Turkish proficiency tests or university proficiency exams depending on the program.
Use provided contact paths for follow-up questions, and note that admission/acceptance letters depend on submitting travel documentation.
Webinar recording availability and the ability to rewatch from the start.
The admissions website: int.bau.edu.tr (application instructions and form access).
Social/community resources: BISC Instagram referenced for international student events.
Shared contact details for regional liaison support (Kenya liaison mentioned, plus office opening invitation for campus visits).
Conclusion
The webinar successfully walked participants through BAU Istanbul’s academic offerings across multiple campuses, clarified master structures and fee/scholarship options, and addressed practical concerns through Q&A (career support, accommodation reality, and cost-of-living expectations). The session concluded with guidance to apply online, prepare documents correctly, and use BAU’s international office support channels for next-step questions.
