Overview

Founded by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Educational and Social Services Foundation, Istanbul Commerce University accepted students for the first time in year 2001. It is one of the first non-profit private universities of Turkey.

Istanbul Commerce University, located in the heart of Istanbul; one of the leading cultural capitals of the world, continues to its educational journey with the awareness of the responsibility of bringing the scientific, historical and cultural inheritance of millennia to the future.

Thanks to the quality of its teaching programs and instructors, as well as technical equipment and the future vision offered to its students, thirteen years later our student count reached 7 thousand, taught by a faculty of over 300, in contrast to just 73 students in the beginning.  The reputation ICU achieved within a short time is only reinforced with hundreds of international and national publications each year. Various awards accorded and events organized only lead to further heights.

A most crucial characteristic that helps ICU stand out with excellent qualities is its location in the central and select parts of Istanbul, one of the cultural capitals of the world. The location of Istanbul Commerce University at the heart of Istanbul allows it to keep the pulse of the contemporary world, to keep its vision open for the world and the future, to bring national as well as global culture, science, arts and economics together, providing the university with an active, innovative and pioneering perspective.

Eminönü and Sütlüce campuses of Istanbul Commerce University are located on the shores of the historical peninsula of Istanbul, in the midst of historical sites, and right beside centers of commerce. Küçükyalı campus is located in a select neighborhood of Istanbul offers a healthy feeling of city life to the students.

Istanbul Commerce University reaches forward to provide a universal education, encouraging integration without severing the theory and practice from the facts of life, providing sufficient professional qualifications, instilling an awareness of scientific and technological developments.

ICU not only offers its students the chance to receive part of their education abroad through exchange programs, but also accepts exchange students from abroad, in order to provide its students an international environment at home.

Istanbul Commerce University represents a perspective of responsibility towards new horizons illuminated, grasping the age on the basis of its own geography and values of civilization with an inquisitive mind.

Istanbul Commerce University considers its students as individuals who are capable of shouldering the responsibility of the society and age one lives in. Students at ICU are equipped with practical skills at global standards, to complement principles and values to be instilled throughout the term of education. Istanbul Commerce University raises not only academically capable graduates, but only prospective employees for public and private organizations and entities, thanks to educational programs enabling students to establish connections with the business world as well. Istanbul Commerce University furthers its scientific contributions through national and international research, projects, and publications, while raising and developing the prototypes of qualified human resources required by the country, making full use of the information technologies. ICU continuously revises and updates its academic programs and innovates itself, in order to monitor, interpret and try science and technology at an international scale, and to contribute to the society.

Expenses

Cost of Living in Istanbul

The cost of living in Istanbul is lower than many other European cities. However, Istanbul has a high cost of living relative to the rest of Turkey. Students should be aware of that there are many social activities to spend money comparing to the other cities in Turkey.

• Experiences also show that students in Istanbul spend approximately 500-1000 € per month including room, food and transportation. However, the amount of money you will need depends on your life style. For example, if you plan to travel different parts of Turkey, you will definitely need more money.

Below is an average monthly budget in Turkish Liras to give you an idea of cost of living.

Accommodation  : 400 –  1800 TL
Food                           : 300 – 600 TL
Transportation     : 100 – 250 TL
Miscellaneous       : 150 – 400 TL

Total: 950 – 3050 TL

A number of items with their average prices:

Student menu                            : around 15 TL
Bread                                              : 1 TL
Water (per lt)                              : 1 TL
Fruit & Vegetables (per kg)   : varies from 1 TL to 4 TL
Pasta & Rice (per kg)                : varies from 1 TL to 4 TL
Sugar & Salt (per kg)                : around 2 TL
Tea/Coffee (a cup)                    : 1 TL / 5 TL

Accommodation

Istanbul Commerce university students generally stay around campuses which are best location for students in terms of social activities, easy transportation access.

Students prefer to stay many  accommodation options  in terms of student hostels, flat share apartments and dormitories .

To find housing in a different country may be difficult while you are in your home country. Nevertheless we recommend you to start searching for a place to stay as soon as possible. So, the below list is prepared to help you.

Student dormitories

There is a variety of dormitory alternatives for every budget in Istanbul, Istanbul Commerce University have special agreements with dormitory establishments beginning with the 2015-2016 academic year. They are listed below.

Royal Aparts & Suits  (Boys Dormitory)

Royal Aparts & Suits has 30 bed capacity. There are rooms with single, double, triple, and quad beds. In each room there are study desks, wardrobe unit, refrigerator, internal telephone system, LCD TV, bathroom and toilet. There are also a  restaurant,  suitcase room, laundry room, copy center, cleaning service, 24 hours nonstop hot water and breakfast service. 24 hours security and internet are provided as well.

Santral Kız Yurdu (Girls Dormitory)

Santral Kız Yurdu (Santral Girls’ Dormitory) has 244 bed capacity. There are rooms with single, double, triple, quad, five and six beds. In each room there are study desks, wardrobe unit, refrigerator, internal telephone system, LCD TV, bathroom and toilet. There are also a study room for common use, computer room, sauna, solarium, restaurant, pocket cinema, suitcase room and laundry room. 24 hours security and internet are provided as well.

Konforist Öğrenci Yurdu (Girls and Boys Dormitory)

Konforist Suites have 237 bed capacity. There are 125 rooms with single, double, triple, quad beds as well as for handicapped VIP rooms. In each room there are working unit, wardrobe unit, kitchen unit, refrigerator, internal telephone system, LCD TV, shower bath and toilet. Konforist also has a study room for common usage, computer room, copy center, sauna, Turkish bath, fitness center, restaurant,  cafeterias,  hobby kitchen, mini market, pocket cinema, play station room, hairdresser, infirmary, suitcase room, laundry room and ironing room, parking garage, 24 hours security and intelligent card system, 24 hours nonstop hot water, heating and cooling system and Internet system as well.

Studio Santral (Girls and Boys Dormitory)

Studio Santral has 300 bed capacity and offers rooms for two, to both girls and boys. In each room there are working unit, wardrobe unit, kitchen unit, refrigerator, safes, internal telephone system, bath and toilet. There is also a room for the handicapped along with cafes, restaurants, kitchens for common use, lounge areas with TV, study rooms, library, recreational room, gardens, a mini market, a karaoke-playstation room, infirmary, suitcase room, laundry room and ironing room, parking garage, 24 hours security and intelligent card system, 24 hours nonstop hot water, heating and cooling system and cleaning services free of charge.

Hostels in Istanbul

• If, for any reason, you could not decide your accommodation before your departure from your home country, you can easily book a room in a hostel, and then you can find your accommodation while you are in Istanbul.