If you would like to learn more about the national and international accreditations of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University—which aspires to rank among the top five private universities in Turkey—this article will serve as your comprehensive guide to understanding the status of this distinguished institution that attracts hundreds of international students from various nationalities each year.
As part of your journey to study in Turkey, choosing Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is a smart decision, especially since it enjoys an excellent academic reputation and wide recognition across most Islamic and European countries.
So, if this university is on your priority list, don’t hesitate to keep reading to discover more about it!
What Do You Know About Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University?
The Ilim Yayma Foundation, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Turkey, officially established Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University in 2010. The university was named after Professor Sabahattin Zaim, one of Turkey’s most prominent academics in the field of economics. One of the university’s most notable alumni is the famous Turkish poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the author of the Turkish national anthem.
The university officially opened its doors to students in the 2011–2012 academic year. Since then, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University has earned a reputation as a prestigious yet modern institution:
- Each year, the university hosts no fewer than 2,000 international students from more than 100 different countries around the world.
- The university’s main campus is located in Halkalı, which includes many academic facilities. The Faculty Building is situated in Altunizade, while the Research Center is based in the Eyüp district.
- It is considered one of Turkey’s leading research universities, renowned for publishing academic studies that enrich intellectual life. The university also boasts a modern and advanced infrastructure.
- The university offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, including 39 undergraduate programs in Arabic, English, and Turkish, in addition to 70 master’s programs and 22 doctoral programs—designed to meet the diverse academic aspirations of students.
- The university upholds ethical values and principles, reflecting a deep commitment to nurturing a generation characterized by awareness, responsibility, freedom of creativity and innovation, and environmental preservation.
- The university consists of seven faculties: Education, Law, Engineering, Islamic Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as graduate institutes and vocational schools.
- The university also has an accredited exam center for conducting the TOEFL English proficiency test and provides a preparatory school for language instruction.
What Are the Advantages of Studying at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University?
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is one of the renowned Turkish universities known for the quality of its education and its modern campus facilities. Below are the main advantages of studying at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University:
1 – Strategic Location
The university is located in a vibrant area on the European side of Istanbul, in Küçükçekmece, close to key points such as Istanbul Airport and the European Highway.
The main campus in Halkalı is just 10 minutes away from the Sefaköy metro station and public transportation, making it easy for students to commute.
2 – Academic Staff
The university boasts a distinguished team of experienced and qualified faculty members, many of whom hold PhDs from top Turkish and European universities, providing students with a world-class academic environment.
3 – Language of Instruction
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University offers undergraduate programs partially in Turkish, English, or Arabic, and supports other global languages such as Spanish, Russian, and Chinese—free of charge.
You might be interested in: Advantages of Studying in Turkey: Universities, Requirements, and Costs
4 _ Career Center and Professional Support
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University supports the policy of preparing and training students to integrate early into the job market. Through its Career Support Center, the university provides students with key internship opportunities in major Turkish companies in the fields of economics and services. It also organizes many job fairs and events that offer students hands-on training and professional opportunities.
5 _ Campus Facilities
The university includes all the modern educational and recreational facilities that support students’ academic and social life, such as:
- Modern classrooms equipped with the latest technological tools.
- Conference and seminar halls for organizing various cultural and artistic events.
- Numerous sports facilities that host various athletic activities.
- A central library spanning 13,500 square meters, accommodating 1,500 researchers and housing one million books, open 24/7.
- Facilities that support students with disabilities to help them integrate easily into university life.
- Safe and comfortable separate dormitories for male and female students with all service and recreational facilities.
- Zaim Technopark was established on the university’s main campus — the first technopark in a private university in Istanbul — aiming to help students turn their ideas into real projects, market innovative ideas, and enhance collaboration between universities and the industrial ecosystem.
- A number of research centers affiliated with the university implement research projects with support from TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey), such as:
- The Research and Studies Center in Islamic Economics and Finance
- The Sensor and Robotics Research Center
- The Halal Food R&D Center, which is the first of its kind among Turkish universities.
6 _ Student Exchange Programs
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University participates in numerous student exchange programs and bilateral agreements with top universities from around the world, particularly in Europe:
The university is a key member of the Erasmus+ program for student and academic exchange, collaborating with over 130 universities across 38 countries.
Additional exchange agreements have been signed with 45 universities in 27 different countries, including the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Morocco.
Learn more: Turkish Universities Recognized in Arab Countries
7 _ Scholarships
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is well known for its scholarship system, which includes:
First – Admission Scholarships through ÖSYM Placement
Students accepted through the ÖSYM placement system receive tuition fee discounts for the following programs (Arabic Language Teaching, Food Engineering, Islamic Economics and Finance, Islamic Sciences, Health Management, Political Science and International Relations, Social Work, Sociology, History, and Turkish Language and Literature), as follows:
- 30% discount if one of these programs is the student’s first choice.
- 25% discount if the program is among the student’s top five choices.
- 20% discount if other study programs are the first choice.
- 15% discount if other study programs are among the top five choices.
Second – Annual Academic Excellence Scholarships
Students with outstanding academic performance receive tuition discounts for the following academic year as follows:
- 100% tuition discount for the first-ranking student.
- 75% discount for the second-ranking student.
- 50% discount for the third-ranking student.
8 _ Double Major and Minor Programs
Students at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University have the opportunity to enroll in double major programs, allowing them to graduate with two degrees in different fields. Alternatively, they can choose to pursue a minor program that complements their main field of study, based on their interests.
What Is University Recognition?
University recognition refers to the formal acknowledgment by a higher education authority (such as the Council of Higher Education in Turkey – YÖK) of a university within the same country. This legal recognition permits the institution to offer academic programs and award officially recognized degrees. Recognition ensures that:
The educational institution meets specific academic and administrative standards.
The university’s status and the quality of its academic programs are officially validated, ensuring its degrees are accepted both locally and internationally.
Recognition directly impacts the acceptance of the institution’s degrees in the job market or by other educational institutions.
Learn more: Ranking of Private Universities in Istanbul: Best Universities in Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University’s National and International Accreditations
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University holds accreditations that strengthen its academic reputation both locally and internationally. The most important recognitions include:
- National Recognition
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is officially recognized by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), which is the official and highest regulatory body responsible for accrediting universities in Turkey.
This recognition means that all academic programs and degrees offered by the university are officially recognized within Turkey, allowing it to confer academic degrees across various disciplines.
Additionally, some of the university’s programs—such as those in the Faculty of Education—have received accreditation from EPDAD, the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs in Turkey, which operates under the supervision of YÖK. This accreditation reflects the high quality of the university’s teacher education programs.
- International Recognition
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is also internationally recognized, and its degrees are accepted in many countries. This greatly enhances graduates’ opportunities in the job market or for continuing their studies either locally or abroad.
Supporting this international recognition, the university actively participates in numerous student exchange programs and bilateral cooperation agreements with international universities, including:
The Erasmus+ Student Exchange Program, through which the university has cooperation agreements with 130 universities in 38 countries worldwide.
Academic partnerships with prestigious global institutions such as Duke University and Mary Washington University in the United States.
Recognition in many Arab countries, including Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, and Palestine.
Why Choose to Apply to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Through Directly?
At Directly, we are pleased to assist international students in securing university admission at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University in Turkey. Here are some of the services provided by Directly, the leading student service provider in Turkey:
- Free academic consultation to help you choose the study program that best suits your academic and career goals.
- Detailed guidance on the admission requirements of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.
- Accurate information regarding tuition fees and program costs across all majors.
- Information on available scholarship opportunities.
- Assistance in completing required documents and obtaining university admission for free.
- Support with obtaining a student visa.
- Free assistance in securing student accommodation, booking a tax ID appointment, and paying the necessary taxes.
- Payment of health insurance installments.
- Arranging affordable on-campus or private student housing, or helping students rent apartments.
- Free bank account opening.
- Free public transportation card for students.
In conclusion, we have reviewed the national and international accreditations of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University and the benefits of studying there—one of the top private universities in Turkey that attracts hundreds of international students each year.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us via Directly’s WhatsApp.
Our educational advisor will be happy to assist you. We wish you a successful academic journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University recognized in Arab countries?
Yes, the university is widely recognized in many Arab countries such as Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, and Palestine, as well as in the Gulf region.
What scholarships does Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University offer?
- Admission Scholarship via the ÖSYM Placement:
Students admitted through the ÖSYM placement can receive tuition fee discounts as follows:
A 30% discount if one of the following programs is the student’s first choice in the placement: Arabic Language Teaching, Food Engineering, Islamic Economics and Finance, Islamic Sciences, Health Management, Political Science and International Relations, Social Work, Sociology, History, and Turkish Language and Literature.
- A 25% discount if one of these programs is among the top five choices.
- A 20% discount if another program (not listed above) is the first choice.
- A 15% discount if another program is among the top five choices.
- Annual Academic Excellence Scholarships:
Students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance receive tuition discounts for the following academic year as follows:
- 100% discount for the top-ranked student (first place).
- 75% discount for the student in second place.
- 50% discount for the student in third place.
What is the ranking of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University?
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is considered one of the top private universities in Istanbul, Turkey:
It ranks 4,041st globally.
It holds the 104th position among universities in Turkey according to the UniRank university rankings.
The university was ranked between 351 and 400 in the QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia (EECA) University Rankings for 2022.
It was placed in the 801–1000 range in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings for 2024.
It ranked 61st in the 2025 Western Europe University Rankings.
Is Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University public or private?
No, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is not a public university; it is a private, non-profit foundation university.
Is Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University internationally recognized?
Yes, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is internationally recognized. It is listed in global university ranking databases such as the QS World University Rankings. The university is also widely recognized in Arab countries, especially in the Gulf region. Many of its international graduates continue their studies at various American and European universities, which reflects the strong academic acceptance of its degree. Additionally, it is a member of several European academic exchange programs, including Erasmus+.
What is the global ranking of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University?
Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is ranked 4041 globally. It is also listed on several international platforms such as TopUniversities and uniRank, reflecting its distinguished global standing.
