Istanbul Gelişim University Summer Schools for Foreigners — At a Glance

Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU) runs an organized summer school accessible to international students at associate, undergraduate and graduate levels. IGU admits foreign students as special students or through exchange agreements, allowing them to take selected courses, earn transferable credits and benefit from campus services while in Turkiye. For details and official guidelines, see Gelisim University.

Who Can Attend?

• International students enrolled at associate, bachelor or graduate levels may apply.
• Students from partner universities or academic exchange programs can use bilateral agreements.
• Graduate students enjoy more flexible credit limits (exempt from undergraduate credit caps).

Key Advantages for International Mobility and Recruitment

• Short-term academic mobility with credit-transfer potential.
• Opportunity for students to experience IGU’s campus and services before committing to a full degree.
• Strong selling point for agencies and recruiters marketing Turkiye as a destination: summer schools are a low-barrier, high-value proposition.

Eligibility and Admission Checklist

Understanding eligibility and required documentation is essential for admission teams and recruitment partners. IGU evaluates each application at the department level.

Eligibility Summary

• Associate, undergraduate and graduate international students can apply.
• Applications processed either as special students or under exchange agreements.
• Graduate students are not bound by the undergraduate upper credit limit.

Required Documents — Prepare These for a Fast Review

• Completed application form (department-specific).
• Photocopy of identity document (passport or national ID as applicable).
• Current student certificate from the home institution.
• Approved academic transcript.
• Contribution note or approval letter from the home institution (confirms permission to study and accept credits).

Acceptance Process

• Submit documents to the relevant IGU department.
• Department reviews academic suitability and available course capacity.
• Department issues acceptance or provides guidance on course selection.

Language Requirements and Documentation

• IGU requires proof of language proficiency for courses taught in a foreign language, as accepted by the IGU Senate.
• Accepted documentation typically includes language test scores or institutional language certificates.
• Admissions teams should compile a list of accepted language proofs and communicate expectations clearly in application materials.

Fees, Rights and Student Status

Tuition and Payment

• Foreign students attending IGU summer school as special students pay the standard summer school tuition directly to IGU.
• Fee structures may vary by faculty and course; confirm rates with IGU’s Directorate of Student Affairs.

Student Rights and Campus Access

• Special students do not receive a diploma or full formal student status, but they retain access to student services during their study period (library access, student counseling, campus events).
• This access is a selling point for recruiters and marketers: students get genuine campus experience and student life exposure.

Campus Life, Support Services and International Community

IGU provides academic and social support tailored to international students, including orientation sessions and integration into campus activities. For agencies and HR teams designing mobility programs, summer school participants can be integrated into organized cultural, academic and career events to boost engagement and conversion rates for longer programs.

Best Practices — Minimizing Administrative Friction

• Start the contribution note process early with the home institution — this is a common bottleneck.
• Use standardized document naming conventions (e.g., “SURNAME_Name_Transcript.pdf”) for quick uploads and processing.
• Maintain a prioritized contact list at IGU departments to resolve course capacity questions.
• Embed language requirement checks into intake forms to prevent late disqualifications.
• For high-volume recruitment, adopt automated reminders for outstanding documents and payments.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Explore further opportunities with Istanbul Gelişim University’s summer programs and see how you can benefit from a practical, credit-bearing option that opens Turkiye to short-term academic mobility.