Introduction

Choosing accommodation is one of the most important parts of the international student journey. For recruiters, admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in higher education, and placement agencies, a clear, actionable housing checklist simplifies candidate guidance, reduces onboarding friction, and strengthens institutional conversion rates. This Koç University student housing complete checklist walks you through the full process — from confirming eligibility and selecting accommodation to moving in, using dormitory facilities, and escalation paths for issues — and highlights how Study in Turkiye supports international recruitment and campus residential workflows to deliver a seamless residential experience.

Use this checklist as a template for pre-arrival packs, orientation sessions and partner briefings to create consistent, timely housing communication for international applicants.

Confirm eligibility and placement: what recruiters and admissions should verify

Key point: International students at Koç University are guaranteed placement in one of the 18 on-campus dormitories. This assurance is an important admissions selling point and should be included in recruitment materials and pre-departure emails.

Actions for admissions teams

• Confirm allocation policy
  Verify dormitory allocation policy for each intake and note any priority groups (e.g., scholarship recipients).
• Verify assignment
  Confirm the student’s assigned dormitory after final admission and update candidate records.

Template checklist item for recruiters

Confirm housing guarantee and dormitory assignment date with the student within 48–72 hours of offer acceptance.

Why this matters: Clear placement guarantees reduce candidate anxiety, improve yield, and speed time-to-enrolment for international applicants.

Housing options: on-campus and off-campus overview

On-campus dormitories — the default option

Koç University’s on-campus housing is fully integrated with campus services and student support systems. Typical room types include single, double, or multi-bed rooms, with allocation governed by housing policy and availability.

• Direct access to academic buildings, libraries and student services.
• Peer networks and student life programming inside the residence community.
• Faster response times for maintenance, safety and wellbeing concerns.

Off-campus alternatives — when students opt out

Off-campus options include shared flats, studios and homestays. These suit students who require different budgets or prefer independent living or family arrangements.

• Conduct safety, commute and neighbourhood checks before recommending properties.
• Provide clear guidance on leases, deposits, utility responsibilities and local registration requirements.

Internal note for health- or clinic-focused applicants: cross-reference local campuses such as Istinye University and Medipol University when advising on clinic proximity and clinical placement logistics.

Prepare documentation and applications: pre-arrival admin

For students

• Complete the Koç University housing application form provided in acceptance communications.
• Gather documents for check-in:
  • Passport and student visa (if applicable)
  • Student ID or provisional acceptance letter
  • Dormitory assignment confirmation
  • Any medical or special accommodation documentation

For recruiting and admissions officers

• Provide a pre-arrival checklist template with required documents and deadlines.
• Automate reminders through your CRM and Study in Turkiye’s candidate-engagement guidance to reduce late submissions.

Pro tip: Standardize a housing application checklist in the student portal and provide translations for major source markets to reduce support volume.

Prepare for arrival: what to pack and expect

What dormitories normally provide

• Communal bathrooms and showers
• Shared kitchens or dining areas
• Laundry facilities
• Common rooms for socialising and study

Confirm with Koç University communications which items are provided in-room (e.g., bedframe, mattress) and which students should bring (bedding, towels, toiletries).

Essential items to recommend to international students

• Bedding set (check bed dimensions), pillow, towel
• Power plug adapters and a surge protector
• Personal hygiene supplies and a basic first-aid kit
• A small toolkit or multi-tool for minor room fixes
• Lockable storage and a padlock for shared kitchen cupboards (if not provided)

Advising students on money and documentation

Advise students to carry printed copies of important documents and a small amount of local currency on arrival. Share details of campus pick-up services, local SIM and banking options to help immediate settling in.

Move-in process: day-of logistics and orientation

Students should arrive on the designated university move-in date. Communicate exact windows in confirmation emails and arrival guides.

Check-in steps to share with students

• Report to the dormitory reception desk with passport and student documents.
• Complete the check-in form and collect room keys or access cards.
• Complete an initial room inventory and damage report to avoid disputes at checkout.

Orientation and induction

• Ensure students attend dormitory orientation to learn building rules, safety procedures and support contacts.
• Provide digital versions of dormitory rules and emergency numbers in multiple languages where possible.

Operational tip for housing managers: Use a standardized digital move-in form to capture inventory, signatures and photo evidence. Study in Turkiye offers guidance to streamline move-in workflows and reduce check-in times.

On-campus living rules & support: maintaining community standards

Property rules and code of conduct

Koç University dormitories maintain policies covering noise restrictions, guest rules, shared space etiquette and health & safety requirements.

Provide a concise code-of-conduct document in welcome packs and reinforce expectations during orientation.

Support structure and escalation paths

Students should be given clear contacts for dormitory coordinators, maintenance services, student welfare and campus security. Admissions and HR teams should create escalation flowcharts for urgent housing issues and integrate them with international student support.

Utilize dormitory amenities: maximise student wellbeing and academic success

• Encourage students to use on-site study rooms, common areas and laundry facilities.
• Facilitate community-building events — student life programming is a proven retention tool.
• Housing coordinators should schedule regular maintenance inspections and provide self-help guides for common issues (e.g., resetting a circuit breaker).

For benchmarking and partnership ideas, review residence life programming at similar institutions such as Bilgi University and Ozyegin University.

Handling common housing issues: practical checklists

Roommate conflicts

• Encourage early communication and mediation through resident assistants.
• Provide template roommate agreements covering visitors, cleaning routines and shared costs.

Maintenance requests

• Set up an online ticketing system for quicker response times.
• Prioritise safety-related repairs and provide expected timelines for non-urgent work.

Security incidents

• Ensure students understand campus security procedures and how to report incidents.
• Share after-hours emergency contact numbers clearly in both digital and printed formats.

Off-campus checklist for students choosing independent housing

• Inspect property in person or via a trusted virtual tour.
• Verify lease terms: length, deposit amount, included utilities and termination conditions.
• Check commute times to campus and access to public transport.
• Confirm safety features: locks, lighting, nearby police stations and neighbourhood safety data.

For agencies: provide candidate-specific shortlists and vet landlords for international-friendly contracts. If advising students in health-related fields, cross-reference accommodation near clinical campuses such as Istinye University and Medipol University.

How Study in Turkiye supports the housing lifecycle and institutional workflows

Study in Turkiye delivers expertise in international recruitment, admissions workflows and housing communication strategies that reduce time-to-enrolment and increase student satisfaction.

Key services and guidance

• Send timed housing application reminders and move-in notifications.
• Integrate housing assignments with student record systems and dormitory access control guidance.
• Provide multilingual templates for pre-arrival and in-hall communications.

For HR and marketing professionals: leveraging Study in Turkiye’s guidance creates consistent messaging across recruitment channels and institutional touchpoints, improving conversion and retention.

Case usage for partners and university teams

• Implement automated checklists for every admitted international student to ensure timely submission of housing documents.
• Use housing data to inform student welfare outreach and targeted retention efforts.

Sample templates and quick-check items for your teams

Pre-arrival email checklist (send within a week of offer acceptance)

• Housing guarantee confirmation and assigned dormitory (if available)
• Housing application form link and deadline
• List of required documents for check-in
• Move-in date window and orientation schedule
• Local transport and campus pickup options

Move-in day quick checklist (for students)

• Passport and student ID
• Housing assignment confirmation
• Emergency contact list and dormitory reception number
• Small amount of local currency and essentials kit

Room inventory form (what to record at check-in)

• Bed and mattress condition
• Window, door and lock status
• Furniture, desk and chair condition
• Any marks or damages (include photos and signatures)

Key reminders for recruiters, admissions, HR and agencies

• Communicate the housing guarantee early and clearly — it’s a major decision factor for applicants.
• Standardize and automate housing communications to reduce manual workload and errors.
• Ensure multi-channel support (email, messaging apps, phone) for international students across time zones.
• Respect dormitory rules and encourage students to follow community standards to protect the student experience and institutional reputation.

For benchmarking and collaborative programming, consider residence life approaches at other institutions listed below.

Reference universities

Universities referenced in this checklist for benchmarking or clinical proximity guidance:

• Istinye University
  Istanbul — clinical and health sciences proximity
• Medipol University
  Istanbul — medical and clinical training contexts
• Bilgi University
  Istanbul — residence life programming examples
• Ozyegin University
  Istanbul — student engagement and facilities
• Halic University
  Istanbul — complementary residence life perspectives
• Beykent University
  Istanbul — campus life and housing examples
• Galata University
  Istanbul — comparative residence life approaches

Frequently asked questions

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Partner with Study in Turkiye to improve international housing communications, streamline move-in and inventory processes, and scale recruitment with consistent pre-arrival workflows. Let us help you convert more applicants into confident, settled students and deliver a best-in-class residential experience at Koç University and beyond.