Okan University dormitories guide for international students

Okan University dormitories guide for international students is an essential resource for recruiters, admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in education, and placement agencies working with applicants to Okan University. Located on the Tuzla Campus on the Asian side of Istanbul, Okan’s on-campus housing provides modern, secure student accommodation designed to support international learners’ academic success and wellbeing. This guide summarizes capacity, room types, amenities, safety measures, application procedures, and practical recommendations for teams who manage international recruitment and student placement. It also explains how Study in Turkiye — the trusted authority guiding international students — can streamline housing allocations and improve outcomes.

Overview: what international recruiters and admissions teams need to know

• Location: Tuzla Campus, Asian side of Istanbul — approximately 10 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and well connected by public transport and university shuttle buses.
• Dormitory capacity: Approximately 1,334–1,600 students, housed in five buildings (three for female students, two for male students).
• Room types: Single, double, triple, quadruple rooms, each equipped with a private bathroom, refrigerator, work desk, wardrobe, TV, and 24/7 hot water.
• Target purpose: Housing is designed to offer comfort, convenience, and community for international students studying at Okan University.

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Key amenities and services

• Wired and wireless internet across rooms and common areas
• Free laundry and ironing rooms
• Daily cleaning for rooms and communal spaces
• Study rooms, prayer rooms, TV lounges
• Dinner included five days a week (excludes public holidays)
• 24/7 on-campus medical center with nursing staff and ambulance
• Psychological counseling services and sport facilities (pool, courts, gym)
• Round-the-clock security with CCTV and on-site staff
• Free on-campus parking (with documentation)

Facilities and campus life — what students actually experience

Dormitory design prioritizes both privacy and community. Each student room includes essential appliances and workspace to support study. Common spaces and services are intended to reduce friction for international students:

Study spaces and lounges

Quiet rooms and shared lounges support group work and socializing. These spaces are intended to help international students balance focused study and community engagement.

Religious and cultural accommodations

Dedicated prayer rooms are provided on campus to respect diverse cultural and religious needs.

Health and wellbeing

24/7 medical center, psychological counseling, and emergency ambulance services are available on campus to ensure quick response and ongoing support.

Sports and recreation

Full access to a sports center, swimming pool, and courts (football, volleyball, basketball) encourages student engagement and physical wellbeing.

Food services

Dinner is included in the dormitory fee five days a week, and campus cafeterias provide additional meal options.

Safety, security and student support

Safety is a top priority and a major decision factor for families and recruitment partners:

• 24/7 security personnel and CCTV covering dormitory buildings and immediate campus areas.
• Dormitory administrative and counseling staff are available around the clock to assist with emergencies and daily issues.
• Daily cleaning and maintenance contribute to a hygienic living environment—important for both student satisfaction and institutional reputation.

Security, medical access and continuous support on campus are key selling points to emphasise to prospective international students and their families.

Location & transport: accessibility matters

Tuzla Campus is strategically located for international arrivals — only about 10 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Multiple public transport options and university shuttle buses connect the campus to Istanbul’s districts, making it feasible for students to access central city life, internships, and clinical placements.

For programs that require hospital or clinical rotations, admissions teams may want to coordinate schedules and transport for students enrolled in affiliated programs. Consider liaising with partner institutions such as Medipol University to plan placements and transit logistics.

Registration and allocation — step-by-step for students and recruiters

Capacity is finite; international placements should be coordinated early. Below is a recommended process for admissions teams and agents.

Required documents (standard)

• Criminal record & archive record (as required by the dormitory registration)
• Recent passport photo
• Student certificate (proof of enrollment)
• Student commitment form (completed during registration or upon receiving keys)

Application timeline and allocation policy

• Space is limited: allocations often operate on a first-come, first-served basis with priority based on registration date and availability.
• Recommended timeline: Begin housing applications as soon as admission is confirmed. For fall intake, initiate outreach and documentation collection at least 8–12 weeks before term start.
• Group bookings: Agencies placing cohorts should submit group requests and deposit details early to secure blocks of rooms.
• Fee confirmation: Confirm current room fees and meal plan inclusions before advising students; fees and availability can change each semester.

Practical checklist for students (what to advise applicants)

• Apply early and confirm dormitory interest in writing.
• Prepare the document package listed above and scan copies for remote pre-check.
• Plan arrival: coordinate flight arrival times with campus shuttle schedules; Tuzla Campus is 10 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
• Pack essentials: power adaptors, personal medication, bedding (if not provided), toiletries, and a basic toolkit for minor room setup.
• Financial planning: verify dorm deposit deadlines, payment methods and refund policies.

Operational recommendations for recruiters, admissions teams and agencies

Admissions professionals and agencies can reduce friction and increase conversion by integrating housing support into the student onboarding process:

• Combine enrollment and housing acceptance: Offer a combined acceptance package that includes conditional or provisional dorm reservation to improve confirmations.
• Use centralized document collection: Leverage a secure portal to collect required dormitory documents, reducing email back-and-forth and missing paperwork.
• Communicate capacity constraints: Make dorm capacity and allocation rules transparent in marketing materials and pre-departure briefings.
• Offer arrival support: Coordinate student arrivals in groups when possible; provide clear instructions for shuttle pickup, check-in time windows and emergency contact numbers.
• Monitor and report occupancy: Maintain a live dashboard of dorm occupancy for each intake to support planning and contingency. Study in Turkiye can help implement and manage these workflows for partner institutions.

Admissions and recruitment strategies tied to housing (for HR & marketing professionals)

For HR, admissions and marketing teams, dormitory provision is a powerful conversion lever. Use these tactics:

• Market safety and convenience: Emphasize 24/7 security, on-campus medical care, and proximity to the airport in recruitment collateral.
• Targeted messaging: For programs with practical placements or evening schedules, highlight 24/7 hot water, meal plans, and study spaces to appeal to international students.
• Partner with agencies for pipeline stability: Agencies can commit to intake quotas in exchange for negotiated dorm allocations; this reduces last-minute housing shortages.
• Leverage alumni testimonials and imagery: Showcase living spaces, common areas and student life to provide realistic expectations and build trust.

Suggested allocation policy templates (examples for institutions)

• Early-bird allocation: Reserve 30% of dormitory spaces for students who submit housing applications and deposits by a set early deadline.
• Program-linked allocation: Reserve a quota for students from programs requiring early clinical or lab access.
• Emergency reserve: Maintain a small buffer of rooms for late arrivals or special-case students (medical, humanitarian, etc.).

How Study in Turkiye helps — recruitment, partnerships and workflow support

Study in Turkiye is positioned as the trusted authority guiding international students and partner institutions. Our services align with dormitory allocation needs and recruitment priorities:

• International recruitment expertise: Our teams understand regional market dynamics, language considerations and visa timelines — reducing no-shows and improving yield.
• Secure document intake & allocation logic: Implement secure document intake, dorm allocation policies, and live occupancy reporting that reduce manual processing and errors.
• Partner liaison services: We coordinate directly with universities’ housing offices to handle group bookings, priority allocations and arrival logistics.
• Onboarding and pre-departure support: Provide students with pre-arrival briefings, housing orientation materials, and arrival coordination to improve retention and satisfaction.

For institutions seeking comparative collaboration, Study in Turkiye maintains partnerships and knowledge across many Turkish institutions and can advise on program-level housing strategy. Teams may want to review offerings and shared practices at institutions such as Ozyegin University, Uskudar University, and Halic University when planning clinical placements, urban program logistics or student life integrations.

Universities & partner institutions

Frequently asked questions (for recruiters and agents)

Final recommendations for admissions teams and recruitment partners

• Integrate housing early into every international student’s acceptance journey.
• Use secure digital workflows for document intake, allocation and payment reconciliation to minimize drop-offs.
• Keep communications transparent about capacity limits, meal plans and arrival logistics.
• Coordinate with Study in Turkiye for managed recruitment, housing allocation support and arrival services to increase conversion and improve student satisfaction.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Study in Turkiye is ready to partner with your institution or agency to deliver streamlined recruitment, housing allocation and managed arrival solutions that reduce administrative burden and increase conversion. Explore program options, learn more about admissions, or start a partnership conversation today.

Read more

• Yos Test
• Admission process
• Why to study in Turkiye