Galatasaray University (GSÜ) — Istanbul

Galatasaray University (GSÜ) — known in Turkish as Galatasaray Üniversitesi and in French as Université Galatasaray — is a unique public university in Istanbul, located in Ortaköy (Beşiktaş district) on the European shore of the Bosphorus. Founded in 1992 as the direct result of an international treaty between Turkey and France, the university is the modern continuation of an educational tradition dating back to the historic Galatasaray Lycée (founded 1481 as the Galata Palace School).

Distinctive identity — French-language instruction: Galatasaray's defining feature is that all its undergraduate programs are taught in French — making it the only public university in Turkey to do so. This francophone identity is supported by ongoing exchange agreements and cooperation with leading French universities and grandes écoles.

Ranking: GSÜ holds approximately the 75th rank among Turkish public universities — though raw ranking understates its prestige in the disciplines where it competes (law, political science, communications), where it ranks among the top Turkish institutions.

European exchange: Galatasaray maintains active cooperation agreements with many prestigious European universities, especially in France, and participates extensively in the EU's Erasmus+ student-exchange program.

Notable faculties and programs:

• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Engineering and Technology — computer engineering, industrial engineering
• Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts
• Faculty of Law — historically the flagship
• Faculty of Letters and Foreign Languages — philosophy, sociology, French language and literature
• Faculty of Political Sciences — international relations, public administration
• Faculty of Economics and Business Administration — economics, business administration, mathematics
• Faculty of Communications
• Faculty of Sciences

Graduate institutes: Mathematics, Marine Engineering, Public Administration, Tourism and Antiquities, Political Sciences — covering both applied and humanistic disciplines.

Admission: Galatasaray accepts SAT and high-school diplomas with adequate GPA. French-language proficiency (DELF/DALF or equivalent) is required — students without it complete a 1-year French preparatory program (hazırlık) before their main degree. Apply at gsuyos.gsu.edu.tr.

Tuition (international students): Approximately $1,500–4,000 per year for most undergraduate programs; medicine and dentistry are higher (~$5,000–8,000).

Scholarships: Türkiye Bursları covers tuition, housing, stipend, and travel. The French government and various French institutions also support exchange opportunities for GSÜ students.

Living in Istanbul: GSÜ's Ortaköy waterfront campus is one of the most beautiful in Istanbul — directly on the Bosphorus, with a historic palace building. Istanbul living costs are higher than other Turkish cities, with student rent typically $400–800/month in central neighbourhoods.

Recognition: Diplomas are accredited by Turkey's YÖK and are particularly well-recognised across France and the French-speaking world (including North Africa). GSÜ is the ideal choice for francophone Arab students who want top-tier instruction in French at a Turkish public university.

Important: French-language proficiency is essential — verify the current French entry requirement (DELF B2 or equivalent) and exam-preparation options directly with the university before applying.