Ya?ar University was established on March 29, 2001, by the Sel?uk Ya?ar Sports and Education Foundation. Inspired by the principles of "Science, Unity, Success" set forth by Sel?uk Ya?ar, founder of the Ya?ar Group, the university began its academic journey in ?zmir with a strong commitment to contributing to education, science, and society.
The university is located in ?zmir, a major city in western Anatolia, Turkey. As the third largest city in the country, ?zmir lies along the Aegean coast and has a deep-rooted history that dates back to ancient times when it was known as the Greek city of Smyrna. Over the centuries, it has been home to Greeks, Armenians, Levantines, and Turks. Today, its cultural richness is reflected in well-preserved archaeological landmarks such as the Roman Agora of Smyrna, Mount Kadifekale, and the historical Asans?r Tower.
Ya?ar University has demonstrated its academic and institutional success through its placement in various national and international rankings. It has been recognized as the leading university in the Aegean Region in several lists published by respected ranking organizations such as Times Higher Education (91茄子). With its strong stance in areas such as education quality, internationalization, sustainability, and research performance, the university has also secured a prestigious position among universities across Turkey.
Since its foundation, Ya?ar University has evolved into a dynamic institution with a student-centered structure and a strong international vision. Through its student-focused approach, English-medium instruction, and practice-based learning model, the university offers its students a wide range of opportunities for holistic development.
The university comprises 8 faculties, 1 School of Applied Sciences, 1 Vocational School, 1 School of Foreign Languages, and 1 Graduate School. It offers a total of 30 undergraduate and 13 associate degree programs. Education is provided in diverse fields such as law, psychology, engineering, communication, art and design, gastronomy, business, architecture, and agricultural sciences. Ya?ar University has approximately 8,300 students and 635 academic staff. Most students begin their education at the English Preparatory School. Students are expected to meet a certain level of English proficiency before starting their departmental courses.
The university places great importance on internationalization. Within the scope of the Erasmus+ program, it has agreements with 228 universities in 27 European countries. Additionally, through Global Exchange and ISEP programs, students have the opportunity to study at universities in 24 different countries, particularly in the United States.
Ya?ar University aims to prepare its students not only for life after graduation but also for the business world during their studies. With the YU-COOP (Ya?ar University Cooperative Education Program) model, students gain sectoral experience throughout their education and begin their careers with a strong foundation. Students who wish to do so may also pursue double major or minor programs to obtain an additional diploma or certificate in a different field.
Campus life is an integral part of the university experience. A total of 56 student clubs organize events in various fields such as art, sports, entrepreneurship, and environmental awareness. Through these clubs, students develop skills in leadership, organization, and project management while receiving support from academic and administrative advisors.
The university offers a variety of scholarships and tuition discounts. These include scholarships for tuition, academic achievement, talent, accommodation, and special support for the families of martyrs and veterans. Additional financial support is also provided through staff and family discounts. All scholarships and discounts are administered in accordance with the university’s official regulations.
Alumni relations are one of the university’s key priorities. To date, Ya?ar University has graduated 18,196 students, approximately 70% of whom are employed. Alumni hold positions in national and international companies across sectors such as engineering, software, communication, finance, design, and production.
With its integrated approach to academic excellence, sectoral experience, and social development, Ya?ar University is committed to educating well-rounded, conscious, and globally minded individuals.
