Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ)

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ) is a public university affiliated with the Republic of Türkiye. It is located in the central district and municipalities of Muğla Province. The foundation of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University dates back to the Muğla School of Business, established in 1975 under the Ankara Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences.

History

In 1982, this school was affiliated with Dokuz Eylül University. Subsequently, in 1989, Muğla Vocational School was established. The university itself was officially founded on 3 July 1992 by Law No. 3837 under the name Muğla University.

At its founding, the university incorporated faculties such as Faculty of Science and Letters, Faculty of Aquatic Products, Faculty of Technical Education, and Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, along with institutes for Natural and Social Sciences. The Muğla School of Business was integrated into the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, and the Muğla Vocational School was also attached to the newly established university. The 1993–1994 academic year marked the first intake of students, with two active faculties and two vocational schools.

In recognition of the financial support provided by businessman Sıtkı Koçman to the university’s development, the institution’s name was officially changed to Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University by a decision published in the Official Gazette No. 28309 on 31 May 2012.

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Campuses

The university conducts its educational and research activities across campuses spread throughout the central district and municipalities of Muğla Province. The main campus is located in the Kötekli neighborhood of the Menteşe district of Muğla. The Kötekli Campus includes the rectorate, numerous academic units, research centers, a library, cultural centers, sports facilities, and student dormitories. The campuses are situated near tourist centers such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Datça, Fethiye, and Köyceğiz.

In addition to the main campus, the university hosts faculties and vocational schools in districts including Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Milas, Ortaca, Datça, Köyceğiz, Yatağan, Ula, Kavaklıdere, and Dalaman.

Academic Units

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University comprises 21 faculties, 4 institutes, 3 colleges, and 16 vocational schools.

Faculties

• Bodrum Faculty of Fine Arts
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Letters
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Science
• Fethiye Faculty of Business
• Fethiye Faculty of Health Sciences
• Fethiye Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Theology
• Milas Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Sports Sciences
• Faculty of Aquatic Products
• Faculty of Technology
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Tourism

Institutes

• Institute of Educational Sciences
• Institute of Natural Sciences
• Institute of Health Sciences
• Institute of Social Sciences

Colleges

• Dalaman Civil Aviation College
• Seydikemer Applied Sciences College
• College of Foreign Languages

Student Profile

According to 2024 data, the total number of students at the university is 42,896. The student population is enrolled in associate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. By level of study, 13,831 students are in associate degree programs, 26,392 in undergraduate programs, 2,055 in graduate programs, and 618 in doctoral programs.

Admission of Turkish citizens to undergraduate programs is conducted based on the results of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS), held annually by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). International student admissions are carried out through centralized entrance exams such as the University Entrance Exam for Foreign Students or other admission criteria determined by the university. Applicants to certain departments in the Faculties of Fine Arts and Sports Sciences, as well as some educational programs, must pass special aptitude exams set by the university.

Departments

Undergraduate Programs: The university’s undergraduate programs are organized under various faculties. In the technical fields, notable departments include Computer Engineering (English), Civil Engineering (English), Mining Engineering (English), Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (English), and Software Engineering (English). Other programs include Forestry Industry Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, and Energy Systems Engineering. In the field of health sciences, programs include Medicine (Turkish and English), Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Dietetics, Gerontology, and Speech and Language Therapy. In the areas of social and administrative sciences, departments include Law, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science and International Relations, International Trade and Finance, Customs Management, and Aviation Management. In the fields of humanities and arts, prominent programs include Archaeology, English Language and Literature, Psychology, Sociology, History, Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Digital Game Design, and Gastronomy and Culinary Arts.

Associate Degree Programs: Within vocational schools, programs focus on tourism and maritime sectors such as Culinary Arts, Tourism and Hotel Management, Yacht Captaining, and Marina and Yacht Management. In the technical field, programs include Computer Programming and Electrical Engineering. In the field of health services, programs include First Aid and Emergency Care, Elderly Care, and Medical Laboratory Techniques. Additional vocational programs include Emergency and Disaster Management, Civil Defense and Firefighting, Forestry and Forest Products.

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International Activities

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University maintains international collaborations in line with its goals of integration into the European Higher Education Area and alignment with the Bologna Process. The university actively participates in national and international exchange programs such as Erasmus+, Mevlana, and the Farabi Exchange Program, coordinated by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

The Office of International Relations organizes, monitors, and implements exchange programs; it also manages the acceptance, placement, and follow-up of incoming international exchange students and faculty members. The office also carries out activities related to the implementation of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The institution monitors developments in European Union framework programs and other EU research initiatives to support academic staff in individual initiatives and project management.

Awards and Achievements

The university has achieved various national recognitions in the fields of education, research, and accessibility.

• Accessible Universities Awards: Under the Accessible Universities Awards granted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the university received the Orange Flag award for spatial accessibility. Previously, the Faculty of Tourism and the Faculty of Health Sciences were awarded Orange and Green Flags. In 2023, following applications, the Rectorate Building won the Orange Flag Award in the category of Spatial Accessibility.
• Project Competitions: The project “E-Gulet: Energy Efficient, Eco-Friendly and Innovative Bodrum Gulet,” presented by faculty members of the Bodrum Maritime Vocational School’s Shipbuilding Program, won first prize in the “Republic of Türkiye’s 100th Anniversary: Seafaring Nation, Seafaring Country Project Competition” organized by the Istanbul Chamber of Maritime Trade.
• Research and Development: Students participate in numerous scientific projects and have opportunities to conduct research in their fields.

Student Life

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University provides students with opportunities to enrich their time outside the classroom. Numerous student organizations operate within the university, organizing symposia, panels, competitions, excursions, and performances.

Sports facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two sports halls, a football stadium, six tennis courts, four basketball courts, and a synthetic turf field. Students have access to these facilities according to their interests.