Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University (AYBÜ) is a higher education institution established by Law No. 6005, published in the Official Gazette on 21 July 2010, and serves as the fifth state university of the capital city Ankara. At its founding, AYBÜ emerged as one of Turkey’s youngest and most dynamic universities, taking its name from Yıldırım Bayezid, one of the prominent sultans of the Ottoman Empire. The university began its educational activities on 3 October 2011 with its first cohort of students. Aiming to distinguish itself through a multilingual education structure and a high concentration of international students, AYBÜ rapidly developed its academic and physical infrastructure.

History and Establishment Process

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University gained official status through Law No. 6005, adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. At its inception, the university commenced operations with seven faculties, one higher school, four institutes, and one conservatory, quickly expanding its academic units. From its inception, AYBÜ adopted the mission of becoming a research university meeting international standards, emphasizing English as the primary language of instruction to achieve a competitive position on the global stage.

Academic Units

Faculties and Conservatory

The following faculties and one state conservatory operate under the university’s academic structure:

• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Communication
• Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Business Administration
• Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts
• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Political Sciences
• Faculty of Sport Sciences
• Şereflikoçhisar Applied Sciences Faculty
• Faculty of Medicine
• Turkish Music State Conservatory

Institutes

The institutes conducting graduate-level research are as follows:

• Institute of Natural Sciences
• Institute of Public Health
• Institute of Health Sciences
• Institute of Social Sciences
• Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies

Higher Schools and Vocational Schools

The units focusing on associate and undergraduate vocational and language education are:

• School of Foreign Languages
• Vocational School of Technical Sciences
• Vocational School of Health Services
• Vocational School of Social Sciences
• Şereflikoçhisar Berat Cömertoğlu Vocational School

Language of Instruction and Internationalization

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University has identified the provision of a multilingual and international educational environment as one of its core objectives. In certain programs, instruction is delivered entirely in English (%100); these include Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Aviation and Space Sciences, Political Sciences, Business Administration, and the Psychology program of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. The Faculty of Law and the History program of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences offer %30 English-medium instruction. This multilingual structure attracts international students and supports the university’s vision of becoming a global education hub. AYBÜ accepts international students from 109 countries and has established bilateral agreements with 203 international universities to provide students with opportunities for international mobility.

Institutional Identity and Emblem

The university’s emblem consists of interlocking doors symbolizing the transmission of values, cultures, and principles from the past to the future. This symbol represents the flow of knowledge across disciplines and its continuous evolution, while also emphasizing the institution’s historical and cultural roots. The emblem was designed with consideration of the Golden Ratio theory to achieve aesthetic and mathematical harmony.

AYBÜ Campuses and Physical Facilities

Due to ongoing construction of its main campus, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University conducts its activities across multiple locations in Ankara and its surroundings.

Esenboğa Külliyesi (Esenboğa Main Campus)

The Esenboğa Külliyesi features four main indoor buildings along with physical amenities such as a café and fitness center. Sports facilities include two outdoor football fields, tennis courts, and volleyball courts, as well as an open parking area. The AYBÜ dormitory and mosque are currently under construction and will soon be opened for service. Units operating at this külliye include the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Faculty of Political Sciences, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences, and the Institute of Social Sciences.

Çubuk Campus (Çubuk Yerleşkesi)

The Çubuk Campus hosts the Vocational School of Health Services and the Vocational School. Additionally, the Center for Traditional and Complementary Medicine Applications and Research, the Hippotherapy Center, and the Phytotherapy Center operate within this campus. The campus provides various social facilities, and infrastructure development for archery and equestrian sports is ongoing.

Etlik Campus (15 July Martyrs Building)

Located in one of Ankara’s central districts, this campus occupies a vibrant and well-served location. Units operating here include the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Institute of Natural Sciences, and Institute of Public Health.

Milli İrade Building (National Will Building / Rectorate Campus)

This building serves as the Rectorate. It also functions as the center for the School of Foreign Languages and houses the Office of International Relations.

Bilkent Campus (Bilkent Yerleşkesi)

Students of the AYBÜ Faculty of Medicine receive their education and training services in this building, known as the Building of Basic Medical Sciences and Laboratories.

Cinnah Campus (Cinnah Yerleşkesi)

The Cinnah Campus, consisting of two main buildings, hosts the Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and DILMER service center, administrative offices, and classrooms. Students of the AYBÜ Turkish Music State Conservatory also receive their education here.

Ulus Campus (Ulus Yerleşkesi)

Primarily used as the AYBÜ Additional Services Building, this campus also houses administrative and technical units as well as several research centers. These include the Directorate of Construction and Technical Works, the Strategy Development Department, the Administrative and Financial Affairs Department, the Rotating Funds Management Directorate, the Rotating Capital Accounting Directorate, the Office of Scientific Research Projects, the Center for Islamic Sciences Applications and Research, and the Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience Applications and Research.

Other Campuses and Buildings

The Keçiören Campus serves as the main campus building and functions as the AYBÜ Service Building. The Şereflikoçhisar Campus hosts the Şereflikoçhisar Berat Cömertoğlu Vocational School (part of AYBÜ since 2018), the Şereflikoçhisar Applied Sciences Faculty, and the Şereflikoçhisar Practice Hotel. The Esenboğa International Documentation Center is a four-story AYBÜ building providing library and documentation services. The Central Research Laboratories Building houses some of AYBÜ’s laboratories as well as the Ankara Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Maternity and Gynecology Training Hospital. Additionally, Ankara City Hospital serves as the university hospital and health application and research center, while a joint usage protocol has been signed between AYBÜ and the Yenimahalle Education and Research Hospital. Finally, the AYBÜ Faculty of Dentistry’s Tepebaşı Oral and Dental Health Education Hospital has been operating as the AYBÜ Faculty of Dentistry since 2017.