Kadir Has University (KHAS), established in 1997 by the late Turkish industrialist and philanthropist Kadir Has, is a private non-profit research university located in the historic Cibali neighborhood of Fatih, Istanbul. The university sits along the shores of the Golden Horn on the European side of the city, occupying a beautifully restored 19th-century tobacco factory that blends Ottoman-era architecture with modern academic facilities.

KHAS is dedicated to becoming a leader in Turkish higher education and an international center for research and scientific development. The university operates five faculties — Art and Design, Communication, Economics Administrative and Social Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences, and Law — offering 22 undergraduate and 34 graduate programs, most taught in English. Its distinctive project-based education model and Core Program set it apart from traditional Turkish universities.

With partnerships spanning over 220 universities worldwide and active participation in the Erasmus+ exchange program, KHAS provides students with extensive international exposure. The university hosts multiple research centers covering fields from cybersecurity to energy sustainability, and its campus includes the Rezan Has Museum, which houses an 11th-century Byzantine cistern — one of the few remaining structures of its kind outside Istanbul's old city walls.

Kadir Has University comprises five main faculties and a School of Graduate Studies, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. English is the primary language of instruction in most programs, and the university's innovative Core Program provides all first-year students with a shared interdisciplinary curriculum before they specialize in their chosen fields.

Kadir Has University offers competitive tuition rates for international students, with fees varying by program level. The university provides generous scholarship opportunities ranging from partial to full tuition waivers based on academic merit. Contact the university directly for the most current fee schedule.

The main Kadir Has Campus (formerly Cibali Campus) is a stunning example of adaptive reuse architecture, occupying a historic 1884 tobacco factory along the Golden Horn waterfront. The campus spans over 45,000 square meters of indoor space and seamlessly blends Ottoman-era architectural heritage with modern academic infrastructure, earning the Europa Nostra Award for cultural heritage preservation.

Historic Cibali Campus

The award-winning restored tobacco factory serves as the main campus, combining 19th-century architecture with modern facilities

Rezan Has Museum

The on-campus museum houses an 11th-century Byzantine cistern and Ottoman-era bath ruins

Modern Learning Spaces

State-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and collaborative workspaces equipped with the latest technology

Campus life at Kadir Has University is lively and engaging, with a wide range of clubs, cultural events, and social activities that reflect Istanbul's dynamic spirit. The university encourages students to develop both personally and professionally through extracurricular involvement, guest lectures, workshops, concerts, and exhibitions hosted throughout the academic year.

Kadir Has University has achieved notable success in global and national rankings, consistently improving its position among Turkish and international universities. The university is recognized for its strong research output, growing international engagement, and academic quality across multiple disciplines.