Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

About Us

The first enterprise for agricultural education during the Ottoman State started when Mekteb-i Zirai Şahane (imperial agricultural school) was founded in 1848 in Yeşilköy district. However, due to various reasons, the school was closed in its second year.

A decree in 1867 made it necessary to open an agricultural school and farm samples in the center of each city. However, there was no action taken on that up until 1884. With a code of practice that came out in 1884, the process of opening agricultural schools started. In those years, Ziraat Müdür-i Umumiye was founded as part of the Trade Inspection. The principal appointed was Sir Agop Amaysan, who had graduated from Grinyon Higher School of Agriculture in France.

The land of 5984x1000 m2 for the building space was bought for 2000 golds from Mısırlı Hurşit Paşa's wife Lady Rukiye. After gathering a commission in the Trade Inspection, the building process started. In the meantime, 8 students were sent to France to get agricultural education. Following the completion of the first phase of construction, the budget ran out. The construction works were on hold for two years. Later on, the construction works were completed in the leadership of a commission led by the Agricultural Principal Umumi Nuri Bey when Zihni Paşa was the Trade Inspector, Veterinary Science Advisor Mehmet Ali Bey and Agricultural Inspector Sir Agadon.

The civil service veterinaries were the first students of Halkalı Agricultural School. The first 25 students who were admitted in 1889, continued their education in the Civil Service Health School (Tıbbıye-i Mülkiye Mektebi) in Ahırkapı. 19 of those students were transferred back to the school Halkalı in 1891, when the construction works had just been completed.

The official opening ceremony for the school was made on 13 October 1892 by Ziraat Bank Manager Celal Bey. In the same ceremony, Mehmet Akif Ersoy and Sir Agadon were awarded presents for their top performances in their classes.

The school's name at the time was Halkalı Ziraat ve Baytar Mekteb-i Alisi. Mehmet Ali Bey was appointed as the first principal of the school. İstirati Efendi was appointed as the second principal and Zagaryan Efendi was appointed as the Farm Principal. An Agricultural Technical Commission was formed by gathering five branches together. Aran Efendi was appointed as the chairman for the commission. The branch directors were Agadon Efendi, Mashar Bey, Vahan Bey and Mehmet Ali Bey.

The school produced its first graduates in 1893. Those were the students who had been sent to Tıbbiye-i Mülkiye and were transferred back to Halkalı in 1891. The second lot of those students graduated in 1894. After deciding that the school building was not sufficient for the agricultural and veterinary students, they got transferred to the Veterinary School in Cindi Square in 1894. Mehmet Ali Bey was appointed as the principal of the school. Mashar Bey was appointed as the principal of the Agricultural School.

Halkalı Agricultural School produced its first graduates in 1895. The students from Orman Maadin School, which was closed in 1892, got transferred to Halkalı. That was the case until Orman Mekteb-i Alisi was opened in 1910.

After the constitutional revolution in 1908, some students got sent to Europe to specialize in different areas of agriculture. After they returned, they were appointed jobs in the branches that were related to the areas they had specialized in. Ali Rıza Bey, Nurettin Bey and Süreyya Bey were the students who had specialized in Europe.

In 1914, as the beginning of WWI, Halkalı Agricultural School stopped education, just like the other schools. Most of the teachers and students had to fight on the front and become either veterans or martyrs. Due to the needs of agricultural production, fertile examination and distribution during the war, the school was re-opened in 1916. In 1922, the School Administration was called Rectorate. The first Rector was Ali Rıza Erten (1922-1924). He was followed by Muhlis Erkmen (1924-1927) and Süreyya Genca (1927-1928).

Due to the Islah-ı Tedrisat Law that came out during the rule of the last Rector Faik Bey, the school was closed in 1928. It was re-opened in 1930 with the name Halkalı Agricultural School to give medium level professional education of 3 years. In 1980, the years of education were raised to 4 years. According to our Ministry's approval of the MKD-BDR.2.06.2000/133 law on 14.11.2000, it was accepted to give pastoral education as of 2001-2002. Then, the school was called Agricultural Production Administration and Pastoral Professions High School (Zirai Üretim İşletmesi ve Peyzaj Meslek Lisesi).

According to the law in 2005/9139 by The Cabinet of Ministers on 04.07.2005, the school was closed and started to get used as Halkalı Agricultural Production Administration, Agricultural Development and Service Training Directorate.

Education Fees

Tuition Fees

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is a non-profit foundation university. It is a type of university that is funded by charity and student fee. Therefore, students are required to pay for tuition prior to start of classes each semester. Accepted applicant are required to pay the tuition fee for enrollment. This page explains important information regarding payment of fees and scholarship.

The tuition fee of all undergraduate programs for the academic year of 2019-2020 is 38.000₺. The tuition fee of the language school is 35.000₺.

International students can choose to pay the tuition either for a year or for a semester. You are required to present the proof of payment at registration. Therefore, the payment is due before the end of registration period.

Annual Tuition Fee:  38,000 ₺

%25 scholarship: 28,500 ₺

%50 scholarship: 19,000 ₺

%75 scholarship: 9,500 ₺

%100 scholarship: 0 ₺

The same rates apply to language school fees as well.

Academic Success Scholarship

This is a GPA based merit scholarship. The top three successful students in their class earn scholarships as follows: First place students will receive 100% scholarship, second place students will receive an additional 75% scholarship and third place students receive an additional 50% academic success scholarship. Students retain the scholarship as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA or more.

Sponsored Students

Where a student provides a valid sponsor letter at registration from an external corporate body agreeing to pay tuition fees, the invoice will be provided to the student and payment of the invoice is due immediately. A student who is sponsored by a friend of relative will be regarded as responsible for their own fees. In the event of non-payment of part of all fees by the sponsoring organization, the outstanding amount will be invoiced to the student.

Scholarships

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University is a type of university that is funded by charity and student fee. It is a non-profit foundation university. Therefore, the university has its mission as a foundation to provide quality education and qualification for all. IZU subsidizes approximately 63% of all international student costs. The university sets a scholarship quota each year and places the most promising applicants.

All applicants can apply for a scholarship when applying for the program. You need to find ‘scholarship’ item at the checklist. Then click on a rate of scholarship. The default choice is ‘I do not want any scholarship’. If you do not attend the ‘scholarship’ item, your application may not be evaluated for scholarship. There are various rates of scholarships offered at IZU. So make sure you apply for the rate of scholarship that suits your application.

Note that the scholarship is a tuition waiver. If you have a certain rate of scholarship, the university subsidizes your tuition cost. It does not cover any other expense. You should bear in mind the living and course equipment expenses before accepting the offer from IZU.

Requirements for Application

• Complete the online application form (https://apply.izu.edu.tr/en_TR/).
• Copy of original diploma from the university that you last graduated
• Copy of passport, which shows identification information
• Verified transcript document
• Language proficiency certificate for the language of the program that you are applying for (for PhD programs).

All the required documents must be either in Turkish or English.

If not, they must be translated in Turkish or English and approved by the notary public or Turkish Republic Foreign Representative Offices.

The original documents must be submitted before the deadline of the registration. Failing to do so will cause your application to be deemed invalid and you will not be registered.

Applicants for 100% and 75% scholarships are required to submit additional documents, which are as follows:

You must also upload a letter of intent introducing yourself, explaining aims and reasons why you are applying for to IZU. At least 2 references acquired through the online application form. Other supporting documents such as course attendance and skills certificates.