If you want to study aviation in Turkey, Özyeğin University is a truly remarkable option. I am not just saying this because of its prestigious academic staff or its location in Istanbul. Especially the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics is one of the rare places that can offer both theoretical knowledge and practical training under the same roof.
Why Aviation Education at Özyeğin University?
Özyeğin University is one of the first Turkish universities to invest in aviation education. With their Pilotage and Aviation Management programs, they want to be strong not only in theory but also in the industry. For example, the university was the first faculty in Turkey to establish a joint training model with a flight training organization. This means the following: You receive flight training not on the campus of the university, but with AYJET Flight School, which is an expert in the field, in real weather conditions.
They have also managed to respond to the needs of professionals in the sector by establishing an Aviation English test center (ICAO). These may sound very academic, but in reality these details directly affect where you will work after graduation.
If you are a student planning to study at a university in Turkey, you need to think about practical training opportunities as much as your academic success. Özyeğin is well ahead at this point.
What Departments Are There in Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences?
There are two main programs within the faculty: Özyeğin University Pilotage and Özyeğin University Aviation Management. Both programs are entirely in English and last 4 years. But their content is quite different.
Aviation Management Program
This program combines business and aviation courses. In other words, you gain not only technical knowledge about airplanes, but also managerial skills such as how to manage an airport, how to plan airline operations. What’s interesting is that the elective courses in the program allow you to focus on different fields, from logistics to data analysis.
Successful students are also offered internships abroad and semester-long education at contracted universities. This opens the door to international opportunities after graduation.
Pilotage Program
The pilot program is a bit more special. The annual license fee is $14,300, but flight training is paid separately. This training is provided by AYJET Flight School and is priced at €73,500 + 10% VAT. This fee covers compulsory flight lessons and is paid in 3 equal installments.
There is no scholarship option in this program. Therefore, international students who want to train as pilots should do financial planning in advance.
How Flight Training is Provided at Ozyegin?
Flight training is the faculty’s most ambitious subject. Thanks to the agreement with AYJET, students experience a real flight school experience. This cooperation not only covers practical flights, but also ensures that theoretical courses are planned in accordance with the sector.
Simulators and Training Process
This is one of the first simulator centers established in Turkey. The first flights during training are carried out in the simulator. Situations such as emergency management, take-off and landing scenarios are simulated before moving on to real flights. Thus, students learn by experimenting, not by making mistakes.
Training Fees and Installments
The flight fees in the pilotage program are not included in the annual tuition fee. Students make these payments in three equal installments at the beginning of the 4th, 6th and 8th semester. Total airfare for 2025-2026 is €73,500 excluding VAT.
Aviation Management is $22,000 per year. Scholarships can be applied to this department, but it is useful to know that there are no scholarships for pilotage.
Admission Requirements and Fees for International Students
Özyeğin University opens its doors wide open to international students, but the admission process is quite detailed. During the application process, many factors such as academic achievement, exam scores (SAT, ACT, IB, etc.), letters of intent and references are evaluated together. Especially if you are considering a scholarship, it is very important to prepare these documents meticulously.
Tuition Fees and Scholarship Opportunities
The fee for the Aviation Management program for the 2025-2026 academic year is $22,000. This fee does not include health insurance, food, accommodation or technology fees. However, the scholarship opportunities for this program are quite high. Özyeğin has one of the most comprehensive scholarship systems in Turkey and every applicant is automatically considered for a scholarship. There is no separate application process.
If you are considering the Aviation Management program at Ozyegin University, your academic background can directly affect your scholarship rate. The scholarship rate is sent with the acceptance letter; no separate e-mail is sent.
Pilotage Fees and Terms
The pilot program is a bit more special. The annual license fee is $14,300, but flight training is paid separately. This training is provided by AYJET Flight School and is priced at €73,500 + 10% VAT. This fee covers compulsory flight lessons and is paid in 3 equal installments.
There is no scholarship option in this program. Therefore, international students who want to study pilot training should do their financial planning in advance.
Where Do Graduates Work?
Perhaps this is the most frequently asked question: “Where will I work after graduation?” The answer is clear for Özyeğin’s graduates. In particular, graduates of the Pilotage Department have a significant advantage in securing jobs at major airline companies such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and SunExpress. This is mainly due to the university’s strong collaboration with AYJET.
Aviation Management Graduates
Graduates of this program can work in various positions in airport management, ground handling, cargo transportation and civil aviation authorities. In other words, it is possible to build a solid career in the aviation industry without becoming a pilot directly. Some students continue their post-graduate studies abroad and direct their careers in Europe or Gulf countries.
Pilotage Graduates
Pilot candidates who graduate with an ATP-A license can apply directly to airline companies. Especially the high employment rate of AYJET graduates increases the interest in Özyeğin’s Pilotage program. Graduates can easily obtain undergraduate equivalency not only in Turkey but also in Europe.
Advantages of Aviation Training in Istanbul
Choosing Istanbul for education can be a strategic decision in itself. The city is home to Turkey’s largest airport, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). This means countless opportunities for both internship and observation.
Sector Proximity and Ease of Transportation
Özyeğin University’s Çekmeköy Campus is very close to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The flight school is already in Istanbul. This means that it is not very difficult to get used to a pace such as lectures in the morning and practical flights in the afternoon. In addition, Istanbul is a city where international airlines frequently organize events, which creates extra networking opportunities for students.
Cultural and Social Life
Istanbul is a city rich not only in technical education but also in social development. There are various cultural events, language exchange programs and student clubs especially for international students. Getting an education in Istanbul adds a lot to you not only professionally but also personally.
In the sky of your dreams, the first step starts at Özyeğin.
If you have a passion for the sky, Özyeğin University might be for you. The language of instruction is English, the campus is modern and the opportunities are truly international. Do you want to be a pilot or an executive leading the industry?
Road to Study team is ready to support you every step of the way.