İzmir University of Economics (IUE for short) is a foundation university located in İzmir, Turkey. Founded on April 14, 2001, the university is the first foundation university of Aegean Region. The medium of instruction is English. With the approval of the Council of Higher Education, it may be decided that education in some units and programs of the university may be provided partially or completely in a language other than Turkish or English.
Izmir University of Economics was established by the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Education and Health Foundation pursuant to Law No.4633 published in Official Gazette No. 24373 and dated April 14, 2001. Initially, the university had two faculties, five schools and two graduate schools. On July 1, 2001, upon the suggestion of the then Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Piriştina, it was decided to use the building of the Grand Plaza hotel in Balçova, which has not been used for nine years, by the university. In the first year, 288 students were educated at the university, which was opened as a result of strengthening and renovation works. Classes started on October 22, 2001, and the official opening ceremony was held on October 26, 2001, with the participation of 9th President Süleyman Demirel. On July 27, 2020, a cooperation protocol was signed with Medical Park Izmir Hospital for students of medical and health sciences faculties and vocational school of health services to take their applied courses.
Balçova campus is the main campus of the university. Formerly used as a hotel, the building was purchased by the University for $18 million. It is located right across from the Teleferik (Cable Car) in Balçova. The campus, which is adjacent to the forest area, includes the rectorate, all faculties, administrative management and staff, an amphitheater, conference hall and exhibition areas and a student dormitory.
Izmir University of Economics has a total of eight faculties, two schools, three vocational schools, a graduate school and twelve research and application centers. There are twenty-four associate, thirty-four undergraduate, twenty-eight master's and seven phD programs throughout the university. While the medium of instruction is completely English in many departments, it is Turkish in some departments. In addition, German, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Russian lessons are offered as a second foreign language. As of 2022-2023, the university has 572 faculty members and 10,738 students.
Izmir University of Economics, which has Erasmus agreements with one hundred and sixty-nine universities in twenty-five European countries as of 2023, also has international academic cooperation protocols with fourteen universities in different countries. Through these cooperation agreements, IUE students get the chance to study abroad by taking by taking advantage of international exchange programs.
In IUE, which has an international campus, international students from 52 different countries study at associate, undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels.
Diplomas awarded by IUE have international validity. Graduates can easily continue their education and professional life in the country they want.
As of the 2020–2021 academic year, 73 Student Clubs operate at the university. In addition to these, there are Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, American Football, Chess and Sailing teams.
