Koc University: Inspiring Turkey

Koç University Graduate School of Business has an array of highly regarded business programmemes including: MBAs, Executive MBAs, Masters of Science in Finance, Masters of International Management and a PhD in business. The School is one of the most influential business schools in Turkey and the Eurasia territory at large.

Koç GSB’s vision is to produce the most capable graduates by providing a world-class education in both Executive MBA and full-time Masters programmemes. In light of this vision, Koç defines its primary objective as to provide knowledge, insight and the essential skills needed for success in today’s fast∞changing business environment.

In addition, Koç GSB aims to develop career direction and acceleration for young professionals and junior managers, nurturing personal development as well as leadership skills in order to ensure that those managers are successful, socially responsible and ethical in their chosen business area.

Koç University has based its educational programmeme on the principle of ‘creative thinking’ and participatory learning. Koç GSB places a significant amount of importance on creating an interactive learning environment. Case studies, simulations, project assignments and guest speakers from the industry are used to foster such an environment. With those elements, faculty members are able to facilitate an active learning process and students have the opportunity to experience a real life business atmosphere. Koç has very strong connections with the business sector in Istanbul, which ensures these programmes are creative, immersive and cutting-edge.

Koç also emphasises a ‘study team’ approach to its programmemes. Masters students are expected to work in “assigned self-managed study teams”. Students are assigned to groups in order to simulate the realities of business. Such an approach helps students to develop their skills in order to cooperate within teams and finish their projects within the deadlines given by their instructors.

Given the nature and demands of modern business and senior management, academic institutions are placing increasing emphasis on the value of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) and other similar ethical issues. Koç is paying utmost attention to CSR, and this starts at the interview stage during the programme admission process. The School emphasises its view on CSR and responsible management at the interview so that potential GSB students and future alumni understand how important it is to have an ethical mindset. Koç GSB enjoys partnerships with PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) and a United Nations development programme in Turkey.

In Entrepreneurship MBA Class, students need to develop new business venture ideas that are not only profitable but also contribute to the society in which the business would potentially operate. The School also has CSR courses that are required in the EMBA programme and elective in the MBA programme.  

Koç University School of Business earned EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) accreditation in March 2009. The school prides itself in being the first and only school in Turkey and its neighboring regions to obtain the EQUIS accreditation. 

First of its kind
The Koç executive MBA programme was established in 1994 as the first executive MBA programme in Turkey. The programme is the first from Turkey and from the Eurasia region ever ranked in the Financial Times MBA rankings. The MBA programme was ranked 64th in the last three years among executive MBA programmes around the world, consisting of nearly 100 universities worldwide. The Financial Times ranking is widely considered one of the most reputable ranking systems among business administration programmes in the world.

GSB Masters programmes
Koç University Masters programmes are considered to be hugely prestigious, which have very close ties within the world of business. Almost 95 percent of the programme graduates find jobs within a short time after their graduation. Despite the global economic crisis last year, our graduates still managed to receive good job offers.

An MBA degree from Koç University is advantageous for a number of reasons. An international array of renowned educators and an up-to-date curriculum give a competitive edge over many other institutions. Furthermore, the institute’s location in the heart of Istanbul draws inquisitive students looking to expand their cultural horizons in the excecutive MBA programme.

The Koç Master of Science in Finance programme with its dedicated faculty, innovative curriculum, strong links with the business world, international positioning, and supportive facilities is a valuable investment for managers and their companies. As evidence of the strong ties between the Koç Master of Science in Finance curriculum and professional practice is the recognition of Koç University as the first CFA Institute Programme Partner in Turkey and the region.

The University is the only Turkish School that is a member of CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education), which brings top academic institutions, leading multinational companies and outstanding students together from all around the world to educate future global business leaders. CEMS MIM – ranked first in ‘Financial Masters in Managements’ rankings in 2009 – enables students to develop their management skills at the most internationally and culturally diverse graduate programme around. It provides a unique blend of top-level education and professional experience for multilingual, multicultural postgraduate students seeking more.

The PhD in Business Administration
The primary objective of the PhD programme in Business Administration is preparing students for academic careers in top business schools worldwide. The programme is primarily designed to develop students’ research skills, and to provide state-of-the-art business education. PhD candidates will also have the opportunity to develop their teaching skills. The PhD in Business Administration programme has a flexible and interdisciplinary structure with two tracks: behavioral and quantitative. Within each track, students can specialise in marketing, operations and information systems and quantitative methods.