About SFL

The roots of Boğaziçi University go back to 1863 when it was first founded as Robert College. It was officially established as Boğaziçi University on September 10, 1971. The Preparatory School was also founded in 1971 with only six classes and six instructors. There were two levels at the time: upper-intermediate and lower-beginner. 

In 1976, the name was changed to the School of Foreign Languages (YADYOK) and the school officially started giving education in its own building in the South Campus. After spending more than fifty years in the European side of Istanbul, in 2022, the Prep Unit finally moved to its final destination in the Asian side to start its journey in one of the most beautiful campuses in Istanbul.

Being an English-medium university, Boğaziçi University has been one of the best state universities in Turkey and Europe. The students are among the top 1-2 percent in a highly competitive university entrance exam. YADYOK strives to give a high-quality education to this high-achieving group of students with its tailored curriculum and materials. The instructors are chosen after careful evaluation among well-educated teachers who are open to learning not only the use of technological devices and applications in the classrooms but also the variety of subject matters covered in the classes to meet the needs of this demanding body of students.

Three units operate under the School of Foreign Languages: English Preparatory School, Advanced English Unit, and Modern Languages Unit. 

Prep Unit instructs incoming students in academic English so that at the end of their preparatory year they can be admitted to the freshman class or to post-graduate study. The School administers an English Proficiency Examination to all students entering the University. Those who are found proficient enter directly into the freshman program. Those who are not yet proficient begin a Prep course in intensive English where the skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are taught.

Advanced English Unit aims to improve academic reading, writing and speaking skills of undergraduate students, along with their critical thinking skills. Modern Languages Unit offers German, Chinese, Armenian, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Greek courses to students of all programs (Undergraduate, Master's, PhD).