Academic representatives from each department, elected by the students in the fall semester, are part of the university council.

[9] In 2007, Istanbul Bilgi University established an official student LGBT organization, named Gökkuşağı (English: Rainbow).

[12] The campus is home to the Main Gallery building, which serves as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events.

İstanbul Bilgi University's Library offers an extensive system to support degree programs, research and teaching.

[15] The university has partner agreements in 40 countries within the scope of Erasmus Programme, Bilateral and Swiss Mobility programs.

[16] It is a member of the European University Association (EUA), The Magna Charta Observatory of Fundamental University Values and Rights, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), OECD Higher Education Programme, IMHE, and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

[24] The university[25] According to the Turkish media outlet Cumhuriyet, Bilgi has been accused of having connections with the US Central Intelligence Agency.

[26] It was part of an investigation into an alleged 2016 taking by a Bilgi University board member of $18 million in funds meant for a Turkish reforestation program was closed in 2018 by the US Department of Justice, having considered charges of corruption violations.