The three campuses are located in Şirinevler, İncirli, Basın Ekspres and Ataköy This non-profit University was founded in 1997; its Industrial Engineering started in the 1997–98 academic year.

In 2009, Global Political Trends Center, a policy oriented research (think tank) institution, was founded under the auspices of the university.

In addition, it provides postgraduate education at 54 Master's and 11 Ph.D. programs within the body of the Institute Faculty Dean: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult.

Lifelong Learning Program - LLP Institution Coordinator-ship offers IKU students the opportunity to study at more than 100 universities abroad and to do internships in international companies.

İstanbul Kültür University provides education on four campuses Ataköy, Şirinevler, İncirli and Basın Ekspres.