His father Yakup Ersoy was the local chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP).

Ersoy also supervised and mentored by Phil M. Ferguson, a leading pioneer in developing the basic theory of design procedures for reinforced concrete structures, received his master's degree at this university in June 1956.

[2] After graduation, he worked as a project engineer at Raymond C. Reese and Associates in Toledo, Ohio for 2 years with Prof. Ferguson's recommendation.

[3] He started to work at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara in June 1959, which was in the phase of establishment.

In 1963, Ersoy left METU with permission and went back to the University of Texas, where he completed his doctorate in two years and returned in 1965.

Ugur Ersoy served twice as Head of department and three times as vice rector in METU.