Bay Atlantic University is a small private university in downtown Washington, DC, founded in the 2010s with ties to Turkey's Bahçeşehir University network. Classes are taught in city office buildings rather than on a traditional campus. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, computing and international relations, and a large share of students come from overseas. Check the university's current accreditation status before you apply.
Washington, DC, United States
Official website: bau.edu
Small private university
Downtown Washington, DC
Linked to Bahçeşehir University, Turkey
$16,000 – $24,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate
$20,000 – $26,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bau.edu before you apply.
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BA Political Science and International Relations
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
A downtown DC location close to federal agencies and think tanks.
Small classes with a mostly international student body.
Several start dates a year for graduate study.
Graduates seek roles in DC-area businesses, nonprofits and consulting.
International relations students use the city for internships.
Check OPT eligibility for your specific programme.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Rolling
There are no residence halls, so students rent apartments in the city or in nearby Virginia and Maryland. The Metro reaches downtown from most areas.
DC has free Smithsonian museums, the National Mall and plenty of internships in policy and nonprofits. Rent is among the highest in the country.
Form I-20 issued by Bay Atlantic University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bay Atlantic admits on a rolling basis. Apply at least three to four months before the term to leave time for the I-20 and visa interview.
Programmes start in fall and spring, and some graduate programmes also admit in summer.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Bay Atlantic University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Business, computer science, international relations and the MBA are the main options. Undergraduates need secondary school and IELTS 6.0; graduate students need a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5.
Bay Atlantic offers some scholarships for international students. Ask admissions about current awards.
