Guide to studying in Türkiye

Studying in Türkiye as an international student

A complete guide to studying at Turkish universities: costs, entry requirements, the documents you need, scholarships and application deadlines — together with the Ibtiaath office, which handles your file from shortlist to offer letter and travel.

Free university shortlistCertified translation and attestationAn officially registered company

200+

Recognised universities

300k+

International students in Türkiye

Intakes per year

$300–$600

Average monthly living cost

Why Türkiye

Why do international students choose to study in Türkiye?

Türkiye is one of the world's most popular study destinations, and among the most sought-after by students from the Arab world. Here is why.

Recognised degrees

Turkish universities are accredited by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and sit within the European Bologna system, and their degrees are recognised in most Arab countries.

Lower costs than Europe

Tuition starting from a few hundred dollars a year at public universities, and living costs far below Western Europe and the United States.

Programmes in English and Turkish

Hundreds of programmes are taught entirely in English, with a preparatory language year for anyone who wants to study in Turkish.

Admission without an entrance exam

Most private universities admit students on their high-school certificate and grades alone, with no YÖS or SAT exam.

A culturally familiar setting

A Muslim society, a large Arab community, and familiar food and customs that make settling in easier.

Generous scholarships

The government-funded Türkiye Scholarship (Türkiye Bursları) covers tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend, alongside discounts from private universities.

The university system

A public or a private university?

The main differences are cost, how admission works, and the language of instruction. We help you choose what fits your grades and budget.

Lowest cost

Public universities

Approximate annual fees between $300 and $3,000 for most majors
Usually require the YÖS or SAT exam, along with high school grades
Most programmes are in Turkish, with a limited number in English
Higher competition and limited places for international students

Easiest admission

Private universities

Approximate annual fees between $2,500 and $8,000 for most majors
Direct admission on your high-school certificate and grades, with no exam
A wide range of programmes in English, especially engineering, business and medicine
Discounts of 50% or more depending on your grades and applying early

Cities and majors

Where do you study and what do you study?

Istanbul

The largest concentration of universities in Türkiye and the widest choice of English-taught programmes, with a large Arab community.

Ankara

The capital and home to long-established public universities — a quieter, cheaper student city than Istanbul.

Izmir

A lively coastal city on the Aegean, with universities strong in engineering and economics.

Bursa

Close to Istanbul and known for moderate living costs and an industrial and medical focus.

Konya

A quiet, conservative city that suits anyone looking for a traditional setting and low costs.

Antalya

A Mediterranean resort city with newer universities focused on tourism, medicine and business.

The majors most in demand among international students

Medicine
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Nursing
Computer engineering
Civil engineering
Electrical engineering
Architecture
Business administration
International relations
Psychology
Aviation

Costs

How much does it cost to study in Türkiye?

Estimates for the academic year in US dollars; they vary by university, city and year of application.

University type and major	Approximate fees
Public universities — general majors	$300 – $3,000 per year
Private universities — business and humanities	$2,500 – $5,000 per year
Private universities — engineering and computing	$3,000 – $8,000 per year
Private universities — dentistry	$10,000 – $20,000 per year
Private universities — medicine	$12,000 – $25,000 per year

Monthly living costs

Accommodation
$150 – $400 a month in student housing or a shared flat
Food
$150 – $250 a month, cooking at home most of the time
Transport
$15 – $40 a month with a discounted student card
Health insurance
Around 50 – 120$ a year for international students

Istanbul is the most expensive city, while costs drop noticeably in Ankara, Bursa, Konya and the Anatolian cities.

Entry requirements

The documents you need to study in Türkiye

Turkish universities require a certified translation of every document not written in Turkish or English. We translate and attest your paperwork in house, and review the file before submitting it.

Learn about our university admissions service

High-school certificate (or bachelor's degree for postgraduate study), translated and attested
Transcripts for all years of study, translated and attested
A passport valid for at least six months
A recent passport photo on a white background
An English (TOEFL / IELTS) or Turkish (TÖMER) language certificate if the programme requires one
A YÖS or SAT exam result for some public universities
A motivation letter, CV and recommendation letters for master's and PhD applications
The certificate equivalency document (Denklik), obtained after admission from a Turkish Ministry of National Education directorate or a Turkish consulate in your country

How we work

Five steps to your university place in Türkiye

Send us your file

Download the app and attach your certificate, transcripts and passport, and tell us the major and city you prefer.

Get your shortlist

We recommend Turkish universities that match your grades and budget, with the fees, language of study and entry requirements for every option.

Prepare the documents

We translate and officially attest your paperwork to the university's requirements, and review the file before submitting.

We apply and follow up

We send your application to the universities you chose and track the response through the conditional offer and then the final one.

Travel and settle in

We help you pay the fees, book your flight and activate an eSIM, and guide you through the visa and residence process.

Application deadlines

When should you apply?

Start four to six months before the semester, to leave time for the offer, the visa and travel.

Autumn semester

Starts September / October

The main intake at most universities. Private universities open applications from the start of the year until August, while public ones set shorter windows between May and July.

Spring semester

Starts February

Offered by most private universities and by some public ones for specific majors. Applications usually run between October and January.

The Türkiye Scholarship

Applications January – February

One application window a year for the full government scholarship, with results announced in summer before studies begin.

Scholarships

Scholarships available for study in Türkiye

Scholarships are competitive and cannot be guaranteed, but we shortlist the realistic opportunities and prepare your file for them.

The Türkiye Scholarship (Türkiye Bursları)

A full government scholarship covering tuition, university accommodation, health insurance, a flight ticket and a monthly stipend, plus a year of Turkish language study. It is competitive and depends on your grades and motivation letter.

Private university discounts

Most private universities offer discounts between 25% and 75% of tuition depending on your grades, and these can reach full scholarships for top students or early applicants.

Postgraduate funding

Master's and PhD programmes at public universities are close to free, with additional waivers for researchers and teaching assistants.

After the offer

From the offer letter to your first day of study

An offer is the start of the road, not the end. These are the steps we guide you through once it arrives.

Student visa

Submitted to the Turkish consulate in your country with the offer letter and proof of funds; it is usually issued within weeks.

Certificate equivalency (Denklik)

Obtained after you arrive, from the national education directorate in your university's city; it is required to complete final registration.

Student residence permit

The residence application is submitted online within a month of arrival, and renewed annually throughout your studies.

Getting set up financially

Opening a bank account, getting a student transport card, and activating university health insurance.

FAQ

Student questions about studying in Türkiye

How much does studying in Türkiye cost?

It depends on the type of university and the major. Public university fees run roughly between $300 and $3,000 a year, while private universities start at around $2,500 for business and humanities majors and reach $25,000 for medicine. Add roughly $300 to $600 a month for living costs, depending on the city.

Are Turkish degrees recognised in Arab countries?

Yes. Turkish universities are accredited by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), and most appear on the recognition lists of Arab ministries of higher education. We verify that your country recognises the university before you apply.

Do I need the YÖS exam to be admitted?

The YÖS exam is required at many public universities, and some accept the SAT instead. Private universities generally admit students on their high-school certificate and grades alone, with no exam at all.

Can I study in English in Türkiye?

Yes. Hundreds of programmes are taught entirely in English, especially at private universities and in medicine, engineering and business. A university may ask for a TOEFL or IELTS certificate, run its own placement test, or offer a preparatory language year.

What grades do I need to study medicine in Türkiye?

Most private universities require a high-school average of at least 70% to 80% for medicine and dentistry, while public universities are more competitive and rely on a YÖS or SAT score alongside high grades.

How do I get the Türkiye Scholarship?

Türkiye Bursları opens online applications once a year, between January and February. You need strong grades, a convincing motivation letter and recommendation letters. We help you prepare the file and write the motivation letter to the scholarship's criteria.

When does the academic year start in Türkiye?

The autumn semester starts in September or October and is the main intake, while the spring semester starts in February at universities that offer it. We recommend applying four to six months before the semester begins to leave enough time for the visa.

What does Ibtiaath do for my Türkiye application?

We handle the whole file: shortlisting universities that suit your grades and budget, translating and attesting documents, submitting and following up applications through to the offer letter, paying the fees via the app, then booking your flight and eSIM plan and guiding you through the visa and residence process.

Start your Türkiye file today

Send your file and get your Turkish university shortlist

Download the Ibtiaath app and open the university admissions section — we review your file and shortlist universities in Türkiye that match your grades and budget, then follow the application through to the offer letter.

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