Why study a Bachelor or Master in Turkey

Study in Turkey

Why should you study in Turkey ?

• The country is a signatory to the Bologna agreement. Thus, all degrees provided in Turkey have a high value across the world, particularly in Europe.
• There are as many as 183 universities in the country. It’s reported that almost every city in Turkey has at least one university. Higher education in this country is under the oversight of a government body, the Turkish National Framework for Higher Education. It’s entrusted with maintaining the standard of education.
• Having an affordable higher education is a factor that helps a lot of foreign students turn out for Turkey every year.
• In Turkey, the degree programs are delivered in English as a language of instruction to cater for the needs of foreign students. Meanwhile, the official language is Turkish and graduate-level programs at public universities are taught only in Turkish.

Plus education, Turkey has a unique characteristic which lies in the fact that students will get to go through an array cultures – spanning Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The country is a colorful, multi-cultural paradise. This diverse culture indicates that there is also diversity in other aspects such as language dialects, drinks and of course, food! Turkish cuisine is delightful and Turkish tea and strong coffee have a reputation of their own.

Turkey is also marked with hospitability, which is, along with the other aspects, makes one adore the country at the first glance. Students there will have the ability to live through this fun and vibrant culture and its beautiful and historic architecture in every part of Turkey. 

How much does it cost?

The cost of living and studying in Turkey is affordable for the greatest part of students. This is why Turkey is a sought-after location. It presents quality education at an affordable cost. Getting exposed to such a vibrant culture will be a lifetime experience for any student. However, since moving to a different country is such a big step, students must ready themselves based on that. 

Degree programs offered in Turkish language are less costly compared to those offered in English. Yet public universities are cheaper than the private universities.

A student could pay tuition fees between TRY 1,600 to TRY 9,000 per year at public educational institution. It surely depends on the course and the university. On the other hand, on average, the tuition fees at a private university could cost up to TRY 11,000 each year.

A student could pay TRY 500 to TRY 800 per month for books and other study kits or administration fees.

Costs of study programs in Turkish public universities

At the outset, we must mention that the costs and fees for studying in Turkish universities vary from one to another, and not only this, but the costs may vary in the same university from one study program to another.

Below we will present the approximate value of the annual fees in public universities in Turkey, noting that these numbers are approximate and may vary slightly from time to time:

Bachelor’s degree programs at public universities

Study in Turkish:

• Turkish citizens: 80-250 USD
• Foreign nationals: $240-750

Study in English:

• Turkish citizens: 150-500 US dollars.
• Foreign nationals: 450-1500 US dollars.
• Postgraduate programs at public universities

Study in Turkish:

• Turkish citizens: 100-200 USD.
• Foreign nationals: 300-600 USD.

Study in English:

• Turkish citizens: 200-300 US dollars.
• Foreign nationals: $600-900.

these numbers that we mentioned are estimates and can be modified from time to time. We should also point out that the costs of university studies in Turkey may vary from one university to another.

Perhaps this is due to several factors related to the university and its services, in addition to its location in Turkey and other factors. Points that may distinguish one university from another.

Living in Turkey

The living costs are somewhat affordable in the country. A student, however, must save at least TRY 700- TRY 800 each month to cover their living expenses. 

Students should eat at their university dorms for having a cheap mean there.  Students can get a university meal for as low as a few TRY. Eleven liras enable students to have a good meal at a restaurant. It’s a really cheap and affordable option. 

transportation

 students can get a bus pass for a month for TRY 300. This is the most convenient mode of transportation. Train tickets are also very cheap and are the other preferred mode of transportation for students.

Activities

A student would spend TRY 112 to TRY 168 a month for cinema and other social activities. This average sum is paid by a student according to his social life. It may be higher or lower. 

The sum a student needs averages TRY 2,000 to TRY 2,700 per month. It would be sufficient to cover their accommodation, groceries, and travel in Turkey.

Accommodation

University dormitories are a popular and reliable mode of accommodation for foreign students in Turkey. They are cheaper than most other accommodation types and are a great place to meet and befriend locals and students from across the globe. State dorms or private dorms cost anywhere in the country between TRY 280 to TRY 448 a month. It depends on the location, university, and facilities.

A student can get independent flats to rent on a sharing or non-sharing basis for TRY 761 to TRY 3170 a month. Note that in Turkey, you are likely to not get any furniture inside the flat. Hence, the cost of the furniture and other necessities will also be added if a student decides to live in a flat.

Universities in Turkey

There are many universities in Turkey that can accommodate foreign students and meet their needs. They have a top-class professorate and facilities, catering for their needs whatever they are. Middle

Middle East Technical University

 Middle East Technical University, which was founded in 1956. The university currently provides 40 undergraduate 97 graduate and 62 doctorate programs to thousands of students every year. Admission is highly competitive in METU as it accepts only the top 1.5% of a total 1.5 million annual students. The most popular courses at the university include engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences, English is the language of instruction for most courses there. 

An undergraduate program costs TRY 91,832 for an international student—an average cost. The cost of a graduate program is TRY 40,814. The total cost may vary depending on the course and duration of the program.

 Bogazici University

 Bogazici University, which is a popular choice among international students. It is located in the bustling city of Istanbul and founded in 1863. According to U.S. News & World Reports 2021, this university ranks first in Turkey. The language of instruction at the university is English. It is one of the oldest universities in Turkey that has been offering English language education from the beginning. The university’s library has an extensive collection of books and its campuses are a popular hotspot for students.

Yet, the university has an extensive number of programs to offer to its students. There are six faculties and two schools providing undergraduate degrees and six institutes offering graduate degrees. It admits only the top 1% of those who pass the entrance exam. Hence, it enjoys limited and highly competitive admission. 

Bilkent University

Also, Turkey has Bilkent University. It was founded in 1984 and was the first private not-for-profit university in Ankara, Turkey. The name of the university means “city of learning and science”. It  is one of the most research-intensive universities in Turkey. The ratio of international students is also much higher at the university.

Students have many options to engage and participate in numerous music and performing arts events, unions, clubs, and sports in this university. As for the academics, Bilkent University provides 33 undergraduate majors and 32 graduate programs to choose from for its students. The university also has the largest university library in Turkey as well as three sprawling campuses.

Koc University

Another university there is Koc University. The university was founded in 1993 and is a relatively new university. It’s a non-profit, private university in Turkey which networks with around 250 partner universities across the world. It has 7,000 enrolled students on campus. The university provides 22 undergraduate, 32 graduate, and 18 PhD. programs. Up to 4% of the total students enrolled in this university are foreign students.

Sabanci University

Finally, Turkey has Sabanci University. It is a private university that was founded in 1994. The best courses provided by this university are in the areas of engineering, natural science, arts, and social science. Yet it offers foundation year courses with a focus on English language proficiency to help students pursue a full degree course on its campus. 

Student Visa - Turkey

As to the visa-obtaining procedure for Turkey, it  is easier than in many other countries.A student can get their visa by visiting the Turkish embassy or consulate in their home country. After getting a visa, they will be able to receive a residence permit and register themselves as a student.

For a residence permit application, a student will need to register for the same at local police headquarters within one month of arrival in the country. Documents required for the same would be: proof of enrollment in a Turkish university, passport, student visa, photographs, and money for fees.

If a student is going to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days, they will require a residence permit. They can apply for it at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Administration. Documents required include passport, photographs, application form, proof of university enrollment, and a proof of accommodation in Turkey.This residence permit will be valid for a year and shall be renewable before 60 days of expiration.

For an aspiring international student, there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled before moving to Turkey to pursue their education. 

Following arrival in Turkey as an international student, a student would be required to apply for a residence permit if their duration of living in the country exceeds the period of 90 days. They must apply for the residence permit within one month of their arrival in Turkey.

How to apply - Turkey

How to Apply to a University in Turkey in 2022 ?

Turkey is a bridge of communication between East and West, and it is located in the continents of Asia and Europe, it brings together many cultures around the world and the percentage of students coming to study in Turkey reaches thousands of Arab and foreign students, but the vast majority of students come from Asian, African and European countries, and after you find And determine the study program in Turkey, the next step is to check the requirements for applying for this course, and there are some general conditions that you must meet, including:

Applying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Turkey:

• Student visa.
• Application form.
• High school diploma.
• Language Proficiency Certificate (TOEFL or University Proficiency Test on Arrival).
• A motivational answer from members of the academic bodies that supervised your studies during the previous educational stages.
• Proof of payment of the application fee (35-100 USD).
• A letter proving that you have the funds to cover your expenses during the period of study in Turkey.

Applying for higher studies in Turkey

• Application form.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree diploma.
• An up-to-date CV translated into English.
• Letters of reference from professors and employers.
• Graduate test scores (depending on program: GRE or GMAT).
• Language Proficiency Certificate (TOEFL or University Proficiency Test on Arrival).
• Pass written exams and/or interviews.
• A letter proving that you have the financial means to support yourself while you are studying there.

Scholarship in Turkey

Top 5 Scholarships in Turkey 

Now let’s look at the best scholarships that are available for both Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.

Turkish Government Scholarship

It is one of the most important and best scholarships in the whole world, gaining wide fame due to its fabulous funding and acceptance in large numbers every year, nearly 5000 thousand students.

Educational level:

• Bachelor’s.
• Master’s.
• Ph.D.

Financial Coverage:

• Accommodation in student housing is free of charge.
• Meals for free.
• Student health insurance.
• Study the Turkish language for one year.
• A flight ticket to enter Turkey and a flight ticket to exit from it after the end of the study.
• Enjoy the benefits of a student residence permit, a discounted transportation card, and a visit card to museums and archaeological sites for free.

In addition to a monthly stipend:

• Undergraduate level: 700 Turkish liras.
• Master’s level: 950 TL.
• PhD level: 1400 Turkish lira.

And many other features.

Islamic Bank scholarship

Islamic Bank scholarship in cooperation with the Turkish government

The aim of this scholarship is to provide educational opportunities for academically distinguished students from member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries to pursue full-time study for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees with the aim of building the appropriate competencies required with a special focus.

Educational level:

• Bachelor’s
• Master’s
• Ph.D.

Financial Coverage:

• The full tuition fee is free of charge.
• Air tickets from your country to Turkey for free round trip.
• Monthly salary:
• Bachelor’s degree: 1800 Turkish liras.
• Master’s degree: 2100 Turkish liras.
• PhD: 2,600 Turkish liras.
• Accommodation costs in Turkey.
• A year to learn Turkish.
• University housing.
• Full medical insurance.

Koç University Scholarship

Founded in 1993, Koç University has become one of the most prestigious universities in Turkey. The university attracts many students with the highest grades from the highest schools and offers them fully funded scholarships. Koç University is one of the top 10 universities in Turkey.

Educational level:

• Bachelor’s.
• Master’s.
• Ph.D.

Financial Coverage:

• The full tuition fee is free of charge.
• Monthly salary expected to be between 2000 to 4000 Turkish liras.
• Free college housing.
• medical insurance.
• Free laptop for you.
• Travel insurance.

Sabanci University Scholarship

A wide range of academic fields and departments are available to study at Sabanci University, one of the most prestigious Turkish universities.

Therefore, Sabancı University attracts students from different countries of the world to apply for a scholarship to study an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, as the university offers many partial and fully funded scholarships.

Educational level:

• Bachelor’s.
• Master’s.
• Ph.D.

Financial Coverage:

• It covers full tuition fee waiver, with a monthly stipend, and accommodation.
• For masters, 2500 TL / 10 months + housing for 10 months.
• For PhD 3000 TL / 12 months + dormitory (within the possibility of single room, if occupied, double room) for 12 months.

 Bilkent University Scholarship

Bilkent University in Turkey offers a range of scholarships that are repeated annually to many students coming from abroad to study at one of the best universities in Turkey.

Educational level:

• Master’s.
• Ph.D.

Financial Coverage:

• Full tuition fee waiver.
• A monthly salary of 4500 Turkish liras for all your expenses.
• Private health insurance.
• Laptop.
• Meal card.
• Travel support (once a year, in a fixed amount set annually) to attend scientific events.

People who will excel in the master’s degree will receive another scholarship for the doctorate.