Study in Türkiye
Türkiye offers international students a broad choice of universities, subjects and study environments in a country connecting Europe and Asia. You can explore state and foundation universities, programmes taught in Turkish or English, and student life in both major cities and smaller university centres. Your best option will depend on your academic qualifications, preferred course, budget and language ability. Admission requirements, tuition fees and available scholarships vary considerably between institutions.
Türkiye may suit you if…
- You want to compare a large and varied selection of universities and degree programmes.
- You are open to both state universities and foundation universities.
- You are interested in fields such as engineering, technology, medicine, business, architecture or the social sciences.
- You want to study in English while living in a predominantly Turkish-speaking country.
- You would like a choice between busy metropolitan centres and more compact student cities.
- You want to explore government or university scholarships and different tuition-fee levels.
Advantages and trade-offs
Advantages
- Wide academic choice. Türkiye offers associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programmes across academic and professional subjects.
- Different types of university. State and foundation universities provide options with differing fees, entry criteria, teaching languages and scholarship arrangements.
- English-taught programmes. Selected institutions offer degrees taught partly or entirely in English, particularly in engineering, business, economics, science and the social sciences.
- Scholarship opportunities. Eligible students can apply for Türkiye Scholarships, which may cover university placement, tuition, accommodation, health insurance, Turkish-language study, flights and a monthly stipend.
- Varied student environments. Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Eskişehir and Antalya offer different combinations of academic opportunities, living costs and lifestyles.
Things to consider
- Admissions differ by institution. There is no single exam result or academic grade that guarantees admission to every university.
- TR-YÖS is not always compulsory. Universities may accept TR-YÖS, recognised school qualifications or other examinations according to their own criteria.
- Turkish remains useful. Even if your degree is taught in English, Turkish can make daily life easier and may be important for clinical placements, internships or employment.
- Costs vary widely. Fees differ substantially between institutions and programmes; medicine and other specialist courses may be especially expensive.
- Working rights are restricted. A student residence permit does not, by itself, authorise employment. A work permit or applicable exemption is required.
What you can study
Türkiye uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) in its higher-education qualifications framework.
| Study level | Typical duration | Typical credits |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | 2 years | 120 ECTS |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4 years | 240 ECTS |
| Dentistry, pharmacy or veterinary medicine | Approximately 5 years | Approximately 300 ECTS |
| Medicine | Approximately 6 years | Approximately 360 ECTS |
| Master’s degree | Commonly 1.5–2 years; thesis and non-thesis routes vary | Often 90–120 ECTS |
| Doctorate / PhD | Commonly 3–4 years; integrated routes may differ | Often 180–240 ECTS |
Always check the structure of your chosen programme. Regulated qualifications may also have licensing or recognition requirements in the country where you intend to practise.
Popular subjects
- Engineering and technology
- Computer science, artificial intelligence and data science
- Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health sciences
- Business, management, economics and finance
- International relations, political science and law
- Architecture and urban planning
- Psychology and social sciences
- Natural sciences and mathematics
- Communication, media and design
- Languages and humanities
- Tourism and hospitality
Getting in
Undergraduate entry requirements
International applicants normally need a secondary-school qualification that permits entry to university-level study. Depending on the institution and programme, an application may require:
- A school-leaving diploma and academic transcripts
- TR-YÖS or another accepted entrance examination
- Qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, GCE A Levels, Abitur or SAT, where accepted
- Evidence of English or Turkish proficiency
- Additional subject requirements, an interview or a portfolio
Universities decide which qualifications and scores they accept. Meeting a published minimum does not guarantee an offer.
TR-YÖS: the international student admissions exam
TR-YÖS (Türkiye Yurt Dışından Öğrenci Kabul Sınavı) is administered by ÖSYM and is used by many universities when assessing international undergraduate applicants. It is not compulsory for every applicant or every university. Accepted results, minimum scores and validity periods differ.
For example, Middle East Technical University (METU) currently accepts specified examination results, including TR-YÖS, for two years. Check the policy of each university on your shortlist.
2026 TR-YÖS/2 timetable
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Main application period | 9 July–3 August 2026 |
| Late application period | 7–11 August 2026 |
| Examination | 11 October 2026 |
| Scheduled results | 5 November 2026 |
The 2026 examination has taken place. For subsequent examinations and results, consult the official ÖSYM calendar.
Denklik Belgesi: school-qualification equivalency
Students who completed secondary education outside Türkiye may need a Denklik Belgesi for university registration. This confirms how their school qualification corresponds to the Turkish education system.
The Ministry of National Education (MEB) manages the e-Denklik process. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, required documents may include a diploma, transcripts, identification, authentication or an apostille, and certified translations.
This is school-level equivalency, not the separate process for recognising an overseas university degree. Ask your university whether Denklik is needed at application, admission or final enrolment.
Master’s and doctoral entry requirements
Master’s applicants usually need an appropriate recognised Bachelor’s degree. Universities may request transcripts, a minimum GPA, references, a statement of purpose, a CV, language results, relevant experience or tests such as GRE, GMAT or ALES. Some programmes require an interview or portfolio.
Doctoral applicants generally need suitable previous postgraduate study, an academic record, research interests or a proposal, references and an appropriate departmental or supervisory match. Direct-entry or integrated doctoral routes have different requirements.
Language requirements
Programmes are available in Turkish and, at selected universities, English. There is no single national IELTS, TOEFL or Turkish-language score for all institutions.
Turkish-taught programmes may require TÖMER, an accepted Yunus Emre Institute qualification or a university language assessment. English-taught programmes may accept TOEFL, IELTS where recognised, Cambridge qualifications, a university proficiency examination or an exemption based on previous study.
Check the language of instruction and accepted evidence for the exact degree, including any requirements for professional placements.
Typical intakes
- September/October — main intake. The autumn semester offers the widest choice of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
- January/February — limited spring intake. Available at selected universities and programmes, often at postgraduate level.
There is no single nationwide application deadline. Universities publish their own admissions rounds, and some offer additional application periods.
When each stage happens
12–18 months before your intended start
Research programmes and universities, compare state and foundation options, check teaching language and accepted qualifications, investigate costs and scholarships, and confirm professional recognition where relevant.
9–12 months before
Prepare TR-YÖS if useful or required, arrange language testing, collect academic documents, check translation and apostille rules, investigate Denklik, and prepare scholarship applications.
6–10 months before
Submit university applications, provide supporting documents, complete interviews or portfolios if required, and monitor any additional admissions or scholarship rounds.
After receiving an offer
Confirm acceptance and enrolment conditions, complete Denklik where required, arrange tuition payments and accommodation, and prepare health-insurance and immigration documents.
Before travelling
Check nationality-specific visa requirements, university registration instructions and the current student residence-permit process. Where a visa is required, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends applying at least one month before travel to allow for possible delays; individual processing times may be longer.
What it costs, realistically
Tuition fees
There is no single national tuition rate for international students. Fees depend on the university, faculty, programme, degree level, year of entry and any scholarship awarded. State universities can offer lower-cost options, while foundation-university fees may be considerably higher.
Published 2026/27 international tuition examples
| University and programme | Published tuition |
|---|---|
| Boğaziçi University — undergraduate science, humanities and social sciences, education or law | US$8,000 per academic year |
| Boğaziçi University — undergraduate engineering or economics and administrative sciences | US$10,000 per academic year |
| Boğaziçi University — English preparatory programme | US$10,000 per academic year |
| Boğaziçi University — standard international Master’s/PhD tuition | US$600 per academic year, excluding separately priced programmes |
| Bilkent University — students admitted in 2026 | US$18,400 per academic year, including VAT |
| Sabancı University — international undergraduate | US$36,500 per academic year |
The Boğaziçi examples use the university’s 2026/27 intake-specific fee schedule. Confirm your individual fee and invoice directly with the university before making a financial commitment.
Sabancı University also publishes competitive tuition-waiver scholarship levels of 25%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 75%, with certain accommodation awards available. Scholarships are not automatic.
Living costs
Accommodation, city, lifestyle and inflation make a substantial difference. As one planning example, METU publishes the following 2026 monthly estimates for students in Ankara:
| Lifestyle | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Campus dormitory and economical lifestyle | TRY 12,000–18,000 |
| Shared apartment and moderate lifestyle | TRY 20,000–35,000 |
| Living alone or a more comfortable lifestyle | TRY 40,000+ |
METU also estimates basic living expenses excluding accommodation at approximately TRY 8,000–15,000 per month. Your budget should account for rent, food, utilities, transport, health insurance, study materials and personal spending.
These are METU’s Ankara estimates, not a national average or a government-set financial requirement. Costs and exchange rates can change quickly.
Scholarships and funding
Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded programme for eligible international students. Full-time awards can include university and department placement, tuition, accommodation or related support, health insurance, a one-year Turkish course, flight support and a monthly stipend.
Published monthly Türkiye Scholarships stipends
| Study level | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Associate / Bachelor’s | TRY 6,500 |
| Master’s | TRY 9,500 |
| PhD | TRY 13,000 |
The programme’s usual annual application window is 10 January–20 February, subject to the official announcement for each cycle. The Bachelor’s scholarship route includes eligible health-science subjects, while the standard Graduate Scholarship Programme does not award scholarships in health sciences.
Universities may offer separate merit awards, tuition discounts, research assistantships or accommodation support. Check eligibility and current benefits on the official Türkiye Scholarships website or the individual university’s pages.
Planning reminder: Tuition and living-cost figures are examples, not personalised quotes. Check the latest figures and the full cost of your intended course before applying.
Student visa and residence permit
Entry and student visa
Your visa requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose of your stay. If you need a visa for education, follow the relevant student/education visa procedure through the appropriate Turkish embassy or consulate. A Turkish e-Visa for tourism or commerce is not a student visa.
If your nationality allows visa-exempt entry, do not assume that the same rules apply to long-term study. Confirm the education-specific entry and residence requirements before travelling.
Student residence permit
Eligible international students in associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programmes generally need to follow the Student Residence Permit (Öğrenci İkamet İzni) process for their stay. University admission and immigration permission are separate matters. Open education, distance learning or special-student status alone does not qualify someone for a student residence permit.
Documents requested may include a passport, completed application form, university enrolment certificate, biometric photographs, proof of address, health-insurance evidence, a declaration of financial means and the relevant fee receipt. Use the current official e-İkamet system and checklist.
Financial evidence and health insurance
Students must be able to support themselves during their stay. Migration Management does not state a single fixed bank-balance amount that applies to every student residence-permit application: the applicant’s declaration is normally sufficient unless supporting evidence is requested.
Students who request Türkiye’s General Health Insurance within three months of university admission may meet the residence-permit insurance requirement through that route. Others generally need suitable private health insurance that meets the applicable conditions.
Residence-permit fees and timing
For 2026, the residence-permit document/card fee is TRY 964; this is separate from any residence-permit fee. Eligible students of Turkish schools or faculties are exempt from the separate residence-permit fee, but there is no general exemption from the document/card fee.
Residence-permit applications are normally finalised within 90 days after all required documents and information have been submitted and the application enters processing. Apply according to the current official procedure rather than assuming approval is immediate.
Working while studying and after graduation
Working during your studies
International students may work only with the appropriate work permit or applicable exemption. A student residence permit alone is not permission to work.
- Associate and Bachelor’s students: May work part-time after completing their first year of study, subject to work authorisation and a maximum of 24 hours per week.
- Master’s and doctoral students: Are not subject to the same first-year restriction but still need the required work authorisation.
- Compulsory internships: A work-permit exemption procedure may apply where an internship is required as part of formal university study. Confirm the route before beginning work.
Staying after graduation
Türkiye does not automatically grant an unrestricted post-study work visa. Graduates of Turkish higher-education programmes may qualify for a short-term residence permit, provided they apply under the graduate route within six months of graduation. This permit is available once and may be issued for a maximum of one year.
However, student residence status ends at graduation. Migration Management guidance requires graduates who wish to remain to apply for residence appropriate to their new purpose of stay within ten days. The six-month eligibility window is not a six-month extension of student residence, and a graduate residence permit is not a work permit.
Immigration and work rules change. This information is general guidance, not advice on an individual immigration application. Confirm the current position with the relevant Turkish government authority.
Popular student cities
Istanbul
A broad choice of universities in a major commercial and cultural centre. Especially worth exploring for business, engineering, computing, medicine, design and the social sciences. Institutions include Boğaziçi University, Istanbul Technical University, Koç University and Sabancı University. Accommodation and commuting costs vary significantly between districts.
Ankara
Türkiye’s capital is well suited to students considering engineering, science, medicine, research, political science or international relations. Major institutions include Middle East Technical University (METU), Bilkent University, Hacettepe University and Ankara University.
İzmir
A coastal metropolitan setting with study options in science, engineering, medicine and business. Universities include Ege University, Dokuz Eylül University and İzmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH).
Eskişehir
A more compact university city with a strong student presence and options in engineering, communication and the social sciences. Institutions include Anadolu University, Eskişehir Technical University and Eskişehir Osmangazi University.
Bursa
A city to consider for engineering, industry-related subjects, medicine and business. Bursa Uludağ University is a major institution, and the surrounding region has established manufacturing and automotive sectors.
Antalya
A Mediterranean setting that may appeal to students interested in tourism, hospitality, health sciences and other university programmes. Institutions include Akdeniz University and Antalya Bilim University.
Selected universities and education providers
These are examples for research and comparison, not a ranking or a list of confirmed Study With FM partners. Course availability and admission criteria should be checked with each institution.
- Boğaziçi University — Istanbul, state university. Engineering, science, economics, management and the social sciences.
- Middle East Technical University (METU) — Ankara, state university. Engineering, architecture, computing, science and international relations.
- Istanbul Technical University (ITU) — Istanbul, state university. Engineering, architecture and technology.
- Bilkent University — Ankara, foundation university. Engineering, business, economics, sciences and humanities.
- Koç University — Istanbul, foundation university. Business, engineering, medicine, law and social sciences.
- Sabancı University — Istanbul, foundation university. Engineering, natural sciences, management and interdisciplinary study.
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, state university. Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health sciences.
- Istanbul University — Istanbul, state university. Medicine, law, sciences, humanities and social sciences.
- Ankara University — Ankara, state university. Law, political science, medicine, pharmacy and humanities.
- Ege University — İzmir, state university. Medicine, science, engineering, agriculture and health disciplines.
- Istanbul Beykent University — Istanbul, foundation university. Business, engineering, architecture, communication and design.
Frequently asked questions about studying in Türkiye
Official sources and further information
- Council of Higher Education (YÖK) — university system and higher-education framework
- Study in Türkiye — universities and study opportunities
- ÖSYM — TR-YÖS examinations and calendars
- MEB e-Denklik — school-qualification equivalency
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visas and entry requirements
- Presidency of Migration Management — residence-permit categories and post-study residence
- 2026 residence-permit document fees — official fee schedule
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security — student work-permit criteria
- Türkiye Scholarships — awards, benefits and applications
- METU International Students Office — 2026 Ankara cost-of-living estimates
Check if Türkiye fits your profile
Tell us about your qualifications, preferred course, budget and intended start date. We can help you assess realistic study options in Türkiye, compare universities and identify the requirements to check before you apply. If another destination may be a better fit, we can explore that with you too.
Content owner: Tolu-Tom Adeyemo — Student Counsellor
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026