Turkey

⇑Universities

According to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Turkey has 208 universities with more than 6 million students.

You can choose between:

• state universities (devlet üniversitesi) – with lower tuition fees,
• foundation universities (vakıf üniversitesi) – non-state, usually with high tuition fees,
• vocational schools (meslek yüksekokulu) – with two-year professional programmes,
• conservatories – music and arts institutions.

You can browse universities and programmes in the search engine of the government portal Study in Türkiye, and programme details in YÖK Atlas.

⇑Study system

Turkey follows the Bologna system. The levels of study are:

• short-cycle programmes (önlisans) – 2 years, mainly at vocational schools,
• Bachelor (lisans) – usually 4 years; medicine and related fields 5–6 years,
• Master (yüksek lisans) – 1–2 years,
• Doctorate – usually 4 years.

Keep the preparatory year (hazırlık) in mind. If your level in the language of instruction is not high enough, you first study Turkish or English. Your studies can therefore take a year longer.

⇑Admission

There is no single admission system for international students – you apply directly to the university of your choice, usually through its online form. Study in Europe describes it in five steps:

• choose a programme in the Study in Türkiye search engine,
• check the scholarships,
• check the requirements: education and language,
• apply to the university,
• once admitted, apply for a student visa.

Each university decides which certificates and exams it accepts and sets its own deadlines. Example: METU (ODTÜ) in Ankara accepts a range of national secondary school leaving certificates, each with its own minimum grade – check the list for your country. The application fee there is USD 55. Apply early: after admission you still need a student visa, and that can take time (see: Residence and formalities).

Another route is Türkiye Bursları. Applications are accepted every year from 10 January to 20 February, and the scholarship includes placement at a university and on a programme (see: Scholarships).

⇑Entrance exams

The most important exam for international applicants is TR-YÖS (the exam for foreign applicants). It is organised by the state assessment centre ÖSYM twice a year, in Turkey and abroad. You can take it in Turkish, English, German, French, Arabic or Russian.

According to Study in Türkiye, state and foundation universities require a TR-YÖS score. In practice each university decides what it accepts. METU, for example, accepts TR-YÖS (a result in the top 5%), the SAT (at least 1200 points) or a school leaving certificate. Exam results are valid there for two years.

⇑Language

At most universities the language of instruction is Turkish, but many programmes are also taught in English. Even if you study in English, basic Turkish will help you in everyday life.

Turkish: many universities offer a preparatory course after admission – 4–6 hours of language a day. Türkiye Bursları scholarship holders get a year of free language tuition and should reach a C1 certificate. Courses are also run by Ankara University's TÖMER centres in Alanya, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Istanbul and İzmir. You can also prove your Turkish with the central TYS exam, held three times a year.

English: universities usually require a certificate, e.g. TOEFL or IELTS, or their own test. If you do not reach the required score, you go into a preparatory year of English. At METU it costs the same as your chosen programme.

⇑Residence and formalities

Turkey is not in the EU, so the same rules apply to all international students – EU/EEA citizens included.

Entry: most visitors need a passport. Citizens of some European countries can enter with a national ID card – the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the list. Many nationalities, including most EU citizens, can come without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but only for tourism or business; the e-visa is also for tourism and business only.

Student visa: according to Study in Türkiye, students must get a student visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate; you can start the application online at konsolosluk.gov.tr. Apply as soon as you have your admission letter.

Note: Study in Türkiye says a student visa is required, but some universities (e.g. METU, ITU) say you can also apply for the residence permit after visa-free entry – check with the Turkish embassy and your university's international office before you travel.

Student residence permit (öğrenci ikamet izni): you apply online in the e-ikamet system of the Presidency of Migration Management before your visa or visa-free period expires. You will need, among other things:

• the application form and a copy of your passport,
• two biometric photos,
• a certificate of student status and proof of address,
• health insurance for the whole period of your stay.

Instead of a private policy, you can join the Turkish general health insurance (GSS) within 3 months of enrolling. Students do not pay a fee for the permit itself, only for the card – at METU in 2026 this is 964 TL. Many universities help you with the application through their international office.

⇑Tuition fees

Tuition fees for international students are set by each university and apply to EU citizens too. According to Study in Europe, annual fees at state universities are:

• €250–700 for bachelor's programmes,
• €500–1,200 for master's programmes.

At private (foundation) universities you pay €4,000–20,000 a year.

Example: METU in Ankara, international students who started from 2023/24 onwards, 2026/27, per semester:

• architecture, engineering and science – USD 1,200,
• economics and administrative sciences, social sciences, education – USD 800,
• master's and doctoral programmes – USD 375.

Amounts in dollars are converted into Turkish lira at the central bank rate from the week before the payment deadline. For semesters beyond the standard length of your programme you pay 1.5 times as much.

⇑Accommodation and living costs

According to Study in Europe, a student in Turkey spends around €400–800 a month:

• accommodation – €150–400,
• food – €150–250,
• transport – €20–50,
• books and entertainment – from €50.

Istanbul is the most expensive.

Where to live:

• university residences on campus,
• state residences run by KYK in different parts of the city,
• private residences – usually better equipped, but more expensive,
• a rented flat – usually with a living room and 2–4 bedrooms, so often shared with others.

Almost all state and university residences are separate for women and men. The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY).

⇑Scholarships

• Türkiye Bursları – the government scholarship for a full degree for international students. It covers placement at a university and on a programme, tuition, a place in a residence, health insurance, a one-year Turkish course and a one-off flight ticket. You receive 6,500 TL a month at bachelor's level, 9,500 TL at master's level and 13,000 TL at doctoral level. Applications every year from 10 January to 20 February,
• YÖK scholarship – for students from countries that have signed an agreement with YÖK. If you do not know Turkish, you get a year of language study,
• university scholarships – partial or full tuition waivers for good results or financial hardship,
• Erasmus+ – Turkey takes part in the programme, so you can spend a semester or year here as part of an exchange with your home university.

⇑Working while studying

To work in Turkey you need a work permit – this applies to all foreigners, EU citizens included. It is issued by the Directorate General of International Labour Force.

Bachelor's students can get one after their first year and work up to 24 hours a week. Master's and doctoral students can work as researchers on research projects related to their studies. You do not need a permit for a compulsory or optional internship that is part of your programme.

Without Turkish it is hard to find a casual job, so start with your university's careers office and job offers on campus.

How to find a job abroad?

⇑Useful links

• Study in Europe – Türkiye – the official country profile on the European Commission's portal,
• Study in Türkiye – YÖK's government portal for international students,
• Study in Türkiye programme search and YÖK Atlas – programmes and universities,
• ÖSYM – the TR-YÖS exam and the Turkish language exam,
• Türkiye Bursları – government scholarships for international students,
• e-ikamet – residence permit applications,
• Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – visa information and konsolosluk.gov.tr – entry rules and visa applications,
• ENIC-NARIC – recognition of qualifications in Europe,
• Eurodesk – free information on studying, traineeships and volunteering in Europe.