Interesting, stunning, and completely different. Just a few words that can describe studying in Turkey. Being a bridge between East and West, Turkey is a great destination, both for studying and for vacation.
The fact that Turkey is close to both Europe and Asia makes applying for a degree and studying in Turkey a safe choice for many international students.
What are the conditions for studying in Turkey? What are the costs of studying in Turkey? Is there a way to study for free in Turkey? And many questions arise for all people who intend to study and are looking for answers for them.
In this article, we are trying to explain zero to one hundred studies in Turkey for you, dear friends, so stay with us and ask us your questions.
Why choose to study in Turkey?
Studying in Turkey has many advantages, and people who choose this country to continue their education can study in world-renowned fields at a lower cost (compared to other foreign countries) in prestigious universities.
In general, due to the fact that the graduates in Iran have a suitable academic level and can often easily get admission to prestigious universities in Turkey, as well as the ease of transportation and factors such as low cost of living, the credibility of Turkish universities, etc.; It has made this country one of the best options for studying in Turkey.
Universities in Turkey offer their courses in several living languages of the world. It is very common to teach lessons in English, German, and French. This is despite the fact that if a person has mastered the Turkish language, he can study the Turkish language in Turkish universities.
Turkish education system
A new education law was passed in Turkey in 2012, where four years of primary school + four years of middle school are compulsory, followed by four years of compulsory high school education (making a total of 12 years of compulsory education). Primary education is compulsory for all boys and girls from the age of 7 and is free in public schools.
Schools in Turkey offer eight years (4+4) of education. Also, private (and paid) schools are under government control. In most primary schools, foreign language lessons start from the fourth grade.
Secondary school education in Turkey
Secondary education is compulsory for four years and covers general, vocational, and technical high schools (Lycees, Lise in Turkish) which are four years of education (it was 3 years until 2005).
Public high schools prepare students for higher education institutions. Some private secondary schools have a foreign language, preparation classes. These types of private high schools have bilingual education (such as Italian high schools, German high schools, Austrian high schools, French high schools, etc.).
Vocational and technical high schools provide specialized training with the aim of training qualified personnel. Technical fields include electricity, electronics, chemistry, machines, engines, construction, etc., which can be industrial vocational high schools.
The purpose of secondary education is to give students a minimum common culture, to identify individual and social problems, to search for solutions, to increase awareness in order to contribute to the socio-economic and cultural development of the country and to prepare students for higher education, for career, for life. And for business in line with your interests and skills.
In addition to regular high schools, evening high schools also usually operate in the same school building. These are designed to allow those working after primary (or secondary) school to continue their formal education.
University degrees to study in Turkey
Studying in Turkey is not much different from what you will find in the Bologna system of the European Union (EU). Universities are organized into 3 levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate.
Regardless of the type of degree you are pursuing, you can study at one of 104 public universities and 62 private universities in Turkey.
Some of the universities that offer study programs in English are:
- Sabanchi University
- Istanbul Okan University
- Istanbul Aydin University
- TED University (TEDU)
- Bilkent University
- Cook University
- Istanbul Sohir University
What is important to know is that the Turkish government creates a fixed number of places for foreign students for each program every year, which you should check to estimate your chances of admission (the fewer places, the higher the competition).
5 Steps to get admission to study in Turkey
- Choosing a field and university
- Gathering information about financial and scholarship matters
- Preparing the documents and sending the application to the university
- Check university entrance requirements and exam scores
- Student visa application
Application conditions for studying in Turkey
If you are thinking of getting a bachelor’s degree and studying in Turkey. To get started, you need to start the process of gathering some documents. You need these documents before you can be considered for admission to a university in Turkey.
The first is your general exam records or academic transcripts. Transcripts are required for all educational institutions you have attended and must be translated into English or Turkish. Also, the documents must be notarized and go through the identification process (Denklik Belgesi). This can be done at the consulate or the Ministry of Education in any Turkish city.
Second, language skills are essential for your application to study in Turkey. Language skills are usually checked through a language proficiency test such as YÖS. This is the standard test for foreigners entering Turkey. The same requirement applies to programs in medicine, law, architecture, and some technical and information technology fields.
Each university conducts its own exam. Therefore, if you apply to three universities, you must take the YÖS test all three times separately. You can register to participate in the exam on the website of the university of your choice.
Suppose you don’t have sufficient knowledge of English or Turkish. In this case, it is recommended to apply for training as soon as possible.
Third, a letter of recommendation is essential. A letter of recommendation is a document written by someone who can confirm your character and academic ability.
Fourth, you must write a personal statement (letter of encouragement). This document should briefly explain who you are and why you want to study at the university. It should also include information about your educational background and interests, future career goals, and how they relate to this program.
which can be written in different formats. The unstructured format is the most common because it allows you to talk freely about your achievements, personal characteristics, interests, experiences, and learning goals. Each university has its own requirements for size and structure that must be taken into account.
In this section, we have briefly introduced the steps you must take to study in Turkey. Stay with us to explain the steps at different educational levels
How to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Turkey
If you are interested in applying for a bachelor’s degree in Turkey, there are a few things you need to do. Here are some steps to follow when applying:
Check if you have the necessary conditions to study in Turkey
Before applying, make sure you have all the required documents. Then ask yourself the following questions: Do I have the necessary conditions to study in Turkey and receive a bachelor’s degree at a university? Do I speak Turkish enough to allow me to follow classes and live in Turkey for a long time? Can I pay for education and living expenses while studying in Turkey? Do my academic records match the requirements of the program?
Choosing a university to study in Turkey
The first step to applying for and receiving admission from one of the universities in Turkey is to choose the university where you want to complete your higher education.
In fact, there are several study programs in all Turkish universities. Some of the specialties of Turkish universities are as follows:
- Law and legal sciences
- Business, Management, and MBA
- Physical sciences and humanities
- computer science
- Engineering studies
- architecture
- medical
- Dental
- medicine
Choosing a major and bachelor’s program to study in Turkey
First, you need to choose a bachelor’s program that fits your needs. You can browse the list of undergraduate programs from Istanbul University, Ankara University, or other colleges. If there is a specific area you are interested in studying, narrow your search by selecting the field of study you are interested in.
If you have found a study program in Turkey, the next step is to check the application requirements for that degree.
You should always check the exact criteria on the website of the university you are considering and see if you can meet them or not. There are also some general conditions that you must follow.
Complete and submit the application form online
To study in Turkey, you must complete and submit the application form online. The application process can take up to 15 days, so start early!
The general deadline for submitting your requested documents is before August 1st.
You must provide your personal information, including where you live and contact information. You must also provide information about your educational background, including high school diplomas and transcripts.
In order to increase the probability of approval of your application for pre-registration or pre-admission in the desired university in Turkey, it asks you for a list of documents to complete the file, which can be mentioned below.
- application form
- High school diploma (or an essay certifying that you will graduate)
- Transcript of records
- letter of encouragement
- Proof of application fee payment (35-100 USD)
- Proof that you passed the high school exit exam (such as SAT 1, International Baccalaureate, National Baccalaureate, etc.)
- A letter guaranteeing that you have the financial resources to support yourself during your studies.
- A CV and a cover letter.
- Certificate of Turkish language level (optional).
- Certificate of English language level (optional).
- Level and skill tests like SAT (optional).
- Level and skill tests like YOS or OSYM (optional).
- Other documents may be requested by the Turkish private university.
Pay for your application by credit card or bank transfer
If you wish to pay by credit card, please select the “Credit Card” option when filling out the application form. You will then be guided through a step-by-step process and asked to provide your personal information before sending the payment. Anadolu University allows you to complete the entire process online.
Interview with the program director or department head
Finally, you should have an interview with the program director or department head. This interview is very important because it allows the university to get to know you as a person.
It will help you a lot if you prepare for this interview by thinking about what you want to ask them and what kind of questions they might ask you. For example, let’s say you’re applying to study in Turkey for a computer engineering degree.
In this case, they want to know about your skills and experience in math and computer science. The best way to prepare for this interview is to study the program requirements so you can prepare questions about the specific courses or majors offered!
Therefore, if you have decided and want to study at the undergraduate level in Turkey, it is very important to be prepared. The application process can be long and complicated, so knowing the requirements and deadlines ahead of time will help you find your way.
If you follow the tips above, everything should go smoothly. You can even talk to an expert before submitting the application form if there are areas you need to know!
Other language requirements for studying in Turkey
English language programs accept applicants with a TOEFL score of 79, but many universities accept local YDS and YOKDIL exams. Sometimes, universities may conduct the language test on their own.
The SAT test has language test tasks. Therefore, it can be enough for admission to some universities. Proficiency in Turkish can be confirmed through TÖMER, YKS, and TYS tests. These are the most common language proficiency tests in Turkey.
Studying in Turkish
C1-level of Turkish is accepted for admission to universities, but in rare cases, B2 may also be accepted. If your language ability seems poor to the admissions committee, but you meet all other requirements, you may be sent to a language course at the university.
After that, you can immediately start the first year of your undergraduate studies in Turkey.
Postgraduate education conditions in Turkish universities
Turkish universities accept thousands of students from all over the world for master’s and doctoral degrees every year.
The duration of master’s degree studies in Turkey is two years, and the student must attend 120 hours. At the end of the course, master’s students present a thesis based on their field of study.
Studying in Turkey at the master’s level does not require an age requirement, but if the applicant intends to receive a scholarship at the master’s level in Turkey, he must be less than 30 years old.
A doctorate is a scientific research or academic course that lasts 2 to 5 years and doctoral students are admitted after completing a master’s degree. A doctorate is the highest level of graduate education and people who have a doctorate are usually allowed to teach in universities.
In some programs, applicants must find a supervisor for their future thesis even before enrolling in the university. You should independently contact someone in your area of interest and discuss your research plans with them. This law is mainly required for engineering and healthcare students.
Faculty colleges evaluate each student’s application. If necessary, universities can conduct interviews.
Many public universities in Turkey have an entrance exam for graduate students. The three important exams for admission to the master’s degree are:
- ALES exam: the minimum score required to pass is 50 to 70 and this exam is taken three times a year and is valid for up to two years.
- GMAT test: This test is held for admission to business university programs, the minimum score required for admission is 500, which is valid for a period of five years.
- GRE test: This test includes language and math questions, the minimum score required for admission is 685, which is valid for a period of five years.
Students to study in Turkey and Ph.D. are evaluated based on one of these tests, these tests are confirmed in writing and verbally in Turkish universities.
After passing the entrance exam, students can start their doctoral studies, and the university’s eligibility committee regularly reviews students’ research every six months. Once a student completes their research, their final thesis is reviewed by a panel of judges.
Note that there is no specific age requirement for doctoral studies in Turkey, but in order to receive a doctoral scholarship in Turkey, the age of the student must be less than 35 years.
Students who wish to receive a scholarship to study Ph.D. in Turkey must have a GPA above 15 in their master’s program.
Masters courses in Turkish universities
Studying in Turkey, offer different courses for master’s degrees in many fields, where students can find the programs they want.
Here are some of the most popular fields to study for a master’s degree in Turkey:
Master’s in Education: Educational Policy, Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education (Disabilities), Library and Information Science, English Language Teaching.
Master in Economics: Accounting, Economics and Finance, Capital Markets and Finance, Financial Engineering and Risk Management, Online Business, International Business.
Master in International Relations: Advanced European and International Studies, European Integration and Global Studies, International Security.
Masters in Medical Engineering to study in Turkey: Bioengineering, Medical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics.
Masters in Architectural Engineering: Architecture and Urban Studies, History of Architecture, Building Science, Interior Architecture, Building Physics, Building Research and Planning, Landscape Architecture.
Universities that offer master’s degrees in Turkey
Turkey has universities with high standards and world rankings, and higher education institutions make great efforts to facilitate the study and life of international students.
Turkish universities have expert professors who help all students progress. Classes welcome open discussion and encourage students to present their projects and work in groups.
To study in Turkey and master’s degree, students can study in public or private universities.
Tuition at public universities is low, while private universities usually charge higher fees.
The best universities in Turkey for master’s degrees in 2021
| University | rank |
| Kankaya University | 401-500 |
| Koch University | 501-600 |
| Hacettepe University | 601-800 |
| Sabanji University | 501-600 |
| Bilkent University | 601-800 |
| Bogazichi University | 801-1000 |
| Ozyegin University | 1001-1200 |
Ph.D. programs in Turkey
Doctoral courses for studying in Turkey include many specializations in different fields. The most important of which are:
Medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, finance and banking, business management, architecture, industrial engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science, design studies, biological sciences and genetics, international relations…
The most famous universities for Ph.D. studies in Turkey
Studying in Turkey and doctoral degree is possible at 166 universities in Turkey, the duration of doctoral studies is usually two or three years.
Turkish universities are divided into two categories: public and private, and all Turkish universities are under the Turkish Higher Education Council (YOK), which means that Turkish universities compete internationally and follow high educational standards.
Here is a list of the most famous universities for Ph.D. studies in Turkey:
| University | rank |
| Kankaya University | 401-500 |
| Koch University | 501-600 |
| Hacettepe University | 601-800 |
| Sabanji University | 501-600 |
| Bilkent University | 601-800 |
| Bogazichi University | 801-1000 |
| Istanbul Technical University | 601-800 |
Language at the master’s level in Turkey
The language of master’s degree studies in Turkey is mainly Turkish and English, and some universities offer their courses in German and French, and this issue varies from one university to another and from one specialty to another.
Students who wish to study for a master’s degree in Turkey must obtain a language certificate or attend language classes for one year to study at Turkish universities.
Language at the doctoral level in Turkey
The main languages of study in Turkey in many doctoral programs in Turkish universities are English and Turkish. Foreign students must take one of the English or Turkish language tests to study at the doctoral level in Turkey.
English language tests are:
TOEFL test: The minimum TOEFL score required for the doctoral course is 79 and is valid for two years.
IELTS test: The minimum score required for the IELTS test at the doctoral level is 7 and it is valid for two years.
Turkish language tests are:
TÖMER test: the most popular Turkish language test, students in this test must obtain a Turkish language certificate with C1 proficiency in order to study at the doctoral level.
Application for graduate studies in Turkey
If you want to continue your studies in Turkey at the master’s or doctoral level, you should check the specific conditions on the website of each program. You can certainly expect some of the following documents to be listed:
- application form
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
- Master’s thesis
- Purpose statement (presenting your project and motivation)
- An updated CV
- Letter of introduction from professors and employers
- Transcript of records
- Supplemental exam scores (depending on the program: GRE or GMAT)
- Language proficiency score (TOEFL or university proficiency test upon arrival)
- Written exams and/or interviews
- A letter guaranteeing that you have the financial means to support yourself during your studies.
- health insurance
- Recent photo
- Copy of passport with at least 90 days validity
There are usually two application deadlines for graduate programs:
For the fall semester: the end of May
For spring semester: end of December
Application and response to university admission to study in Turkey
Once you have all your documents in order, you can submit your application. Note that even if you apply online, you must submit the documents before the deadline. Also, if you have an entrance exam or interview, you must travel to Turkey to participate in them.
If you have done all these steps, you just have to wait a little bit. until:
Mid-August: If you are applying for a B.A.
Mid-September: If you are applying for a Masters or Ph.D.
An acceptance letter to study in Turkey contains information about the next steps you need to take to apply for a place, such as paying tuition fees or applying for a student visa at the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate.
Turkish student visa application
Most international students must apply for a student visa if they go to Turkish universities. The process of obtaining a visa is very simple.
You should then take a copy of your university admission and a completed visa application form to the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country.
Visas are issued in about 8 weeks after application, so remember to apply in advance.
Note that citizens of 15 countries are allowed to enter Turkey only with their national cards. Iran is one of those countries.
Advantages of studying in Turkey
- Low cost of higher education in Turkey
- The cost of living in Turkey is lower than in other countries.
- Several scholarships are available for students.
- This a golden opportunity for foreign students to learn about European and Asian cultures.
- The possibility of obtaining a work permit while studying for a master’s degree in Turkey.
- Students can also enjoy the sights of Turkey while studying.
The best universities in Turkey
Below is a list of the best universities to study in Turkey along with the ranking
| University | rank |
| Haji Tepe University | 525 |
| Istanbul University | 560 |
| The University of the Middle East or the Middle East | 596 |
| University of | 616 |
| Ankara University | 625 |
| Istanbul Technical University | 648 |
| Ghazi University | 679 |
| Bogaz Ichi University | 740 |
| Bilkent University | 789 |
| Argis University | 874 |
| Chukurova University | 932 |
| دانشگاه دوکوز ایلول | 938 |
| Ataturk University | 979 |
Tuition fees in Turkey (universities) and living expenses
Before you get on the plane, train, or car that will take you to study abroad in Turkey, remember to check the university tuition and the cost of living and studying in Turkey.
The tuition fees for international students in Turkey are as follows:
- Bachelor in English: 450 – 1500 USD / academic year
- Bachelor’s in Turkish: $240 to $750 per academic year
- Master’s in English: 600 – 900 USD / academic year
- Master’s in Turkish: $300-$600 per academic year
Keep in mind that tuition fees vary from university to university, and private institutions can charge more.
Additional costs include:
- $350-500 per month for living expenses
- An additional $100-150 per semester for books and administrative fees
- Between $40-70 per year for health insurance
Scholarship in Turkey
In addition to providing financial support, Turkish scholarships to study in Turkey allow international students to enroll in the university of their choice. With this feature, this scholarship is different from other scholarship programs in the world.
The purpose of Turkish scholarships is for students to benefit from social and cultural activities during their stay in Turkey as well as university studies. This scholarship program also covers the needs of students such as housing and health insurance during the training period.
Equivalence of documents for studying in Turkish universities
Before immigrating to Turkey to study, you should pay attention to the fact that the documents received outside of Turkey are not recognized in Turkey and must be equivalent according to the Turkish education system.
Equivalence for studying in Turkey:
Determining the equivalence of associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees obtained from foreign higher education institutions and programs with associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees awarded by higher education institutions in Turkey should be related in terms of educational achievements. The academic level of the graduate higher education program, degree, total national credits, and/or ECTS required for graduation is assessed in terms of knowledge, skills, and competencies to be acquired.
Diploma equivalent certificate:
Those who want to practice their profession according to the international graduate higher education program and those who have graduated from (compulsory) health fields and want to have master’s or doctorate studies in Turkey can use this degree.