Turkey is a country that has piqued the interest of many students wishing to study abroad. It boasts some excellent universities, particularly if you wish to pursue a degree in Science and Technology. However, when you decide to study abroad in a foreign country, you will have various questions about everything from the course to the housing, to studying in Turkey and travelling to Turkey. That is why we have assembled all of the information you need to make an informed decision, such as educational quality, visa requirements, cost of living, scholarships, and more.
Article Subtopics
- All you need to know about Turkey
- Why Should You Study Abroad in Turkey?
- Is Turkey’s Education System Good?
- What are the Requirements for Studying in Turkey?
- Top 10 Institutions in Turkey
- The Turkish University Admissions Process
- Do Institutions in Turkey offer Scholarships
- How to Apply for a Visa to study at a Turkish University?
- Post Study Opportunities in Turkey
All you need to know about Turkey
Turkey is an Eurasia country bordered by Greece and Bulgaria to the south, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Iraq and Syria to the west. Since the 16th century, the country has been a regional power. In 1952, it became a member of NATO. It was one of the six founding members of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) in 1963, which was created as an Eastern Bloc economic organization influenced by the Soviet Union.
Since 1999, the country has been a candidate for EU membership, and it is now discussing membership in the European Union with other European countries. Turkey has become a popular study location for international students in recent years. It is home to some of Europe’s greatest universities and provides a variety of academic programs taught in English. The cost of living is low, yet the standard of living is excellent. Not to mention the numerous possibilities for students to immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty.
9 Compelling Reasons to Study Abroad in Turkey?
Turkey is a country with a rich culture and a variety of scenery. It is well-known for its rich history, welcoming people, and delectable cuisine.
The following are nine compelling reasons to study in Turkey:
- You can study in an English-speaking country.
- Make new friends from around the world.
- You can earn a degree from one of Europe’s top colleges.
- Because there is no university dormitory system in Turkey, studying there will educate you on how to be self-independent.
- Turkey is an excellent choice for students looking for a secure environment in which to study.
- The cost of living in Turkey is significantly lower than that of most European countries.
- You will have the opportunity to learn about many cultures and languages.
- Studying abroad will help you gain a broader perspective on life.
- All of Turkey’s educational institutions provide high-quality education at reasonable tuition rates.
Is Turkey’s Education System Good?
Turkey has an excellent educational system. It is ranked 31st in the world for educational excellence, with a literacy rate of 90% and a completion rate of 98%. In the last few decades, the Turkish education system has undergone several improvements. These reforms have been designed to improve the quality of education in Turkey and increase the international competitiveness of Turkish students. The Turkish education system is broad, encompassing pre-school, primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Turkey’s educational system is controlled and follows a national curriculum. From the age of six to fifteen, all children are required to attend school. The literacy rate in the country is 98.2 per cent.
Preschool begins at the age of three and ends at the age of six. This level is required for all children since it establishes the groundwork for their future education. Primary education begins at the age of six and lasts until the age of twelve. It is organized into four stages (grades), each of which lasts three years. Secondary education begins immediately following primary school and continues until the completion of high school, which normally occurs when they are 18 years old.
Turkey’s tertiary education system is divided into three levels: The first year of tertiary education lasts a year and provides general education to students who have not yet decided on a career path. The second level of study lasts two years and allows for specialization in a certain field. The third level of tertiary education is three years long and offers advanced training in a specific profession.
Turkey’s higher education system is managed by the Higher Education Council (YOK). The state Finances public higher education institutions. Higher education is only open to those who have successfully finished their secondary education and the university entrance exam. State universities and private/foundation universities make up the majority of higher education institutions in Turkey. Universities provide both undergraduate and graduate study options. The units at Turkish higher education institutes are as follows:
- Institutes
- schools for higher education
- Conservatories
- Centre for applications and research
- Universities with a vocational focus
The Bologna process is followed in the degree system of higher education in Turkey, hence, the following qualifications are offered by Turkish universities:
- Associate’s degree: In Turkey, vocational high schools provide this degree.
- Bachelor’s degree: Depending on the topic of study, this degree takes 4 to 6 years to complete. This degree program typically lasts four years. An engineering
- diploma is awarded by the technical institutions after four years of full-time study. It takes five years to complete studies in architecture, veterinary medicine,
- and dentistry. In contrast, it takes six years to complete studies in medicine to earn a doctor of medicine degree (MD).
- Master’s degree: Two years of full-time study are necessary to earn this degree.
- Doctorate or PhD degree: Students who have finished a master’s degree program are eligible for this level, which involves 2 to 4 years of study. A doctorate thesis is required of students at the conclusion of the PhD program.
- A doctorate in the arts is equivalent to a proficiency in art degree, and a doctorate in medical science is equivalent to a specialist degree.
What are the Requirements for Studying in Turkey?
If you are an EU citizen, you can study in Turkey without any restrictions. If you are not an EU citizen, you will need to apply for a student visa. Continue reading to learn how to apply for a student visa. The criteria for studying in Turkey vary according to your country and the sort of school or university you wish to attend. For example, if you are an international student interested in attending university, there is no age restriction. However, if you want to enter secondary or high school, there is an age limit that changes based on the type of school you want to attend.
Best Institutions For International Students In Turkey
Turkey is home to top-ranked universities with a solid international reputation that are renowned for turning out some of the brightest graduates. You can pursue your Master’s, Bachelor’s, or Ph.D. in Turkey at a number of prestigious universities, where you’ll study at some of the world’s top-ranked law, business, engineering, and medical schools. A few of the many Turkish universities that consistently rank at the top of international rankings lists are Koc University, Sabanci University, and Bilkent University. This is not a ranking, but more of a list of Turkey’s top universities:
1. Bogazici University
Bogazici University is an Istanbul-based private university. The institution was founded in 1994 and now has around 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The institution grants degrees in a variety of subjects, with a focus on business, engineering, arts, and sciences. Turgut, Turkey’s president at the time, founded it in 1986, and it is now one of the country’s most distinguished universities. Every year since 2010, it has been ranked first among Turkish universities by U.S. News & World Report. Tuition at Bogazici University is $12,000 for undergraduate programs and $20,000 for graduate programs each year.
2. Bilkent University
Bilkent University is a public university in the Turkish city of Ankara. It was founded in 1984 as one of the country’s major institutions. It has been devoted to becoming an institution that conducts academic studies and research of worldwide standards while keeping its national identity since its founding. Tuition for undergraduate and graduate schools differs depending on the degree program and subject of study. Tuition is TRY 3,800 (about $1,000) per semester for Turkish citizens. International students pay a semester tuition charge of TRY 11,500 (about $3,500). QS has classified the university as one of the top ten in Europe, and its graduates are in high demand by businesses.
3. Middle East Technical University
Middle East Technical University is a public university in the Turkish city of Ankara. The university began as a technical college in Ankara in 1956 and has since grown into a substantial institution of higher education with more than 60 departments. Middle East Technical University offers international programs at the undergraduate, and graduate levels, as well as possibilities for students to study abroad. Also, the university offers a robust student exchange program with universities in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia. More than 5000 international students from 120 countries attend the university. Undergraduate tuition is TL 2,000 per year for Turkish nationals and TL 6,000 per year for foreigners.
4. Hacettepe University
Hacettepe University is a Turkish public university located in Ankara. The Turkish Parliament created the institution in 1967, and it is now one of Turkey’s major universities. There are 13 faculties at the university, with about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Hacettepe University has four campuses, two of which are in Ankara and the other two in Istanbul.
Over 1,000 international students from over 100 countries attend Hacettepe University. There are also around 500 international faculty members from 50 different nations at the university. Tuition costs are set by the Ministry of Education and are adjusted annually by inflation rates. Tuition for undergraduate programs was 1,500 TL each semester in 2017, while tuition for postgraduate programs was 3,000 TL per semester.
5. Istanbul Technical University
Istanbul Technical University is a Turkish public research university. It began as an engineering school in 1869 and became a university in 1966. It offers engineering and architectural degrees. International students can afford the tuition rates. The university has over 2,000 academic members and over 15,000 students. The following are the tuition expenses for international students at ITU:
- Undergraduate programs have a tuition price of around $8,000 per year.
- Graduate programs have a tuition charge of around $12,000 each year.
6. Ankara Institution
Ankara Institution was founded in 1973. The university has several faculties, institutions, and institutes that provide undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of topics. The campus is located in Ankara, Turkey, on the European side of the city. It is one of Turkey’s oldest universities, dating back over 50 years. Tuition fees are set by the Ministry of National Education and apply to all Turkish universities. Tuition for undergraduate degrees is TL 2,000 for Turkish residents and TL 6,000 for foreigners per year.
7. Istanbul Kultur University
Istanbul Kultur Institution is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. On November 27, 1991, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality established it. Engineering, law, and humanities are among the undergraduate and graduate majors available at the university. The university consists of 18 faculties, 2 institutes, and 2 schools. Tuition at Istanbul Kultur University ranges between $10,000 and $14,000.
8. Marmara University
Marmara University was founded in 1994. With nearly 18,000 students, it is one of Turkey’s largest private institutions. In Istanbul, the institution has the main campus as well as four satellite campuses. Undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs at the institution include business, arts and sciences, engineering, and architecture. Tuition for undergraduate programs is as follows:
- Bachelor’s Degree Programs: TL 18,000 (about $4,500) each year
- Masters Programs: TL 15,000 (roughly $3,800) per year
9. Yildiz Technical University
Yildiz Technical Institution is a private university in Turkey that was formed on October 3, 1981. Koc, a late Turkish entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded it. There are two campuses in Istanbul, one in Ankara, and one in Izmir. Yildiz Technical University offers undergraduate programs in the faculties of Architecture, Civil Engineering,
Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering; graduate programs in the faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering; doctoral programs in the faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering; and postgraduate diploma programs in the faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering.It is also one of the most costly private institutions, with tuition ranging from $8,000 to $11,000 a year for international students and $8,000 for Turkish citizens.
10. Koc University
Koc University is a non-profit private university in Istanbul, Turkey. Koc, the son of a Turkish entrepreneur, created it in 1973. The original goal of the institution was to give higher education possibilities for students who could not afford to attend other colleges. The university includes four campuses in Istanbul as well as two locations outside Turkey. Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in engineering, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The annual tuition for undergraduate programs is $1,600. The annual tuition for graduate programs is $2,400.
The Turkish University Admissions Process
The Turkish University Admissions Procedure is a merit-based admissions process in which candidates are evaluated based on their academic performance, test scores, and extracurricular activities. The student must have finished their high school studies to be considered for admission. Moreover, the eligibility criteria include the least number of points in the university entrance exam, which is defined by the rules of each university. The procedure begins with a personal interview with an expert faculty member from the targeted department. Based on the student’s needs and interests, this interview will help choose which classes to take the next semester.
Do Institutions in Turkey offer Scholarships
Yes, there is a list of scholarships available in Turkey for which you can apply. The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program is one of the most coveted awards. The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program offers support to students from all over the world who want to study at one of Turkey’s leading institutions. Tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses are all covered by the scholarship. There are other additional scholarships available, but they have various requirements, such as being a Turkish citizen or resident and having great high school or university grades.
On the list are:
- Scholarships for overseas Students at (CoHE)
- Grants in Turkey
- Scholarships at Bilkent University
- Scholarships from (Tubitak)
How to Apply for a Visa to study at a Turkish University?
The procedure for applying for a visa to study in Turkey is simple, but it does require some planning. First, the student must verify whether they are eligible for the Turkish government’s Erasmus+ program. Students from all over Europe can study in Turkey as part of the program. If they do not qualify, they must find another route to obtain a visa. The application process for a visa is reasonably simple and begins with an online application form issued by the Turkish Ministry of Education and Culture. Before submitting the form online, the student must answer questions about their data and academic history.
Post Study Opportunities in Turkey
There are numerous post-study possibilities in Turkey for overseas students. They could be:
- Working, volunteering, or teaching English as a second language are all options.
- Working for a multinational corporation
- Internships in a variety of fields are available.
The Wrap Up
If you’re thinking of studying in Turkey, you probably have a lot of questions. You may also be confused about where to study, the expense of living, and the quality of education. Turkey has a lot of universities you can make a pick from. We hope that this study in Turkey guide has helped to answer some of your questions and provide you with the tools you need to make an informed decision.