Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
🇹🇷 Turkey
Undergraduate Masters PhD
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend (₺3,500–₺7,000 depending on level)
- Free accommodation
Deadline: January 10 – February 20
🇹🇷
Europe
Scholarships in Turkey for International Students
1 verified scholarships · 1 fully funded · Including Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
Turkey is a top study destination renowned for its centuries-old academic traditions, affordable tuition programs, and rich cultural diversity. We've compiled 1 scholarship opportunities — including 1 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in Turkey in 2026.
1
Total Scholarships
1
Fully Funded
3
Degree Levels
1
Open to All Nations
All Scholarships in Turkey
Why Study in Turkey?
Turkey runs one of the largest government scholarship programmes in the world — Türkiye Bursları receives over 165,000 applications annually for roughly 5,000 funded places from over 175 countries. The scholarship covers full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, return airfare, and a one-year Turkish-language preparatory course. Turkish universities have invested heavily in international programmes, particularly in Istanbul and Ankara, with many degrees taught in English. Strategic location between Europe and Asia, vibrant student life, and a low cost of living make Turkey unusually accessible for students from Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.
Top Universities in Turkey for International Students
These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Ankara
Engineering, computer science, architecture (English-taught)
Boğaziçi University
Istanbul
Engineering, social sciences, education (English-taught)
Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
Istanbul
Engineering, architecture, maritime studies
Koç University
Istanbul
Business, medicine, social sciences (private, English-taught)
Sabancı University
Istanbul
Engineering, business, social sciences (private, English-taught)
Bilkent University
Ankara
Engineering, business, humanities (private, English-taught)
Hacettepe University
Ankara
Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy
Istanbul University
Istanbul
Medicine, law, humanities (oldest Turkish university)
Tuition and Cost of Living in Turkey
Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.
Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)
- Undergraduate
- Free at public universities for scholarship holders; ₺15,000–₺120,000/year for self-funded
- Master's
- Free for scholarship holders; ₺20,000–₺150,000/year for self-funded
- PhD
- Free for scholarship holders; ₺25,000–₺120,000/year for self-funded
Private universities (Koç, Sabancı, Bilkent) charge $15,000–$25,000/year for English-taught programmes. Türkiye Bursları covers tuition fully at all participating universities.
Monthly Living Budget (₺8,000–₺16,000)
- Rent
- ₺3,000–₺8,000 (shared apartments outside Istanbul; Istanbul significantly higher)
- Food
- ₺2,500–₺4,000
- Transport
- ₺300–₺600 (student transit cards)
Inflation has pushed Turkish lira costs higher in recent years; converting from USD, Turkey remains one of the most affordable destinations. Türkiye Bursları stipend (₺3,000–₺6,000/month depending on degree) is sufficient with provided accommodation.
Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway
Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.
Student Residence Permit
- Visa Fee
- Approximately ₺3,500 for first-year permit (varies)
- Processing Time
- 4–8 weeks after arrival in Turkey
- Financial Proof Required
- Bank statement showing approximately $500/month equivalent (waived for Türkiye Bursları scholars)
- Health Insurance
- Mandatory; scholarship holders covered automatically; others ~₺1,500/year for student plans
- Work While Studying
- Undergraduates: no work rights. Graduate students may work part-time with permit.
Post-Study Work Rights
Foreign graduates of Turkish universities can apply for a work permit while still on student residence; many international companies and Turkish universities directly sponsor graduates. Turkey has expanded skilled-worker pathways in recent years for STEM and healthcare graduates.
English Language Requirements
For English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79–87 is standard. METU, Boğaziçi, Koç, and Bilkent typically want IELTS 6.5+. For Turkish-taught programmes: TÖMER-issued Turkish proficiency certificate at B2/C1; Türkiye Bursları funds a free 1-year preparatory year.
Application Timeline for Turkey Scholarships
Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.
- 1
10–12 months before
Watch for Türkiye Bursları opening (typically January–February each year) on turkiyeburslari.gov.tr.
- 2
10 months before
Apply for Türkiye Bursları (deadline mid-February); pick up to 12 university programmes.
- 3
8–10 months before
Take IELTS/TOEFL; prepare motivation letter, recommendation letters, and academic transcripts.
- 4
4–6 months before
Interviews (if shortlisted) typically March–May; results announced June–July.
- 5
1–3 months before
Accept placement, arrange visa (free for scholarship holders), travel to Turkey.
How to Win a Scholarship in Turkey
Türkiye Bursları is one of the most accessible major fully-funded scholarships globally — applications run through a single online portal, deadlines are clear, and the process is streamlined. The application asks for up to 12 programme choices (across multiple universities and degree levels), so students can apply broadly without separate applications. Strong essays connecting your background to Turkey's strategic interests (cultural, educational, scientific cooperation) and to your home country's development have higher success rates. Master's and PhD applicants who already have Turkish-language skills get bonus consideration. Private universities (Koç, Sabancı, Bilkent) offer their own substantial merit scholarships outside Türkiye Bursları, often easier to win for students with strong English credentials.
Turkey Scholarships at a Glance
- Türkiye Bursları receives 165,000+ applications and grants ~5,000 fully funded places yearly.
- Türkiye Bursları covers full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and round-trip airfare.
- One-year Turkish language preparatory course is provided to all scholarship holders.
- METU and Boğaziçi rank in the top 500 globally and teach all programmes in English.
Scholarships in Turkey by Student Nationality
Find scholarships in Turkey tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.
🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students
Explore Other Study Destinations
Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Turkey
Yes, Turkey offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.
Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.
Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Many European universities also offer programs in the local language, with preparatory language courses included in some scholarship packages.
Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.
Most student visa categories in Turkey allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.
TheScholarSphere currently lists 1 scholarship programs in Turkey for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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