Scholarships

The Turkish government, in accordance with its current foreign policy, actively seeks to promote and increase the number of foreign students studying at Turkish higher education institutes. The Turkish government is therefore committed to providing more scholarships and assist in finding other funding opportunities to increase the number of international students in the country. Scholarships are awarded to successful applicants based on their highest scores achieved in international or national examinations and their high school or undergraduate grades. Full or partial scholarships are applied towards tuition fees for education. Therefore, students themselves are mainly responsible for providing for their accommodation, living and travel expenses.

There are a number of scholarships available in Turkey. The first two, the Ministry of Education’s State Scholarship and Government Scholarship, are only open to Turkish nationals or students from Turkic countries. The Islamic Development Bank (IBD) is also a major source of scholarships. These are however currently open only to students from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Maldives, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda. 

It is rather difficult for students from other countries to obtain a scholarship at a Turkish university unless they find one being offered by an individual institution and meet that institution’s criteria. However, Turkish universities have increasingly been receiving financial support from large corporations, allowing them to award more scholarships according to students’ needs and merit.

 

Many foundation and some state universities offer merit scholarships to those who have outstanding academic backgrounds. Scholarships are granted for the program the student is enrolled in and are continued throughout the regular duration of the student’s education (extensions are prohibited). The normal duration of the scholarship is five years for those who must join an English language preparatory program and four years for those who start directly as a freshman. At foundation universities, students are not at risk of losing their scholarships despite academic difficulties as long as they adhere to mandatory class attendance rates. 

Students are placed in a merit scholarship program according to their grades, scores and ranking.  Merit scholarships usually cover :

• Tuition fees
• Living costs through a ten-month stipend
• Dormitory accommodation fees. 

 

Independent of the merit-based scholarship quota, universities provide additional sources of funding. For example, partial scholarships, such as the Academic Success Scholarship, go towards paying for a certain percentage of the total tuition (anywhere between 30% to 50% in the case of the Academic Success Scholarship). Almost all foundation universities offer partial scholarships, which depend on the academic merits of the applicant and cover between 20% and 70% of the total tuition fees. 

Country specific scholarships are announced through diplomatic channels. Candidates should contact and apply to the authorized bodies of their own countries or to the Turkish embassy or consulates in their respective countries.

Applications for scholarships granted by foundation universities will also be considered according to the approved international student quotas in place. Decisions are made by the relevant Faculty Executive Board. If necessary, candidates may be interviewed via phone or e-mail.

Successful candidates will be sent an acceptance letter by the university. However, they will need to produce any documents submitted as part of their application in original when physically enrolling at the university. 

 

While some non-profit foundation universities have their own  patterns regarding the scholarship they are allowing to the students,  the Turkish government is actively seeking to increase the number of overseas students choosing to attend its country's universities. That is why we can find two main government-sponsored scholarships, covering such things as tuition fees, accommodation, Turkish language courses, a monthly allowance, health insurance coverage and transportation costs, ...

 

• Türkiye Scholarships - two types of awards available to students from all countries on programs in the social sciences or in science, engineering or technology.

 

• TÜBÝTAK Scholarships - The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has a scholarship for international students in the following fields: natural sciences; medical sciences; agricultural sciences; engineering and technological sciences; social sciences; and humanities.

WHAT IS TÜRKİYE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM?

Türkiye Scholarships is a government funded program for international students. It is designed for international students who wish to study at universities in Turkey. The program is aimed at enhancing Turkey’s relations with other countries in the fields of higher education and culture.

The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities is the responsible body for the Türkiye Scholarships. Being a member of the International Students Evaluation Board, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assumes tasks and responsibilities in the Türkiye Scholarships process.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TÜRKİYE SCHOLARSHIPS

Candidates who have graduated or are likely to graduate from an educational institution equivalent to that of Türkiye’s in the present academic (i.e. bachelor’s degree for master’s level) can apply to Türkiye Scholarships.

There is also age condition for candidates required to meet.

• For applicants applying to Undergraduate Degree: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1996,
• For applicants applying to Master’s Degree: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1987,
• For applicants applying to Ph.D Degree: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1982,
• For applicants applying to Research Program: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1972,
• Applicants shouldn’t have any health problems barrier to education.

POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED:

. It is expected to have certain academic score from candidates for each program and scholarship level. There are specific minimum score of the program that you are applying at “assessment and selection” section.

. Students who are currently studying in Türkiye are not allowed to apply to the level that they are already studying.

. Turkish citizens and persons who lost Turkish citizenship cannot apply for this scholarship program.

. Türkiye scholarships are open for all country citizens who meet these conditions.

. Short-term scholarship programs may have additional application requirements. Application can only be made on-line via www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr website.

OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED WITH TÜRKİYE SCHOLARSHIPS

I. Allowance

The monthly allowance allocated according to level of study is as follows:

• Undergraduate Students; 700 Turkish Lira
• Master’s Students; 950 Turkish Lira
• Ph.D. Students; 1,400 Turkish Lira
• Research Scholarships; 3,000 Turkish Lira

II. Accommodation

Türkiye Scholarships students can stay in public university dormitories without paying any fees. Students who do not wish to stay in these dormitories can opt for other housing options on their own expenses.

III. Tuition and Fees

Türkiye Scholarships students do not pay any tuition or university fees.

IV. Health Expenses

Türkiye Scholarships students’ health expenses are covered by public health insurance.

V. Turkish Language Course

Türkiye Scholarships Students are subject to a Turkish language course for one year if they do not have proof of Turkish Language proficiency. Turkiye Scholarships students who will study a program in other languages instead of Turkish are also required to take the Turkish Language Course.

VI. Travel Expenses (One-off Flight Ticket)

Turkish Scholarship students are provided with a once time ticket for their first arrival in Turkey and for their departure after completing their study. If the student purchases the ticket, the amount will be reimbursed later on.