Study in Turkey

Turkey is one of the Middle East’s immigration-friendly countries, which is known as a European-Asian country. In recent years, this country has welcomed many immigrants from all over the world and is a very suitable destination for people’s lives from various perspectives.

Considering the high quality of the country’s education system, studying in Turkey is considered one of the main options for people to study abroad because the educational centers in this country have a global reputation and for this reason, you will have a bright future by studying in these centers.

What are the advantages of studying in Turkey?

-High quality of education in Turkey:

Over the past few decades, with the increase in the number of prestigious and international universities in various cities in Turkey such as Ankara and Istanbul, as well as the provision of diverse academic fields in these universities, Turkey has experienced significant growth in the quality of higher education, and in addition, the unprecedented welcome of foreign students to continue their studies in Turkey has made this country one of the top ten educational hubs in the world. It is also good to know that the quality of education in Turkey has had an impact on the improvement of the global ranking of universities in this country.

-Providing a valid degree from Turkish universities

According to the latest QS EECA ranking statistics in 2019, approximately 22 Turkish universities were included in the list of the top 50 universities in Europe and Central Asia. It is natural that due to the high level of education and facilities of Turkish universities, the degrees offered by them are accepted in developed countries and students can benefit from its benefits.

-Easy entry of Iranian students to Turkey

One of the biggest advantages that Turkey has for us Iranians is the possibility of visa-free travel and residence (up to a maximum of three months without a visa with the possibility of extension) in Turkey, as well as the geographical proximity and the great similarity between Turkish and Iranian cultures are other advantages of Turkey for us Iranians.

Other important advantages of studying in Turkey include:
A similar climate to Iran and ease of travel for Iranians
Low tuition fees compared to other European countries
Availability of scholarships, student grants and student loans
Coverage of health insurance costs, travel costs to Turkey and student dormitories and university tuition fees by obtaining Turkish scholarships
The approval of many universities by the Iranian Ministry of Science and Health and the possibility of working and practicing medicine or continuing education in Iran after graduating from Turkish universities
Diversity of academic disciplines and the presence of the world’s top reputable universities
The possibility of obtaining a student work permit and work and employment for up to 30 hours per week
The presence of universities in the global rankings and rankings of the world’s top universities
The credibility and value of Turkish academic qualifications in European and American countries
Availability of the student exchange system or Erasmus with European and American countries and the transfer of qualified students to these countries after 2 or 3 academic semesters
The compatibility of the Turkish university education system with the American education system
The presence of equipped, modern and advanced universities with facilities Education, Culture and Sports
The opportunity to live and study in one of the world’s highest quality countries in terms of living standards, based on global rankings
The possibility of obtaining a residence permit after completing university studies
Turkish Education System

The higher education system in Turkey has developed significantly in terms of quantity and quality in the past few decades. Turkish universities now offer a wide range of courses and options for international students. The Turkish education system consists of two main parts; formal education and non-formal education. Formal education refers to the school system and includes higher education, which is the main focus here. Non-formal education includes all planned activities outside or alongside school. Formal education includes the following:

Pre-primary education: Optional education provided in kindergartens and similar settings for children under the age of 6.
Primary education: This education is compulsory for all children and is provided over an eight-year period for children between the ages of 6 and 14.
Secondary education: High school or conservatory is held for ages 15 to 17/18.

Higher education: This includes all educational institutions that provide university education to individuals.

Higher education in Turkey:

Turkish universities follow the Bologna system (a recognized system of the European Union) which includes three cycles of bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate.

Undergraduate studies:

A bachelor’s degree in Turkish universities lasts an average of 4 years. It should be noted that undergraduate courses in this country are offered in Turkish and English. Therefore, students will be able to increase their chances of admission by presenting a certificate of English language proficiency.

One of the conditions for studying at Turkish public universities at the undergraduate level is to take a national exam, which international students receive permission to enter Turkish universities if they receive a passing score. The most prestigious entrance exams for undergraduate programs are the YOS and SAT, which are mentioned below. There is no need to take an exam to study at private universities in Turkey, and you will be able to study in your favorite field with just your academic qualifications.

Since Turkey has been a member of the European Union’s harmonized education system since 2001, undergraduate degrees from Turkish universities in all fields, including medical and paramedical fields, are recognized by all European countries.

Therefore, post-Atom students

Students will be able to try their luck to enter other top universities in the world. On the other hand, Turkish universities have a lot of scientific and research cooperation with many universities in the world, which has led to students having a good opportunity to participate in student exchange projects between partner universities and Turkish universities.

Master’s degree studies:

Universities accept students in various fields at the master’s level. Master’s degree courses in Turkey last an average of two years. Students will be able to apply to top universities in Turkey by providing the required documents. Unlike the bachelor’s degree, there is no general entrance exam for studying in Turkey at the master’s level, but each university may hold entrance exams related to its required fields twice a year. Applicants can continue their studies in their favorite field in this country if they are accepted.

There are two types of master’s degree studies in Turkey; a course with a thesis and a course without a thesis.

If you want to continue your studies in courses with a thesis, you must take the ALES exam.

If you choose a master’s degree program without a thesis, English proficiency is not considered a required skill, but as a person who wants to continue their studies in Turkey, knowing English is a prerequisite. In some master’s programs taught in English, English language proficiency certificates are required. In order to be admitted to some master’s programs, universities also arrange academic interviews.

Studying at the doctoral level:

Turkey offers unique opportunities for international students seeking to study at the doctoral level. Turkish universities have a long history of international exchanges and relatively low tuition fees. High-quality doctoral education is offered in Turkey. The duration of doctoral programs in Turkey is considered to be between 3 and 5 years.

In order to participate in doctoral programs, applicants must present a bachelor’s and master’s degree related to the desired field. Most European degrees are acceptable, but additional verification may be required to accept degrees from other countries as equivalent.

In addition, in order to be accepted into a PhD program, applicants must submit a research proposal; it is recommended that you contact your university or former supervisor before applying. Applicants are also usually required to submit academic references and attend an interview.

Cost of Studying in Turkey

The cost of studying in Turkey varies depending on the type of university, level, and field of study. Public universities charge lower fees. For example, as an undergraduate student at a public university, the cost of studying a bachelor’s degree at a public university in Turkey, where the language of instruction is English, is estimated to be between $500 and $1,800 per year, while the cost of studying in Turkish at public universities is estimated to be between $300 and $800 per year.

Tuition fees for classes taught in English at public universities are usually much more expensive, ranging from $600-$1,500 per year, while the same classes taught in Turkish cost around $240-$750. Private universities independently set their fees and tuition, which can be as high as $15,000 per year.

Undergraduate: $8,000-$15,000 per year

Master’s: $1,000-$3,000 per year

Doctoral: $10,000-$20,000 per year

How to Get Admission to Study in Turkey

The first step to studying in Turkey is to get admission from a reputable university in the country. The admission process for Turkish universities is quite simple, and foreign applicants usually need to have a high school diploma (for undergraduate studies) or a four-year university degree (for master’s studies); otherwise, they must obtain an equivalent degree from their home country.

The admission process varies depending on the chosen program; However, there are several general requirements that should be considered. The following requirements apply to most undergraduate applicants:

Choosing a course of study and universities

You can continue your studies in Turkish, English or other languages ​​at universities in Turkey, where high-quality education is provided at a world-class level, and you will also be able to choose different paths to advance your career in Turkey.

The requirements for studying in Turkey may be different for each individual. There is no age requirement to take the YÖS exam in Turkey. All high school graduates with any major and a high school diploma can take it.

Preparing the university application documents:

After choosing the university of your choice, all you need to do is gather the required application documents. These documents may vary depending on the course and university of your choice, as each university has its own specific requirements for accepting international students.

For example, the requirements for studying medicine in Turkey are definitely very different from the requirements for studying in Turkey at the master’s level.

For further information, please visit the website of your chosen university and check all the admission requirements in the International Student Documents section.

Check the university’s entry requirements:

To be admitted to the program you have chosen to study in Turkey, you may need to

You may need to submit a language or proficiency test score, such as a university entrance exam.

In addition to internationally recognized exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE scores, universities may ask you to submit test scores from your home country or from exams conducted by your chosen university.

Obtaining a Turkish study visa

After receiving admission from educational centers in Turkey, students must apply for a student visa from the nearest consulate of the Republic of Turkey.

Individuals will be able to complete their visa application process through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey (mfa.gov).

To obtain a Turkish study visa, the applicant must first apply for Turkish language courses in Istanbul. Approval and permission for the student to participate in these courses is possible through the educational assimilation centers of the Turkish Ministry of Education or through admission to universities in Turkey.

After receiving the acceptance letter for Turkish language courses, the student must visit the Turkish embassies and consulates in Iran and, after approval, apply for a study visa.

The Turkish study visa is valid for 1 year. The student must visit the Turkish State Security Directorate within one month of entering Turkey and receive a Turkish residence permit.

Required documents for obtaining a Turkish study visa:

A copy of the first page of your passport, taken on A4 paper, and the passport expiration date must not be less than one year.
Acceptance letter from the university
Student application form for obtaining a Turkish student visa
Entrance exams for studying in Turkey
Students are required to take special exams related to their chosen field of study in Turkey.

It should be noted that in Turkey there is no single comprehensive national exam for all universities, such as the entrance exam, but there are exams such as the YOS exam and the SAT exam. The conditions for the aforementioned exams are mentioned below. However, according to the latest circular, admission for the 2023-2024 academic year will be through the Central YOS exam, which is expected to be announced later this year.

SAT Test

The SAT test consists of mathematics, reading comprehension, and writing subjects that students are required to take to enter some Turkish universities.

Some Turkish universities, such as Hacettepe University in Ankara, use the results of this test as a criterion for student registration. The SAT test consists of 154 tests, of which 52 are Reading tests, 44 are Writing tests, and 58 other tests evaluate students’ understanding and mathematical skills. The applicant’s proficiency in English is important in this test. Students who score 1300 on this test have a good chance of entering top universities in Turkey. The SAT test is held 6 times a year.

TOMER Test

The word TOMER stands for Türkçe Öğretim Merkezi, which means Turkish Education Center. TOMER is one of the most famous and important entrance exams for Turkish universities.

On the other hand, one of the prerequisites for entering universities that teach in Turkish is the TOMER exam. The purpose of the TOMER exam is to measure the applicant’s level of Turkish language knowledge and has many similarities to the IELTS and TOEFL exams.

The TOMER exam has the following six sections designed to measure the applicant’s knowledge of Istanbul Turkish:

Listening
Structure
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
YOS Exam

The YOS exam is one of the entrance exams for medical and dental courses in Turkey. The YOS exam is a two-part exam; the first part is questions from mathematics, intelligence, and geometry.

These questions are presented in Turkish and English in one or two booklets, and an average knowledge of English or Turkish is sufficient to answer the questions. Scores between 92 and 100 can easily apply for medical and dental fields.

Each university in Turkey holds its own YOS exam. The second part of the questions is to measure the candidates’ Turkish language knowledge, and the result of this section is determined as A, B and C scores.

Normally, the registration time for the Turkish YOS exam is in April of each year, and the exams of various universities are held in the period from May to July. The final exam results are announced 2 weeks to 2 months after each exam.

Language of Turkish educational centers and universities:

Generally, Turkish universities try to replace English as the language of instruction, and the top universities in Turkey are universities that offer 100% of their education in English. Among them; Istanbul Technical University: ITU (Istanbul teknik üniversitesi) and Boğazıcı University in Istanbul and Middle East Technical Universities (ODTÜ) and Hacettepe in Ankara are worth mentioning.

Some other universities use Turkish in addition to English for education, including; Yildiz Technical University and Ankara University, where all subjects are taught in both Turkish and English. Some universities, such as Boğaziçi University and Marmara University, also offer their education in German, Russian and French.

Top Universities in Turkey

Kuç University in Istanbul

Kuç University is a private university that was founded in 1993 in Istanbul. Since its inception, Koç University has been among the best universities in Turkey. The language of instruction at this university is English. According to the Times magazine, Koç University was ranked the highest university in Turkey and 251st in the world in 2017. Objective

Koç University Istanbul contributes to the increase of global knowledge and intellectual developments and advances in economic technology. This university is one of the best medical universities in Turkey, ranked sixth among the prestigious universities in Turkey. Students must take the SAT exam to enter this university and if they pass the exam, they will be allowed to enter this university. Koç University Istanbul plays a significant role in attracting international students. This university has direct ties with the universities of California and Cornell University in the United States, and almost all the educational standards of American universities are implemented in this university. Teaching in most fields of study at this university is in English, of course, some fields such as nursing and law are taught in Turkish.

Throughout the year, students witness lectures by international eminent people and business leaders at this university.

At the beginning of each academic year, the tuition fees of Koç University Turkey at the postgraduate level are determined and specified by the Turkish government. The amounts paid by international students depend on the nature of their study program. But in general, the average tuition fee paid by foreign students at Koç University in 2022 is around $8,152. This makes Koç University the third most expensive private university in Turkey after Sabanci and Bilkent Universities.

Sabanci University Istanbul

In 1994, the Sabanci Group of Turkey decided to create a “global university” under the leadership of the Sabanci Foundation. The seed of Sabanci University was planted in the summer of 1995 at a search conference attended by more than fifty universities from twenty-two countries, as well as students and representatives of the private sector.

Sabanci has a global degree in English and affordable tuition compared to similar universities around the world. The university also provides good scholarships for students of all nationalities and all fields of study, ensuring a high-quality and excellent education for all students.

In 2022, to study at the undergraduate level at Sabanci University in Istanbul, students must pay $ 17,000 annually. At the master’s level, applicants pay $ 7,500 annually. Students should note that if they have chosen to study Information Technology, they must pay $ 10,000 for the entire academic year.

Bogazici State University in Istanbul

This university is considered one of the state universities in Turkey, which was founded in the European part of Turkey in 1863. The educational activities of this university began in 1971 in the Bebek region.

Bogazici University in Turkey is considered one of the most popular universities in the university entrance exam. Students who obtain top rankings choose this university to continue their studies at various levels. These universities have a better position in the following departments: Engineering Department; Social Sciences Department; Educational Sciences Department; Basic Sciences Department; Department of Business Sciences; Department of Fine Arts. Also, the facilities of this university are at a very high level and since it is a government institution, a relatively reasonable tuition fee is charged from students.

The tuition fee of Boğaziçi University, Turkey varies depending on the field and level. For example, for studying at the Faculty of Literature and Basic Sciences, 9000 liras, for the Faculty of Economics 4500 liras, and for the Faculty of Technology and Engineering 9000 liras per year at the undergraduate level, the tuition fee has been set. For master’s and doctoral courses, the high costs reach 768 liras per year. Of course, you can follow the most up-to-date tuition fees through the website address of Boğaziçi University, Turkey http://www.boun.edu.tr.

Istanbul Technical University ITU

This university has a high ranking among universities in the world and accepts many international students every year.

Among the admission requirements for international students at Istanbul Technical University is that students must be currently in their final year of high school or have graduated from this level. This degree is equivalent to a Turkish diploma, which is required for admission to the Istanbul Technical University undergraduate program. In addition, among other admission requirements for Istanbul Technical University, students must take one of the accredited exams of Turkish universities, including SAT-ACTIB or some others approved by the ITU Assembly of Turkey, and obtain the desired passing score of Istanbul Technical University.

The tuition fee at Istanbul Technical University varies for each field, but on average, it can be considered 3500 liras per year.

Bilkent University in Ankara

Among the distinguished universities in Turkey is Bilkent University, which has the title of the first private university in Turkey and was established in Ankara on October 20, 1984.

Bilkent University, Turkey has 7 faculties, 2 high schools, 3 high vocational schools and a music education center. Among the advantages of studying at this university is that the language of instruction is English, which makes studying very easy for international students. Therefore, many applicants from different parts of the world are seeking admission to this university. So that more than 12,000 students are studying in 32 undergraduate and 51 postgraduate programs at this university. It should be noted that Bilkent University, Turkey has been approved by the Iranian Ministry of Science and Health and is one of the 2 distinguished and selected universities in Turkey.

It is considered and is known as the best university in the Middle East.

Students can pay their tuition and fees for one academic year at Bilkent University, Turkey in two installments.

The first installment is collected from students at the beginning of the academic year, in September, and the second installment is collected from students in early autumn. These tuition fees must be paid only in dollars, which is equivalent to $ 13,950. Fall semester admissions are from February 3 to July 19.

There is a variety of fields and academic programs at Bilkent University, Turkey. The most popular fields of study at this university are: Accounting / Banking / Computer Engineering / Economics / Management / International Relations / Law / Music / Psychology / Urban Design / Physics

Hacettepe University Ankara

This university is one of the most prestigious medical universities in Turkey.

Medical education programs at Hacettepe University, Turkey are offered to students in two forms: general medicine MD and dual MD/PhD program. Medical education at this university will last for 6 years, with students learning basic sciences in the first 3 years of study and learning combined medical and clinical sciences in the fourth to fifth years. Finally, in the sixth year, they must complete an internship at the university hospital to be able to obtain an MD or MBBS medical degree. Teaching in medical courses at this university is done in two languages: English and Turkish, and students who wish to study in English must take an English language test and if they pass this language test, they can study medicine at Hacettepe University, Turkey.

This university provides very good facilities to students. In different years, this university has been able to achieve very high rankings worldwide, such that in 2010 it was ranked 399th among the countries in the world.

The cost of studying medicine at this university is estimated at 295,500 liras per year, and students who are interested in studying medicine in Turkish must pay $ 2,100 for language preparation courses before entering the medical field at this university.

The admission date of this university is from the end of May to the first of July.

Middle East Technical University

The Middle East Technical University of Turkey was founded in 1956. This university specializes in natural and social sciences and continues to operate with the motto “Science, the most correct guide to life”. Architecture is the first academic program taught at this university. Currently, 43 undergraduate programs, 107 master’s programs and 69 doctoral programs are offered to about 30,000 students at this university. The main language of the university is English and an IELTS or TOFEL certificate is required for registration.

Middle East Technical University is one of the most popular universities in Turkey and is also very popular among Iranian students who want to study in Turkey. Every year, more than 1/3 of the 1,000 applicants who have top rankings in the National University Entrance Exam join this university. Due to the high demand, most departments of this university accept only 1% of the 1.5 million applicants for the university entrance exams. The registration fee at this university ranges from 760 to 1,600 liras.

Çukurova University in Adana

It is a state university that was founded in 1973 in the city of Adana. Çukurova University in Turkey is one of the most prestigious scientific centers and is approved by the Iranian Ministry of Science. Currently, Çukurova University in Turkey has 10 faculties, 3 high schools, 7 high vocational training schools, 3 institutes and 25 research centers. Its number of students exceeds 20 thousand and its number of academic staff is nearly 2 thousand.

It also has good facilities and a high ranking, and the name of Çukurova can be included among the top 10 universities in Turkey. The location of this university is very convenient and it has a pleasant view overlooking the sea.

To get admission to Çukurova University, you must prepare the general and required documents and on the other hand, you must have passed the university entrance exams; that is, you must first pass the entrance exam successfully and then submit the documents required by the university along with the admission application online. Çukurova University accepts both YOS and SAT exams. Çukurova University’s academic semesters are spring semester and fall semester. The spring semester starts in August and the fall semester starts in January. Be careful that the deadline for submitting documents and deadlines are officially announced through the university’s official website. Generally, this date is until December 31 for the spring semester and until June 30 for the fall semester. Since it is a state university, its tuition fees are relatively reasonable and, for example, in the field of pharmacy, it is about 6,000 liras per year.

Atilim University in Ankara

One of the best private universities in Turkey, Atilim University of Turkey, is located in the capital of the country, Ankara. Its founding date dates back to June 15, 1996. This university was founded by the Atilim Foundation and was therefore named Atilim. The area of ​​​​the university is 250 hectares. Have you heard about Atilim Scientific Societies? The societies of this university are a rich opportunity for scientific trips, student exchanges and participation in international and research conferences. At Atilim University Ankara, the language of instruction is Turkish; but for some of the disciplines listed below, English is the language of instruction. Therefore, your proficiency in both languages ​​is very important. On the other hand, studying in Turkish has lower tuition fees than in English.

Admission requirements at Atilim University, Turkey

The international student vote includes the general and specific conditions of this university. For each university, you must first submit your online application according to the academic calendar of each university. In Turkish universities, three semesters are offered to students: spring, summer and fall.

Since Atılım University of Turkey is a private university, it has higher tuition fees than public universities, and this is quite natural. The tuition fees of this university vary between 10 thousand and 15 thousand dollars depending on the field.

Aydin University of Istanbul

Aydin University of Istanbul is a private university that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in Turkey. The degree of this university is approved by the Ministry of Science of Iran. Aydin University of Istanbul has the TOMER Turkish Language Training, Application and Research Center, which aims to teach Turkish to foreigners using contemporary teaching techniques in a contemporary environment. The Turkish language level of TOMER graduates allows them to pursue their university studies in Turkish. This university has created a dynamic atmosphere for students and many international students choose this university to continue their studies in Turkey; in a way that Aydin University of Istanbul has the largest number of international students compared to other basic universities in Turkey and is very popular and interested in Iranian students.

The tuition fee of this university varies for different fields and varies from 4000 to 15000 US dollars. There is a possibility of 100% scholarship and free education at this university with the help of our colleagues.