About Turkey
Can’t choose between European charm and Asian appeal? You don’t have to! This Asian-European country might just be the place for you to study.
Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey is a country that occupies a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe and serving as both a bridge and a barrier between both continents. It shares borders with Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; the Black Sea to the north; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq to the southeast; Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south; and the Aegean Sea to the west. Turks form the vast majority of the nation’s population and Kurds are the largest minority. Turkey is a charter member of the UN. The official language is Turkish.
Although, being a predominantly Islamic country, the country still allows other religious denominations to practice their faith or religion without any form of restrictions.
Turkey is blessed with different natural elements, such as mountains, rivers, oceans and so much more. Turkey experiences four main seasons; winter, summer, spring and autumn which displays their different natural beauties all year round.
Studying in Turkey
- With over 206 universities in Turkey both private and government-owned, Turkey stands as one of the countries with a good educational system. The university certificate awarded in any institution in Turkey is well recognized and accepted in any European country.
- Turkey is home to diverse cultural backgrounds and this makes it easy for international students and tourists to relate and interact well with the locals.
- The living expenses in Turkey is relatively cheap as compared to other top European countries.
- With over 206 universities in Turkey,different degree programs whether undergraduate or postgraduate programs are available, giving you a wide range of courses to choose from.
- Housing in Turkey is on a cheap range, most universities offer accommodation on the campus for both its students and international students too.
- International students, unfortunately, have no legal right to work either in public or private offices, that is, the students are not allowed to get a job while studying. However, Turkish universities are relatively open to foreign researchers. Both public and private universities recruit non-Turkish staff.
- While the language of instruction in some of the universities in Turkey is English, Turkish is the main language of instruction in most universities. Although Turkish language proficiency is a prerequisite in terms of admission to many academic programs, you can also be admitted to universities without knowing Turkish.
- As an international graduate student who wants to stay back in the country and work, you need to go back to your country and apply for a work permit through your country’s Ministry of Labor. The work permit is usually issued for the duration of one year but can always be extended up to 3 years.
Cost of Tuition
In Turkey, public universities are very affordable, especially compared to similar institutions in Europe or the United States. International students usually pay between 100 and 4,000 EUR per academic year. However, private Turkish universities are more expensive than public ones and some degrees can cost up to 20,000EUR per year.
Apply to study in Turkey
Documents needed for admission processing include:
- International Passport
- Passport photograph
- Any qualified high school certificate
- Leaving school testimonial
- University certificate and transcripts (for postgraduate courses)
- Personal statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- Academic reference
- Work reference
This can also apply to master’s and pHd students
Always consult the university website for specific admission requirements, which may include a language proficiency test.
Apply for student visa to study in Turkey
If you are an international student planning to study in Turkey, it’s likely you’ll need a student visa to do it. The only students exempt from needing a Turkey student visa are:
- Students from the Northern Republic of Cyprus
- Students whose parents live in Turkey with a work visa and residence permit
- Blue Card holders
To get your student visa, you’ll need to apply in person at your nearest Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country. You must have your student visa before you can enter Turkey.
Once you have arrived in Turkey, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit that allows you to stay in the country beyond 90 days.
When you submit your Turkey student visa application you must provide the following documents:
- Your passport, valid for at least 90 days
- A completed and signed Turkish student visa application form
- 2 passport-size photos
- Letter of acceptance from your university, including the duration of your stay
- Proof of travel insurance for your entire stay in Turkey
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of booked flight tickets to Turkey
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources to support your study and living in Turkey
- Visa processing fee, this can vary depending on your nationality
- Proof of accommodation in Turkey
- Previous education certificates or diplomas
