Higher Study Opportunities in Turkey for International Students: Process, Cost

How can Bangladeshi students do bachelor, Master’s or PhD in Turkey

November 23, 2022, 08:43 AM
by Shahriar Rabab

UNB News
Publish- November 23, 2022, 08:43 AM
Shahriar Rabab
Update- November 23, 2022, 09:01 AM

Turkey

Nestled on both sides of the famous Bosphorus river dividing Europe and Asia, Turkey is a multicultural seat among countries, just like its geographical position. In addition to its rich history and traditions, the country has some of the most accessible higher education opportunities in the world.

The quality, cultural balance, and global acceptance of degrees have made Turkey a leading study-abroad choice for many international students from different parts of the world. Let’s find out the process of University admission and related costs for an international student in Turkey.

Why Should You Study in Turkey?

The question should be, why not? Europe has long been a study-abroad choice for many students. Needless to say, Turkey is the perfect gateway to that dream. While in recent years, most European countries have increased their cost of education, Tukey’s highly subsidized higher education has not been affected.

In fact, out of the 200 registered universities in Turkey, most are run by the state, while other receives different funds and grants. This allowed Turkey to build up a student portfolio of over 8 million in 2021, the highest anywhere in the world. Not to mention, foreign students make up a large chunk of that sum.

Of the many universities, 27 are ranked among the top 1000 institutes in the world. This means the quality of education in Turkey is also uncompromised. A foreign student can enjoy scenic beauty, multicultural life, and a deep appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the Turkish lands. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

How to Get Admission in Turkey at Bachelor, MS or PhD

For ease of understanding, we will break down this part into several sub-points. We will go through right from searching for the perfect stream and course in Turkey to cost, accommodation, and work opportunities as international students.

Let's get going

Finding the Right Course

The Turkish education ministry has a dedicated website searching for the desired course for incoming international students. The website allows the students to search courses based on streams, MoI, university, and level of education. It’s an all-in-one solution to get a detailed idea about the application requirement and cost.

Application Timeline

Turkey might not be a part of the European-Bologna Process, but it follows much of the accords laid out by the council. As a result, Turkey has a two-semester system – Spring and Fall. The spring session starts around February, and the fall session starts at either the end of September or early October.

Given Turkey universities’ tedious vetting and selection process, starting the application process at least a year early before the intended semester is important. Note that September or spring admission is the only window for prospective Ph.D. students.

Application Process

The application process first starts with choosing the degree and stream. For a bachelor, the application process mainly follows a central application system. Turkey doesn't have a centralized application system. So students will have to apply to each university individually.

The process is slightly different for masters. Students can either apply centrally or through a potential supervisor. In the case of supervised admission, students will have to contact potential professors with their research plans. If the professor approves, then they are required to apply centrally.

For Ph.D. stream students, the application process is completely supervisor based.

A prospective student can opt to study either bachelors or masters or pursue a Ph.D. in any accredited university in turkey. The study procedure is on par with other European standards. Bachelor usually takes 3 to 4 years whereas masters are 2 years long. The Ph.D. program usually takes around 3 to 5 years, depending on the stream.

Required Documents

The required documents for application can vary depending on the degree applied for. However, some universal documents will apply to any prospective students. These include -

- Degree certification and transcripts (The last completed degree)
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of recommendation
- Proof of funding
- Application fee payment
- Updated CV
- Research Plan (For masters and Ph.D.)
- Cost of Studying in Turkey for International Students.

Tuition Fees

One of the better things about studying in Turkey is the cost. The country’s highly subsidized higher education system allows for some of the lowest tuition fees in Europe. However, almost all of the subsidies are exclusively available for public universities.

Another great thing about higher study in Turkey is that there isn’t any cost difference between national and international students.

Typically a student pursuing bachelors in Turkey can expect to pay anywhere between 300 to 4000 euros or 31,679 BDT to 422,395 BDT depending on course streams (1 EUR = 105 BDT). The higher cost is usually associated with engineering and medicine streams.

In contrast, the cost at private universities can get as high as 20,000 euros or 211,1976 BDT per year. The cost structure for masters is similar to bachelors and students can expect to pay the same as the bachelors if they don’t change stream.

Students pursuing Ph.D. can expect to pay around 500 to 1000 euros or 52,808 or 105,616 BDT per year in public universities. The cost can run up to 17,500 euros or 184,82,84 BDT in private institutes. However, private universities also have more funding opportunities compared to public ones.

Living Cost and Work Opportunities in Turkey

The living cost in Turkey is some of the lowest in all of Europe. A student can get by in a metropolis within 400 to 650 Euro or 42,246 BDT 68,650 BDT per month. Students wishing to work while studying need to obtain a work permit before they can engage in work.

An average student with limited working hours can earn up to 400 euros per month.

Final Words

Turkey is a growing hub of higher education in the European region. Being right in the middle of Europe and Asia, Turkey offers a unique mix of culture and lifestyle that is otherwise unavailable in the Nordic or other European regions. From the Byzantines to the Ottomans to modern Turkey, the culture, heritage, and widely accepted education are sure to benefit anyone planning on a study abroad destination.

So far, we have discussed the scope of higher education in Turkey for international students including Bangladesh. Hope it helps!