At a glance
- Public universities: about USD 250–750 a year for Turkish-taught programmes, USD 450–1,500 for English-taught ones; a few top universities such as Boğaziçi about USD 2,000–2,500.
- Private universities: usually USD 3,000–9,000 a year outside medicine; USD 12,500–40,000 for medicine and dentistry. Most offer scholarships and discounts.
- Living costs in Istanbul: about USD 400–900 a month with a dorm or shared flat.
- No language certificate: you can still be admitted, with a one-year language preparatory programme.
- No general age limit for bachelor's degrees.
- ATIELIT's admission service is free, and so is the student residence application when you register through us.
Why student residence
Student residence is currently the easiest and cheapest route to living in Türkiye, especially for someone arriving for the first time: no monthly social-security insurance is required. The residence is applied for after you have registered at a university. If you register through us, we file the student residence application for free; only the government fees, health insurance and the residence card are paid by you.
Tuition: public and private universities
Public universities are the cheapest option: usually about USD 250–750 a year for Turkish-taught programmes and USD 450–1,500 for English-taught ones, with a few top universities such as Boğaziçi at about USD 2,000–2,500. Private universities usually charge USD 3,000–9,000 a year outside medicine, and USD 12,500–40,000 for medicine and dentistry. Figures are approximate and change every year; we check the exact fee for the university and programme you want.
There are two main ways to pay less: the Turkish government scholarship (Türkiye Bursları), which covers tuition and a stipend and is competitive, and private universities' discounts, usually between about 25% and 100% based on grades or test scores. Most private universities let you pay by semester or in instalments.
Admission without a language certificate
You can be admitted without a language certificate: the university places you in a one-year language preparatory programme first. At public universities it costs little, close to the normal tuition; at private universities it is usually charged separately at around one year's tuition. Remember that this year is added to your total study time.
What student life costs
In Istanbul, with a dorm or a shared flat and student discounts, expect about USD 400–900 a month; living more independently in Istanbul costs from about USD 1,500 a month. Smaller cities are noticeably cheaper, and transport is very cheap with a student card. The cheapest combination is usually a public university, a Turkish-taught programme and a city other than Istanbul.
Documents
Your school or university certificates must be officially translated and certified. We do this for you, along with choosing the programme and university and handling the application.
Working while you study, and afterwards
- Students can work with a work permit, which the employer applies for. Bachelor's and associate students can work up to 24 hours a week after their first year (more in the summer holidays); master's and PhD students can get a permit from the start.
- Working without a permit can damage your residence.
- Depending on your degree, your situation and the rules at the time, switching from student residence to a work permit is possible in some cases.
Common questions
How much does it cost to study in Turkey?
Public universities usually charge about USD 250–750 a year for Turkish-taught programmes and USD 450–1,500 for English-taught ones; private universities usually USD 3,000–9,000 outside medicine. Living costs in Istanbul are about USD 400–900 a month with a dorm or shared flat.
Can I be admitted to a Turkish university without a language certificate?
Yes. You take a one-year language preparatory programme first, which is added to the length of your studies.
Does ATIELIT charge for university admission?
No. Our admission service is free, and if you register through us we file your student residence application for free as well; government fees, insurance and the residence card are paid by you.
Is there an age limit for studying in Turkey?
Not for bachelor's degrees in general. Your documents and the admission requirements matter, not your age.
This article is general guidance and doesn't replace a review of your own case. Rules and figures can change, and no one can guarantee a residence or visa approval.