Scholarships in Türkiye for Arab students 2025: Your opportunity towards a world-class education

With its unique geographical location bridging Asia and Europe, its rich cultural heritage, and its rapid academic development, Turkey is a preferred destination for international students, particularly Arab students. As interest in higher education in Turkey grows, so too do scholarship opportunities for Arab students in 2025, opening doors to high-quality university education at affordable or even free costs.

Securing a scholarship in Turkey is more than just a way to cover tuition fees; it’s a comprehensive experience that enriches a student’s academic and cultural life, enabling them to immerse themselves in a thriving international learning environment. This article provides a detailed overview of everything Arab students need to know about these scholarships for 2025, from their types and requirements to practical tips for increasing their chances of acceptance.

Why study in Türkiye specifically?

Before delving into the details of the scholarships, it is important to understand why Türkiye has become an attractive educational destination for Arab students:

1. Academic quality: Turkish universities, especially the prestigious public and private ones, offer strong and internationally accredited academic programs, with a focus on scientific research and practical application.
2. Reasonable costs: Compared to many European or American countries, the costs of living and studying in Türkiye are relatively reasonable, making it an attractive economic option.
3. Cultural and geographical proximity: Türkiye shares many cultural and religious aspects with Arab countries, which makes it easier for Arab students to adapt and integrate into society.
4. English language: Many university programs are taught in English, giving international students the opportunity to study without needing to fully master Turkish at the beginning.
5. Safe and hospitable environment: Türkiye is known for its hospitable people and safe environment, which provides students with a sense of comfort and security.
6. Specialized diversity: Turkish universities offer a wide range of specializations in all fields, from medicine and engineering to arts and humanities.

Types of scholarships in Türkiye for Arab students 2025

The scholarships available to Arab students in Türkiye vary and can be classified into several main types:

1. Turkish Government Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) – The most comprehensive and well-known

The Turkish Government Scholarship (Türkiye Bursları) is the most prestigious and comprehensive scholarship program, a fully funded scholarship offered by the Turkish government to international students from all over the world, including Arab students. This scholarship covers all levels of study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD, and even short-term research programs.

What does the Türkiye Bursları scholarship cover?

• Full tuition fees: Covers all educational costs at the chosen university.
• Accommodation: Free university housing provided for students.
• Health insurance: Comprehensive health coverage throughout the study period.
• Airfares: Round-trip airfare (once upon arrival and once upon completion of studies).
• Monthly salary:A monthly sum of money to support living expenses (varies according to educational level).
  • Bachelor’s degree: It is usually around 1700 Turkish Lira.
  • Master’s degree: approximately 2400 Turkish Lira.
  • PhD: Approximately 3000 Turkish Lira.
  • Search programs: approximately 5000 Turkish Lira.
• Free Turkish language course: A full year of Turkish language instruction at “TÖMER” institutes to enable students to achieve cultural and academic integration.

Eligibility requirements for the Türkiye Bursları 2025 scholarship:

• Nationality: The applicant must not hold Turkish nationality.
• Academic GPA:
  • Bachelor’s degree: at least 70%80(For medical specialties).
  • Master’s and PhD: Not less than 75%.
  • Health Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry): Not less than 90%.
• Maximum age limit:
  • Bachelor’s degree: Under 21 years old.
  • Master’s degree: Under 30 years old.
  • PhD: Under 35 years old.
  • Research programs: Under 50 years old.
• Not having previously obtained Turkish citizenship.
• There are no restrictions on travel to Türkiye.

The application process for the Türkiye Bursları 2025 scholarship:

Applications are submitted entirely online through the official “Türkiye Bursları” platform. The application period typically begins in January and continues until February each year. The main steps include:

1. Create an account: Register on the application portal.
2. Fill in personal and academic data: accurately and honestly.
3. Upload the required documents: in PDF or JPG format.
4. Choosing majors and universities: Up to 12 majors and universities can be chosen.
5. Writing a Motivation Letter: This is a crucial part of the application process.
6. Obtaining letters of recommendation: (especially for Master’s and PhD programs).
7. Personal interview: For candidates who are selected after the initial evaluation of the files.

2Partial and full scholarships for private universities

In addition to government scholarships, many private Turkish universities offer their own scholarships to international students, aiming to attract talent and alleviate financial burdens. These scholarships may include:

• Full scholarships: covering 100% of tuition fees (often rare and requiring exceptional academic excellence).
• Partial scholarships: These cover between 25% and 75% of tuition fees and are the most common.

Examples of private Turkish universities offering scholarships:

• Koç University: Known for its competitive scholarship programs based on academic merit.
• Sabancı University: Offers partial scholarships to outstanding students.
• Bilkent University: Offers academic scholarships based on performance.
• Istanbul Medipol University offers partial scholarships to international students.
• Bahçeşehir University: Offers discounts and partial scholarships.

How to apply for private university scholarships:

Applications for these scholarships are usually submitted directly through the universities’ websites. Students should review the admission and scholarship requirements for each university individually, prepare the required documents, and adhere to the application deadlines.

3. Grants to institutions and organizations

Some Turkish and international charities and NGOs offer scholarships to students. These scholarships may be for specific fields of study or to support students from particular regions. It is advisable to search for these scholarships individually using search engines and to stay updated on the news from relevant organizations.

Documents required for applying for scholarships in Türkiye 2025 (general)

The required documents differ slightly between government scholarships and private university scholarships, but there is a basic list that the Arab student should prepare:

1. A copy of a valid passport.
2. A recent personal photo (passport photo size).
3. High school diploma: translated into English or Turkish and certified (for both Bachelor’s and Postgraduate studies).
4. High school transcript (marks) for years: translated and certified.
5. Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript: (for Master’s and PhD programs) translated and certified.
6. Master’s degree certificate and transcript: (for PhD programs) translated and certified.
7. English language proficiency certificate (if available): such as TOEFL or IELTS. If not available, the student may be required to pass the university’s or scholarship’s language test.
8. Motivation Letter: This letter explains your reasons for wanting to study in Turkey, your choice of major and university, your future goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them. This letter is of utmost importance.
9. Two letters of recommendation: from university professors or academic supervisors (especially for Master’s and PhD programs).
10. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Includes academic qualifications, work experience, skills, and extracurricular activities.
11. Research Proposal: (Specific to PhD programs and some Master’s programs).
12. Certificates of achievement/awards (if any): Any certificates for training courses, volunteer work, projects, or academic awards.

Important advice: All documents must be clear, correctly translated, and duly certified as required by the granting body or university.

Tips to increase your chances of acceptance into scholarships in 2025

Securing a competitive scholarship requires effort and a smart application process. Here are some tips for Arab students to increase their chances of acceptance:

1. Build a strong academic record: High grades are key to acceptance into any scholarship program. Focus on excelling in your studies.
2. Master the language: Having a recognized English language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS) greatly enhances your chances, even if it’s not initially mandatory. And if you plan to study in Turkish, start learning it early.
3. Write a compelling motivation letter: This is your opportunity to showcase your passion, goals, and how they align with the scholarship and university’s vision. Make it personal, clear, and error-free.
4. Choose your recommenders carefully (for graduate studies): Choose professors who know you well and can highlight your academic and personal abilities.
5. Prepare all documents early: don’t wait until the last minute. Translating and notarizing documents takes time.
6. Participating in extracurricular activities: volunteering, participating in clubs, training courses, all demonstrate your leadership and social skills and enrich your resume.
7. Thoroughly research the major and university: Explain in your application why you chose this specific major and university. Show that you have done your research.
8. Prepare for the interview (if applicable): Be ready to answer questions about your motivations, goals, and understanding of the major and the university. Be confident and enthusiastic.
9. Applying for more than one scholarship: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for more than one scholarship to increase your chances.
10. Application review: Make sure to review your application and all documents several times before submitting to ensure they are free of spelling, grammatical, or data errors.

Life as an Arab student in Türkiye

Beyond the academic sphere, Turkey offers Arab students a unique life experience. They will find a large and diverse Arab community, making integration and friendships easy. Major Turkish cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir offer a blend of modernity and history, with a wide range of entertainment, dining, and cultural activities.

A safe environment, a well-developed public transportation system, and stunning scenery all make Turkey a comfortable and enjoyable place to live as a student. Learning the basics of Turkish will also greatly facilitate your daily life and enrich your cultural experience.

Important dates for 2025 (estimated dates)

While the exact dates may vary slightly each year, the general timeframe for scholarship applications in Türkiye for Arab students in 2025 is as follows:

• The Turkish Government Scholarship (Türkiye Bursları): Applications typically open in mid-January and close in late February each year. Students should prepare well before this period.
• Private university scholarships: Application deadlines vary considerably from university to university. Some open early (September-October) for the following academic year, some in the spring (March-April), and some may have multiple application rounds. It is advisable to check the individual university websites.

Note: It is essential to check the official deadlines set for 2025 through the official scholarship and university websites as soon as they are announced.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Late submission: leads to a missed opportunity even if your application is strong.
• Failure to read the terms and conditions carefully: Every scholarship has its own terms and conditions; failure to comply with them leads to immediate rejection.
• General motivation letter: The letter should be tailored to each scholarship and university.
• Incomplete or undocumented documents: guarantee that the application will not be accepted.
• Waiting until the last minute to prepare documents: You may miss deadlines due to delays.

Seeking scholarships in Turkey for Arab students in 2025 presents a golden opportunity to achieve academic and professional aspirations. Thanks to the Turkish government’s strong support for higher education, the diversity of programs, the quality of education, and the rich cultural environment, Turkey offers Arab students an unforgettable experience. With careful planning, thorough preparation of documents, and a compelling motivation letter, Arab students can significantly enhance their chances of securing these valuable scholarships and embarking on their educational journey in the heart of vibrant Turkey. Invest in your future; Turkey awaits you.