3 Factors That Determine the Cost of Studying in Turkey

Turkey is among the most popular countries for international students who wish to study abroad, especially in Istanbul, Ankara, and the Republic of Cyprus. The cost of studying in Turkey is relatively lower compared to other countries, and it is home to a vast number of government, private, foundation, and vocational universities.

In this article, we will discuss the factors that determine the cost of studying in Turkey and identify the cheapest universities to study at, to assist you in choosing your educational destination. Follow along.

Factors That Determine the Cost of Studying in Turkey

The cost of studying in Turkey, in general, is lower in over 200 government and private universities. Therefore, it is the ideal educational destination for students with limited budgets who wish to study at a renowned university, experience diverse cultures, and gain more experiences and opportunities. However, despite the low cost of studying in Turkey, tuition fees can vary for several reasons. Hence, students should be aware of the choices they make, as they will impact the cost of tuition fees. Here are three of the most important aspects to consider when making your university decision in Turkey:

1. Government or Private University?

This question frequently arises for international students who aspire to study abroad, especially in Turkey, or even for those seeking prestigious study opportunities in local universities. This is due to the diversity of educational institutions, ranging from government universities to private universities and higher education institutions. Naturally, the cost of studying in government institutions is lower for students compared to private universities, and Turkey is no exception.

For students aspiring to enroll in a private university, the annual tuition fees usually range from $5,000 to $20,000. However, the cost of studying in Turkey can be lower than this range in some renowned universities in Turkey, including İskenderun Technical University, while other universities like Sabancı University may exceed this range. Nevertheless, if you are determined to study in Turkey, you can consider renowned European and American universities that have branch campuses in the country.

Government universities in Turkey provide distinctive alternatives to high-tuition private universities. The cost of studying in Turkey for international students can range from $240 to $1,500 per academic year, such as the Middle East Technical University. Therefore, Turkey is an excellent choice for international students with limited or high budgets, as it is renowned for its low-cost, high-quality educational institutions, whether they are government or private universities.

2. English Language or Turkish Language?

Another aspect that contributes to determining the cost of studying in Turkey is the language of instruction. There is a clear difference in tuition fees between programs taught in English and those taught in Turkish. Turkish universities often teach their academic programs in both English and Turkish, which attracts a larger number of international students worldwide. However, it should be noted that the difference in tuition fees concerning language only applies to public institutions.

The expected annual tuition fees for international students who have sufficient knowledge of the Turkish language and wish to study their educational programs in Turkish at a government university range from $240 to $750. For those who prefer to study in English, the tuition fees range from $450 to $1,500. Nonetheless, in both cases, the cost is much lower than that of private universities in Turkey, and private and government universities, in general, regardless of the language, have much lower tuition fees compared to universities in other countries.

3. Bachelor’s Degree or Postgraduate Studies?

Another common factor that affects the cost of tuition fees and the overall cost of studying in Turkey for students is the level of degree they wish to pursue. Bachelor’s degree programs typically range from 4 to 6 years, while master’s degree programs are usually 2 years long, and doctoral programs can extend up to 3 years.

The undergraduate stage of education in Turkey, known as “listening” or bachelor’s degrees, is one of the most important phases in students’ lives in general. Therefore, universities in Turkey strive to offer a wide range of educational programs in various demanded fields in the job market, while providing suitable conditions for foreign students to enroll and facilitating university admission procedures.

Given the tuition costs that students need to pay to the university on a quarterly or annual basis during this stage, the cost of studying in Turkey for international students depends not only on the choice of university or language of instruction but also on the specific academic program and branch of study chosen by the student. Annual tuition fees can range from $200 to $5,000 for bachelor’s degree programs, and students aspiring to pursue postgraduate studies can expect to pay between $1,000 to $25,000 annually.

Registration Requirements in Turkish Universities:

• Payment of application fees.
• Health insurance covers the duration of the study.
• Proof of financial means to cover the student’s study and living expenses in Turkey throughout the study period.
• Proficiency in the language of instruction.
  • For English-taught programs, passing the TOEFL or IELTS exam with a score determined by the university is required.
  • For Turkish-taught programs, passing the TÖMER Turkish language exam or attending a preparatory year is required.

Required Documents:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photo.
• High school completion certificate.
• Bachelor’s degree certificate for postgraduate students.
• Translated academic transcript in English or Turkish.
• Student visa.
• Proof of application fee payment.
• Recommendation letters (for master’s and doctoral programs).

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Cheapest Turkish Universities in Terms of Cost

The question of tuition fees is one of the most important concerns for international students when deciding to study abroad, especially for Arab students in general and Egyptians in particular. Studying in Turkey is a common choice for Egyptians to continue their educational journey outside their country. The cost of studying in Turkey varies depending on the nature of the university. Turkish universities can be divided into public and private universities, or based on the city chosen by the student, such as Istanbul, Ankara, Topkapi, Cyprus, and many other Turkish cities known for their prestigious universities.

Cheapest Public Universities in Turkey

Turkey is distinguished by its strategic location between continents, which has facilitated its continuous development and keeping up with technology. This has also contributed to its academic progress and the presence of high-quality universities and educational institutions that attract international students from all over the world. Turkey has more than 200 universities, including 70 private universities that have been ranked among the best universities in the world. These universities offer their educational programs in both English and Turkish.

The cost of studying in Turkey within these public universities starts at USD 200 and can go up to $5,000 annually. Here are the most important universities:

1. Istanbul University
2. Ankara University
3. Marmara University
4. Istanbul Technical University
5. Middle East Technical University

Cheapest Private Universities in Turkey

Private universities in Turkey welcome foreign students, especially Arabs, in various disciplines and do not require additional certificates or high grades like public universities. The only requirement is to pass language tests or for the student to study a preparatory year in the language of instruction before starting their university studies.

The cost of studying in private universities in Turkey starts from $150 and can go up to $30,000 annually. However, among these private universities, some have been ranked among the best and the cheapest in terms of cost. Here are some of them:

1. Yeni Yuzyil University
2. Beykent University
3. Altinbas University
4. Uskudar University
5. Kadir Has University

In conclusion, in this article, we discussed the cheapest Turkish public and private universities, in addition to the factors that determine the cost of studying in Turkey, the admission requirements, and the required documents. We aim to assist you as an international student who wishes to obtain an academic degree from one of the prestigious international universities in choosing the right university for you in terms of cost. Now, you can contact the Safa team to obtain all the information and recommendations that will help you in the process of traveling and studying in Turkey.

Source: How Much Does it Cost to Study in Turkey