Studying in Turkey
You usually need a student visa for entering and studying in any country and Turkey is no exception to this. In order to study in Turkey, you need to get a student visa in this country. But first you have to choose your desired field of study and university or educational institution and then get admitted to your desired university, after that you can apply for a student visa in Turkey.
You can apply to a university in Turkey after finishing school. Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees are available in Turkey.
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Education for students under the age of 18 in Turkey
It is possible for children to study in Turkey in Pre-Primary, primary and secondary schools. Preschool (Pre-Primary education) is an optional education in Turkey for children up to the age of six. The primary education is compulsory and lasts 8 years. Secondary education is compulsory and covers general, vocational and technical high schools and it’s for students up to the age of 18.
Primary and secondary education in public schools is free for all Turkish and foreign students (international students). The language of study in schools is Turkish, but students must also learn a foreign language. Some private schools in Turkey also offer bilingual education. Foreign students who intend to study in Turkish schools must take an exam to determine their level of competency.
The international schools in Turkey can be the best option for foreign students. Istanbul International School in Istanbul and MEF International School in Izmir are among the Turkish schools that are a good option for the education of children under 18 in Turkey. Istanbul International School costs between $ 9,450 to $ 27,525 a year and MEF International School also costs between $ 6,000 to $ 22,000 a year.
Studying for a bachelor’s degree in Turkey
If you are planning to study in Turkey for a bachelor’s degree, in order to get a student visa in Turkey you must first choose your field of study and the university in which you want to study and then get admission from in that university. Turkish universities are renowned for art, science and architecture and these fields are very popular among students. The most popular bachelor programs/courses in Turkey are teacher training, business, international relations, biochemistry, medical engineering, architecture and journalism. You can get admitted to Turkish universities based on your grade point average in high school or based on the result of the university entrance exam. Each university may have specific entry requirements. If the courses are taught in English, you are required to have an IELTS language certificate with a minimum score of 5 to 6.5.
Studying for a master’s degree in Turkey
As mentioned earlier, if you want to study at a Turkish university, in order to get a student visa in Turkey you must first choose your field of study and the university in which you want to study and then get admission in that university. Turkish universities also offer a variety of programs/courses to international students at the postgraduate level. The Turkish government establishes a fixed number of places for foreign students for each program, and you can check the capacity of universities to estimate your chances of being accepted. You almost can study for a master’s degree at Turkish universities in any fields of study you want, but the most popular ones are Masters in architecture, business, management, international relations and engineering.
Studying for a PhD degree in Turkey
Doctoral studies in Turkey usually last for 4 years. In order to get admitted to a Turkish university to study for a PhD degree you must prepare a research proposal and correspond with university professors. The university and the committee of supervisors will review your proposal and if it is approved, a supervisor will be selected for you and you will get admitted to the university. At some universities you may need to take an entrance exam. You can apply for a student visa in Turkey by having the university admission letter.
Scholarships in Turkey
The Turkish government has provided government scholarships for international students in order to encourage international students to study at Turkish universities. Scholarships in Turkey provide a good opportunity to study at Turkish universities. Currently, scholarships are awarded only to international bachelor, master and PhD students. Scholarships in Turkey usually include tuition fees, accommodation casts, insurance and traveling costs. To get this scholarship, you must be fluent in Turkish and, if necessary, take a Turkish language course. Students can apply for this scholarship based on their academic records (educational background). The most important factor for getting this scholarship is your average scores/grades in your previous degrees/diplomas and your average score in the university entrance exam.
Cost of studying and living in Turkey for international students
Before applying for university admission in Turkey and before getting a student visa, it is necessary to know about the cost of studying and living in Turkey. Bachelors in English costs between $ 450 to $ 1,500 per academic year, while a master’s degree in English costs between $ 600 to $ 900 a year. The monthly living expenses will be between $ 350 to $ 500, and books will cost between $ 100 to $ 150 per semester.
Turkish universities
Turkey has 104 state and 62 private universities, all of which provide education in all academic degree levels (bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree). There are two universities in Turkey that are ranked below 400 in the world rankings. Here is a list of some of the Turkish universities in which the language of study is English:
- Istanbul Aydin University
- TED University
- Bilkent University
- Koc University
- Istanbul Sehir University
Turkish student visa and its types
In order to study in Turkey, you need to get a student visa in Turkey. Depending on the course of study you choose, different types of visas are offered by the Turkish Embassy. The types of Turkish student visas are as follows:
- Internship Visa
- Internship ERASMUS
- Internship AISEC
- Turkish Language Course Purpose
- Course Purpose
- Education Purpose
- Education in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
After getting admitted to a university and after getting an admission letter, go to the Turkish embassy and submit your application along with admission letter and other documents and apply for a student visa. Since visa issuance may take one to two months, plan this properly and based on the start date of the semester.
Student residence permit in Turkey
By getting a student visa you can enter Turkey to study in this country. All foreign students who intend to stay in Turkey for more than 3 months must apply for a residence permit in Turkey. You must apply for a residence permit after arriving in Turkey and within ten days of arrival in Turkey.
If it is the first time you are applying for a residence permit in Turkey as a student, after submitting your application you have 30 days to complete the required documents. The required documents for getting a student residence permit for the first time are as follows:
- The original passport and a copy of it
- 4 photos
- Evidence of sufficient financial means to support your study and living in Turkey
- Valid health insurance
- Student letter
- Paying for taxes which covers the costs related to the residence permit
- For students under the age of 18, there are two other documents that are also required and these documents must be stamped by the embassy:
Parental consent
Birth certificate
The required documents for getting a student visa in Turkey
All foreign students must get a student visa in order to be able to study in Turkey. The process of getting a Turkish student visa is simple and clear; Submit the university admission letter along with the visa application form to the Turkish Embassy. Usually the result of your application will be announced after two months. Generally, the required documents for getting a student visa are:
- Admission letter from the educational institution
- In accordance with the article 7.1b of “the Law on Foreigners and International Protection” no.6458, foreigners wishing to enter Turkey should carry a travel document (passport) with an expiration date at least 60 days beyond the “duration of stay” of their visa, e-Visa, visa exemption, or residence permit.
- Visa application form
- Passport photo
- Proof of financial means
- Pay the visa application fee
In order to get a student visa in Turkey, it is necessary to apply for a Turkish student visa at least two months before you intend to enter Turkey because the visa issuance process may last longer. If the visa application is rejected by the embassy, the amount of money you paid in order for your application to be to reviewed by the embassy will not be refunded. All applicants must have valid health insurance for the duration of their stay in Turkey.
Financial means for getting a student visa in Turkey
One of the most important and influential factors for getting a student visa in Turkey is proving you have the sufficient financial means. In order for a student visa to be issued and in order for you to get a residence permit in Turkey you are required to have sufficient financial means for the first academic year. It means that the applicant can pay for his/her living expenses and tuition fees in Turkey and the Turkish government has no responsibility for the applicant in this regard. A financial means includes a bank statement showing that you have enough money to sustain yourself here in Turkey, or a letter of commitment from parents or documents showing you got a scholarship. The financial means must cover university tuition fees for one year plus the cost of living in Turkey for one year, which will vary depending on the type of university in which the applicant is going to study. Naturally, tuition fee in private and English-speaking universities in Turkey is higher therefore the amount of financial means increases.
Family reunification in Turkey
One of the most important and influential factors for getting a student visa in Turkey is proving you have the sufficient financial means. In order for a student visa to be issued and in order for you to get a residence permit in Turkey you are required to have sufficient financial means for the first academic year. It means that the applicant can pay for his/her living expenses and tuition fees in Turkey and the Turkish government has no responsibility for the applicant in this regard. A financial means includes a bank statement showing that you have enough money to sustain yourself here in Turkey, or a letter of commitment from parents or documents showing you got a scholarship. The financial means must cover university tuition fees for one year plus the cost of living in Turkey for one year, which will vary depending on the type of university in which the applicant is going to study. Naturally, tuition fee in private and English-speaking universities in Turkey is higher therefore the amount of financial means increases.
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