Study and Living in Turkey

Turkey provides a welcoming and friendly environment for pupils. The higher education institutions in Turkey conduct an orientation program prior to the commencement of the academic session. This program is for all the new students so that they know their university well. The campus, course and city are generally the topics of the orientation program. Read on to get detailed information about cost of studying and living in Turkey, student accommodation, travel, health and insurance in Turkey.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees vary depending on the university-state or private and study programme. Tuition fees for higher education degree programmes are determined by the government at the commencement of each academic year. The tuition fees for international pupils vary depending upon the study programme and study level. The private universities charge more fees as compared to the state universities in Turkey.  

For Undergraduate Degree Programmes (Annual tuition fees)

At State Universities

Language of instruction: English
  • For Turkish citizens: Such students can expect to pay from 150 USD to 500 USD
  • International students can expect to pay from USD 450 to 1500 USD
Language of instruction: Turkish
  • For Turkish citizens: Such students can expect to pay from 80 to 250 USD
  • International students: 240 to 750 USD

At Private or Foundation Universities

Students can expect to pay between 5.000 USD and 20.000 USD

For Graduate Degree Programmes

At State Universities

If the Language of instruction is English
  • Turkish students can expect to pay between 200 USD and 300 USD
  • International students can expect to pay between 600 USD and 900 USD 
If the Language of instruction is Turkish
  • Turkish students can expect to pay between 100USD and 200 USD
  • International students can expect to pay between 300 USD and 600 USD

At Private or Foundation Universities

Students can expect to pay between 5.000 USD and 20.000 USD

At state universities, students from the following countries are required to pay their tuition fee as Turkish citizens:
  • Students from Turkic republics
  • Students from countries, such as Karachay-Cherkessia, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Bashkortostan, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nakhchivan, Tajikistan, Dagestan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Moldova, and Tatarstan.

Living Expenses

Turkey provides value for money. The living expenses vary depending on your lifestyle, study programme, location and facilities. 

Students can expect to pay (estimated living expenses)-
International students can expect to spend about 400 USD to 500 USD per month on travel, accommodation, food, entertainment, telephone and internet, and clothing.

General costs per semester-
  • Accommodation: 1,500 - 2,000 USD (inclusive of room deposit)
  • Transportation  : 300 USD
  • Food : 1,100 USD
  • Books & Stationery: 150 USD
Transportation costs for students
  • Taxi from Taksim to Besiktas: 8 TL
  • Bus ticket: 1.5 TL
  • Minibus ticket from Taksim to Kadikoy : 5 TL

Student Accommodation

Almost all the higher education institutions in Turkey provide accommodation facilities to students. Student dormitories, state-owned dorms, rented flats/apartments and youth hostels are available for students in Turkey.

Dormitories: In Turkey, there is campus as well as state dormitories for students. All the necessary facilities are provided to students in these dorms. The university dormitories are managed by the university management office. Students must contact the respective university’s management office to know about the procedure and rules of the dormitories. Dormitories are differentiated by gender. There are single, double and quadruple rooms available for students. The undergraduate and graduate students are given access to the university dormitories. Students can expect to pay between 30 USD and 300 USD per month, though this may vary.

Off-campus accommodation: Students can rent a flat or apartment. The price of this type of student housing varies depending on the location, size and amenities. Students can share the flat to keep the costs down. Students can expect to pay between 200 USD and 500 USD per month.

Hostels: In Turkey, hostels are easily available, and most of them are independently owned. Most of the hostels in Turkey provide private rooms that are for single, doubles or triples. 

Working While Studying

International students are not allowed to work while studying in both public and private offices. Though, the public and private universities in Turkey hire research assistants.

Working After Studying

International students who wish to do a job in Turkey must have a work permit. They must return to their country and apply for the permit before entering Turkey. Working permit is given by the Ministry of Labour (www.csgb.gov.tr). Initially, the permit is issued for a period of 1 year, though it can be extended for 3 years, and then 6 years.

Health and Insurance

The healthcare system of Turkey is well-established. All the hospitals in Turkey have emergency room.  The doctors speak English as well. The higher education institutions in Turkey provide free medical services at their medical centres. 

International students must possess a valid health insurance policy. International pupils have to bear the hospitalization costs or any other medical service costs that are not available at university health centres. 

Students who possess a Turkish residence permit of more than 6 months are automatically registered at the Turkish Social Security Institution through the centralized system. 

The Turkish government at the national level wants all the international pupils to obtain a local health insurance policy with the Turkish Social Security Institution (SGK). This health insurance policy will allow them to get the benefits associated with policy while in Turkey.  Students must make the monthly payments for the health insurance themselves. The insurance is valid till the end of the academic year. To activate the medical insurance policy, pupils must visit the local health authority with the following documents: 
  • Resident permit
  • Student Identity card
  • A valid passport
With this insurance, the costs of medicines prescribed by doctor are reduced to 20% of the total amount. 

Note: The prices mentioned here are indicative in nature. Exact cost will vary depending on programme type / level, choice of lifestyle etc.
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