In today’s era, where knowledge and education play a crucial role, studying at top universities in Turkey has become highly significant. This country, which has made growth and progress in the global economy a top priority, has focused on higher education as a key to further development. In recent years, Turkey has managed to establish itself among the most prominent countries, both in terms of tourism and opportunities for work and study. Immigration to Turkey offers various pathways, and one of these methods is immigration to Turkey through education.
Studying in Turkey 2024
“Why choose Turkey for educational immigration?”

Today, Turkey has made remarkable progress in all aspects. This modern country, by implementing Canadian and American educational systems in its academic centers and admitting students through credible exams such as the SAT and GRE for international students, has become the most attractive educational hub for foreign applicants. Among them, Iranian students have shown more interest in studying in Turkey than other international students
Easy access from Iran to Turkey, the lack of a travel visa requirement, and a similar culture and customs to Iranians are factors that have led to a significant increase in the number of Iranians residing in Turkey. Accordingly, Iranians can travel and visit Turkey for up to 3 months without needing a visa. However, studying in Turkey, which takes a longer period, requires applicants to obtain a Turkish residence permit (for one year)
Thus, each Iranian applicant, without any obstacles related to a student visa, will be able to study at all educational levels, including schools, universities, and more, in Turkey. However, it should not be forgotten that, before anything else, understanding the Turkish education system is essential for studying in Turkey. Educational institutions in this country begin their academic activities every year in mid-September or early October, and ultimately finish their academic programs in May or June.
“Education in Turkish schools”
In Turkey, public schools provide free education at the elementary and secondary levels (middle school and high school) for all interested students without any cost. In the Turkish education system, 12 years of schooling are mandatory. Therefore, students must begin their education at the age of 6, and it is compulsory for them to complete their 12 years of schooling in order to be eligible for university registration in Turkey.
- Kindergarten or Preschool level: Children between the ages of 3 to 5, who are not yet eligible to attend schools, can voluntarily register in public or private kindergartens or preschools to receive preliminary education.
- Primary Education: For children, starting at the age of 6, it is mandatory to complete 5 years of education in primary schools in Turkey.
- Lower Secondary Education: After completing primary school, students are required to attend a 3-year lower secondary education program.
- Upper Secondary Education: Finally, students aged 15 to 18 attend a 4-year upper secondary education program (high school).
**Education Costs in Turkey (Schools)**
Education in public schools in Turkey is completely free. However, since the primary language of instruction in these schools is Turkish, with English being taught as a second language starting from the fourth grade, migrant students often choose to study in international schools in Turkey. Studying in international schools, where the main language of instruction is English and Turkish is taught as a second language, requires the payment of tuition fees. These fees vary depending on the city and the location of the schools.
**Private Universities in Turkey**

**The tuition fees for private universities in Turkey in Iranian Toman, based on the level of study and the language of instruction, are as follows:**
**It is worth mentioning that the fees are calculated on an annual basis and may vary between universities.**
Degree Level | Language of the Course | Tuition Fee (USD) |
Bachelor’s | English | 1500 – 4500 (75 million IRR – 225 million IRR) |
Bachelor’s | Turkish | 1000 – 2000 (50 million IRR – 100 million IRR) |
Master’s | English | 2000 – 3000 (100 million IRR – 150 million IRR) |
Master’s | Turkish | 1500 – 3000 (75 million IRR – 150 million IRR) |
* The dollar rate is calculated as an average of 50 thousand tomans.
Public Universities in Turkey

In Turkey, studying at public universities also requires annual tuition payments. However, these fees are significantly lower compared to private universities. Additionally, to gain admission to public universities, you must successfully pass the YÖS exam. Various websites provide information on the structure and sample questions for the YÖS exam.
Scholarships are also available in Turkey, and students can benefit from them. For more information on how to obtain scholarships in Turkey, you can read various articles that provide detailed guidance.
In general, the approximate costs in Turkish public universities are according to the following table:
degree | Language of education | cost |
bachelor | turkish | 300 to 800 dollars per year (15 million to 40 million tomans) |
english | 500 to 1800 dollars per year (25 million to 80 million tomans) | |
Master’s degree | turkish | 300 to 600 dollars per year (between 15 million and 30 million tomans) |
english | 300 to 600 dollars per year (between 15 million and 30 million tomans) | |
Ph.D | english | 500 to 800 dollars per year (between 25 million and 40 million tomans) |
It is worth noting that the costs may vary depending on the university and the field of study.
* The dollar rate is calculated as an average of 50 thousand tomans.
The cost of student life in Turkey in Turkish Lira.
The cost of student life in Turkey is of great importance, generally ranging between 350 to 500 USD per month. Additionally, students are required to pay approximately 100 to 150 USD per semester for books and university administrative fees. Furthermore, the annual cost of student health insurance is between 40 to 50 USD.
* Due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the dollar and the lira, the costs are listed in dollars.
Bachelor’s degree
The topic that international students think about the most is studying abroad in Turkey at the university level. These days, as students face the challenge of entering the job market after their studies, choosing a country with excellent universities and a suitable job market has become a key consideration.
Applicants who have successfully completed high school with high grades and have passed the entrance exams for Turkish universities, as well as obtained an IELTS score between 5 and 6.5, are prioritized for acceptance for study in Turkey.
However, the conditions for studying in Turkey at the bachelor’s level may vary slightly across different universities.
Master’s Degree
Typically, students complete their master’s degree in a two-year period. Having an IELTS score between 6 and 6.5 is considered one of the main requirements for studying in Turkey.
The remaining requirements for a master’s degree in Turkish universities are very similar across institutions. However, depending on the program and type of university, these requirements may vary. Therefore, it is recommended that students thoroughly research the specific requirements of the universities before migrating to Turkey. Some universities, in addition to receiving necessary documents and credentials, may require an in-person interview as part of their registration process.
Doctorate studies
The duration of doctoral studies in Turkey usually ranges from 3 to 4 years, although in some cases it may be shorter or longer. In Turkish academic institutions, doctoral students, in addition to required courses, can support themselves financially through independent research projects. The conditions for doctoral studies in Turkey vary between universities and programs. However, a score between 6 and 7.5 in the IELTS exam is a mandatory requirement for doctoral student admission.
Note: The IELTS language certificate is one of the mandatory requirements for admission to academic programs in Turkey. However, it should not become a concern for students. While having this certificate has a positive and significant impact on the immigration process and student acceptance by Turkish universities, foreign students can still pursue their studies in Turkish universities and colleges by completing courses in the Turkish language (Turkish as a foreign language), even without the IELTS certificate.
Degree Level | Language of the Course | Tuition Fee (USD) |
Bachelor’s | English | 1500 – 4500 (75 million IRR – 225 million IRR) |
Bachelor’s | Turkish | 1000 – 2000 (50 million IRR – 100 million IRR) |
Master’s | English | 2000 – 3000 (100 million IRR – 150 million IRR) |
Master’s | Turkish | 1500 – 3000 (75 million IRR – 150 million IRR) |
* The dollar rate is calculated as an average of 50 thousand tomans.
Turkish universities
When you decide to leave your country with the goal of studying abroad in Turkey, the first step is choosing a university and educational institutions. Currently, there are over 200 educational institutions across Turkey. Most of these centers are under the supervision of Turkey’s Higher Education Council, operating as public and private universities, and they provide education to students while maintaining international educational standards.
The best universities in Türkiye
Global ranking | University name |
---|---|
۳۰۱-۳۵۰ | coch University |
۳۵۱-۴۰۰ | Sabancı Üniversitesi |
۴۷۱-۴۸۰ | Bogazici Üniversitesi |
۴۷۱-۴۸۰ | Middle East Technical University |
۴۰۱-۵۰۰ | Bilkent University |
۴۰۱-۵۰۰ | Istanbul University |
۶۵۱-۷۰۰ | Istanbul Technical University |
۴۵۱-۵۰۰ | Atılım University |
How to study immigration to Türkiye
To obtain a student visa for Turkey and immigrate to this country, an invitation letter and acceptance letter from Turkish educational institutions are required.
You must have it in hand before taking any action.
In the visa application process, this information shows that the international student has received an initial acceptance from an institution.
has received educational acceptance and requires a student visa.
by submitting the application and required documents, the eligibility conditions will be reviewed and the student visa will be granted.
Students are ready to fly and migrate.
Student cities in Turkey
Turkey ranks second in the list of countries with access to higher education, with an enrollment rate of 94.2%. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, has a history spanning thousands of years, but today it is flourishing as a global city with a constantly expanding horizon. Eight years after this country was named the cultural capital of Europe, the city became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world; its cultural heritage has attracted the attention of many tourists and people worldwide. Istanbul Technical University and Bogaziçi University are ranked 8th and 10th, respectively, in the EECA rankings, while Koç University is ranked 12th and Sabancı University is ranked 11th in the same ranking.
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the second-largest city in the country after Istanbul. It is the commercial and political center of Turkey, with a large student population and a significant number of international diplomats. The most popular tourist attractions in Turkey located in this city, in addition to its beautiful beaches, include Ankara Castle, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
The top-ranking universities in Ankara are Middle East Technical University (METU) and Bilkent University, which are ranked 8th and 14th globally, respectively. Another university located in the higher elevations of Ankara is Hacettepe University, ranked 33rd in the EECA rankings. Other universities in Ankara include Ankara University (ranked 63rd), Gazi University, and the University of Economics and Technology.

Advantages of studying in Türkiye
Studying abroad undoubtedly comes with both advantages and disadvantages, which vary depending on the individual’s circumstances. Turkey, as a migrant-friendly country with universities that are highly ranked globally, has become a popular destination for Iranian students. Studying in Turkey offers an opportunity for relatively affordable education with a good standard of quality, along with scholarships and monthly stipends that cover university expenses.
These stipends can include accommodation, health insurance, and travel costs. Students who study medicine in Turkey can work in Iran after graduation, as degrees from Turkish universities are recognized by Iran’s Ministry of Health. Some of the advantages of studying in Turkey include:
Opportunities for high-quality higher education: Turkish universities, both public and private, have global recognition and offer a high level of education.
- High diversity of universities and fields of study
- Cultural similarities between Iran and Turkey
- Many Turkish universities are approved by Iran’s Ministry of Health
- Having a student exchange system
- Low cost of living and education
- Modern and advanced information technology
- Easy living conditions
- The possibility of using scholarships
- Being close to Iran
Considering that Turkey offers more favorable conditions for Iranian students compared to European countries, it is a safe and convenient option for studying abroad.
Disadvantages of studying in Türkiye
Despite the many advantages of studying in Turkey, there are some disadvantages that may be significant for some individuals. One of these drawbacks is the need to learn Turkish, as in most public universities, courses are taught in Turkish, and students are required to attend language courses for one year before being able to enter university with proof of Turkish language proficiency.
This means they lose a year of study. Universities in Turkey that offer courses in English are private institutions, and the annual tuition fees of these universities are several times higher than those of public universities. Additionally, the local population speaks Turkish, and for individuals who do not know the language, daily interactions can become challenging.
Another disadvantage of studying in Turkey is the lack of permission for students to work while studying. This means that individuals cannot engage in student jobs during their time in the country. Additionally, due to the increasing number of international students, some universities face dormitory shortages, forcing students to rent their own accommodation. Unfortunately, the cost of renting a home in cities like Istanbul can be quite high, which is another potential issue for individuals planning to study in Turkey.
The legal experts and immigration attorneys at 4kgroup, with their legal and immigration knowledge as well as valuable years of experience, are proud to provide top-notch advisory services through immigration lawyers in Turkey to their esteemed compatriots.