Life in Turkey for international students
Having trouble deciding between Asian and European appeal? You’re not required to! Due to the social and cultural diversity, Turkey truly offers the best of both worlds, enhancing the experience of any international student.
Foreign students choosing to study in Turkey is not unusual. The overall tuition and living expenses are quite reasonable, and several colleges are ranked by international academic rankings. How affordable, though?
1. University tuition fees in Turkey
Tuition fees at public universities
Public universities in Turkey are quite economical, especially when compared to counterparts in Europe or the US. Typically, the cost for international students is between 100 and 4,000 EUR every academic year. Some fields, like engineering or medicine, can be more expensive.
Tuition fees at private universities
Private Turkish universities are more expensive than public ones, which should come as no surprise. Although there are still some academic programmes with affordable tuition, other degrees cost more than 20,000 EUR annually.
International students from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area may be eligible for discounted tuition rates in Turkish public or private universities, depending on the institution (EEA). This is why the simplest approach to find out how much you need to pay is to check the official university website.
Most affordable universities in Turkey
- Middle East Technical University (METU) – Bachelors start at 236 EUR/year
- Abdullah Gül University (AGU) – Bachelors start at 439 EUR/year
- Bogazici University – Bachelors start at 1,018 EUR/year
- Koç University – Masters start at 0 EUR/year
- Istanbul Okan University – Masters start at 1,140 EUR/year
These are only a few examples. You can find other affordable universities if you contact our representatives at FES.
2. Student living costs in Turkey
You may live comfortably in Turkey as an international student on a monthly budget of 400–650 EUR. When compared to other study abroad locations around the world, this is significantly more affordable. Depending on your way of life and your spending patterns, your typical monthly expenses may increase or decrease.
3. Student accommodation costs
When you are a student in Turkey, you have many housing alternatives. While others provide greater comfort and convenience, some are more reasonably priced. The final decision over which one best meets your needs rests with you.
The following are the most popular accommodation options for students in Turkey:
- university dormitories: costs vary depending on the university and facilities
- state dormitories: 24–38 EUR per month
- private dormitories: come with much better facilities but also higher costs
- renting a flat: 68–283 EUR/month depending on the location and size of the apartment
4. Food costs in Turkey
The university cafeteria, which offers two or three extremely reasonable meals each day, is available to students. These lunches go between 0.30 and 1.15 EUR. If you wish to taste various foods, there are additional eateries such cafes, canteens, and restaurants close to the campus.
Your lifestyle has a significant impact on your monthly food and grocery expenditure. If you frequently eat out or buy takeout, your expenses will increase significantly. The converse is true if you like to cook and keep an eye out for grocery store sales.
Below are average prices of few products in Turkey:
- 1 loaf of bread: 0.30 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 0.58 EUR
- 12 eggs: 1.23 EUR
- 1 kg of white cheese: 4.48 EUR
- 1 kg of apples: 0.65 EUR
- 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 2.50 EUR
- 1 kebab menu: 2.85–3.40 EUR
Other living costs in Turkey.
5. Transportation costs
Around 27 EUR is the cost of a monthly transit pass (bus, metro). Students who must commute every day or who just like to explore the neighbourhood and get to know the city well will find this useful.
- University scholarships and grants
International students studying in Turkey have access to a variety of grants and scholarships. Several organisations, including the government, universities, and international organisations, provide these types of financial assistance.
Each scholarship has a varied set of requirements for applicants, and the amount awarded varies as well. The Türkiye Scholarships are a good place to start, but don’t stop there—there are lots of other scholarships offered in Turkey. For additional information, get in touch with our knowledgeable staff of counsellors at FES.