With its location between Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, the Republic of Türkiye, also known as Turkey, has an exciting culture and history shaped by both regions. This country has a large and diverse population, making it popular not only for travel but also for study.
The Council of Higher Education lists 208 universities in Türkiye, and Study in Türkiye lists nearly 45,000 degree programs across different fields and levels. Many universities in the country offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for international students.
If you want to study abroad, you may want to consider Türkiye because of its wide range of degree programs and scholarship options. You can also enjoy living in a multicultural environment while experiencing the country’s long history. The scholarships below may help fund your studies, but benefits and eligibility can change, so always check the official scholarship page before applying.
Top Scholarships in Turkey for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Türkiye Scholarships | Government of Türkiye | Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | University and program placement, tuition, accommodation, health insurance, Turkish language course, one-time flight ticket, and monthly stipend |
| Sabancı University – Undergraduate Scholarship | Sabancı University | Bachelor’s | 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 75% tuition waiver; accommodation scholarship may be available |
| Bilkent University – Scholarship for International Students | Bilkent University | Bachelor’s; graduate aid varies by program | 20% to 100% undergraduate tuition waiver in 20% increments; limited accommodation support for top full-waiver students |
| Koç University Scholarship | Koç University | Bachelor’s | 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% merit-based tuition waiver; Medicine is excluded |
| METU Development Foundation Scholarships | Middle East Technical University | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition discounts or exemptions; meal, dormitory, and cash aid may be available |
| YTB–Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Joint Scholarship Program | Government of Türkiye (YTB) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) | Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Full tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation support, health insurance, Turkish language course, and round-trip airfare |
| Özyeğin University Admission Scholarships | Özyeğin University | Bachelor’s | Merit-based tuition fee reductions; illustrative scholarship rates include 40%, 50%, and 60%. Professional Flight program excluded |
1. Türkiye Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: University and program placement, tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish language course, a one-off flight ticket, and a monthly stipend of 4,500 TL for undergraduate students, 6,500 TL for master’s students, and 9,000 TL for Ph.D. students
- Eligible Degree/s: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
The government of Türkiye funds Türkiye Scholarships, one of the most comprehensive scholarships in Turkey for international students. The scholarship supports international students financially while also helping build academic and cultural connections between Türkiye and other countries.
Türkiye Scholarships are competitive because they select outstanding international students. Applicants apply online through the official scholarship system and submit the required documents, which may include a valid passport or ID, previous academic records, and international examination results such as SAT or GRE scores, depending on the program. Some programs may also ask for proof of English language proficiency.
The selection process may include document review and an interview. Applicants should always check the current application calendar and eligibility rules on the official Türkiye Scholarships website before applying.
A recipient’s path: In her Türkiye Bursları scholarship journey, Yasmin from Kazakhstan explains how she secured the Turkish Government Scholarship to study architecture at Istanbul Technical University. She prepared by researching Turkish architecture and her preferred universities, strengthening her motivation letter, and bringing two large A3 portfolios to an interview that lasted 12–14 minutes as the committee examined her drawings. She was placed at her first-choice university from 12 selections and credits her extracurricular achievements, portfolio, and interview preparation for helping her stand out. View More Turkish Government Scholarship recipients →
2. Sabanci University – Undergraduate Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 75% tuition waiver; accommodation scholarship may be available
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Sabancı University in Istanbul, Türkiye, offers scholarships to incoming international undergraduate students. Scholarship awards are based on the applicant’s academic background and other supporting documents submitted during admission.
All international undergraduate applicants who meet the application requirements are automatically considered for scholarship awards. The university may review academic records, reference letters, exam results, transcripts, interview results, prizes, and other achievement documents. Because competition is high, students should submit a complete application as early as possible.
Scholarships are valid for the regular education period of the admitted undergraduate program. Applicants should check the official scholarship page for the current tuition waiver rates and accommodation scholarship rules.
3. Bilkent University – Scholarship for International Students
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 20% to 100% undergraduate tuition waiver in 20% increments; limited accommodation scholarship for top full-waiver students
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s; graduate aid varies by program
Bilkent University offers tuition waiver scholarships to qualified international undergraduate students. Awards range from 20% to 100% in 20% increments, and a limited number of top students with full tuition waivers may also receive accommodation support.
Undergraduate scholarship evaluation is based on high school grades, national and international exam results, program choices, and other academic criteria. The undergraduate scholarship can cover up to four semesters in the English preparatory program and up to ten semesters in a four-year undergraduate program.
Recipients must meet the university’s academic and conduct rules. The official scholarship page states that students must maintain an annual GPA of at least 2.00, while those with accommodation scholarships must maintain an annual GPA of at least 2.50. Poor attendance, disciplinary action, or failure to meet academic requirements may lead to scholarship reduction or cancellation.
4. KOC University Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% merit-based tuition waiver; Medicine is excluded
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Undergraduate international students at Koç University may receive merit-based tuition scholarships of 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%. The university states that there are no scholarships for the School of Medicine.
Scholarship decisions are based on academic merit and are made during the admissions review process. Recipients must follow the academic and disciplinary rules of the university to keep their scholarship.
5. Middle East Technical University – METU Development Foundation Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Tuition discounts or exemptions; meal, dormitory, and cash aid may be available
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
International students at Middle East Technical University (METU) may be evaluated for tuition discounts or exemptions based on academic success. The university states that students do not submit a separate application for tuition discounts or exemptions because evaluations are made annually.
Students with financial need may also apply for support funded by the METU Development Foundation. These benefits may include meal scholarships, dormitory scholarships, or cash aid. Applicants usually need to submit a signed petition explaining their financial situation and provide supporting documents showing financial hardship.
METU notes that applications are generally accepted in September to October and February to March, except for urgent cases. Students should check the official International Students Office page for the current deadlines and required documents.
6. YTB–Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Joint Scholarship Program (Türkiye Scholarships)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation support, health insurance, Turkish language course, and round-trip airfare
- Eligible Degree/s: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
The YTB–Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Joint Scholarship Program is a fully funded scholarship initiative jointly supported by Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). It supports academically qualified international students from eligible IsDB member countries and Muslim communities pursuing higher education at universities in Türkiye. The program emphasizes fields of study that contribute to sustainable development and socioeconomic progress.
The scholarship provides comprehensive financial assistance covering educational and living expenses, including tuition, accommodation support, medical insurance, and travel costs. Applicants must meet the program’s academic, nationality, and field-of-study requirements. Applications are submitted through the Türkiye Scholarships online application system, where candidates must indicate their interest in the joint scholarship program. Students can also explore other scholarships in Türkiye to compare available funding opportunities.
7. Özyeğin University Admission Scholarships (Özyeğin University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Tuition fee reductions based on academic merit; official 2026–2027 examples include 40%, 50%, and 60% scholarships
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Özyeğin University, a private foundation university in Istanbul, Türkiye, offers admission scholarships to qualified international students pursuing undergraduate degrees. These scholarships help reduce tuition costs across eligible programs in engineering, business, architecture, social sciences, and other fields. Students exploring the best universities in Turkey for international students can consider Özyeğin University’s merit-based funding opportunities.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the university lists a standard annual tuition fee of $25,000 for most undergraduate programs, with illustrative scholarship rates of 40%, 50%, and 60%, reducing annual tuition to $15,000, $12,500, and $10,000, respectively. Scholarships are awarded through a comparative evaluation of academic achievement, academic and social background, motivation letters, and available program quotas.
All applicants are automatically considered without submitting a separate scholarship application. Scholarships do not apply to the Professional Flight program, and applicants should review their individual admission offers for the exact award and applicable conditions.
With the scholarships and financial aid options mentioned above, studying in Türkiye can be more affordable for qualified international students. Review your qualifications, compare them with each scholarship’s current rules, and begin your application through the official scholarship or university page.
We hope this article on scholarships in Turkey for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
