Studying in Istanbul Turkey
Are you considering studying in Istanbul Turkey? In this article, I will show the best universities in Turkey, how much they cost, and when it makes sense to study as a foreigner in Turkey.
All information in this article and more is also included in my YouTube video:
Overview studying in Istanbul Turkey
Turkey is a popular destination for international students. Each year, there are almost 350.000 international students in Turkey. In this article, I will cover the following topics:
- Exchange students in Istanbul
- University locations in Istanbul
- Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Istanbul / Turkey
- Universities in Istanbul
- Tuition fees for universities in Istanbul
1) Exchange students in Istanbul
Let’s start with exchange students who plan to study in Istanbul for up to one year. If you are coming for one or two semesters, your focus will be more on the cultural experience. And less on academics. You’ll spend most of your time with other international students. There are plenty of WhatsApp groups to connect.
Beşiktaş center is the most popular area where students love to hang out in Istanbul.
I can recommend an exchange semester in Istanbul for students from all countries.
2) University locations in Istanbul
Now, let’s talk about university locations. If your university is in one of these central districts (see picture), it will be much easier to enjoy life in Istanbul.
One of the biggest challenges for exchange students is finding affordable accommodation. A furnished one-bedroom apartment in these green highlighted districts costs between 500 and 1.000 US Dollars per month.
3) Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Istanbul / Turkey
Now, let’s talk about studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Turkey. I believe obtaining a full degree in Turkey makes sense if one of these two conditions are met:
First, the academic level in Turkey is higher than in your home country. This applies to students from some countries in Central Asia, Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East.
Secondly, if you plan to work or do business in Turkey after graduation.
However, be cautious about job opportunities. Check out my two articles on working and doing business in Turkey as a foreigner.
4) Universities in Istanbul
Now, let’s take a look at the best universities in Istanbul. I will focus on universities listed in the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking. The top 4 universities in Istanbul are:
- Boğaziçi university
- Istanbul Technical university
- Sabancı University
- Koç University
Boğaziçi university has a beautiful campus overlooking the Bosphorus. For many Turks, Boğaziçi is the most prestigious university in Turkey. But admission to Boğaziçi is highly competitive.
These four universities along Middle East Technical University and Bilkent University in Ankara are often called Turkey’s top 6 universities.
If you consider studying in Turkey, it’s not necessary to study in Istanbul. Depending on your situation, Ankara or other cities might be a better choice.
The remaining public universities in the Times Higher Education ranking are marked blue. And the remaining private ones red. (see picture)
5) Tuition fees for universities in Istanbul
Now, lets look at tuition fees for international students. I will list full prices here.
But keep in mind, you can apply for scholarships which cover tuition fees partially or fully. One of the best scholarships is Türkiye bursları, which covers full tuition, accommodation, health insurance and a monthly stipend.
But keep in mind, you can apply for scholarships which cover tuition fees partially or fully.
One of the best scholarships is Türkiye bursları, which covers full tuition, accommodation, health insurance and a monthly stipend.
There is a huge difference in tuition fees between public and private universities. Let’s start with public universities. At Boğaziçi and ITÜ, tuition fees are up to 2.500 dollars per year.
The most expensive universities in Turkey are Sabancı and Koç. Both universities have American-style campuses, but are located far from the city center. They cost both around 25.000 dollars per year. Also note, there are many children from wealthy Turkish families attending these two universities.
Here, you find tuition fees for some other universities in Istanbul. These fees apply to Bachelor’s and Master’s programs except for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. These subjects are often more expensive.
You can explore other articles about Istanbul by clicking on one of the following categories: