How to Study in Ankara for International Students

Search Courses:

Ankara, one of the beautiful cities in Turkey, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Ankara currently has 14 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 8 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Ankara you should definitely check out are Middle East Technical University, Hacettepe University, and Bilkent University.

Being able to study in Ankara as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Ankara, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Ankara

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Ankara, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 3,678 TRY to 274,000 TRY, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 3,096 TRY and 270,300 TRY.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Ankara

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Ankara, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Social Sciences University of Ankara 6,000 TRY 6,000 TRY - 9,000 TRY
Gazi University 3,678 TRY - 18,800 TRY
Hacettepe University 69,000 TRY - 153,000 TRY 3,096 TRY
Ankara University 20,000 TRY - 67,500 TRY 20,000 TRY - 67,500 TRY
Middle East Technical University 6,000 TRY - 10,000 TRY 5,000 TRY

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Ankara

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Cankaya University 110,900 TRY 67,500 TRY
Baskent University 126,000 TRY - 160,000 TRY 126,000 TRY - 160,000 TRY
Yuksek Ihtisas University 46,900 TRY 56,300 TRY
Turkish Aeronautical Association University 150,200 TRY
TOBB University of Economics and Technology 223,800 TRY
Atilim University 183,000 TRY 121,400 TRY - 160,600 TRY
Bilkent University 274,000 TRY 270,300 TRY

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Ankara, check out the Cheap Universities in Ankara!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Ankara for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Ankara, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Ankara, English and Turkish are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting TYS for Turkish.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Ankara and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Baskent University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Atilim University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Social Sciences University of Ankara

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Ankara

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Ankara have online applications available on their websites, like Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Ankara.

Middle East Technical University

Hacettepe University

Bilkent University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Ankara differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Ankara.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Ankara

If you’re going to study in Ankara, you will need to apply for a student visa in Turkey

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Turkey. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa.

To start your student visa application in Ankara, you will need to present the following:

  1. A valid passport
  2. Biometric photos adhering the Turkish foreign ministry's visa photo requirements
  3. A letter of acceptance from the academic institution
  4. Copies of all your diplomas, academic transcripts, and certificates
  5. Proof of Financial means including a letter of sponsorship, bank statements, and letters of scholarship (when applicable)
  6. Proof of flight booking and travel insurance
  7. Proof of payment of tuition fees
  8. Proof of accommodation

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Turkey is 2,542.20 Turkish Lira for Multiple Entry, 758.90 Turkish Lira for Single Entry.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Complete a visa form
  2. Collect a number of documents
  3. Attend your visa interview

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Ankara. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!