How to Study in Istanbul for International Students

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Istanbul, 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, Istanbul currently has 51 universities, from which 10 universities are a part of the public sector and 41 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 Istanbul you should definitely check out are Istanbul Technical University, Koc University, and Bogazici University.

Being able to study in Istanbul 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 Istanbul, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Istanbul

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Istanbul, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 2,090 TRY to 784,200 TRY, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 0 TRY and 688,200 TRY.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Istanbul

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

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
University of Health Sciences 2,232 TRY - 9,143 TRY
Istanbul Medeniyet University 2,453 TRY - 4,597 TRY 1,200 TRY
Yildiz Technical University 2,090 TRY - 4,183 TRY 1,670 TRY
Istanbul Technical University 31,400 TRY - 69,500 TRY 6,500 TRY - 132,000 TRY
Bogazici University 28,600 TRY - 57,100 TRY 14,300 TRY

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Istanbul

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Fatih Sultan Mehmet University 75,200 TRY - 112,700 TRY 112,700 TRY - 150,300 TRY
Ibn Haldun University 225,200 TRY
Istanbul Kent University 42,300 TRY - 61,100 TRY 37,600 TRY - 244,200 TRY
Istanbul Rumeli University 75,200 TRY 56,400 TRY - 94,000 TRY
MEF University 56,600 TRY - 69,500 TRY
Bezmialem Vakif University 60,000 TRY - 187,800 TRY
Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University 75,100 TRY - 187,700 TRY 75,100 TRY - 93,900 TRY
Biruni University 75,100 TRY - 225,300 TRY
Beykoz University 65,700 TRY - 75,100 TRY 37,600 TRY - 56,300 TRY
Istanbul Topkapi University 169,000 TRY
Fenerbahce University 56,300 TRY - 75,100 TRY
Istanbul Medipol University 58,700 TRY - 169,500 TRY
Beykent University 92,000 TRY - 110,800 TRY 84,500 TRY - 112,700 TRY
Istinye University 86,600 TRY - 222,600 TRY 45,600 TRY - 50,700 TRY
Altinbas University 159,300 TRY 64,700 TRY
Istanbul Ticaret University 75,000 TRY - 93,700 TRY 56,200 TRY - 93,700 TRY
Istanbul Gedik University 56,200 TRY - 112,400 TRY 52,500 TRY - 65,600 TRY
Dogus University 53,900 TRY - 75,400 TRY 19,300 TRY - 31,200 TRY
Maltepe University 74,700 TRY - 93,300 TRY 85,900 TRY
Ozyegin University 225,100 TRY - 300,100 TRY 186,600 TRY - 349,800 TRY
Uskudar University 59,700 TRY - 72,800 TRY 27,100 TRY - 56,000 TRY
Isik University 134,500 TRY - 179,300 TRY 84,100 TRY - 107,800 TRY
Halic University 75,000 TRY 47,000 TRY - 56,000 TRY
Istanbul Kultur University 79,300 TRY - 117,400 TRY 46,700 TRY - 112,000 TRY
Istanbul Zaim University 107,700 TRY 56,200 TRY - 74,900 TRY
Nisantasi University 50,600 TRY - 93,700 TRY 54,300 TRY - 234,100 TRY
Acibadem University 112,500 TRY - 281,300 TRY
Sabanci University 784,200 TRY 688,200 TRY
Istanbul Aydin University 74,700 TRY - 112,500 TRY 46,900 TRY - 79,700 TRY
Bahcesehir University 103,200 TRY - 147,400 TRY 223,900 TRY
Yeditepe University 158,500 TRY - 270,400 TRY 55,900 TRY - 93,200 TRY
Istanbul 29 Mayis University 6,000 TRY - 7,500 TRY
Istanbul Bilgi University 151,000 TRY - 181,200 TRY 60,000 TRY - 165,000 TRY
Koc University 363,600 TRY 0 TRY - 456,800 TRY

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

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

2. Requirements to Study in Istanbul for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Istanbul, 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 Istanbul, 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 Istanbul and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Ibn Haldun University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Istanbul Kent University

Bachelor’s degree

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 Istanbul

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

Istanbul Technical University

Koc University

Bogazici 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul.

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 Istanbul

If you’re going to study in Istanbul, 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 Istanbul, 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 Istanbul. 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!