Education in Turkey

Turkey is one of the largest international education hubs. Tens of thousands of international students enter this country's universities each year. The main advantages of studying in Turkey include affordable accommodation prices and tuition fees, along with the well-developed everyday life and leisure facilities.

Primary and secondary education

Public schooling is compulsory and free. It starts at the age of six and consists of three levels, four years long each, with a possibility of continuing education at a lyceum, technical or vocational school, or entering an university.

Public schools and nurseries are free for the foreign nationals, but lessons are in Turkish. Tuition fees at private schools (Russian, British, French) are $500–700 per month.

The education system in Turkey is divided into the following levels:

• preschool (Okul öncesi eğitim) until six years old. It is not compulsory. Public nurseries admit children from three years old, and private nurseries from any age, but cost about about $200–250 per month.
• elementary school (İlköğretim birinci kademe) from 6 to 10 years old (compulsory and free).
• middle school (İlköğretim ikinci kademe) from 10 to 14 years old (compulsory and free).
• secondary school (Ortaöğretim) from 14 to 18 years old (compulsory and free).
• higher education (Yükseköğretim).

Higher education

Turkish university studies 2–4 years depending on the programme and the mode of study chosen. Associate's and Bachelor's degrees are available, but only the Bachelor's enables students to pursue a Master's degree, followed by a PhD.

University entrance exams are organised by ÖSYM (Ölçme, Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi), the Student Selection and Placement Centre. International students are accepted based on the results of these tests, which include general knowledge and Turkish language proficiency tests. Universities with English courses accept SAT, TOEFL and IELTS scores.

Tuition fees for international students are about $500–1,500 per year (Turkish language studies). The costs of living are about $500 per month.

Documents required:

• completed application (Başvuru formu)
• results of exams and tests (upon request)
• secondary education certificate with academic transcript
• passport
• self-addressed envelope (applicant's full name and address)

All the documents must be translated into Turkish (in Turkey) and notarised.