Cost of Studying in Turkey: 2026/27 Tuition Fees and Budget Guide

Studying in Turkey can cost anything from a few hundred US dollars per semester at some public universities to more than USD 20,000 a year at some private ones. There is no national tuition rate for international students: each university publishes its own fees, often in US dollars and charged in Turkish lira at the Central Bank exchange rate.

The official Study in Türkiye portal does not publish a national tuition or living-cost figure, so this guide uses 2026/27 fees from official university pages and official government charges. Check your university's current fee page before you budget.

Tuition at public universities

Public (state) universities set international fees each year within government rules. Many still charge far less than private universities, but fees vary widely by university and faculty, and Medicine is always the most expensive.

Tuition at private (foundation) universities

Private universities publish a list price, and many reduce it with scholarships or country discounts. The price you actually pay is the one written in your offer letter.

See how to get these waivers in our scholarships in Turkey guide.

Master's, PhD and Medicine costs

Graduate fees are often much lower than bachelor's fees at public universities, and they are sometimes quoted for the whole program rather than per year, so compare carefully.

Many graduate students at research universities also receive waivers: METU offers 50% or 100% discounts based on CGPA for graduate students, and Sabancı says most of its graduate students receive tuition waivers.

Hidden costs: prep year, deposits and application fees

• English preparatory year: if you are not exempt, you study English for up to a year first. At Beykent the prep year costs the same as the program fee; at Medipol the English Foundation School fee equals the annual tuition; Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt says you pay the program fee in prep.
• Deposits: Sabancı asks for a non-refundable USD 2,000 pre-payment after an offer; Istanbul Okan asks for USD 1,000 (programs under USD 6,500 a year) or USD 2,500; Abdullah Gül asks for one semester's tuition as a pre-registration deposit.
• Application fees (2026/27): none at METU (undergraduate) or Ankara University; USD 103 at Boğaziçi; 2,500 TL at Hacettepe; 1,500 TL at İzmir Katip Çelebi; USD 50 at Izmir University of Economics; USD 30 at Sabancı.
• Exchange rates: fees set in US dollars are often charged in lira at the Central Bank rate on a given date, so your lira cost can change.

Instalments and early-payment discounts

Most universities split tuition into two payments a year. Bilkent and Sabancı list two instalments, and METU charges per semester. Several private universities reward early payment: Istanbul Okan gives 5% off for paying in advance, Istanbul Medipol 10% for a lump-sum payment, and Istanbul Gelişim 7% for paying the year in advance. These discounts help only if you have the money ready, so do not stretch your budget to chase them.

Official government charges

Visa fees depend on your nationality and mission and are not refunded if your application is rejected. See the Turkey student visa guide.

Accommodation

According to Study in Türkiye, international students can live in university dormitories, state dormitories run by KYK, private dormitories or rented flats. State and university dorms are almost always separated by gender, university dorm fees vary by university, and private dorms cost more. As one example, Abdullah Gül University lists its dorm at 7,000 TRY per month plus a 7,700 TRY deposit, with limited places.

If you rent a flat, the residence permit needs a notarised rental contract, which can add cost. Ask your university's international office about dorm availability as soon as you are admitted.

Health insurance

Apply to SGK for General Health Insurance within three months of your first university registration. If you miss that window, private health insurance becomes compulsory for your residence permit, which usually costs more. For the visa itself, you need medical insurance valid during your stay.

Living costs and proof of funds

We did not find an official national living-cost figure or a fixed proof-of-funds amount for Turkish student visas on the government pages we checked. Costs differ a lot between Istanbul and smaller cities, and prices in lira can change quickly. Your best guide is your university's own cost page and its dorm fees.

Budget checklist

1. 1.Tuition for each year, plus a possible English preparatory year
2. 2.Application fees and any seat deposit
3. 3.Exam fees (TR-YÖS, SAT or English tests)
4. 4.Visa fee and travel to the mission
5. 5.Flight to Turkey
6. 6.Residence permit card (964 TL in 2026) and photos
7. 7.Dorm or rent, deposit and a notarised contract if renting
8. 8.Health insurance if you miss the SGK window
9. 9.Food, transport, books and phone

How to lower your costs

For scale, the Türkiye Scholarships monthly stipend is 6,500 TL for bachelor's, 9,500 TL for master's and 13,000 TL for PhD students, on top of tuition, accommodation and insurance. Selection includes a document review and interviews, and nothing is guaranteed, so treat it as one option, not your only plan.

• Apply for Türkiye Scholarships, which cover tuition, accommodation, insurance, a flight and a monthly stipend.
• Compare public universities in smaller cities, where some English programs cost a few hundred dollars per semester.
• Get your English certificate before you arrive to avoid paying for a prep year, if the university accepts it.
• Look for country discounts and early-payment discounts at private universities.
• Apply for SGK insurance on time.

For the honest trade-offs, read studying in Turkey: pros and cons. To compare fees and deadlines, track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.