Studying in Turkey: public and private universities, YÖS and costs

Modern universities, well-equipped campuses, English-taught programmes, an affordable cost of living and cultural proximity: Turkey is attracting more and more Tunisian students, from bachelor's to doctorate, in engineering, medicine, architecture, business or international relations. Here is how to study in Turkey: choosing between public and private, understanding the YÖS, language, scholarships, visa and budget.

Why Turkey?

• More than 200 universities, public and private (foundation), several of them well ranked.

• Programmes in Turkish and in English, with preparatory language years.

• Moderate fees in the public sector and a wide range of scholarships in the private sector.

• The full government scholarship Türkiye Bursları.

• Cultural proximity and many flight connections with Tunis.

Public or private universities?

Public universities

They have moderate fees for international students and limited places. Admission is based on an exam or on recognised results (see YÖS below). The best known: Istanbul, Istanbul Technical (İTÜ), Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ/METU) in Ankara, Hacettepe, Ankara, Ege, Boğaziçi…

Private (foundation) universities

They generally admit on the basis of an application file, with the baccalaureate and sometimes an interview, and offer many programmes in English. Their fees are higher, but they often grant partial scholarships based on grades, which greatly reduce the cost.

What is the YÖS?

The YÖS (Yabancı Uyruklu Öğrenci Sınavı, exam for foreign students) is the admission exam for international students at public universities. There is no longer a single national exam: each university (or group of universities) organises its own YÖS or accepts other results.

The YÖS generally assesses:

• reasoning (aptitude, logic);

• mathematics and geometry.

Depending on the university, you can apply without the YÖS with:

• SAT or ACT results;

• certain recognised national baccalaureate grades;

• international tests.

YÖS sessions are generally held in spring, and applications to public universities in summer. Check each university's timetable.

Language of instruction

• Programmes in Turkish: a Turkish certificate (often C1 level, or B2 depending on the university) is required. Otherwise, you take a year of Turkish (TÖMER or the university's language centre) before the programme starts.

• Programmes in English: an English test (IELTS, TOEFL or the university's own test). Otherwise, a preparatory English year is offered.

Scholarships

• Türkiye Bursları: the full scholarship from the Turkish government. See our guide Türkiye Bursları: requirements, dates and application.

• Private university scholarships: reductions of 25% to 100% depending on grades and the programme.

• Excellence or research scholarships for master's and doctoral degrees.

Visa and residence permit

1. With your admission letter, you apply for a student visa from the Turkish consular services.

2. After arrival, within the required period, you apply online for a student residence permit (ikamet), then at the immigration office.

3. The university issues the necessary certificates and advises you on health insurance.

What budget should you plan for?

• Public universities: generally moderate fees, varying by university and field.

• Private universities: from a few thousand to more than 20,000 dollars per year before scholarship depending on the programme (medicine and dentistry being the most expensive).

• Daily life: affordable overall, but inflation makes prices change quickly, especially accommodation in Istanbul. Ankara, Izmir, Eskişehir, Konya and Kayseri are more affordable.

Amounts change quickly: ask us for up-to-date ranges for your programmes.

Medicine in Turkey

Turkey offers medicine and dentistry programmes in Turkish and in English, at both public and private universities. Admission is highly selective in the public sector. Check the recognition requirements for the degree if you want to practise in Tunisia: see Equivalence of the Tunisian diploma abroad.

Turkey or Northern Cyprus?

Northern Cyprus also offers English-taught universities with grade-based scholarships and fast admission, but with recognition issues to check. See Studying in Northern Cyprus.

Typical timeline for a September intake

1. Autumn – winter: choosing universities, applying for Türkiye Bursları (early in the year), preparing for the YÖS or SAT.

2. Spring: YÖS sessions, applications to private universities (often year-round).

3. Summer: applications to public universities, results.

4. Summer: student visa, accommodation.

5. September: arrival, enrolment, residence permit application.

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• baccalaureate diploma and transcripts, translated into Turkish or English and legalised;

• valid passport;

• YÖS, SAT or other accepted test results;

• language certificate (Turkish or English);

• passport photos;

• for some programmes, an equivalence of the baccalaureate from the Turkish authorities, to be requested after admission.

Choosing your city well

• Istanbul: the largest range of universities and the liveliest life, but also the most expensive.

• Ankara: the capital, renowned public universities (METU, Hacettepe, Bilkent), more moderate costs.

• Izmir: a pleasant coastal city with several universities.

• Eskişehir, Konya, Kayseri, Bursa: more affordable student cities.

The advantages for a Tunisian student

Cultural proximity, easy access to halal food, direct flights to Tunis and a large Maghrebi community make integration easier. Learning Turkish, even for an English-taught programme, also opens many doors for internships and jobs.

How we support you

Worldwide Studies helps you choose between public and private, prepare for the YÖS or SAT, obtain the best possible scholarship and prepare your visa and residence permit.

👉 Fees and scholarships vary by university and by your grades: talk to an advisor for a Turkey plan suited to your profile.