Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and the circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, former home of sultans. Ankara is Turkey’s modern capital.

The number of international students choosing to study in Turkey has more than doubled since 2006, signalling the country’s growing importance as a higher education destination. In the 2015-16 academic year, there were around 48,000 foreign students in Turkey.

Motivations for study in Turkey include the opportunity to gain a relatively inexpensive and good quality education, with opportunities for scholarships that also pay a monthly allowance, covering accommodation and tuition fees, health insurance and travel expenses.

Turkey is already a firmly established tourist destination, with nearly 40 million tourists visiting from all over the world in 2015 according to Invest in Turkey, making it the sixth most popular holiday destination. The Turkish government is keen to extend this popularity into the international student market, with a target of 100,000 international students by 2018.

There are 11 Turkish universities featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017, and 20 Turkish universities in the 2016 edition of the QS University Rankings: EECA, a ranking of the leading universities in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

Turkey is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, reflecting its ambitions to compete in the global market for international students.

Degrees granted by Turkish universities are recognized across the world and a growing number of programs are taught in English, especially in areas such as engineering, international relations and business. Many of Turkey’s universities have modern campuses and state-of-the-art facilities.

According to Studyabroad.com  these aer most popular programs: Multicultural Affairs, Business, Engineering, Eastern Mediterranean Studies, International Relations, Travel, Tourism and Hospitality.

According to UNESCO reports Turkey had around 31,000 international students in 2002, after 12 years it reached to 54,000. The Turkish government is targeting to reach 200,000 international student by 2020. Turkey is very keen on to be in the top 15 countries by 2020, when the international students mobilty reach over 8 million by 2020. Majority of International students are from Turkmenia, Iran and Azerbaijan.

Turkey is literally a bridge between the East and the West, its landmass straddling both Europe and Asia. With close proximity to Africa too, it is a cultural melting pot where people of all cultures and faiths can feel at home. Indeed more than 30,000 international students come here to study, with growing numbers coming from continental Europe, Africa, the United States and Asia.

With the entry into force of new Law on Foreigners and International Protection,foreign students can work in Turkey legally after obtaining a work permit. However foreign students who are enrolled in undergraduate or two years associate programs can start working in Turkey after completing their first year of study.

There is no clear policy on permanent residency for International Students.

Links:

Online student visa application

Documents required

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Fee: US $50

Interview required:  No

Time frame for visa acceptance:  4-8 weeks