Why Turkey Is a Great Choice for Higher Education
Turkey offers a unique blend of high-quality education, affordable living costs, and rich cultural experiences. More than 200,000 international students, including many from Pakistan, study in Turkey every year. The country’s universities are increasingly competitive in global rankings and provide a range of scholarships to attract talented students from around the world.
Below, we highlight some of the top-ranking universities in Turkey that offer scholarships to international students, including direct links to their scholarship pages for easy access.
Top Universities in Turkey That Offer Scholarships
Koç University
Ranked among the best universities in Turkey, Koç University consistently appears in the QS World University Rankings. It offers generous merit-based scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.
🔗 Koç University Scholarships cover partial to full tuition fees, with some packages including housing support and monthly stipends (for graduate students).
Programs are taught in English, and fields like engineering, medicine, and business are especially strong.
Sabancı University
Another top private institution, Sabancı University ranks high for research and innovation. The university provides automatic merit scholarships to successful international applicants—no separate application is required.
Learn more at Sabancı University Scholarships.
Scholarships can cover full or partial tuition, and graduate students may also receive monthly stipends, accommodation, and research support.
Middle East Technical University (METU)
METU is a leading public university that appears in global rankings for its strong engineering and science programs. While public universities like METU have low tuition fees for international students, METU offers scholarships for top-performing students as well as through Türkiye Bursları.
🔗 Visit METU International Student Office for more details.
Bilkent University
Ranked among Turkey’s top institutions, Bilkent University offers substantial scholarships for international students across undergraduate and graduate programs.
🔗 Bilkent University Scholarships include full tuition waivers and additional benefits for outstanding students.
Bilkent is especially known for its programs in engineering, social sciences, and business administration.
Istanbul University
As one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Turkey, Istanbul University participates in Türkiye Scholarships and also offers internal scholarships based on academic performance.
Explore Istanbul University international programs.
While most undergraduate programs are in Turkish, some graduate and research programs are taught in English.
Ankara University
Known for its medical, social sciences, and engineering faculties, Ankara University provides various scholarship opportunities in collaboration with the Turkish government and independent foundations.
Ankara University International Office lists details about available scholarships and exchange programs.
Boğaziçi University
This public university is globally recognized for its quality of education and is highly selective. Tuition is low, but scholarships through Türkiye Bursları and university-linked grants are available for international students.
See Boğaziçi International Programs.
Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
Most of Turkey’s top universities participate in the Türkiye Scholarships program, the country’s largest government-funded scholarship scheme for international students.
Covers full tuition, monthly stipend (~1000-1600 TRY depending on level), accommodation, health insurance, and one-time flight ticket.
Open to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students.
Visit the official Türkiye Scholarships site to apply.
Applications typically open January–February every year
How to Apply for Scholarships at Top Turkish Universities
Automatic Consideration: At many universities like Koç, Sabancı, and Bilkent, your scholarship application is automatically considered along with your program application.
Separate Scholarship Forms: Some programs, especially at public universities, may require separate scholarship applications.
Türkiye Bursları: Apply through the Türkiye Bursları portal directly.
Prepare a strong profile: High academic grades, good language proficiency (often English or Turkish), and a convincing personal statement help secure funding.
Pro Tips for Pakistani Students
Consider universities that offer programs in English if you’re not fluent in Turkish.
Start your scholarship search early — application deadlines are often months before the academic term starts.
Explore external scholarships and foundations like Islamic Development Bank Scholarship.
Join student communities like Pakistani Student Associations in Turkey for guidance and networking.
Studying in Turkey offers Pakistani students the chance to gain a high-quality education at an affordable cost. The combination of top-ranking universities, scholarships, and Turkey’s growing reputation as a study-abroad destination makes it a smart choice for ambitious students.
Explore each university’s scholarship offerings and start planning your journey today. Need help with applications, SOPs, or scholarship essays? Get in touch— We can assist!