The Turkiye Burslari scholarship (Turkiye Scholarships) is one of the most generous fully funded programmes in the world, offered by the Republic of Turkiye to international students at bachelor, master and doctoral level. If you are searching for a scholarship that covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance and flights, the Turkiye Burslari programme should be near the top of your list. This complete guide explains who is eligible, what the scholarship covers, how the selection process works, and exactly how to submit a strong application.

Unlike many programmes that only fund one degree level, it runs a family of scholarships covering undergraduate, postgraduate and research study, plus specialised tracks. It is competitive, but a well-prepared applicant with a clear motivation and solid academic record has a genuine chance.

Key takeaways

What is the Turkiye Burslari scholarship?

Turkiye Burslari is a government-funded scholarship programme administered by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). It was designed to bring talented international students to Turkish universities and to build long-term academic and cultural ties between Turkiye and the rest of the world.

The programme is more than a tuition waiver. It is a complete support package that removes the main financial barriers to studying abroad. Recipients are placed at public and foundation universities across Turkiye, from large research institutions in Istanbul and Ankara to regional universities in Anatolia.

Who runs it and where you study

Because placement is handled centrally, you do not apply to each university individually. Instead you select preferred universities and departments inside one application, and the selection committee assigns you to a programme that matches your profile and choices. This is different from most countries, where you apply to universities first and hunt for funding afterwards.

What does Turkiye Burslari cover?

The exact figures are updated each year, but the structure of the benefits is stable and generous. A typical fully funded award includes:

Because the package is so comprehensive, students rarely need external part-time work to cover basic costs, which lets you focus on your studies and language learning.

Eligibility requirements

Eligibility is defined by age, academic level and academic performance. Always confirm the current thresholds on the official portal before you apply, but the long-standing criteria are as follows.

Age limits

Academic performance

Minimum grade requirements generally sit at 70 percent for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants and 75 percent for medical fields such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. Meeting the minimum makes you eligible, but competitive applicants usually exceed it comfortably.

Who cannot apply

Turkish citizens, former holders of the scholarship who lost it, and students already studying in Turkiye at the level they are applying for are generally not eligible. Final-year students who will graduate before enrolment can still apply.

Required documents

You upload documents inside the online application. Prepare clean scans in advance so you are not rushing near the deadline. You will typically need:

Master and PhD applicants often benefit from adding a research proposal or a short statement of academic intent even where it is optional, because it demonstrates focus. If you want help structuring that document, our statement of purpose builder can help you turn scattered ideas into a coherent narrative.

The application timeline

Turkiye Burslari usually opens for applications in the early part of the year, with a window that stays open for several weeks before closing in the spring. Results and interview invitations follow over the following months, and successful candidates travel to Turkiye before the academic year begins.

Because the exact dates shift slightly each cycle, treat the following as a general rhythm rather than fixed dates:

  1. Application window opens early in the year.
  2. Application deadline in spring.
  3. Shortlisting and interviews across late spring and summer.
  4. Final results published mid-year.
  5. Arrival and language year begin before the academic term.

Step-by-step: how to apply for Turkiye Burslari

The whole process happens through the official online application system. Here is how to move through it without common mistakes.

Step 1: Create your account early

Register on the official portal as soon as applications open. Use an email address you check regularly, because interview invitations and results are delivered electronically. Creating your account early gives you time to explore the form.

Step 2: Complete your personal and academic profile

Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport. Add your education history, grades and any exam scores. Accuracy matters here: inconsistencies between your form and your uploaded documents can weaken your application.

Step 3: Choose your programmes

You can select multiple university and department preferences ranked in order. Research each option so your choices are realistic and aligned with your background. Mixing a couple of ambitious choices with well-matched ones is a sensible strategy. Reviewing programme and university data through a tool like our scholarship results explorer can help you compare options before you commit.

Step 4: Write a compelling motivation

The written sections are where many applications are won or lost. Explain clearly why Turkiye, why this field, and why you. Be specific about your goals, connect your past achievements to your future plans, and show how studying in Turkiye fits that path. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any country or any applicant.

Step 5: Upload documents and submit

Attach clear, legible scans, review everything once more, then submit before the deadline. Do not wait until the final day, when portal traffic is heaviest.

The interview stage

Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview, which may be conducted in person at a local mission or online. The interview is a conversation about your motivation, your academic interests and your understanding of what studying in Turkiye involves.

To prepare, be ready to discuss why you chose your field, what you hope to achieve, and how the scholarship fits your longer-term plans. Panels value authenticity and clarity over rehearsed perfection. Practise speaking about your goals out loud, and prepare a couple of thoughtful questions of your own. If you would like a structured practice partner, our AI advisor can run mock interview questions with you.

Selection is holistic. Committees look at your grades, your motivation, your fit with the chosen programme, and your potential to contribute, not any single number in isolation.

The Turkish language preparatory year

Most scholars complete a one-year Turkish language course before starting their degree, even if their programme is taught in English. This year is fully funded and is one of the most valuable parts of the experience. It helps you integrate, handle daily life, and build friendships, and by the end many students reach a working level of Turkish that stays with them for life.

If your programme is delivered in Turkish, this year is essential preparation. If it is in English, the year still deepens your cultural immersion and employability.

Tips for a competitive application

Which fields and universities can you choose?

One of the strengths of Turkiye Burslari is breadth. Because so many public and foundation universities participate, applicants can find programmes across almost every discipline, from engineering, medicine and the natural sciences to social sciences, humanities, business, law, theology and the arts.

When you build your list of preferences, think in terms of fit rather than fame alone. A department with active research in your area, staff whose interests match yours, and a location that suits your budget and lifestyle will serve you better than a famous name where you would be a poor fit. Consider the language of instruction too: some programmes are delivered in Turkish, others in English, and knowing which applies helps you choose realistically.

Balancing ambition and realism

A common mistake is filling every preference slot with the most competitive programmes at the most sought-after universities. A smarter approach mixes a few reach choices with several well-matched options where your profile is clearly competitive. This spreads your chances across the ranked list rather than concentrating them in the hardest-to-win places.

Life as a Turkiye Burslari scholar

Beyond the financial package, being a scholar on this programme comes with a supportive community. Scholars join a large international cohort, take part in orientation and cultural activities, and gain access to networks that last well beyond graduation. Turkiye sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and studying there gives you a distinctive vantage point on both regions.

Day-to-day life is manageable on the stipend for most students, particularly those in dormitories, though costs vary between large cities such as Istanbul and smaller Anatolian towns. Many scholars use the language year to build friendships that carry them through their degree, and the immersion in Turkish culture is frequently cited as one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

Common reasons applications are rejected

Understanding why applications fail helps you avoid the same traps. The most frequent avoidable problems are:

Addressing each of these before you submit meaningfully improves your chances. If you would like a second opinion on how your profile and choices fit together, our AI advisor can help you sense-check your strategy.

After you are selected

Once you receive an offer, there are practical steps to complete: accepting the scholarship, arranging your student visa, preparing for travel, and settling into your accommodation and language course. Keep an eye on official communications, respond promptly to any requests, and gather the documents you will need for your visa application early. Being organised in these final weeks makes your arrival in Turkiye smooth and lets you focus on your studies from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Below are the questions prospective applicants ask most often about Turkiye Burslari. Treat them as a starting point and always confirm current details on the official portal.