Are you searching for a fully funded scholarship to study in Turkey with all expenses covered?
The Turkish Government Scholarship, also known as Turkiye Burslari, offers international students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in world-class Turkish universities for free. This comprehensive scholarship includes tuition, accommodation, airfare, and a monthly stipend.
What is the Turkish Government Scholarship?
The Turkish Government Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded program run by the Republic of Turkey. Designed for international students, it allows them to pursue undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degrees in top Turkish institutions.
Key features include:
- Covers full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Free accommodation in state dormitories
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance provided
- One-year free Turkish language course
- Opportunities to participate in cultural and academic programs
- Access to Turkey’s public health services
- Placement in top-tier Turkish universities
- Open to over 100 countries worldwide
- Highly competitive and merit-based
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
The scholarship is open to students worldwide, but strict eligibility criteria apply. Understanding the requirements is crucial before starting the application.
To apply, you must:
- Be under 21 for undergraduate programs
- Be under 30 for master’s programs
- Be under 35 for doctoral programs
- Have a minimum academic performance (70% for undergraduate, 75% for graduate, 90% for health sciences)
- Not be a Turkish citizen
- Not be currently enrolled in Turkish universities
- Meet program-specific criteria
- Possess a valid passport or national ID
- Be in good health
- Commit to returning to your home country after graduation
- Submit all documents in English or Turkish
Available Fields of Study
Turkey offers a wide range of academic disciplines through its government scholarship program. Students can pursue almost any major depending on their level of study.
Popular fields include:
- Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical)
- International Relations
- Political Science and Public Administration
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Architecture and Design
- Business Administration and Economics
- Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- Law and Human Rights
- Islamic Studies and Theology
- Arts and Humanities
Application Process Explained
Applying for the Turkish Government Scholarship is a multi-step process conducted online. Timely and accurate submission of documents is essential.
Steps include:
- Visit the official Turkiye Burslari portal
- Create an applicant account
- Fill in your personal and academic information
- Choose up to 12 university programs
- Upload necessary documents (transcripts, diplomas, language tests, reference letters)
- Write a motivation letter
- Submit before the deadline (usually February)
- Wait for shortlisting and interview notification
- Attend online interview (if selected)
- Await final selection and placement announcement
Required Documents for Application
A strong application requires complete and accurate documentation. Incomplete files are disqualified automatically.
Documents needed:
- Valid passport or national ID
- Recent passport-sized photo
- Academic transcripts (official and scanned)
- Diploma or graduation certificate
- National or international exam scores (if applicable)
- Language proficiency certificates (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
- Recommendation letters (2 preferred)
- Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
- Motivation letter
- Resume or CV (optional but beneficial)
Benefits of the Turkish Government Scholarship
This scholarship is more than just financial support. It offers students a full academic, social, and cultural experience in Turkey.
Main advantages include:
- No application or tuition fees
- Full coverage of living expenses
- Academic mentorship and support
- Exposure to Turkish culture and heritage
- International networking opportunities
- A recognized degree from reputable universities
- Language learning through Turkish courses
- On-campus housing guaranteed
- Access to student communities and clubs
- Support for academic research and publications
Timeline and Important Dates
The application cycle runs annually, with strict deadlines. Keeping track of dates ensures you don’t miss any important milestones.
General timeline:
| Phase | Date Range |
|---|---|
| Application Open | January 10 |
| Application Deadline | February 20 |
| Document Evaluation | March – April |
| Interviews | May – June |
| Final Selection Results | July – August |
| Arrival and Registration | September |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the scholarship available for all countries?
Yes, students from over 100 countries are eligible to apply.
Q: Can I choose any university in Turkey?
You can select up to 12 programs, but placements depend on your qualifications and availability.
Q: Is knowledge of Turkish required?
No. All recipients receive a one-year Turkish language course before beginning their academic studies.
Q: Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Only if your chosen program requires English proficiency. Otherwise, it’s optional.
Q: Is it possible to work while studying?
Yes, but it’s regulated and limited. Academic performance must remain high.
Q: How competitive is the scholarship?
Highly competitive, with thousands of applicants each year. Strong academics and a compelling motivation letter are key.
Q: Can I apply if I already live in Turkey?
No. The scholarship is only for students who are not currently enrolled in Turkish institutions.
Q: Are family members included in the scholarship?
No, the scholarship covers only the student. Family support is the student’s responsibility.
Q: Can I reapply if rejected once?
Yes, there are no restrictions on reapplying in the following years.
Q: Is accommodation near the university?
Yes, accommodation is provided in state dormitories near or on campus.
Conclusion
The Turkish Government Scholarship opens doors to excellent education, cultural enrichment, and global networking. It’s a gateway to academic and personal growth in a vibrant international setting.
Hello, I am the student Mustafa Majid Latif from Iraq, I am 25 years old, I am looking for a free scholarship to complete my master’s studies in the Department of English Language and Literature or English Language Teaching Methods in Istanbul, because I am a fan of Turkey and I know how to speak Turkish a little because I love Turkey and dream of visiting it and studying there. Is there a full or partial computer scholarship for science? I have IELTS. I also have a bachelor’s degree in the English Language Department from the University of Anbar, College of Education for Human Sciences!! Please reply and thank you
Oh, I feel this deeply—being a fan of a place and dreaming of studying there is half the battle, isn’t it? Just a heads-up, though: the Turkish Government Scholarship is notoriously competitive, and they usually expect you to list your preferred universities in your application, not just a city. Also, since you have an IELTS and a solid bachelor’s, make sure your statement of purpose really shouts why you love Turkey and how their English Lit programs fit your goals—generic dreams won’t cut it with those reviewers. Best of luck, seriously, I hope you get to live that Istanbul fantasy.
Oh, Poppy, you nailed it—that advice about naming specific universities is so crucial! I’ve seen so many applicants stumble by just saying “Istanbul” and hoping for the best. And you’re absolutely right that a tailored statement of purpose makes all the difference; generic passion doesn’t stand out to those selection committees. Fingers crossed Mustafa takes your excellent tips to heart!
I’m also dreaming of studying in Turkey, so I really get where you’re coming from, Mustafa. One thing I’ve learned from reading about the Türkiye Bursları is that they prioritize applicants who choose specific programs and universities over just a city—so listing Istanbul might not be enough unless you back it up with clear reasons for each school. Since you already have IELTS and a background in English, you have a strong foundation, but I’d suggest polishing your statement of purpose to show exactly how your research or teaching goals connect to Turkish universities. Is there a particular professor or department in Istanbul you’ve looked into?
Lindiwe, you’ve hit on something I wish someone had told me before I applied—naming a specific professor changed everything for my own statement of purpose. When I finally emailed a faculty member at Boğaziçi about their Ottoman literature work, my application suddenly had a real anchor instead of just wishful thinking. For Mustafa, since he already has IELTS and a clear field, that kind of direct connection could turn his Istanbul dream from a city name into a concrete academic fit.
Ah, yet another hopeful soul dreaming of Istanbul on someone else’s dime. The advice about naming specific universities is spot on, but I’d add that the “one-year free Turkish language course” isn’t just a perk—it’s usually mandatory, so you’d better be ready to study in Turkish after that year unless your program is fully in English. Mustafa, with your IELTS and degree you’ve got the basics, but if your statement of purpose reads like a love letter to Turkey without any academic specifics, the reviewers will file it in the bin marked “charming but unserious.
You’ve raised a really fair point about the language requirement—I think a lot of applicants underestimate how much that Turkish course shapes their whole experience. It’s not just a bonus, it’s basically a gateway. And I’d agree that “charming but unserious” is probably the most common rejection note for Turkish Government Scholarship applications; they’re looking for students who’ve done their homework on specific programs, not just fallen in love with a city.
I’ve been following the Türkiye Bursları process for a while now, and something that really tripped me up was how specific they are about your university choices—just listing a city like Istanbul won’t cut it. Mustafa, since you have a strong background in English and an IELTS score, have you looked into whether your preferred programs in Istanbul are taught in English or Turkish? That language course is mandatory for most, but if you find a fully English-taught master’s, it could save you a year of prep time.
Right, the language catch is a big one—that mandatory year of Turkish is no joke if you’re angling for a program that isn’t fully in English. I’d also warn Mustafa that the “free accommodation in state dormitories” sounds better on paper than it often is in practice; you might end up sharing a room with three other people in a building miles from campus. If you’re set on Istanbul, have you dug into whether your specific department offers the master’s in English, or are you prepared to become fluent enough in Turkish to write a thesis in it?
I’ve been researching the Türkiye Bursları for my own application, and something that surprised me is how much weight they put on your “academic project proposal”—it’s not just a personal statement, they want a mini research plan. Mustafa, since you’re coming from an English literature background, have you considered reaching out to a professor at Istanbul University or Boğaziçi to see if they’d be open to supervising your thesis? That kind of direct connection can make your application stand out way more than just listing a city.
You’re absolutely right about the academic project proposal—I learned that the hard way when I applied last year and realized my personal statement was way too vague. Reaching out to a professor at Boğaziçi or Istanbul University is a smart move; I did that for my own application and got a much clearer sense of what they’re looking for in a research plan. It’s the kind of detail that shows you’re serious, not just a dreamer.