Cost of Sea Captain Study in Turkey 2024

In this article, we present a detailed report on the cost of studying to become a sea captain in Turkey—from the tuition fees and the factors that determine them to the scholarships available for this specialty, and a discussion on whether the tuition fees for studying as a sea captain in Turkey are high or not.

Wishing you an enjoyable read from Skyline Education.

Average Cost of Studying to Become a Sea Captain in Turkey

The tuition fees for this specialty at public universities in Turkey range between 2,000 – 13,000 US dollars per year, which is approximately 54,000 to 324,000 Turkish Lira per year.

The following table details the annual costs for studying this specialty in Turkey:

Lower Limits of Tuition Fees and Costs for This Specialty

Average Costs for Studying This Specialty

Upper Limits for the Costs of Studying This Specialty

Notes on the Tuition Fees for Studying as a Sea Captain in Turkey

• These prices and fees are approximate. The actual cost can be obtained by reviewing the announcements of the Turkish universities offering maritime captain programs or by consulting Skyline Education, which always provides you with the latest information and details about studying in Turkey.
• The prices were calculated according to the exchange rate in September 2023, so be sure to check the current exchange rate at the time you read this article. We will, of course, update the prices continuously to reflect any changes in exchange rates.
• The prices may vary due to several factors, which will be discussed later in this article on the cost of studying as a sea captain in Turkey.
• Turkish universities usually offer scholarships with special discounts ranging from 25 – 50% off the above fees, especially for early registrants.

Factors Affecting the Tuition Fees for Maritime Engineering Studies in Turkey

In general, the tuition fees in Turkey—and specifically for maritime engineering studies in the field of sea captain training—are affected by many factors. Here are the most important ones:

University Type: Public or Private

One of the basic factors influencing the cost of studying maritime engineering in Turkey, and specifically the "sea captain" specialty, is the type of university. In Turkey, there are both public and private institutions that offer maritime engineering programs.

Public universities, which are state-funded, usually charge lower tuition fees compared to private universities that rely on tuition fees and private investments to cover their expenses.

Prospective students should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each type of institution in light of their budgets, considering not only the costs but also the quality of education.

Is the University Specialized in Marine Studies or General?

Another critical factor in determining the cost of studying to become a sea captain in Turkey is whether the university is specialized in marine studies or offers a more general engineering curriculum.

Specialized maritime engineering institutions often have dedicated programs and modern facilities for practical training. Although these specialized universities may provide high-quality education, they might also charge higher tuition fees.

On the other hand, general engineering universities may have lower fees but offer a broader education that includes maritime engineering as part of a larger curriculum.

Students should consider their professional goals and preferences when choosing between specialized and general universities, and focus on the advantages that can be achieved through studying maritime engineering at a specialized institution versus a more comprehensive one.

For example, when comparing Beri Reis University (specialized in maritime engineering and related fields) with Yildiz Technical University (a private university with a variety of specialties), we find that:

Language of Instruction for the Curriculum

It is commonly known that studying university majors in Turkey in English is more expensive than studying in Turkish, and maritime engineering specialties are no exception. Therefore, we can say that the cost of studying as a sea captain in Turkey in English is higher than in Turkish.

However, the difference between the two is not very large and may reach an increase of approximately 15 – 25%, depending on the university.

For example:

When studying the sea captain specialty at a cost of 13,000 USD in English, the cost in Turkish might be between 9,700 – 11,000 USD.

Academic Level

In general, studying to become a sea captain is a university-level education that may be completed at the undergraduate level or continued to the master's level. For example, undergraduate studies might include courses in marine navigation or maritime engineering, and students may then pursue a master's degree.

Overall, the average costs for university studies are as follows:

• Average cost for undergraduate studies: 132,000 Turkish Lira (approximately 4,900 USD)
• Average cost for a sea captain program in Turkey – Master’s without a thesis: 148,500 Turkish Lira (approximately 5,500 USD)
• For a Master’s degree with a thesis, the average cost is: 171,000 Turkish Lira (approximately 6,300 USD)

Are There Free Scholarships for Studying at Turkish Maritime Colleges?

After examining in detail the factors that affect the cost of studying at maritime colleges, it is essential to also discuss a special factor that helps cover the study expenses, namely, scholarships.

There are many types of scholarships in Turkey; we will mention three of the most important:

Turkish Government Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by the Turkish government and covers several university majors, including, of course, both maritime engineering and marine navigation, which gives those wishing to study as a sea captain in Turkey a chance to benefit from this scholarship.

Although a large number of applicants apply annually, the registration requirements for the scholarship are relatively accessible, and the number of students accepted each year usually exceeds 5,000.

Scholarships from Educational, Institutional, and Social Associations

You can also apply for a scholarship to study the sea captain specialty in Turkey from any institution that supports students or provides social assistance. If your situation is evaluated favorably and you are deemed eligible for support, you may receive a scholarship that covers either the full cost of study or half or a quarter of it.

For example:

When benefiting from a private scholarship for studying the sea captain specialty at a Turkish university, assuming that the average annual cost is 132,000 Turkish Lira, the costs could be as follows:

Cash Payment Scholarship ("Full Payment")

Many universities in Turkey offer the possibility of reducing the cost of studying as a sea captain, as with many other university majors, through a well-known scholarship in private universities called the "Full Payment Scholarship" or "Cash Payment."

Through this scholarship, costs can be reduced by 50% provided that the full amount is paid in one lump sum. Here, we compare Beri Reis University and Yildiz Technical University, which were discussed earlier:

Is Studying as a Sea Captain in Turkey Expensive?

The question of whether the cost of studying to become a sea captain in Turkey is high or not cannot be answered simply with "yes, it is expensive" or "no, it is not expensive" because it depends on many factors:

• Compared to studying in many European countries, the overall cost is still quite reasonable.
• When compared to other engineering specialties, maritime engineering is relatively moderately priced.
• Also, if we compare it with the salary scale for a sea captain, which averages about 69,000 Turkish Lira per month in 2023, it means that one year’s salary could cover the costs of four years of study.

In summary, the cost is, on average, acceptable, and the tuition fees for this specialty are not excessively high beyond a reasonable level for studying in Turkey.

For further benefit and after reading this article on the cost of studying as a sea captain in Turkey, we advise you to contact Skyline Education for details on university admissions and tuition fees for this specialty or other university majors in Turkey.