Is Studying in Turkey Difficult or Not?

This article will answer one of the important questions, namely Is Studying in Turkey Difficult?, which is one of the first questions that students interested in studying at Turkish universities may ask. Skyline Education will answer this for you, and will also explain the initial steps to start studying at Turkish universities, including the university admission requirements for both private and public institutions, as well as provide important information about scholarships in Turkey, the difficulty of the academic curricula, and finally introduce you to the main advantages and disadvantages of studying in Turkey. We hope you enjoy and benefit from it.

Is Studying in Turkey Difficult? Let Us Answer

We will discuss with you the difficulty of studying in Turkey from several aspects such as university admission, curricula, available majors, language of instruction, and more:

Difficulties at the Beginning of Studies in Turkey

In order to study in Turkey, you must first obtain a university admission from one of the Turkish public or private universities in a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program, or secure a scholarship in Turkey:

Admission to Turkish Public Universities: There are over 200 universities in Turkey, about 120 of which are public. Although studying in these universities is not free for international students, the tuition fees are very affordable. To obtain admission to a public university, you must apply through the international candidate selection process and pass the required entrance exams. It is also possible to obtain one of the government scholarships that cover tuition fees completely.
Admission to Turkish Private Universities: If you are not fortunate enough to receive a scholarship or gain admission to one of the low-tuition public universities, you still have the opportunity to apply to private universities. Although the tuition fees in private institutions vary from moderate to high, they are still lower than those of European universities. Additionally, the admission requirements in private universities are generally simpler and the acceptance rates are lower compared to public institutions.

Academic Curricula in Turkey

Turkish universities are rapidly advancing in scientific and educational progress and continuously update their curricula in line with global standards.

Which Majors Are Studied in Turkey?

Turkey is an open country in the educational field with a large number of universities offering all the important majors that are in demand in the job market. Among the most notable are:

Medical Majors: Including Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Laboratory Sciences, and more.
Engineering Majors: Such as Civil, Architectural, Design, and Mechanical Engineering, among others.
Technical Majors: Covering all fields related to technology such as Programming, Systems Engineering, Networks, Communications, and others.
Literary Majors: For example, Turkish, Arabic, English, French Literature, and many other languages.
Other Majors: Such as Philosophy, History, Geography, Fine Arts, and many more.

Which Languages Are Used for Instruction in Turkey?

Turkish is the predominant language in most majors at Turkish universities, both public and private, as the Turkish people are closely connected to their language. English is the second most common language of instruction in Turkish universities, while Arabic comes third, with many religious and literary programs taught in Arabic. There are also a number of programs offered in other languages such as French, Spanish, Russian, and others.

What Are the Main Advantages and Challenges of Studying in Turkey?

There are many advantages to studying at Turkish universities, but there are also some challenges. Below we highlight each:

Advantages of Studying

Turkish universities are highly ranked worldwide.
They offer modern and advanced curricula that keep pace with the best global programs.
They have highly qualified academic staff.
There are student exchange opportunities with many leading European universities.
The cost of living in Turkey is low, which suits many students.
There is the possibility of obtaining a fully funded scholarship with a monthly stipend that covers living expenses.
The social and cultural environment in Turkey is welcoming to various cultures.

Disadvantages and Challenges of Studying in Turkey

The biggest challenge is the necessity of mastering the Turkish language even if the program is taught in English, since most Turks do not speak English; therefore, students must learn Turkish to communicate socially.
It can be difficult to gain admission to public universities, and tuition fees at private universities can be high, though still much lower than those of European universities. Additionally, various Turkish scholarships save thousands of foreign students substantial costs every year.
Transportation issues and congestion in major cities like Istanbul.
Living in Turkey may initially pose an adjustment challenge for international students, but this barrier gradually diminishes over time as they become accustomed to the local lifestyle.

Are There Scholarships Available in Turkey?

Certainly, there are many scholarships available for studying in Turkey, some fully funded and others partially funded. The most prominent of these include:

The Fully Funded Turkish Government Scholarship
The Turkish Government and Islamic Bank Scholarship
The Ibn Khaldun Scholarship for Social Studies
The Ali Koçtu Scholarship for Science and Technology
The Yunus Emre Turkish Language Scholarship Program
The Ibn Sina Scholarship for Medical Sciences
The Islamic Studies Program
The Sports Excellence Scholarship Program
The Sabancı University Graduate Scholarship Program
The TÜBITAK Graduate Scholarship Program

Frequently Asked Questions about Studying in Turkey

Below are the most essential questions that complement the topic of “Is Studying in Turkey Difficult?”

Is a Turkish Degree Considered Strong?

Yes, many Turkish universities are highly ranked globally and their degrees are recognized worldwide. However, for those who wish to work outside Turkey, it is recommended to study in English.

Which Is Better: Studying in Turkey or Egypt?

It is difficult to answer this question precisely as it depends on many factors, but in general, Turkish universities are known for their modern, rapidly evolving, and innovative approach to education, employing the latest teaching methods, whereas Egyptian universities rely more on tradition and long experience in education, maintaining somewhat traditional methods.

Which Is Better: Studying in Russia or in Turkey?

The academic levels of Turkish and Russian universities can be quite comparable, making it difficult to determine which is better. However, other advantages of studying in Turkey, such as the social environment, moderate climate, and low cost of living, give Turkey the edge.

Are Turkish Universities Recognized Globally?

Certainly, many Turkish universities are highly ranked in global university rankings and surpass many renowned European universities.

Which Turkish Universities Are Globally Recognized?

The list of globally recognized Turkish universities is long and cannot be fully included here, but some of the most famous include:

Middle East Technical University (METU)
Istanbul Technical University
Bahçeşehir University
Atilim University
Özyeğin University
Sabancı University
Çukurova University
Marmara University
Atatürk University

Thus, we conclude our article in which we answered the question Is Studying in Turkey Difficult?, clarifying the key information related to this topic, including scholarships, university admission requirements, the difficulty of academic curricula, the languages of instruction, and the advantages and disadvantages of studying at Turkish universities. For more information on studying in Turkey or other related subjects, please visit the Skyline Education website, where you will find useful information, or contact us with any inquiries—we are always at your service.