Discover the Positives and Negatives of Studying in Turkey
Many international students research the advantages and disadvantages of studying in Turkey before deciding to come and enroll in one of its educational institutions.
Therefore, we will save you the trouble of searching by presenting in this article a list of the most prominent pros and cons of studying in one of the countries that attracts students from all over the world.
Happy reading!
What Are the Positives and Negatives of Studying in Turkey?
The Turkish government works to raise the standard of education in its various institutions, which attracts many students with its numerous advantages. However, the experience is not without some challenges that some students may find to be obstacles.
Positives of Studying in Turkey:
We will begin by listing the features that students consider to be compelling reasons to choose Turkey as a country for their university studies:
1- Low Tuition Fees and Cost of Living:
One of the most important factors in choosing to study in a particular country is the cost of living and tuition fees during the years of study. This is one of the aspects that distinguishes Turkey from universities in other parts of the world.
When comparing the tuition fees to the quality offered by Turkish universities, we find that they are low relative to their counterparts in Europe, America, and other regions. Not to mention the affordable housing, food, and other essential expenses required by students.
2- Quality of University Education:
Turkish universities have not reached a top position among the world’s best by chance. They have achieved this status thanks to the government’s focus on providing a highly competent teaching staff and continuously updating curricula to keep pace with the latest developments and meet the needs that students may have after graduation as they enter the job market.
3- Modern Infrastructure:
Turkish universities provide everything needed for the educational process, including state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, libraries that house thousands of books and references, and more. These facilities significantly aid students in their scientific research.
4- Government Support:
When examining the positives and negatives of studying in Turkey, one of the most noticeable aspects is the extensive support provided by the Turkish government to students—not only in education but in various aspects of life.
Among the most notable of these facilitation measures is the nearly 50% discount on public transportation, provided through a special transportation card that students can use while traveling between different regions and provinces of Turkey. Additionally, students receive health insurance that allows them access to treatment in various health centers and hospitals across Turkey.
Moreover, universities offer low-cost student housing, reduced meal prices, and discounted entry to recreational areas throughout Turkey.
5- Practical Training:
Most reputable Turkish universities are committed to helping students secure internship opportunities during their studies, which equips them to enter the job market with confidence.
It is worth mentioning that some institutions offer training opportunities through cooperative agreements with companies and organizations, while others have dedicated training units and university-affiliated hospitals designed specifically to train students in various medical specialties.
6- Offering English as a Second Language for Study:
International students in Turkey who are proficient in English may find that choosing English as the language of instruction is the ideal option. Studying at Turkish universities in English offers many advantages, including:
- English is the primary language worldwide; hence, most of the prominent scientific books, references, and research available on the Internet are in English.
- A degree obtained in English increases your chances of securing many job opportunities, especially in multinational companies.
- Studying your specialization in English facilitates your access to Master’s and Doctorate programs at the world’s top universities, as Turkey has partnerships with European Union universities through student exchange programs.
With that, we have covered the most important advantages of studying in Turkey. Although many other benefits exist, we have focused on the most significant ones. Let’s now move on to the main disadvantages.
Disadvantages of Studying in Turkey:
Not all students perceive studying in Turkey as a challenge-free experience. There are certain drawbacks, such as:
1- Learning Turkish:
International students in Turkey often find themselves compelled to learn Turkish, even if their field of study is taught in English, because learning the language is essential for facilitating communication with their Turkish classmates within the university and with Turkish citizens outside of it.
2- High Housing Costs:
Some students who do not choose or are unable to secure a place in government student housing may find private housing costs relatively high. In addition, having to pay for electricity, gas, and water bills adds an extra financial burden for Arab students on top of the rent. Therefore, it is advisable for students either to stay in student dormitories or share a private apartment with other students to split the costs.
3- Studying in Turkish:
Although most Turkish universities offer courses in English, there are some institutions that do not provide this option and require classes to be conducted in Turkish. The drawback here is that your choice of university might be limited by your place of residence, your financial capacity, or your chosen specialization, resulting in only Turkish-language instruction being available.
4- Difficulty in Gaining Admission to Public Universities:
It is natural that priority for university seats is given to Turkish students, whose numbers are continually increasing. Therefore, the limited availability of seats remains a challenge for international applicants. Moreover, some fields in Turkish public universities, such as many medical specialties in most Istanbul public universities, accept only Turkish students.
It is worth noting that the Turkish government provides scholarship seats for students, which is a good solution that benefits both parties.
5- High Tuition Fees at Private Turkish Universities:
Tuition fees for some programs at private universities in Turkey can be prohibitively high for many students. For example, fees for certain Bachelor’s and Master’s programs can exceed 25,000 US dollars per year—especially in medical fields and some other specialized disciplines such as aviation sciences, graphic design, airline hospitality, information technology, audiology, and others.
6- Crowding:
Particularly in Istanbul—the most famous Turkish city, which hosts a large number of universities that are spread out horizontally—distances between different areas can be long, and the main roads become heavily congested during peak hours. This congestion can turn a short commute into hours of travel.
7- High Prices and Economic Inflation:
Despite all the discounts provided by the Turkish government for students, the recent global economic inflation has not spared Turkey, contributing to a wave of rising prices that has affected some students with limited financial means.
In summary, we have highlighted the key points regarding the positives and negatives of studying in Turkey. These points demonstrate that the benefits of studying at a Turkish educational institution outweigh the challenges, and despite the existence of some obstacles, there is no denying that Turkey is an ideal country to choose for your studies.
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