Student life in Turkey is characterized by the most important features that every foreign student looks for in the country they wish to study in. From accommodation to food and even studying at an educational institution, a student in Turkey will find that they enjoy a stable lifestyle with largely affordable and acceptable costs.
To further clarify this topic, in this article we will present the most important benefits that Turkey offers to students, the cost a student needs for living and studying in one of Turkey’s provinces, and finally, we will explain how academic life in Turkey unfolds.
How Does the Turkish Government Support Student Life in Turkey?
It is quite clear that the Turkish government pays notable attention to both Turkish and foreign students, offering them many privileges that support them across various sectors and thereby alleviating the financial burden on students.
We can summarize the governmental support for foreign students in Turkey in the following points:
1- University Housing Provision:
One of the main concerns for students in Turkey is finding comfortable accommodation that is close to their university and available at a low cost, which is exactly what the Turkish government provides. It allows students to register for university housing through a lottery system every October.
The housing typically consists of a comfortable room that accommodates four people, with the provision of two or three meals per day.
2- Health and Insurance:
It is no secret that Turkey places great emphasis on the healthcare sector. The country boasts a significant number of doctors, and its hospitals are equipped with the latest medical devices, in addition to emergency rooms that operate 24 hours a day.
Moreover, all Turkish universities provide free medical services in their affiliated medical centers and offer personal and health consultations; there is always at least one doctor and one nurse available throughout the week.
It is worth mentioning that students holding a Turkish residence permit for more than six months are automatically registered with the Social Security Institution. Through this institution, they can obtain a health insurance policy that enables them to benefit from healthcare services and purchase medications by paying only 20% of the total cost.
3- Student Bank Account:
Banks facilitate student life in Turkey by providing them with comprehensive foreign currency services, including savings accounts, deposits, credit cards, and debit cards, with the ability to transfer funds quickly to any bank worldwide via online banking services designed to operate in English.
Therefore, once a student sets up their local bank account, they need not worry about their financial transactions, as they can manage them from home.
4- Meal Price Reductions:
This feature is among the most important for students in their academic life, as the cost of daily food can be a challenge; however, in Turkish universities, they will find support in this regard, with meals being provided at a very low cost simply because they are students.
4- Entertainment Venue Price Reductions:
Most resorts and tourist centers in various Turkish provinces offer discounts and special rates for students, making them much lower than the regular cost. This confirms that the Turkish government supports foreign students not only in basic necessities but also ensures that students receive the leisure opportunities they need to properly focus on their studies.
5- Student Transportation Card:
Student life in Turkey would not be complete without the need to travel via public transportation, especially if the student studies at one of Istanbul’s sprawling universities.
Therefore, students in Turkey are provided with a personal transportation card that allows them to use all public transport at half the price paid by others.
6- Provision of Libraries for Study:
Every university has its own library, which can accommodate a large number of students and provides an environment conducive to studying and encourages reading.
Turkish university libraries house both essential and supplementary books for students across all academic disciplines, in addition to offering a vast collection of books, novels, paper and electronic magazines, accompanied by a wide range of audio and visual recordings. They also provide access to digital materials online 24 hours a day, even during library closures.
Among the most important university libraries, we can mention:
- Middle East Technical University Library.
- Hacettepe University Library.
- Bilkent University Library.
- Bogazici University Library,
- Istanbul Technical University Library.
- Sabanci University Library.
Now that we have discussed the benefits provided to students in Turkey, let us turn to the discussion of the cost of living in Turkey, which is one of the most important aspects of student life in the country that one must know.
What Are the Living Costs in Turkey for Students?
We can divide the costs of student life in Turkey into two parts:
1- Housing Cost:
As mentioned earlier, the Turkish government provides special accommodation for students in all its provinces at a low cost of around $50 per month. In contrast, if a student chooses to reside in housing provided by private entities, it would cost approximately $150 to $250 per month. This cost varies from city to city, especially in Istanbul, which is considered one of the most expensive Turkish cities, where the rent can reach around $300 per month.
2- Living Cost:
A student needs about $200 per month to cover living expenses in Turkey—including food, transportation, and leisure—while in Istanbul the cost rises to about $250 per month.
It is worth noting that these expenses relate to student life in terms of studying and living; however, additional costs such as the student visa, travel, and residence permit fees must also be considered.
How Do Students Spend Their Academic Day in Turkey?
In Turkey, students head to their university at 7:00 AM every day. Upon arrival, they have breakfast, which for Turks typically consists of pastries—among the most famous are börek and simit—along with a variety of sandwiches rich in natural ingredients.
After finishing breakfast, the student attends classes until 1:00 PM, followed by a one-hour break for lunch. The academic day then continues and concludes at 5:00 PM.
Once the academic day is over, the student can visit leisure places such as parks and gardens, which, as mentioned earlier, offer discounted rates specifically for students.
Regarding public holidays, these are typically on Sundays and half of Saturdays, during which the student can complete their studies and catch up on any accumulated work.
Religious Life of Students in Turkey:
One of the positives you will experience as a student in Turkey is the complete freedom to practice your religious rituals, as long as these practices do not harm others or violate any state laws.
You will also find yourself in one of the most devout countries in terms of Islamic practices, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, when municipalities organize collective iftar meals for passersby.
As for prayer rooms, you will find them in schools, universities, shopping centers, parks, and public facilities, among others—not to mention the mosques, which number over 3,000.
Also read :
Thus, our article "Student Life in Turkey" has come to an end. It included information on the benefits and costs of accommodation and living for foreign students in Turkey, as well as an explanation of the stages a student goes through during their academic day.