The Turkish government has worked extensively to attract international and Arab students—especially Saudis—to study at its universities, whether through admissions or scholarships offered to Saudi students. It is noteworthy that Turkey has become one of the largest destinations for international and Arab students over the past two years.
Turkey has reached this advanced stage thanks to the continuous facilitation provided—from the ease of registration at its universities to the provision of numerous scholarships for study—along with employing the best professors and offering top academic programs specifically for Saudi students.
Advantages of Studying in Turkey for Saudis
Due to the growing prestige of the Turkish degree, which has recently become a global hot topic, many Saudi students wish and aspire to study at a Turkish university because of the numerous advantages implemented by the Turkish government and its universities to attract the largest number of international and Arab students—especially Saudis. Among these advantages are:
- Saudi students are widely accepted in Turkish private universities regardless of their high school grade averages.
- A Saudi student has the opportunity to choose the specialization they dream of, with a high guarantee of enrollment—especially in private institutions.
- Tuition fees and registration costs at Turkish universities are noticeably lower compared to those in European and American countries.
- There is a wide variety of academic specializations and branches, along with numerous faculties and institutes throughout Turkey.
- The Turkish environment is Islamic and conservative, closely resembling Saudi customs and traditions, so Saudi students face few challenges in adapting to life in Turkey and with the Turkish people.
- Obtaining a student residence permit is easy, and it is renewed annually—granting its holder many benefits throughout their period of study in Turkey.
- Many private Turkish universities offer instruction in English in a variety of academic disciplines.
- All Turkish universities are officially recognized by the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Requirements for Studying in Turkey for Saudis
Although Turkey continually strives to welcome many students each academic year, it certainly does not admit any student who does not meet the study requirements of its universities. The country has provided numerous facilitation measures, especially in admission requirements for Saudi students. Among these requirements are:
- To be accepted at a Turkish public university, you must pass the university’s entrance exam—the YÖS exam—which is used to differentiate among Arab and Saudi applicants. Note that acceptance into Turkish public universities is not guaranteed.
- For Turkish private universities, the requirements are much simpler. A Saudi student must possess a high school diploma (Baccalaureate).
- Registration in a private university is possible without any additional exam, such as the YÖS or SAT required by public universities.
- It is preferable for the Saudi student to have a language certificate; if not, they must complete a preparatory year to learn and master the language before beginning their chosen specialization.
- Provisional admission requires submitting a copy of your passport, a copy of your high school certificate, a copy of your transcript for the two years preceding your high school graduation, and a personal photograph.
- Paying the first installment of the tuition fees to the university is necessary to secure final admission.
- Finally, the Saudi student must apply for a Turkish visa, and then travel to Turkey to complete the university registration process and begin their studies.
Tuition Costs in Turkey for Saudis
The average cost for studying a Master’s degree at Turkish public universities ranges from 300 to 600 US dollars.
In contrast, the cost of pursuing a Master’s degree at Turkish private universities ranges between 5,000 and 20,000 US dollars. In addition to registration fees, there is also a monthly expense for a Saudi student, which averages about 400 US dollars in Turkey.
Accommodation Costs for Saudi Students
- Government student housing for Saudi students is very affordable due to the assistance provided by the Turkish government to all local, international, and Arab students.
- If a student prefers to live in a private apartment, the costs vary depending on the city—with Istanbul being the most expensive compared to other Turkish cities.
- The rent for student apartments in most Turkish cities ranges between 150 to 200 US dollars per month, while in Istanbul it can reach around 300 US dollars per month.
- On average, a Saudi student’s monthly expenses in Turkey are approximately 400 to 500 US dollars.
The Most Popular Turkish Universities Among Saudi Students
There are many distinguished universities across Turkey that welcome a large number of international and Arab students—especially Saudis. Some universities, however, are particularly popular among Saudi students:
- Yeditepe University
- Biruni University
- Bezmialem University
- Altınbaş University
- Eastern Mediterranean University
What Free Scholarships Do Turkish Universities Offer for Saudis?
Many universities in Turkey offer free scholarships for Saudi students, both at the undergraduate level and for postgraduate studies:
- Undergraduate Level: Universities cover all costs of accommodation, travel, and study for Saudi students, including all necessary health insurance.
Among the Most Notable Scholarships in the Field of Medicine
This is known as the Ibn Sina Medical Scholarship. Applications are open to students from all over the world, provided that the student has a high school certificate from their country with an overall score of no less than 70%, is not older than 21, and is not of Turkish origin. There are also many other scholarships available for students from certain countries.
- Postgraduate Level: Some universities offer scholarships for Master’s studies in Turkey for students from all countries, provided that the student holds a higher qualification from a university with a score of at least 75%. Scholarships are awarded for Master’s degrees in religious sciences, social sciences, Turkish language, and technological sciences.
Studying in Turkey has recently become a destination for many Saudi students, as Turkey holds a prestigious academic standing and education is one of the top priorities of Turkish officials. Consequently, they have launched many new universities and invest billions of dollars annually to develop education and enhance research standards. There are many benefits that a student can gain by choosing to study in Turkey.
Read also: