Content area
Turkey
Turkey is a melting pot of cultures and a because of its location, a unique blend of eastern and western tradition pervades the country. History and modernity comfortably co-exist throughout all facets of life in Turkey. The population of Turkey is relatively young and Turkish people are traditionally very hospitable.
Visit the official site of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism at and Go Turkey for more information on what to do and where to go in Turkey.
Planning your studies in Turkey
Turkish universities have short-term exchange programs available to international students to study in Turkey for one semester or one year, enabling them to earn credits towards their course of study back home. These exchange programs would form part of an official agreement between an Australian and Turkish university. Details on whether or not your institution has an agreement with a Turkish university can be found by contacting your university’s International Office.
If your university does not have an exchange agreement with a Turkish university, you can apply as a special student. Information on the opportunities and requirements for special student study is available from each university’s website. For further information, you should contact that university’s Admissions Office directly.
Some universities in Turkey also offer classes during the summer break, June – August. Summer school usually runs for six to eight weeks and students are often able to receive credit for such programs towards their degrees at home.
Please visit the Study Turkey website for information relevant to all aspects of studying in Turkey Study Turkey.
Links to Turkish Government websites
Please visit Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at www.mfa.gov.tr for more information on government matters. The Turkish Ministry of Interior website at www.icisleri.gov.tr provides information on national safety and security matters. Please visit the Turkish Ministry of National Education website at www.meb.gov.tr for more information about the education system in Turkey.
Turkish Embassy and Consulates in Australia
Turkish Embassy, Canberra
6 Moonah Pl, Yarralumla
ACT 2600
Ph: +61 2 6295 0227
Turkish Consulate-General, Sydney
66 Ocean St, Woollahra
NSW 2025
Ph: +61 2 9302 4600
Turkish Consulate-General, Melbourne
8th Floor, 24 Albert Rd
South Melbourne
VIC 3205
Ph: +61 3 9696 6066/6046
Website: http://kanberra.be.mfa.gov.tr/
Australian Embassy and Consulate in Turkey
Australian Embassy, Ankara
Ugur Mumcu Caddesi No.88
7th Floor
Gaziosmanpasa 06700
Ph: +90 312 459 9500
Australian Consulate, Istanbul
16th Floor, Suzer Plaza
Elmadag Askerocagi Caddesi No. 15
Sisli 34367
Ph: +90 212 243 1333
Further Information
Mobile telephone: Four GSM 900 and 1800 band networks exist. Coverage is available in most urban areas.
Fax: All hotels, universities and PTT offices have facilities
Internet: Internet cafes exist in main urban areas. Universities have their own computer labs, many of which have Internet connections.
Post: Airmail to Europe takes three days. Turkish post offices are recognizable by their yellow PTT signs. Major post offices open Mon-Sat 0800-2000 and Sun 0900-1900. Small post offices have the same opening hours as government offices. It is also possible to use the ‘Valuables Dispatch Service’ for valuable belongings or important documents. International and domestic private parcel services are also available like Yurtici Kargo, Aras Kargo, UPS, FedEx, etc.
Press: Apart from many Turkish newspapers, English-language daily newspapers exist, including The Turkish Daily News.
Public transportation: Public transportation is convenient and affordable and is provided by buses, minibuses and subways (only in major cities). Students are entitled to a discount on all public transportation.
Tertiary studies in Turkey
International students will be exposed to a wide range of cultural experience as well as an excellent level of study experiences in some of the world’s most beautiful and innovative universities.
Please visit the website of the Council of Higher Education at www.yok.gov.tr for more information on the standards of Turkish institutions, recent reforms in light of the Bologna Process and requirements of international students wishing to study a full degree program in Turkey.
Fees and funding
Exchange students pay tuition fees to their home university and are exempt from fees at the host university.
International students who are not participating in an exchange program will have to pay tuition fees Tuition fees can range from USD450 to USD12000, in institutions where instruction is in English. The variation in fees depends on whether the student chooses to study in a State or Foundation university.
Contact the International Office of your home university or the Admissions Office of the host university to determine the exact nature of your overseas study experience and applicable fees.
Scholarships
Turkish universities generally do not offer scholarships to international students.
Please visit the Australian Endeavour Awards website at www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au to find out more about the scholarships on offer and the relevant link to Turkish Ministry website.
Studying in English
The language of instruction in the majority of Turkish universities is Turkish; however, some institutions provide courses in English. Please visit individual institution websites for detailed information about programs available in English. Turkish classes are offered out for international students.
List of and links to universities and VET or technical colleges in Turkey
The following universities are recommended as suitable host institutions for Australian students with programs available in English.
Living in Turkey
Costs and Budgeting
Estimated monthly living expenses for international students are similar to those in Australia. International students should budget for a minimum of USD300 to USD400 per month to cover accommodation, food, entertainment and daily travel. Books and administrative fees are approximately USD100 to 150 per semester.
Visa and entry
Non-Turkish citizens must obtain a student visa from the Turkish Consulate in Australia before arrival into Turkey. Student visas cannot be obtained within Turkey.
Please visit the website of the Turkish Embassy in Australia http://kanberra.be.mfa.gov.tr/ for contact details of Turkish Consulates in Australia and for the most up-to-date information on applying for a student visa to Turkey.
Managing and accessing money – banking
The currency used in Turkey is the New Turkish Lira (YTL). Money and travellers cheques can be exchanged at all PTT Post Office branches.
Banking hours in Turkey are Monday to Friday 0830 – 1230 and 1330 – 1700.
The website All About Turkey provides a full and up-to-date list of banks operating in Turkey.
Accommodation
State and campus dormitories are quite secure, with kitchen supplies for students to cook their own meals. They also have small cafeterias which serve until midnight. There is usually an option of having either a shared or private room and dormitories are separated by gender. Average room prices vary between USD30 and USD300 per month according to facilities.
Prices of a rental apartment off-campus will vary depending on the district, quality and size. Rents are often quite high in the major cities. Many students share accommodation to keep costs down and usually find places to meet their needs and preferences. Average cost of an apartment ranges from between USD200 and USD500 per month from city to city.
Healthcare and insurance
Turkey has a well-established healthcare sector with a large number of Turkish doctors and dentists who speak English, particularly in the major hospitals.
Turkish universities all have an on-campus medical centre. However, international students are strongly advised to come to Turkey with a valid Overseas Health Insurance Policy as international students are responsible for all costs associated with hospitalisation or for any medical service or treatment not available at a university health centre. The Health Insurance Policy should cover both Asiatic and European Turkey.
Conditions regarding Working in Turkey
Foreign Students are not allowed to work in Turkey. However, there might be a few low-paying student assistant jobs at some universities such as METU and Bilkent.
Australian students between the ages of 18 and 30 are able to apply for a Work and Holiday visa, including study for up to four months in Turkey. The total stay cannot exceed 12 months and the visa can only be applied for once.