Study in Türkiye: Costs, Visa, Universities and Scholarships for Pakistani Students

Türkiye is close to Pakistan in culture, food and friendship, and that makes the move easier for many students and their families. It also offers one of the most generous government scholarships in the world, Türkiye Bursları, plus a large number of private universities that give international students heavy discounts. Public university fees for international students are low, living costs are moderate, and many programmes are taught fully in English.

Currency used in this guide: US$1 ≈ PKR 277 and 1 Turkish lira (TL) ≈ PKR 5.6 (October 2026). The lira has been losing value quickly for years, so many universities set fees in US dollars and local prices rise often. Treat every figure as approximate.

Quick facts	Türkiye
Language of teaching	Turkish and English; many programmes in English, often with an English preparatory year if you lack a test score
Academic year and intakes	September (main intake); some private universities also take students in February
Typical tuition, public universities	approx. US$500 to US$4,000 per year (PKR 138,500 to 1,108,000) for international students; e.g. METU engineering US$1,200 per semester in 2025/26
Typical tuition, private universities	list prices approx. US$5,000 to US$25,000 per year (PKR 1.4m to 6.9m), often reduced by 25% to 75% for international students
Monthly living costs	approx. US$300 to US$800 (PKR 83,000 to 221,600) depending on city
Part-time work	needs a work permit; bachelor's students only after their first year, up to 24 hours a week; master's and PhD students have no fixed hour limit
After graduating	no dedicated post-study work visa; graduates can apply for a one-time short-term residence permit (up to one year) within six months of graduating, then need a work permit

Budget options: what you can do on every budget

Budget	Route	What it looks like
Fully funded	Türkiye Bursları (Türkiye Scholarships)	University placement, full tuition, monthly stipend, dormitory, health insurance, one return flight and a one-year Turkish language course. Open to bachelor's, master's and PhD.
Fully or highly funded (university)	Merit scholarships at universities such as Koç, Sabancı, Bilkent and Özyeğin; funded research assistant posts at public universities	50% to 100% tuition waivers, sometimes with a stipend or dorm. Competitive; strong grades and SAT or GRE help.
Low-fee, self-funded	Public university (e.g. METU, Ankara, Hacettepe, Ege, Selçuk)	Tuition approx. US$500 to US$4,000 a year plus US$300 to US$600 a month living. Total first year approx. US$4,500 to US$11,000 (PKR 1.25m to 3m).
Self-funded, mid to premium	Private university in Istanbul or Ankara with an international discount	After discount, tuition approx. US$3,000 to US$12,000 a year; medicine and dentistry often US$15,000 to US$30,000+. Living US$500 to US$800 a month in Istanbul.

A sensible plan for most families: apply to Türkiye Bursları in January and February, and in parallel apply to two or three public universities and one discounted private university as backups.

University costs

Public universities. International students pay fees set by each university, usually in US dollars or converted to lira at the Central Bank rate. They are low by global standards. For example, METU (Middle East Technical University) charged international undergraduates US$1,200 per semester in engineering and architecture in 2025/26, and US$375 per semester for graduate programmes. Admission to public universities for bachelor's usually needs a YÖS exam result (Türkiye's foreign student exam, run by individual universities), SAT, or similar, depending on the university.

Private (foundation) universities. These advertise high list prices but almost all give international students discounts of 25% to 75%, sometimes more for high grades. Always ask for the fee after discount in writing, check whether the discount continues every year, and check what happens if your grades drop. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are the most expensive.

Application fees. Many private universities charge nothing or a small fee (approx. US$50 to US$100). Public universities and YÖS exams have their own fees. These change every year.

English preparatory year. If you do not have an accepted IELTS or TOEFL score, you may have to complete a one-year English prep programme, which adds a year of fees and living costs. See the IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo guide.

Living costs

Approximate monthly costs for a student (2026; prices rise often):

City	Rent	Food	Transport	Total per month
Istanbul	US$250 to US$500 (dorm or shared flat)	US$150 to US$250	approx. US$20 to US$30	US$500 to US$800 (PKR 138,500 to 221,600)
Ankara	US$180 to US$350	US$120 to US$200	approx. US$15 to US$25	US$400 to US$600 (PKR 110,800 to 166,200)
İzmir	US$180 to US$380	US$120 to US$200	approx. US$15 to US$25	US$400 to US$650 (PKR 110,800 to 180,050)
Eskişehir or Konya	US$120 to US$250	US$100 to US$170	approx. US$10 to US$20	US$300 to US$450 (PKR 83,100 to 124,650)

State and university dormitories are much cheaper than private flats, and university cafeterias serve very cheap meals. Istanbul rents have risen sharply, so book housing early.

Scholarships and need-based funding

Türkiye Bursları (Türkiye Scholarships)

Run by the Turkish government (YTB), this is the main fully funded option.

What it covers: university and programme placement (you do not apply to universities separately), full tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation in a dormitory, health insurance, a one-time return flight, and a one-year Turkish language course (TÖMER) before your degree starts.

Monthly stipend (last published figures, approx.; amounts are revised, so confirm on the official site):

Level	Monthly stipend
Bachelor's	4,500 TL (approx. PKR 25,200)
Master's	6,500 TL (approx. PKR 36,400)
PhD	9,000 TL (approx. PKR 50,400)

Eligibility (official criteria):

• Age: under 21 for bachelor's, under 30 for master's, under 35 for PhD (research scholarship under 50)
• Minimum grades: 70% for bachelor's applicants, 75% for master's and PhD, 90% for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy
• Not already enrolled at the same level in a Turkish university

Application window: the general call normally runs from 10 January to 20 February each year on the official portal. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (often in Pakistan or online) between April and June, and results usually come out by early August. Selected students arrive in September and start with Turkish language study.

Who should apply: students with strong grades, a clear study plan and a genuine interest in Türkiye. Your motivation letter matters a lot; see our master's motivation letter sample.

Other funding

• University merit scholarships: Koç, Sabancı, Bilkent and others offer full or partial scholarships, sometimes with a stipend. Deadlines range from January to June.
• Private university discounts: automatic or merit-based reductions for international students, typically 25% to 75%.
• Research assistant posts and TÜBİTAK: some master's and PhD students are funded through supervisors' research projects or TÜBİTAK programmes. Contact professors directly.
• Success Scholarship: Türkiye Bursları also has a separate scheme for international students already studying in Türkiye with high grades (applications usually October to November).

Browse current options at /scholarships?country=Türkiye and read how to avoid scholarship scams.

Student visa: steps, documents and fees

Pakistani students need an education visa from the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi (Lahore also has a consulate). Applications are not accepted directly at the missions. In 2026 the Islamabad Embassy says applications are received only through Anatolia Travel Services offices; the Karachi Consulate also lists Gateway Management Logistics. The missions warn that appointments booked through unofficial online sites are not valid.

Steps

1. Get your acceptance letter (or Türkiye Bursları award letter).
2. Attest documents: IBCC for matric and intermediate, HEC for degrees, then MOFA. See the HEC attestation guide.
3. Fill in the online pre-application on the Turkish e-visa/consular site, print and sign it.
4. Submit at the authorised visa centre with fees and biometrics.
5. Within 30 days of arrival, apply online (e-İkamet) for a student residence permit and attend your appointment at the provincial migration office.

Main documents (as listed by the Karachi Consulate)

• Signed visa application, two 5x5 cm photos, passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival
• Acceptance letter from the Turkish university
• Travel health insurance (at least €30,000 or US$50,000 cover, including repatriation)
• Polio vaccination certificate dated within the past year
• Flight reservation and accommodation proof
• NADRA family registration certificate
• Bank maintenance certificate and three months of original statements showing enough to cover one year of tuition, flights, accommodation and food; sponsor affidavit and income proof if a parent pays
• Tax documents (FBR/NTN) of the sponsor, copies of diplomas, two references

Fees and money (changes yearly): the visa fee in PKR is set by the embassy and updated regularly (see the embassy's 2026 fee notice); third-party sources put the student visa at approx. PKR 21,000 plus the centre's service charge, but confirm before paying. Türkiye Bursları scholars are usually exempt from visa fees. For proof of funds, plan to show one year of tuition plus approx. US$6,000 to US$8,000 (PKR 1.66m to 2.2m) for living costs.

Processing time: approx. 15 to 30 working days, longer in July and August. The residence permit card can take one to three months after your appointment.

See also the visa and pre-departure checklist.

Working while studying and after graduating

International students need a work permit, which the employer applies for. Bachelor's and associate degree students can work only after completing their first year, and up to 24 hours a week. Master's and PhD students have no fixed weekly limit, but still need the permit. Türkiye Bursları scholars should check their scholarship rules before taking paid work. In practice, part-time jobs for non-Turkish speakers are limited, so do not rely on work to pay your fees.

After graduating, you can apply once, within six months of graduation, for a short-term residence permit of up to one year to look for work. To stay longer you need a job offer and a work permit. Some highly skilled graduates later qualify for the Turquoise Card.

Month-by-month timeline (for September 2027 entry)

When	What to do
October to December 2026	Shortlist universities, take IELTS/TOEFL or SAT/GRE if needed, start IBCC and HEC attestation
10 January to 20 February 2027	Apply for Türkiye Bursları (expected dates; confirm)
January to May 2027	Apply to public universities (YÖS or SAT where needed) and private universities
April to June 2027	Türkiye Bursları interviews; university offers arrive
June to July 2027	Accept an offer, pay deposit if self-funded, get discount confirmation in writing
July 2027	Türkiye Bursları results (often by early August)
July to August 2027	Visa application through the authorised centre
September 2027	Travel, register at university, apply for residence permit on e-İkamet within 30 days

Common mistakes Pakistani applicants make

• Booking visa appointments through unofficial websites or agents. The embassy says only authorised centres are valid.
• Trusting a private university's "scholarship" without checking the fee after discount and whether it renews each year.
• Missing the age limit for Türkiye Bursları (bachelor's applicants must be under 21).
• Forgetting the English or Turkish preparatory year, which adds a full year of costs.
• Missing the 30-day deadline to apply for the residence permit after arrival.
• Expecting to work from day one. Bachelor's students cannot work in their first year.

Official links

• Türkiye Bursları: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/
• Türkiye Bursları criteria: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/scholarshipsprograms
• Türkiye Bursları calendar: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/calendar
• Study in Türkiye (official portal): https://www.studyinturkiye.gov.tr/
• Turkish Embassy Islamabad, visa fee notice: https://islamabad-emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission/ShowAnnouncement/416697
• Turkish Consulate General Karachi, visa requirements: https://karaci-bk.mfa.gov.tr/
• METU fees for international students: https://iso.metu.edu.tr/
• Turkish migration authority (residence permits): https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/

Figures checked on 10 October 2026. Always confirm on the official sites before applying.