Cost of Studying in Turkey 2026: Full Breakdown

Turkey is one of the most affordable study destinations in the world. Public university tuition for international students ranges from TRY 1,000 to TRY 8,000 per year depending on the programme. Private (foundation) universities charge TRY 20,000 to TRY 100,000 per year. Living costs in Istanbul run TRY 15,000–25,000 per month, while Ankara and smaller cities cost TRY 10,000–15,000 per month. A student on a tight budget at a public university in a mid-sized city can manage on roughly TRY 8,000–12,000 per month. This guide breaks down every expense category so you can build a realistic budget before arriving.

Tuition Fees at Public Universities

Public universities in Turkey charge minimal tuition fees by global standards. The Turkish government subsidises higher education heavily. International students pay higher rates than Turkish citizens, but fees remain low compared to the UK, USA, or Australia.

Tuition varies by programme type, language of instruction, and field of study. English-taught programmes generally cost more than Turkish-taught ones. Medicine and engineering programmes carry higher fees than humanities.

Programme	Turkish-Taught (TRY/year)	English-Taught (TRY/year)
Bachelor’s (Humanities/Social Sciences)	1,000–3,000	2,000–5,000
Bachelor’s (Engineering/Science)	2,000–5,000	3,000–7,000
Bachelor’s (Medicine)	5,000–8,000	6,000–10,000
Master’s (all fields)	1,500–4,000	2,500–6,000
PhD (all fields)	1,000–3,000	2,000–5,000

These rates apply to international students at public universities. Turkish citizens and Türkiye Bursları scholarship holders pay nothing. Top public universities like Istanbul University, Ankara University, Boğaziçi University, and Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) fall within these ranges. Boğaziçi and ODTÜ teach primarily in English at no extra premium because English instruction is their default.

Tuition Fees at Private (Foundation) Universities

Private universities in Turkey are called vakıf üniversiteleri (foundation universities). They are non-profit institutions funded by private foundations. Tuition is significantly higher than public universities, but many offer generous scholarship discounts based on YÖS exam scores or academic merit.

University Tier	Annual Tuition (TRY)	Annual Tuition (USD approx.)	Examples
Premium	60,000–100,000	2,000–3,300	Koç, Sabancı, Bilkent, Özyeğin
Mid-Range	30,000–60,000	1,000–2,000	Bahçeşehir, Yeditepe, İstanbul Bilgi
Budget	20,000–35,000	650–1,150	Nişantaşı, İstanbul Gelişim, İstanbul Aydın
Medicine (Private)	80,000–150,000	2,600–5,000	Koç Medicine, Acıbadem, Başkent

Many private universities offer 50–100% tuition waivers based on YÖS scores. A student scoring in the top 1% on YÖS can attend Koç or Sabancı on a full scholarship. Even mid-range scores often secure 25–50% discounts. Ask the admissions office about scholarship tiers before accepting an offer.

Living Costs by City

Your city choice determines your biggest expense: rent. Istanbul is the most expensive city by far. Ankara, Izmir, and smaller cities offer significant savings.

City	Rent (Shared Flat, TRY/month)	Rent (Studio, TRY/month)	Total Living Cost (TRY/month)
Istanbul (European Side)	6,000–10,000	12,000–20,000	15,000–25,000
Istanbul (Asian Side)	5,000–8,000	10,000–16,000	13,000–20,000
Ankara	4,000–7,000	8,000–13,000	10,000–15,000
Izmir	4,000–7,000	8,000–14,000	10,000–16,000
Eskişehir	3,000–5,000	6,000–9,000	8,000–12,000
Antalya	4,000–7,000	8,000–13,000	10,000–15,000
Bursa	3,500–6,000	7,000–11,000	9,000–14,000

Accommodation Options

Accommodation is your largest monthly expense after tuition. Turkey offers several options for international students.

University dormitories (KYK and private). KYK (Kredi ve Yurtlar Kurumu) runs government dormitories at TRY 1,500–3,000 per month including meals. Rooms are shared (2–6 beds). These are the cheapest option but spaces are limited. Private university dormitories cost TRY 3,000–8,000 per month and offer smaller rooms and better facilities.

Shared apartments. Most students share flats after their first year. Splitting a 2–3 bedroom apartment between 2–3 people brings rent to TRY 4,000–8,000 per person in Istanbul and TRY 3,000–5,000 in smaller cities. Search on Sahibinden.com or Hepsiemlak.com.

Private student residences. Companies like Albatros, Nuh Naci Yazgan, and others operate modern student residences. Expect TRY 5,000–12,000 per month for a single room with utilities included.

Food and Groceries

Turkish food is delicious and affordable. Eating out costs a fraction of Western European prices.

Item	Cost (TRY)
University cafeteria meal	30–60
Street food (döner, simit, lahmacun)	40–100
Restaurant meal (mid-range)	150–350
Monthly groceries (cooking at home)	3,000–5,000
Coffee (café)	60–120
1.5L water bottle	10–15

University cafeterias serve subsidised meals for as little as TRY 30–60. Cooking at home is the cheapest option: monthly grocery bills run TRY 3,000–5,000. Shop at discount chains like BİM, A101, and ŞOK for the best prices. Local markets (pazar) on weekends sell fresh produce at 30–50% below supermarket prices.

Transportation

Turkish cities have extensive public transport networks. Students get significant discounts with student transit cards.

City	Student Monthly Pass (TRY)	Includes
Istanbul (İstanbulkart student)	600–900	Metro, bus, ferry, tram
Ankara (Ankarakart student)	350–500	Metro, bus
Izmir (İzmirim Kart student)	400–600	Metro, bus, ferry
Other cities	200–400	Bus, tram

Student transit cards offer 50% discounts on public transport. Apply at the transit authority office with your student ID. In Istanbul, the İstanbulkart student version costs roughly half of adult fares for metro, bus, ferry, and tram rides.

Health Insurance Costs

Health insurance is mandatory. Budget for either SGK (public) or private coverage.

SGK: TRY 2,500–3,500 per year. Covers public hospitals. You apply at the local SGK office after receiving your residence permit. Payment can be monthly or quarterly.

Private insurance: TRY 3,000–8,000 per year. Required for the first residence permit application if you have not yet enrolled in SGK. Many students start with private insurance and switch to SGK after their first renewal.

Mobile Phone and Internet

Turkey has three major mobile operators: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom. Student plans start at TRY 200–400 per month with 10–20 GB data and unlimited calls. Home internet costs TRY 300–600 per month for fibre connections.

Important: Foreign phones must be registered with the IMEI system within 120 days of entry. Registration costs approximately TRY 20,000. Many students buy a local phone instead to avoid this fee.

Monthly Budget Examples

Category	Budget (Eskişehir, TRY/month)	Mid-Range (Ankara, TRY/month)	Comfortable (Istanbul, TRY/month)
Rent (shared)	3,500	5,000	8,000
Food	2,500	3,500	5,000
Transport	300	450	800
Health insurance	250	250	250
Phone & internet	300	350	400
Study materials	200	300	400
Personal & leisure	950	1,650	3,150
Total	8,000	11,500	18,000

Saving Money as a Student

Turkey offers many ways to reduce your expenses.

• University cafeterias: Subsidised meals at TRY 30–60 save thousands per month compared to eating out.
• KYK dormitories: Government dorms with meals included cost TRY 1,500–3,000 per month.
• Student discounts: Museums, cinemas, transport, and many restaurants offer 50% student discounts with a valid student ID.
• Cook at home: Shopping at BİM, A101, and weekly markets cuts food costs by 40–60%.
• Second-hand textbooks: Buy from seniors or use the university library instead of purchasing new books.
• Student transit cards: Half-price transport in every major city.
• Part-time work: From your second year, earn TRY 10,000–15,000 per month part-time. See our Turkey working guide.

Currency and Banking

The Turkish lira (TRY) has experienced significant depreciation in recent years. This benefits international students who earn or receive money in USD, EUR, or GBP. Your foreign currency goes further in Turkey than the raw numbers suggest.

Open a Turkish bank account as soon as you get your residence permit. Popular banks for students include Ziraat Bankası (state-owned, no fees), Halkbank, and İş Bankası. Most banks offer student accounts with zero maintenance fees. Use ATMs from your own bank to avoid withdrawal charges.

Money transfer services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), Papara, and Western Union offer competitive exchange rates for receiving money from abroad. Papara is a popular local fintech with a prepaid card accepted everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need per month in Turkey?

Budget TRY 8,000–12,000 per month in smaller cities like Eskişehir or Bursa. In Ankara, expect TRY 10,000–15,000. Istanbul requires TRY 15,000–25,000 depending on lifestyle and accommodation choices.

Are public university tuition fees really that low?

Yes. Turkish public universities charge international students TRY 1,000–8,000 per year for most programmes. Medicine is higher at TRY 5,000–10,000. These rates are set by YÖK and adjusted annually.

Do private universities offer scholarships?

Most private universities offer 25–100% tuition scholarships based on YÖS exam scores. High-scoring students attend premium universities like Koç and Sabancı for free. Apply early and negotiate your scholarship tier.

Is Istanbul worth the extra cost?

Istanbul offers more job opportunities, a larger international community, and a vibrant social life. If you plan to work part-time or build a career network, the higher cost can pay off. Budget-conscious students do well in Eskişehir or Ankara.

How much does health insurance cost?

SGK (public) costs TRY 2,500–3,500 per year. Private insurance runs TRY 3,000–8,000 per year. SGK is sufficient for most students.

Can I work to cover my living costs?

From your second year, you can work part-time and earn TRY 10,000–15,000 per month. This covers basic living costs in most cities. First-year undergraduates cannot work legally.

Do I need to pay for textbooks?

Some professors share digital materials for free. Others require purchased textbooks costing TRY 100–500 each. Budget TRY 200–400 per month for study materials. University libraries stock most required readings.

How does the Turkish lira exchange rate affect my budget?

The lira has depreciated against USD and EUR, making Turkey cheaper for international students receiving money from abroad. However, local prices rise with inflation. Budget in USD or EUR and convert regularly to manage exchange rate fluctuations.