European standard
Turkey is part of the Bologna Process: ECTS credits, Erasmus+ programmes and degrees that employers understand.
🇹🇷 Study in Turkey
Turkey.
European education six hours from home: programmes in English and Turkish, generous private-university discounts and a familiar culture.
208
universities — public and privateStudy in Türkiye
45000
college, bachelor's and master's programmesStudy in Türkiye
8200+
students from Kazakhstan already study in TurkeyMFA of Kazakhstan, 2023
6 h
direct flight from Almaty to Istanbul
Why Turkey
Why Turkey is chosen more and more often.
Over three years the number of Kazakhstani students in Turkey has nearly tripled — and that is no accident.
Reasonable cost
Private universities — from a few thousand dollars a year, and discounts for academic performance and upfront payment bring the price down even further.
English or Turkish
Hundreds of programmes entirely in English. Or Turkish on a preparatory course — Kazakhstanis pick it up easily.
Close to home
About six hours by direct flight from Almaty and Astana — easy to fly home for the holidays.
Familiar culture
Turkic roots, halal food, hospitality and a large Kazakhstani community — adaptation is smoother.
Modern campuses
On-site dormitories, clinics, laboratories and sports centres — especially in Istanbul and Ankara.
Two continents. One city. Your campus.
Istanbul connects Europe and Asia — and dozens of universities on both shores of the Bosphorus.
Education system
How higher education works.
Public and private (foundation) universities operate under the unified standards of the Council of Higher Education — YÖK.
College
2years
Önlisans programmes — applied specialities with the option to transfer into a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's
4years
Medicine — 6 years, dentistry and pharmacy — 5.
Master's
1,5–2years
With or without a thesis; classes are often in the evening — you can combine them with work.
Language year
1year
Preparation in English or Turkish if you don't have a certificate at the required level.
Cost
How much it costs to study in Turkey.
The price depends on the university, the language and the speciality. Private universities give discounts for academic performance, upfront payment and siblings studying together.
Tuition per year
Public universitiesadmission by exam (YÖS, SAT) or school certificate — depends on the universityfrom ~$500
Private universities · bachelor'se.g. Istanbul Okan: $4,500 in Turkish, $5,000 in English$3,000–10,000
College · 2 yearsapplied programmes at private universitiesfrom $2,000
Master'sdepending on the programme and university$3,000–7,000
Medicine and dentistryOkan: medicine $19,500–22,500, dentistry $15,000–18,000$15,000–25,000
Living per month
A guide for Istanbul. In Ankara, Izmir and other cities it is noticeably cheaper.
Prices are for the 2026/27 academic year, per university data. Discounts, using Istanbul Okan as an example: 5% when paying a year at once, 12–15% when paying for the whole course, 10% when relatives study together.
Admission
Admission — step by step and on schedule.
Private universities accept documents almost all year round, but the best programmes and discounts go early.
1October — December
Choosing universities
Consultation, a shortlist of programmes, budget and a language plan.
2January — March
Applications and exams
Admissions open at private universities, YÖS or SAT for public ones, application for Türkiye Bursları.
3April — July
Offer and deposit
Conditional admission, deposit and final letter of acceptance.
4July — August
Documents and entry
Translation and apostille, insurance, tickets.
5September
Studies begin
University registration, residence permit (ikamet), start of classes.
What you'll need
The basic package for a bachelor's degree at a private university. Public universities additionally require a YÖS, SAT or other recognised exam result.
- PassportValid for at least 6 months at the time of application.
- School certificate with transcriptTranslation into English or Turkish, apostille.
- Language certificateFor English programmes — e.g. TOEFL iBT from 72 or PTE from 55, for Turkish — TÖMER B2. No certificate — an internal exam and a preparatory year.
- Online applicationThrough the university portal — we submit it together with you.
- DepositAfter conditional admission: using Okan as an example — $1,000–2,500 depending on the programme.
Visa & documents
Entry and residence permit.
To study in Turkey you obtain a student residence permit — ikamet. We submit the documents together with you after arrival.
For citizens of Kazakhstan
Student ikamet
After registering at the university, an online e-ikamet application is submitted; the university helps with the procedure and documents.
- Entry
- visa-free for a short stay
- For studies
- student residence permit
- You'll need
- student certificate, insurance, address
- Term
- for the period of study, renewable
- Letter of acceptanceAfter the deposit the university issues a final letter with a YÖK number and a visa letter.
- Entry into TurkeyVisa-free entry or a student visa — we'll advise the option that fits your dates.
- Registration at the universityOriginal documents, tuition payment, student certificate.
- Applying for ikametOnline application, insurance and biometrics — before your visa-free stay expires.
Entry and stay rules change — we check the current requirements before the trip on the websites of Turkey's MFA and the migration service.
Our universities
Universities we help you get into.
We help you apply directly, without unnecessary intermediaries. Cooperation is already being arranged with some universities — the list is expanding ahead of the 2027 intake.
IOU
Istanbul Okan University
Istanbul · private
- 11 faculties, campus in Tuzla
- Medicine, dentistry, engineering, business
- Upfront-payment discounts of 5–15%
- On-campus dormitories
Check the current list of universities and admission terms at a consultation.
Well-known universities in Turkey.
BÜBoğaziçi UniversityIstanbul · public
ODTÜMiddle East Technical UniversityAnkara · public
İTÜIstanbul Technical UniversityIstanbul · public
HÜHacettepe UniversityAnkara · public
KUKoç UniversityIstanbul · private
SUSabancı UniversityIstanbul · private
BİLBilkent UniversityAnkara · private
OKANIstanbul Okan UniversityIstanbul · private
BAUBahçeşehir UniversityIstanbul · private
These are examples of well-known universities, not a list of Al Ma Dei partners. Check partners and admission terms at a consultation.
Cities
A metropolis on two continents
Istanbul
The most universities in the country, internships and 24/7 life.
A city by the water
The Bosphorus
Ferries instead of the metro, waterfronts and sunsets — student Istanbul.
Weekends and holidays
Cappadocia
Hot-air balloons, mountains and the sea — travelling around the country is inexpensive.
Student life
Community
Clubs, festivals and a large Kazakhstani community in the big cities.
Scholarships & discounts
Discounts and grants.
Turkey is one of the most generous countries for discounts and scholarships for international students.
Türkiye Bursları
A state scholarship: tuition, a monthly stipend, dormitory, insurance, flight and a Turkish course.
Applications — usually January–FebruaryPrivate-university discounts
Depend on your school certificate, exams and programme; kept with good academic performance.
At the time of applicationPayment discounts
Using Okan as an example: 5% when paying a year at once and 12–15% when paying for the whole course.
At registrationWork
Working while studying.
Part-time work in Turkey is possible with a work permit — we'll explain the rules and the internships through universities' career centres.
With a permit
Part-time work
Students may work part-time if they hold a work permit, which the employer arranges.
Erasmus+
Exchange and internships
Many universities take part in Erasmus+ — you can spend a semester in Europe.
FAQ
FAQ about Turkey
Can I get in without exams?
At private universities — yes, on your school certificate; language is confirmed by a certificate or an internal exam with a preparatory year. Public universities usually require YÖS or SAT.
Do I need to know Turkish?
No, if you choose a programme in English. Turkish programmes require a B2 level — you can reach it on a preparatory course in the first year.
Is IELTS accepted?
It depends on the university: some accept IELTS, while others — for example, Istanbul Okan — require TOEFL iBT or PTE. We'll tell you which test your universities need.
Is Turkey safe? What about earthquakes?
Turkey is a seismically active country. We tell you in advance where the campus and dormitories of your chosen university are, explain the safety rules and stay in touch with the student and the family.
Is a Turkish degree recognised in Kazakhstan?
Degrees from accredited Turkish universities can be used in Kazakhstan — in some cases after a recognition procedure. We check the university's accreditation in advance.
How much does it cost to live in Istanbul?
On average $550–900 a month including a dormitory. In Ankara, Izmir and other cities it is cheaper.
Free consultation
Get into Turkey — with Al Ma Dei.
We'll pick a university, programme and discounts, work out the budget in tenge and guide you through every stage — up to the residence permit.