STUDY IN TURKEY

Overview

Like many countries investing in universities, Turkey is keen to attract more international students – and strategies such as lower tuition fees and generous scholarships appear to be paying off.
In terms of tourism, Turkey is certainly already a firmly established destination. Some 31.5 million trips were made to the country in 2011, and government statistics from the start of 2012 suggest Turkey’s popularity is continuing to grow.
Much of the tourism industry centers around beautiful coastal resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, but many visitors also come to explore Turkey’s rich history and vibrant culture – both of which have been heavily influenced by its geographical position at the meeting point of Europe and Asia.
In recent years, students too have been flocking to Turkey. According to national statistics, there were almost 27,000 foreign students studying in Turkey in the 2010-11 academic year – an increase of more than 10,000 compared to 2005-6.
However, the Turkish government has much greater ambitions, having set a target of 100,000 international students in the country by 2015.

Fast Fact

• Capital is Ankara, but largest city is Istanbul
• Official language is Turkish; also spoken are Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian and Greek
• Main religion is Islam
• Currency is the Turkish lira
• International dialling code is +90 and internet domain is .tr
• Borders with eight countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan
• In talks to join the EU, having become a candidate country in 1999
• About 5% of landmass on the European continent, 95% in Asia
• Major industrial sectors include petrol, steel, mining, vehicle manufacture, textiles and food production
• Traditional Turkish cuisine is probably best known for kebab (meat cooked on a skewer), meze (assorted small dishes), and baklava (very sweet filo pastry-based dessert)

Lifestyle

As a student in Turkey – especially if you are based in one of these prominent cities – you certainly won’t find yourself short of places to explore and things to do.

Music lovers will find plenty of variety, from folk to techno, classical to pop, and hip hip to jazz – plus everything in between.

The cities are full of lively venues, and Turkey hosts a number of international music festivals each year.

Meanwhile film fans may already be aware of the country’s growing domestic film industry, and will find themselves in good company; cinema-going is a popular activity in Turkey, and the latest Hollywood blockbusters are always widely screened.

In terms of daily life, you may find yourself becoming adept at spotting a good quality döner kebab, haggling over prices at the souk, preparing (or at least appreciating) a real Turkish coffee, and perhaps even taking on the locals at tavla, or backgammon, which is popularly played in cafes and parks.

All in all, studying in Turkey promises to provide an experience unlike any other – as you’ll discover if you choose this truly ‘Eurasian’ destination for your university years.

 Practical Information

Overall, Turkey has 123 state universities and 44 private universities. Most are relatively young; as recently as 1970, Turkey had only eight state universities, and the first private university (Bilkent University), was not established until 1985.

Among the youngest of all is Antalya International University (AIU), which welcomes its first students in the 2012/13 academic year, and aims to recruit more than half of its students from outside Turkey.

Attracting more international students is in fact a priority for many Turkish universities, and both public and private institutions are introducing policies to support this – including lower tuition rates for foreign students, and more international student scholarships.

Nine Turkish universities appear in the QS World University Rankings 2012/13, of which all but one are based either in capital Ankara, or in largest city Istanbul.

In Ankara, you’ll find Bilkent University, Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe University, while Istanbul boasts Sabanci University, Istanbul University, Koç University, Bogaziçi Üniversitesi and Istanbul Technical University. The ninth ranked institution, Cukurova University, is close to Adana.

Universities in Turkey

state           Institution

1 Abant Izzet Baysal University

2 Abdullah Gul University (AGU)

3 Adiyaman University

4 Adnan Menderes University

5 Afyon Kocatepe University

6 Agri Ibrahim Cecen University

7 Ahi Evran University

8 Ahmet Yesevi University

9 Akdeniz University

10 Aksaray University

11 Alparslan University

12 Amasya University

13 Anadolu University

14 Ankara University

15 Antalya International University

16 Ardahan University

17 Artvin Çoruh University

18 Atatürk University

19 Atilim University

20 Bahcesehir University

21 Balikesir University

22 Bartin University

23 Baskent University

24 Batman University

25 Bayburt University

26 Beykent University

27 Bilecik University

28 Bilim University, Istanbul

29 Bilkent University

30 Bingol University

31 Black Sea Technical University

32 Bogazici University

33 Bozok University

34 Bozok Üniversitesi

35 Cag University

36 Canakkale (18th March) University

37 Cankaya University

38 Cankiri Karatekin University

39 Celal Bayar University

40 Cukurova University

41 Cumhuriyet (Republik) University

42 Dicle (Tirgris) University

43 Dogus University

44 Dokuz Eylül University

45 Dumlupinar University

46 Duzce University

47 Ege University

48 Erciyes University

49 Erzincan University

50 Fatih Sultan Mehmet Waqf University

51 Fatih University

52 Fatikh University

53 Firat (Euphrates) University

54 Galatasaray University

55 Gazi University Ankara

56 Gaziantep University

57 Gaziosmanpasa University

58 Gediz University

59 Giresun University

60 Gümüshane University

61 Hacettepe University

62 Halic University

63 Harran University

64 Hittite University

65 Inönü University

66 Isik University

67 Istanbul Arel University

68 Istanbul Aydin University

69 Istanbul Bilgi University

70 Istanbul Kultur University

71 Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

72 Istanbul Sehir University

73 Istanbul Technical University

74 Istanbul Ticaret University

75 Istanbul University

76 Istanbul University of Physical Therapy &Rehabilitation

77 Izmir Economic University

78 Izmir University

79 Izmir University of Economic

80 Izmir University of Economics

81 Izmir University of Economics (Turkey)

82 Kadir Has University

83 Kafkas University

84 Kahramanmaras Sütcü Imam University

85 Karabuk University

86 Karadeniz Technical University

87 Kastamonu University

88 Kirikkale University

89 Kirklareli Üniversitesi

90 Koc University

91 Kocaeli University

92 Korkut Ata University of Osmanabad

93 Koç University

94 KİLİS 7 ARALIK

95 Maltepe University

96 Mardin Artuklu University

97 Marmara University

98 Mehmet Akif Ersoy University

99 Meliksah University

100 Mersin University

101 Mevlana (Rumi) University

102 Middle East Technical University

103 Middle East Technical University North Cyprus Campus

104 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University

105 Mimar Sinan University

106 Mugla University

107 Mustafa Kemal University

108 Namik Kemal University

109 Nevsehir University

110 Nigde University

111 Okan University

112 Ondokuz Mayis University Samsun

113 Ordu University

114 Osmangazi University

115 Ozyegin University

116 Pamukkale University

117 Rize Üniversitesi

118 Sabanci University

119 Sakarya University

120 Selcuk University

121 Siirt University

122 Sinop University

123 Sirnak University

124 Suleyman Demirel University

125 Tobb Economics and Technology University

126 Trakya University

127 Tunceli University

128 Ufuk University

129 Uludag University

130 University of Mersin

131 Uşak University

132 Yasar University

133 Yeditepe University

134 Yildiz Technical University

135 Yuzuncu Yıl University

136 Zirve University

137 Zonguldak Karaelmas University

University Applications and Admissions: Expert Advice

TopUniversities.com asks admissions staff to share their advice on how to make the university application process as painless a procedure as possible.

So, you’ve done the research, you’ve talked it over with your nearest and dearest, you’re pretty confident that you’re going to get the grades you need, and you’ve finally concluded that studying abroad is right for you.

Congratulations: you’ve made one of the biggest – and hopefully most rewarding – decisions you’ll ever have to make in your life.

Now there’s just one small obstacle standing in your way: actually getting into the university of your choice.

University applications and admissions

Of course, ‘small’ is the wrong word – this can be a very daunting experience.

But fear not: if you keep your wits about you, then there’s no need for this to be any more than an administrative hassle – though admittedly a rather long-winded one, as you’ll learn very quickly once you begin the application procedure.

It may seem obvious, but given the amount of time each application can take up, it’s important to think carefully about where you really want to apply.

Caroline Berry, International Officer at the University of Leicester, UK, advises students to begin preparations as early as possible: “As well as searching on the internet and checking the web pages of individual institutions, speaking to family, friends and teachers who have studied [overseas] is always a good place to start, and a way of narrowing down choices,” she advises.

“As well as choosing a course, students need to consider many other elements, including the type of environment they would like to live in, location, transport links, availability of accommodation, cost of living, options for financing studies through institutional scholarships and, of course, the type of institution they prefer.”

Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of looking at the different degree structures on offer: “The key thing for an applicant to understand is the kind of educational environment that will best suit how they like to learn.

"Universities in different countries – or even in the same country – are very different in their styles and methods; some are very focused on a specific course of study, while others are more broad-based in their offerings."

He adds, “Culture is important. Students want to find the environment that best matches the way they like to learn.”

In the opinion of Pieke Hoekstra of Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, it’s best to focus on institutions rather than countries. However, Miranda Cheng, Director of the Centre for International Experience at the University of Toronto, Canada, says looking at the host country’s immigration policy should also play a part in your decision, particularly if you’re planning to work there during or after your degree.

Schmill points out the importance of having “a realistic understanding of what it will cost, and how [you] will pay for it” – there’s no sense, after all, in going through the entire application procedure if you find at the end that you just can’t afford it.

Connect with your undergraduate subject

Once you’ve weighed up all the various factors, and carefully made your decision – and remember that this where you’re going to be spending a not-inconsiderable portion of your life – it’s time for the really fun part: applying.

Though this might also seem obvious, it makes sense to ensure you take care over this – you don’t want to miss out simply because you forgot to submit the required evidence, or applied too late.

“Students should check entry requirements and deadlines before applying to make sure that they have the best possible chance of gaining a place on their chosen course,” Berry confirms.

“If they are unsure whether their qualifications are acceptable, they might like to contact the admissions office or international office in their chosen institution to check before submitting a full application.”

She emphasizes the importance of applying in good time: “It sounds obvious, but students should try to make an application as early as possible as this will give them plenty of time to make all the necessary arrangements for a move abroad, including organizing their finances, applying for scholarships and obtaining a student visa.”

And as Cheng adds, if you’re ever unsure about anything, ask!

Of course, it is extremely unlikely that you will be the only person applying to your course, and Peter Dunn of Warwick University, UK, warns that – especially at top universities – the competition is likely to be stiff.

“Almost all applicants who apply to top universities will have high predicted grades that will meet the university’s academic requirements, so any other personal information on the form is a very important way in which you can impress the selectors.”

Your personal statement, he continues, is your main chance to convey this: “The person reading your application form will want to know in what ways you ‘connect’ with your chosen subject. They will look for motivated students who can articulate their aims and have the potential to succeed on the course.”

Though work experience and extracurricular activities certainly play a part in this – especially when you can show how they are relevant – you should not allow them to dominate your statement, Dunn says.

“Remember that you are applying for an academic course of study, and the limited space available to you for your personal statement should predominantly focus on this.”

Berry agrees: “Admissions tutors are most impressed when students can demonstrate a real understanding and commitment to their chosen subject area, and show that they have considered its relevance to their future career choice.”

Schmill adds that presenting yourself as someone who will contribute to the campus community will work in your favor.

University application mistakes to avoid

So what are common mistakes people make during their applications?

“It makes an admissions tutor’s job more difficult if applicants do not provide enough information with regards to their qualifications,” Berry says.

“In the case of those applying with overseas qualifications, students shouldn’t attempt to translate theirs into [another system] – it’s always better to state the original name of the qualification gained.”

Schmill emphasizes the importance of paying attention: “It is important to fulfil all of the requirements that a university lays out. Make sure you take all the tests that you need to, have your interviews, and if an application asks you to answer a particular question, answer that and not some other question that you would prefer to answer.”

Bear all this in mind, and you’ll stand as good a chance as anyone. But, remember, if you don’t get in, it’s never the end of the world.

“It’s important to bear in mind that admissions tutors have a student’s best interests at heart when considering applications and will only make offers to those who they believe can be successful on their chosen course,” Berry says.

For this reason alone, it is worth applying to more than one university, because even if you don’t get into your first choice, Schmill concludes, “a university education is what you make of it – so you can have a terrific experience wherever you end up.”

More admissions advice >