How Much Does It Cost to Study in Turkey? Tuition and Living Costs

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

In Turkey the price of a degree depends mostly on the type of university and on whether the university has published a fee for international students. State universities are cheap by European standards, foundation (private) universities are not, and the lira has lost value quickly, so many universities quote their fees in US dollars.

How tuition is set for foreign students

The higher education law says that foreign students pay a tuition fee (öğrenim ücreti) every term, whether the place is in first or second education. The government sets the minimum amounts for foreign students by Presidential decision, and each state university then sets its own fee for the programmes it offers. This applies to citizens of EU countries too: in Turkey they are treated as international students, not as Turkish citizens.

Foundation universities set their own fees. Some universities publish their price list in lira, others in dollars, and some publish nothing for foreigners until you write to the international office.

What our catalogue shows

The figures below come from the price lists of universities, converted to euros at the ECB reference rate of 19 October 2026 (1 euro = 55.62 lira). They cover only programmes where the university has published a fee for international students, so the catalogue is not complete.

The catalogue has one price for EU and non-EU students, because the universities in our sources publish one fee for all international students. Where a university has not yet released its 2026/27 list, the catalogue shows the 2025/26 fee and labels it. The highest prices in the catalogue are for medicine and dentistry at foundation universities; see studying medicine in English in Europe. Some foundation universities discount the list price, so always ask what you would actually pay.

Browse the programmes by price in the Turkey catalogue, and compare them with the cheapest countries to study in Europe.

Living costs: one real budget

Turkish universities rarely publish a full budget. One that does is the International Students Office of Middle East Technical University in Ankara, updated on 22 June 2026. Its figures are in lira; the euro amounts are approximate at the rate above.

• A place in a campus dormitory: 4,000 to 20,000 lira a month (about €72 to €360).
• A private student dormitory in Ankara: 12,000 to 60,000 lira a month.
• A three-person rented apartment near the university: 35,000 to 60,000 lira a month in total.
• A student monthly bus and metro pass: 400 to 600 lira.
• Lunch in the university cafeteria: 80 to 120 lira.
• Monthly estimate with a campus dormitory and a thrifty lifestyle: 12,000 to 18,000 lira (about €216 to €324).
• Shared apartment with a moderate lifestyle: 20,000 to 35,000 lira (about €360 to €629).
• Living alone or in more comfort: 40,000 lira and above.

Ankara is only one city, and prices in Istanbul and in coastal cities are different. Prices in lira also rise during the year, so treat these as a guide and check the current list of the city you choose. For housing options see student housing in Turkey.

Other costs

• TR-YÖS exam. If you sit it, the 2026 fee was 3,700, 1,650 or 1,150 lira, depending on the country of the exam centre. See how to get into a university in Turkey.
• Health insurance. METU lists general health insurance at 15,000 to 20,000 lira a year and private insurance at 5,000 to 40,000 lira a year. See health insurance for students in Turkey.
• Documents. Apostille, translations and the school equivalence certificate; see documents and recognition.
• Turkish preparatory year. Some universities charge for the preparatory class, others offer it free; ask before you accept a place.

Funding

The government scholarship Türkiye Scholarships covers tuition, accommodation, health insurance and a monthly stipend, and applications are free. See scholarships and student jobs in Turkey.

Official sources

• Law 2547 on Higher Education, article 46
• METU International Students Office: cost of living
• ÖSYM: 2026 TR-YÖS/2 guide, exam fee
• Türkiye Scholarships: why Türkiye Scholarships

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.