Turkey’s hugely popular government-funded scholarship program, “Turkiye Scholarships,” is now accepting applications from international students and researchers hoping to clinch a spot at some of Turkey’s most prestigious universities.
The program, which boasts research and language learning opportunities, is competitive and merit-based, where, alongside candidates’ academic achievements, extra-curricular social activities and other qualifications are taken into consideration.
According to the head of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) Abdullah Eren, student interest in the scholarships has been on the rise with every passing year since the “Türkiye Scholarships” was entrusted to YTB, the body in charge of administering the scholarship program.
“Back in 2012, the Türkiye Scholarships program received 42,000 applications, while last year it reached a record number of 165,500 applications from 178 different countries. This year, we also aim to set a new record,” said Eren.
All awardees are provided with a year-long free-of-charge Turkish language course regardless of their program and academic background, and students get the chance to acquaint themselves with Turkish culture through a variety of trips and programs in their first year.
The institution provides around 5,000 scholarships every year including full-time degrees (bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D.) as well as short-term programs such as research scholarships and language and culture programs.
Referring to the interest shown in the program, Eren pointed out that this stems from the wide range of services and programs that the scholarship covers.
“It is an all-inclusive program that covers the cost of tuition fees, monthly stipends, accommodation, health expenditures, round-trip flight tickets and a one-year Turkish language course for all students. Hence, it’s one of the world’s most comprehensive scholarship programs.”
Aiming to enhance Turkey's educational and cultural ties with other countries, students become part of a large family comprising of 15,000 current scholarship students and a 170,000-member international student body in Turkey. Following graduation, students are initiated into the Turkey Alumni network, which boasts around 150,000 graduates from more than 156 countries.
