Last updated: 26 Aug 2026
Ever aspired for Turkey opportunity? Türkiye Bursları (Türkiye Scholarships) is Turkey’s flagship government-funded international scholarship program, administered by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). It funds Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD study at accredited Turkish universities, and unlike scholarships that require you to secure admission first; placement and funding are processed together as a single application.
Türkiye Bursları Scholarships
- Sponsor: Government of Turkey, via YTB
- Host Institutions: Accredited universities across Turkey (100+ funded programs)
- Level of Study: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD + separate Research and Success Scholarship tracks
- Institution(s): Various Universities
- Study in: Turkey
- Deadline: February 20 Yearly
- Results Announcement: Early August
- Study Begins: September, following successful transfer procedures in August
What the Scholarships cover
- Full tuition fees, paid directly to the university
- Monthly stipend
- Free accommodation in state-approved residences
- Comprehensive health insurance
- One-time return flight ticket
- One-year mandatory Turkish language course
- Academic and professional development programs
- No tuition deposit or proof-of-funds requirement
Eligibility
- Open to citizens of all countries except Turkish citizens or those who have lost Turkish citizenship
- Graduates, or those completing their current level of study by year’s end
- Academic thresholds: roughly 70% for Bachelor’s applicants, 75% for Master’s and PhD, and higher (around 90%) for Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy – confirm exact current thresholds on YTB’s criteria page, as these are periodically adjusted
- Age limits: approximately 21 for Bachelor’s, 30 for Master’s, 35 for PhD, 50 for Research applicants. Confirm current limits directly, as with academic thresholds
- Applicants currently studying in Turkey at the same level aren’t eligible
Ineligible Groups
- Turkish citizens or those who have lost Turkish citizenship are not eligible to apply
- Applicants currently studying in Turkey are not eligible at the same level
Degree Programs Covered
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
- Engineering and Technology
- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy
- Social Sciences and Humanities
- Islamic Studies and Theology
- Architecture and Design
Master’s Degree Programs
- STEM and Applied Sciences
- International Relations and Public Policy
- Business, Economics, and Management
- Health Sciences
PhD Degree Programs
- Advanced Research Programs
- Strategic and Policy‑Driven Fields
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Studies
Beyond the general scholarship, YTB also separately runs Success Scholarships (applications October-November) and Research Scholarships (four separate application periods throughout the year). Check the official program list if the general degree scholarship doesn’t fit your situation.
Required Documents
- Valid passport or national ID
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificate or expected graduation letter
- Motivation letter: this carries significant weight in selection
- Letters of recommendation
- Research proposal (Master’s/PhD applicants)
- Language certificates (IELTS/TOEFL): optional, not mandatory
All documents must be clear and officially translated where not already in English or Turkish.
How to Apply
- Wait for the application window to reopen (10 January, based on the standard annual calendar)
- Create an applicant profile on the official Türkiye Bursları portal
- Select your degree level and up to your allowed number of preferred programs
- Upload all required documents
- Submit before the 20 February deadline. There is no application fee
If you would like help with your motivation letter, our statement of purpose guide covers structure, though YTB’s own guidance on what they look for should take priority.
Selection Process
- Academic performance
- Field relevance to Turkey’s priority areas
- Quality of motivation letter
- Leadership, community engagement, and career vision
Evaluation and interviews run March through July, with final results announced in early August.
Region-Specific Guidance
Since applicant profiles and competitiveness vary significantly by region, here is what tends to matter most depending on where you are applying from:
Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia)
Applicants from Africa represent one of the largest and most successful cohorts of Türkiye Bursları scholars.
Strategic tips:
- Emphasize leadership, community impact, and post-study return plans
- Clearly connect your field of study to national development goals
- Strong motivation letters carry disproportionate weight
South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka)
South Asian applicants face intense competition, especially at undergraduate level.
Strategic tips:
- Academic excellence must be clearly documented
- Avoid generic career goals; show Turkey-specific academic alignment
- Research proposals are critical for postgraduate success
Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
Applicants from the MENA region benefit from academic, cultural, and linguistic proximity.
Strategic tips:
- Highlight regional collaboration potential
- Demonstrate how Turkey’s academic ecosystem strengthens your career path
- Arabic-speaking applicants still require Turkish language training
Central Asia & Caucasus
Applicants from Turkic and neighboring states are highly encouraged.
Strategic tips:
- Emphasize cultural and linguistic ties
- Focus on bilateral cooperation and regional development narratives
Europe & North America
Applicants from Western countries are fewer but strategically valued.
Focus areas:
- International Relations, Area Studies
- Migration Studies, Public Policy, History
Strategic tips:
- Focus on Turkey’s geopolitical position
- Demonstrate clear academic purpose beyond cost-saving motives
Latin America and Caribbean
A growing but underrepresented applicant pool.
Strategic tips:
- Clearly explain why Turkey is academically relevant
- Highlight cross-continental academic exchange potential
Application Status & Calendar
- Application Period: January 10 – February 20
- Evaluation Process: March – April
- Interview Period: April – June
- Announcement of Results: Early August
- Initial Procedures: August
- Transfers of Grantees to Türkiye: September
Success Scholarship
- Application Period: October-November
- Evaluation Process and Announcement of Results: November
Research Scholarship
1st Period
- Application Period: January – March
- Evaluation Process and Announcement of Results: April
2nd Period
- Application Period: April – June
- Evaluation Process and Announcement of Results: July
3rd Period
- Application Period: July – September
- Evaluation Process and Announcement of Results: October
4th Period
- Application Period: October – December
- Evaluation Process and Announcement of Results: January
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak or generic motivation letters
- Incomplete or unclear transcripts
- Applying outside the age limits for your degree level
- Choosing fields unrelated to your academic background
- Missing the February deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need university admission before applying?
No: Türkiye Bursları processes placement and scholarship funding together in one application.
Is there an application fee?
No
When does the next cycle open?
Based on the consistent annual pattern, around 10 January. Confirm the exact date on YTB’s official calendar closer to the time
Can Turkish citizens apply?
No: Turkish citizens and those who have lost Turkish citizenship are explicitly excluded
Related Reading
For other government-funded routes outside Turkey, see our guide to British Council GREAT Scholarships for UK-based options.
Apply directly: Türkiye Bursları — Official Site Application portal: tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication and on each update. Confirm current academic thresholds, age limits, and exact dates on YTB’s official site before applying.
