Although it varies according to your lifestyle and preferences, life is quite affordable for students in Turkey. On this page, you will find answers to possible questions that may arise in your mind about main expenditure items of an international student.
Tuition Fee/Contribution
Turkey is a unique country in terms of offering high quality education options with very low tuition fees compared to many leading countries in higher education. The lower and upper limits of the amount of contributions to be received from international students are determined by the government and net amounts are left to the initiative of universities. For this reason, the tuition fees in Turkish universities vary according to the type of university (state or foundation), the level of the program (undergraduate or graduate), faculty (medicine, dentistry, engineering, law etc.) and the duration of education. The prices are affordable in comparison to universities of similar quality in Europe or America. As of the academic year 2018-2019, the upper and lower limits of the annual education fees for some programs are as follows:
| Faculty | Degree | Yearly Minimum | Yearly maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Medicine | Bachelor | 1773 TL | 77720 TL |
| Faculty of Dentistry | Bachelor | 1482 TL | 28035 TL |
| Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Bachelor | 1158 TL | 21335 TL |
| Faculty of Engineering | Bachelor | 1161 TL | 15285 TL |
| Faculty of Architecture | Bachelor | 1161 TL | 15285 TL |
| Faculty of Fine Arts | Bachelor | 948 TL | 19240 TL |
| Faculty of Law | Bachelor | 939 TL | 11550 TL |
| Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences | Bachelor | 939 TL | 11550 TL |
| Graduate Programs | Postgraduate | 774 TL |
Tuition fees are paid before course registrations at the beginning of each semester. Each academic year consists of two semesters. Depending on your academic achievement situation, you can receive discounts or full exemptions at various rates. For contribution allowance/exemption opportunities, be sure to contact the
Accommodation
Monthly budget you need to reserve for accommodation will vary between 168 TL and 1500 TL. State dormitories, university dormitories, private dormitories and rental flats each have varying costs. There is a monthly payment for dormitories and therefore you do not need to pay in the summer when you are not staying in the dorm. However, you will have to pay the house rent on a monthly basis, 12 months of the year.
For dormitories and rental apartments, a certain amount of deposit must be paid in the first entry. This amount may vary depending on monthly payment of the dorm or monthly rental of the apartment.
Further information about accommodation can be found on Accommodation page or relevant office of your university.
Insurance and Health Expenditures
Health insurance for international students varies between 200-400 TL per year in private policies. These private insurers allow you to receive free health services in contracted hospitals within the limits specified in the policy. It is important that you also obtain an English copy of your policy and read the relevant articles carefully.
General Health Insurance payment is 980 TL per year as of 2019. With this insurance you can get free health services in all state hospitals. In private hospitals you will need to pay varying amounts of contribution.
Daily Expenditures
Student discount is offered at Cinema, theater, museum, public transport, some book houses and restaurants. Let us remind you that Turkish Airlines offers attractive discounts and special offers to students.
You can see average prices of some basic needs below:
Book and Stationery Fees (yearly): 500 TL
Mobile Phone Bill (monthly): 30-100 TL
Transportation & Entertainment
Bus/Metro ticket (One way): 1.75 TL
Taxi (5 km): 25 TL
Cinema Ticket: 15 TL
Theater Tickets (State Theaters): 9 TL
Opera/Ballet Tickets (State Opera and ballet): 25 TL
Local music group concert 25 TL
A popular music group concert 50-100 TL
Football match ticket 20-200 TL
Food
Bread: 1 TL
Water (0,5 lt): 1 TL
Milk (1 lt): 3 TL
Fruit juice (1 lt): 4 TL
10 Eggs 10 TL
White cheese (1 kg): 20 TL
Pasta (1 package): 2 TL
Chicken (1 kg): 10 TL
Red meat (1 kg): 45 TL
Apples (1 kg): 4 TL
Dining & Drinking Out
A meal in cafeteria (State University): 2-5 TL
Breakfast in University Canteen: 3 TL
Tea in University Canteen: 1 TL
Coffee in University Canteen: 3 TL
Toast in University Canteen: 3 TL
Omelet Menu: 10 TL
Sandwich (Vegetarian): 10 TL
Sandwich (with meat): 15 TL
Soup: 5 TL
Hamburger Menu: 20 TL
Kebab menu: 25 TL
