Study in Turkey from Pakistan: 2026 Guide to Universities, Fees, Admission and the Student Residence Permit
Pakistani students can study in Turkey in English-taught or Turkish-taught degrees at public and private universities, applying directly online. Public tuition is often $500–4,000 a year and living costs are about $400–700 a month. Students need an education visa from the Turkish visa centre and an e-ikamet residence permit after arrival.
- Public tuition
- $500 – 4,000 / yr
- Living costs
- $400 – 700 / month
- Work (Bachelor's)
- 24 hrs / week with permit
Why do Pakistani students choose to study in Turkey?
Pakistani students choose to study in Turkey for low public tuition, cheaper living than Europe, more than 200 universities, many English-taught degrees and the fully funded Türkiye Bursları scholarship. Turkey is also a short flight from Pakistan, has a strong cultural and religious fit, and offers a familiar halal food environment.
Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir hold the best-known universities, including METU, Bilkent, Boğaziçi, Koç, Sabancı, Hacettepe and Istanbul Technical University. Engineering, computer science, business and medicine attract the most Pakistani applicants.
Turkey is not part of the Schengen area. Families who want an EU residence permit should compare the low-fee route to study in Hungary and the Europe country comparison for Pakistani students.
How much does it cost to study in Turkey from Pakistan?
Studying in Turkey from Pakistan costs about PKR 15 to 35 lakh for the first year at a public university, including tuition of $500–4,000 and living costs of $400–700 a month. Private universities raise the total to roughly PKR 30 to 80 lakh. A Türkiye Bursları award covers almost everything.
| Item | Amount (USD) | Approx. in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university (per year) | $500 – 4,000 | ≈ PKR 1.4 – 11 lakh |
| Tuition, private university (per year) | $5,000 – 20,000 | ≈ PKR 14 – 56 lakh |
| English preparatory year (if needed) | $1,000 – 6,000 | ≈ PKR 2.8 – 17 lakh |
| Living costs | $400 – 700 / month | ≈ PKR 1.1 – 2 lakh / month |
| Living costs for 12 months | $4,800 – 8,400 | ≈ PKR 13 – 24 lakh |
| Student visa fee (visa centre) | - | ≈ PKR 18,000 – 20,000 |
| Flight Pakistan to Istanbul | - | ≈ PKR 1.2 – 2 lakh |
PKR figures use $1 ≈ PKR 280 (3 Oct 2026). Turkish universities set their own international fees each year, so check each official fee page.
Istanbul is the most expensive city for rent. Ankara, Konya, Eskişehir and Izmir usually cost less, and state dormitories (KYK) are the cheapest housing where international students are admitted.
What are the admission requirements for Pakistani students in Turkey?
Pakistani students need FSc, ICS or A-Levels for a Bachelor's, often with a YÖS or SAT score, and a 16-year degree for a Master's. English-taught programmes ask for IELTS 5.5–6.5 or the university's own exam. Applicants also need HEC and IBCC attested documents and a valid passport.
- Bachelor's: FSc, ICS or A-Levels, plus a YÖS or SAT score where the university asks for one.
- Medicine: FSc pre-medical, plus the PMDC conditions explained in the MBBS guide.
- Master's: a relevant 16-year Bachelor's degree and sometimes ALES, GRE or GMAT.
- English: IELTS 5.5–6.5, TOEFL or the university's own English exam.
- HEC-attested degree and transcripts, and IBCC-attested Matric and FSc certificates.
- A passport valid beyond the planned stay, photos and a statement of purpose.
Students who miss the English score can join a preparatory year. That year adds tuition and living costs, so it belongs in the budget from the start.
How do I apply to Turkish universities from Pakistan?
Pakistani students apply directly to Turkish universities through each university's online portal, usually between January and July. After choosing the programme language and checking entry tests, they apply, receive an acceptance letter, file the education visa at the Turkish visa centre, then register and apply for e-ikamet after arrival.
- 1Pick the programme language. Choose English-taught or Turkish-taught programmes, because the entry test and prep year depend on it.
- 2Shortlist universities. Compare public and private universities on the YÖK Study in Türkiye portal and university websites.
- 3Check entry tests. Note whether each programme asks for YÖS, SAT, ALES or only school marks.
- 4Apply online. Most Turkish universities take direct online applications, and many public ones open a short window each spring.
- 5Receive the acceptance letter. Pay the deposit or first tuition instalment if the university asks, and keep the receipt.
- 6Apply for the student visa. File the education visa at the Turkish visa application centre in Pakistan with the acceptance letter and funds.
- 7Travel and register. Enrol at the university and collect the student certificate within the first weeks.
- 8Apply for the residence permit. Book e-ikamet online and attend the migration office appointment, normally within one month of arrival.
The government portal Study in Türkiye, run by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), lists accredited universities and programmes. A university missing from YÖK lists should be avoided.
Which scholarships can Pakistani students get in Turkey?
Pakistani students in Turkey mainly win Türkiye Bursları, the fully funded government scholarship covering tuition, a monthly stipend, housing, health insurance, a return flight and a one-year Turkish course. Other options are private university merit scholarships of 25% to 100%, HEC overseas seats and Erasmus Mundus joint degrees with Turkish partners.
| Scholarship | What it covers | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Bursları | Full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, insurance, flight, Turkish course | Government; one round each year |
| University merit scholarships | 25% – 100% of tuition | Mostly private universities, based on marks |
| HEC overseas scholarships | Selected Master's and PhD seats | Through HEC calls for Turkey |
| Erasmus Mundus joint degrees | Tuition, travel, monthly allowance | Some include a Turkish partner |
| Stipendium Hungaricum (alternative) | Free tuition, stipend, housing | Hungary, not Turkey; via HEC |
Türkiye Bursları opens once a year and is very competitive. The stipend, eligibility and interview are explained in the Türkiye Bursları scholarship page, and joint Master's options appear in the Erasmus Mundus scholarship page.
How do Pakistani students get a Turkey student visa and residence permit?
Pakistani students apply for a Turkish education visa at the Turkish visa application centre in Pakistan after receiving the university acceptance letter. The file needs the passport, acceptance letter, funds proof, photos and the online pre-application form. After arrival, students apply for an e-ikamet student residence permit, normally within one month.
What documents does the Turkish visa centre ask for?
- Online pre-application form from konsolosluk.gov.tr, printed and signed.
- Passport and copies of old visas.
- University acceptance letter and any fee receipt.
- Bank statement of the student or sponsor, or a scholarship letter.
- Two photos, CNIC copy and attested academic documents.
The student residence permit is booked online through e-ikamet, then completed at a migration office appointment. Students bring the student certificate, rental contract or dormitory letter, health insurance and the card fee receipt.
Missing the residence permit window can lead to fines or an entry ban. The student certificate from the university should be collected in the first week.
When are the Turkey university intakes and deadlines?
Turkey's main intake starts in September. Türkiye Bursları applications usually run in January and February, public universities open short windows between March and July, and private universities accept applications from January until seats fill. Pakistani students then apply for the visa between June and August, and some private universities offer a spring intake.
| Stage | Typical timing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Bursları round | January – February | One online application |
| Public university applications | March – July | Short windows, vary by university |
| Private university applications | January – August | Rolling, often until seats fill |
| Student visa application | June – August | Apply as soon as the letter arrives |
| Spring intake (some programmes) | Applications October – December | Mainly private universities |
HEC and IBCC attestation should be finished by December. Early preparation lets a student apply for the scholarship and a self-funded place in the same year.
Can Pakistani students work and stay in Turkey after study?
Yes, with a work permit. Under Turkey's International Workforce Law, Bachelor's students can apply for a permit to work up to 24 hours a week, and Master's and PhD students have wider rights. After graduation, students can move to a work permit with a job offer or a short-term residence permit.
The employer applies for the work permit, so students need a confirmed job first. Most part-time roles need some Turkish, especially outside Istanbul.
Germany and Hungary give fewer barriers to student work. The study in Germany from Pakistan page explains the German rule for comparison.
Can Pakistani students study medicine in Turkey?
Yes. Turkish universities offer six-year Doctor of Medicine degrees, some fully in English. Pakistani students must meet PMDC rules before admission, including at least 60% in FSc pre-medical and 50% in MDCAT, and must pass the National Registration Exam after returning to practise in Pakistan.
Medical fees, English-taught universities and the PMDC checklist are covered in the MBBS in Turkey for Pakistani students page. Students weighing a European medical degree can compare the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship page.
Which mistakes delay Pakistani students applying to Turkey?
The mistakes that most often delay Pakistani students applying to Turkey are missing the one-month residence permit deadline, picking a Turkish-taught course without language plans, paying agents for free applications, working without a work permit, skipping PMDC checks for medicine and relying only on Türkiye Bursları with no backup.
- Ignoring the one-month residence permit deadline after arrival.
- Choosing a Turkish-taught programme without planning a year of Turkish study.
- Paying an agent for a university that offers free direct applications.
- Assuming the residence permit allows work without a separate work permit.
- Applying for medicine without checking PMDC eligibility first.
- Relying only on Türkiye Bursları with no self-funded backup.
A free Turkey profile check with our study abroad consultants reviews your marks, English score and budget before you apply. Students who want Germany instead can compare the DAAD scholarship page.
Study in Turkey from Pakistan, frequently asked questions
Is study in Turkey cheap for Pakistani students?
Yes, compared with the UK or Western Europe. Public Turkish universities often charge about $500–4,000 a year for international students, and private universities about $5,000–20,000. Living costs of roughly $400–700 a month are also lower. Türkiye Bursları winners pay no tuition and receive a monthly stipend.
Can I study in Turkey after FSc?
Yes. Turkish universities accept FSc, ICS or A-Levels for Bachelor's degrees, usually together with a YÖS or SAT score, or school marks at many private universities. Medicine needs FSc pre-medical, and Pakistani medical applicants must also meet PMDC rules before admission.
Is IELTS required to study in Turkey?
Not always. English-taught programmes usually ask for IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL, and many universities run their own English proficiency exam on arrival. Students without a score can join a one-year English preparatory class. Turkish-taught programmes need a Turkish language certificate instead.
How much bank statement is required for a Turkey student visa?
Turkey does not publish one fixed figure for students. The visa centre asks for proof that the student or sponsor can cover tuition and living costs, and many applicants show about $5,000–10,000 for the first year. A scholarship award letter replaces most of this financial proof.
Can I work while studying in Turkey?
Yes, with a work permit. Under Turkey's International Workforce Law, Bachelor's students can apply for a permit for part-time work of up to 24 hours a week, and Master's and PhD students have wider rights. Students cannot work on the residence permit alone, so the employer must apply for the permit.
Is Turkey better than Hungary for Pakistani students?
Turkey and Hungary both offer low fees and a government scholarship. Hungary gives Schengen access and allows 30 hours of work a week without a separate work permit. Turkey has more universities, cheaper living and a cultural fit many Pakistani families prefer. Turkish is still needed for most jobs.
Can I stay in Turkey after graduation?
Yes, with the right permit. Graduates of Turkish universities can apply for a short-term residence permit after study or move to a work permit once an employer offers a job. Long-term residence usually needs eight years of legal stay, so most graduates plan around employment first.