Türkiye Bursları is the Turkish government’s scholarship for international students, covering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral study at public universities across Turkey. It is one of the few awards that is free to apply for, needs no IELTS for many programmes, and puts every level of study under one online form. That openness also makes it extremely competitive, so the details of your application matter.
What Türkiye Bursları Covers
The scholarship is genuinely full, which is why it attracts well over 100,000 applicants in a typical year. The package goes beyond tuition to cover most of the costs that sink students in other countries.
These are the benefits every selected scholar receives:
- Full tuition: Fees at your placed university are paid in full.
- Monthly stipend: The most recently published rates are 4,500 TL for bachelor’s, 6,500 TL for master’s, and 9,000 TL for doctoral students.
- Accommodation: A place in a state dormitory, usually shared, for the length of your studies.
- Health insurance: Coverage through Turkey’s general health insurance system.
- Flights: One round-trip ticket, at the start and end of your programme.
- Turkish language course: A one-year Turkish preparatory programme for students who need it.
Stipend figures are set by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and have been revised in the past to reflect inflation. Check the 2027 call for current rates before you plan your budget, since prices in cities like Istanbul rise quickly.
Who Can Apply for Türkiye Bursları?
Citizens of almost every country can apply, but the age and grade rules are strict and applied to the day. Missing a single cut-off means your form will not be considered, however strong the rest of it is.
These are the main eligibility rules by level of study:
| Level | Age Limit | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | Under 21 | 70% (90% for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) |
| Master’s | Under 30 | 75% |
| Doctorate | Under 35 | 75% |
Age limits are usually calculated against a fixed date in the year of application, so confirm the exact birth date cut-off in the 2027 call. Grade minimums refer to your overall academic average in your most recent qualification, and YTB uses its own conversion for different grading systems.
Who Cannot Apply
Turkish citizens, and those who have lost Turkish citizenship, are not eligible. Students already enrolled at a Turkish university at the same level you are applying for also cannot apply for that level. Final-year students may still apply as long as they will graduate before the programme starts.
How to Apply for Türkiye Bursları Step by Step
Everything happens through the official online portal, and there is no paper application or agent route. The 2027 window is expected to run from 10 January to 20 February 2027, based on recent cycles.
Follow this order to build a complete application:
- Create an account on the TBBS portal: Register at tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr using a valid email address you will keep for years.
- Choose your level and programme type: Select bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral study and the scholarship programme that matches.
- Pick up to 12 university and programme preferences: Rank them carefully, as placement follows your ranking.
- Write your statements: Answer the motivation and research questions in your own words, specific to your field.
- Upload your documents: Add every required scan before the deadline.
- Submit and keep checking your account: Interview invitations and results arrive through the portal and email.
How to Rank Your 12 Preferences
Applicants often fill all 12 slots with the most famous Istanbul and Ankara universities, which raises competition for every choice. A smarter list mixes a few top-tier options with strong public universities in other cities, where fewer international students apply. Only rank programmes you would genuinely accept, because declining a placement can affect future applications.
Documents You Will Need
Most documents can be uploaded as scans of the originals, without notarised translations at the application stage. Prepare these before the window opens:
- Passport or national ID
- Recent passport photo
- Diploma or temporary graduation certificate, or proof you will graduate before the start date
- Academic transcripts from your current or most recent programme
- National exam results, such as WAEC or SAT for bachelor’s applicants, where available
- Research proposal for doctoral applicants
- Language certificates or reference letters, which are optional for some programmes but strengthen the file
The Interview and Results Timeline
Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews, usually held in person in their home country or online between April and June. Panels typically ask about your field, career plans, why Turkey, and how you would contribute to relations between Turkey and your country. Final placement results usually arrive between July and August, and scholars travel to Turkey in time for the autumn semester.
Mistakes That Cost Türkiye Bursları Applicants
The scholarship is free to apply for, so many people submit rushed forms, and those rarely survive document review. These are the problems that most often end an application early:
- Missing the age or grade cut-off: Check both against the exact figures in the call before writing anything.
- Copy-pasted motivation answers: Reviewers read thousands of statements and quickly spot generic or AI-written text.
- Uploading blurry or partial scans: Every page of every document should be clear and complete.
- Ranking only famous universities: Twelve top-tier choices can leave you with no placement at all.
- Waiting until February: The portal slows down near the deadline, and late technical errors are rarely excused.
If you are selected, respond to every email and portal message promptly. Placement offers have deadlines, and silence can be treated as declining the scholarship.
Final Thoughts: Treat the Free Application Seriously
Türkiye Bursları is free to apply for, but that is exactly why competition is so intense. Applicants who check every cut-off, write specific statements, and rank a balanced list of 12 universities give themselves a real edge over the thousands who rush. Have your documents ready before 10 January 2027 so you can spend the window on your answers rather than on paperwork.
If you are selected, the package covers almost everything a student needs, from tuition to housing and a Turkish language year. That makes it one of the most complete scholarships available to international students today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Türkiye Bursları 2027 application open?
Based on recent cycles, applications are expected to open on 10 January 2027 and close on 20 February 2027. Confirm the dates on the official website once the call is published.
Is IELTS required for Türkiye Bursları?
No, IELTS is not required for the application itself. Many programmes are taught in Turkish after a funded preparatory year, while English-taught programmes may ask for proof of English later.
How much is the Türkiye Bursları stipend per month?
The most recently published rates are 4,500 TL for bachelor’s, 6,500 TL for master’s, and 9,000 TL for doctoral students. YTB may revise these figures, so check the current call.
Can I choose which university I attend?
You rank up to 12 university and programme preferences, and placement follows your ranking where possible. Final placement depends on your profile, quotas, and each university’s capacity.
Do I have to pay to apply for Türkiye Bursları?
No, the application is completely free through the official portal. Be wary of any agent or website charging a fee to apply on your behalf.
Can I work while studying on Türkiye Bursları?
International students in Turkey face restrictions on working, especially during undergraduate study. Plan to live on the stipend and the free accommodation rather than counting on part-time income.
