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2026–2027 international admissions are open

Study at a university in Istanbul

Bachelor's and associate degree programmes at three private universities in Istanbul, from 1,500 USD a year. We handle the application, the acceptance letter, the student visa and the residence permit — and, because we are a language school ourselves, we get your Turkish or English ready before the first lecture.

Start your free application See the universities

Our partner universities in Istanbul

All three are private (vakıf) universities recognised by YÖK, the Turkish Council of Higher Education. Their diplomas are recognised in Turkey and, through the Hague Apostille, abroad.

İstanbul Rumeli University

İstanbul Rumeli University

Istanbul · since 2015

5faculties
3campuses
2015founded

A young, practice-focused university spread over three campuses. Strong in engineering, health sciences, sport sciences and design, with small classes and a good deal of laboratory and workshop time.

Faculties: Engineering and Natural Sciences · Health Sciences · Sport Sciences · Art, Design and Architecture · Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences. Plus two vocational schools for associate degrees.

Annual tuition for international studentsfrom 1.500 USD
Ask about this university →
Haliç University

Haliç University

Istanbul · since 1998

8faculties
17,000+students
1998founded

One of Istanbul's established private universities, with more than 17,000 students and a wide range of programmes — from medicine and engineering to a conservatory of music. Its campuses sit on the European side, close to the Golden Horn.

Faculties: Medicine · Engineering · Architecture · Business · Health Sciences · Fine Arts · Sport Sciences. Plus a conservatory and a vocational school.

Annual tuition for international studentsfrom 1.500 USD
Ask about this university →
Bezmiâlem Vakıf University

Bezmiâlem Vakıf University

Istanbul, Fatih · roots going back to 1845

4faculties
Hospitalon campus
1845roots

A specialist health university built around its own university hospital, with roots in a foundation hospital established in 1845. Students see clinical work from the first year. This is the choice for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Faculties: Medicine · Dentistry · Pharmacy · Health Sciences. The university hospital is on campus.

Annual tuition for international studentsfrom 1.500 USD

Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are priced per programme and cost more than the starting figure above. Ask us for the current fee list before you decide.

Ask about this university →

What we do for you

From the first question to your first week of lectures.

Bachelor's and associate programmes

We match your school results, your budget and the language you want to study in against the programmes actually open to international students this year.

University acceptance letter

We prepare and submit your file, follow it up with the admissions office, and send you the official acceptance letter you need for your visa.

Student visa and residence permit

We tell you exactly which documents your consulate asks for, and once you arrive we help you through the residence permit appointment in Istanbul.

Free application consultancy

Our advice and our application work cost you nothing. You pay tuition to the university itself — there is no agency fee on top.

How it works

  1. 1

    Tell us what you want to study

    One short form. Your subject, your budget, the language you want to study in.

  2. 2

    We send you a shortlist

    Within two working days: the programmes you qualify for, with real fees and start dates.

  3. 3

    We apply for you

    You send us your documents once. We do the rest, at no cost to you.

  4. 4

    You receive your acceptance letter

    Official, from the university, usually within one to three weeks.

  5. 5

    Visa, arrival, and your first term

    Student visa, residence permit, accommodation if you need it — and Turkish or English lessons before lectures start.

We are a school, not only an agency

Royal Turkish Schools has been teaching international students in Istanbul since 2008, in our own MEB-accredited classrooms in Taksim. That is the difference: most agencies wave goodbye once you have your acceptance letter. We are still there in September, teaching you the Turkish you need for daily life or the English you need for your lectures — and our teachers, our accommodation and our airport transfers are the same ones our language students use.

See our Turkish courses Accommodation and host families

Why study in Turkey?

Affordable, without cutting corners

Tuition at private universities in Istanbul starts around 1,500 USD a year, and living costs are far below Western Europe. A full degree can cost less than a single year elsewhere.

Degrees that travel

Our partner universities are recognised by YÖK. With a Hague Apostille, your diploma is recognised in the countries that are party to the convention, and Turkish medical and engineering degrees are widely accepted.

Study in English or in Turkish

Many programmes are taught fully in English. Where the programme is in Turkish, there is a preparatory year — and we can get you to the required level before it even begins.

Istanbul itself

Sixteen million people, two continents, and a student city that is genuinely safe, well connected and used to international students. You will not be the only foreigner in the room.

Fees: what you actually pay

Annual tuition for international students at our partner universities starts at 1,500 USD. The real figure depends on the university, the programme and the language of instruction — medicine, dentistry and pharmacy sit well above the starting price, while social sciences and vocational programmes sit at or near it. Many universities offer scholarships of 25% to 50% for good school results, and most let you pay in two or three instalments.

We send you the exact fee for your programme in writing before you commit to anything. We do not charge you an application or agency fee.

Start your free application

Fill this in and we will come back within two working days with the programmes open to you, their real fees, and what you need to send us.

No fee, no obligation. We reply within two working days.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Turkey in English?

Yes. Many programmes at our partner universities are taught entirely in English, including engineering, business and several health programmes. You will normally need to prove your English level with an accepted certificate or the university's own exam. If your English is not there yet, we teach English in our own school in Istanbul.

How much does it cost to study in Istanbul?

Tuition at our partner universities starts at 1,500 USD per year for international students. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy cost considerably more and are priced per programme. On top of tuition, budget roughly 400 to 600 USD a month for accommodation, food and transport in Istanbul.

Do I need to speak Turkish?

Not for an English-taught programme. For a Turkish-taught programme you need a C1 level, normally certified by a TÖMER or university exam, and universities offer a preparatory year for students who are not there yet. We prepare students for exactly this exam in our school in Taksim.

Will my diploma be recognised in my country?

Our partner universities are recognised by YÖK, the Turkish Council of Higher Education. Turkey is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so your diploma can be apostilled for use abroad. Recognition rules differ by country and profession, so check with the authority in your own country — we will tell you honestly if we think there is a problem.

Do I need a YÖS or SAT exam?

It depends on the university and the programme. Some of our partner universities admit international students on school results alone; others ask for YÖS, SAT or an equivalent. We tell you which applies to you before you spend money on an exam.

What documents do I need?

Usually: your high school diploma and transcript (translated and notarised), passport, passport photographs, a language certificate where one is required, and the application form. We send you the exact list for your chosen university, so you do not pay for translations you do not need.

How long does the whole process take?

The acceptance letter usually arrives within one to three weeks of a complete application. The student visa at your consulate takes a further two to six weeks depending on the country. Start at least two months before the term begins, and earlier for competitive health programmes.

Do you charge for this service?

No. Our application service and our advice are free. You pay tuition directly to the university. If you also choose to take Turkish or English lessons with us, or to use our accommodation or airport transfer, those are separate services with their own published prices.

Before and after your degree

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