Top Fully Funded Scholarships in Turkey for International Students (2025–2026)

Studying abroad doesn’t always come with a heavy price tag. In Turkey, international students such as yourself, can access a range of fully funded scholarships, making it possible to earn a degree without worrying about tuition or living costs.

Thanks to support from the Turkish government and some of the country’s top universities, these scholarships cover just about everything, from tuition and housing to monthly stipends, health insurance, and even flight tickets. They’re open to students at all levels: undergraduate, master’s, and PhD.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most well-known scholarship options for 2025–2026, what each one includes, and who’s eligible to apply, so you have a clear picture before you get started.

1. Türkiye Scholarships (Also Called Türkiye Bursları)

This is the biggest and most popular scholarship offered by the Turkish government. It’s open to students in nearly every field, from engineering to arts to health sciences.

If you’re applying for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD, this could be your life-changing opportunity.

Go deeper: Türkiye Scholarships 2025: Your Pathway to World-Class Education

What it covers:

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance
• Free student housing
• Round-trip airfare
• Health insurance
• One year of free Turkish language classes

Who can apply:

• Students from any country
• You must be under 21 if applying for undergraduate, under 30 for master’s, and under 35 for PhD
• You must have a strong academic background
• You can’t already be studying in Turkey at the same degree level

How to apply:

1. Go to the Türkiye Scholarships website
2. Create a free account on the application portal
3. Fill out the form and upload all required documents
4. Select your preferred programs and universities
5. Submit your application before the deadline

Application deadline:

Usually opens in January and closes by February each year. Confirm on the official site.

2. Bilkent University Scholarships

Bilkent is one of Turkey’s top private universities, especially known for its science, engineering, and business programs.

Their scholarship program is competitive, but it’s fully worth it if you’re aiming for high-quality education in a modern campus environment.

What it covers:

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend
• Free housing on campus
• Health insurance

Who can apply:

• Students applying for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD
• You need strong grades, especially in math or science (depending on the course)
• Usually for international students who apply directly to the university and qualify for academic excellence

How to apply:

1. Visit the Bilkent University scholarships page
2. Choose your program from the graduate application portal
3. Fill out the application and upload required documents
4. Submit and wait for the admission and scholarship decision

Application deadline:

Varies by program. Undergraduate deadlines usually fall between May and July; graduate deadlines are program-specific. Check here.

3. Koç University Scholarships

Koç is often considered Turkey’s Ivy League equivalent; especially strong in areas like business, law, engineering, medicine, and social sciences.

This is a great option if you’re aiming for graduate-level research or want a globally respected degree.

Read more about this opportunity: Fully Funded Scholarship for Postgraduate Students at Koç University in Turkey

What it covers:

• 100% tuition fee waiver
• Monthly allowance
• Accommodation (shared dorms)
• Health coverage

Who can apply:

• Mostly for Master’s and PhD programs
• Strong academic performance and research potential are key
• Some programs may require English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS

How to apply:

1. Visit the Koç University scholarships page
2. Head to the application portal
3. Select your program and complete the online form
4. Upload documents such as transcripts, CV, letters of recommendation, and language test scores
5. Submit and wait for the results

Application deadline:

Deadlines vary by graduate program; typically between December and July. Refer to to the official page.

‍ 4. Sabancı University Scholarships

Sabancı is another top private university in Turkey. It’s well-known for innovation and interdisciplinary studies, with strong programs in engineering, natural sciences, and the arts.

What it offers:

• Full tuition waiver
• Monthly living stipend (for graduate programs)
• Housing support

Who can apply:

• International students applying for undergraduate, master’s, or PhD
• Your application is automatically considered for scholarships based on academic merit
• You’ll also need strong grades and a good motivation letter

How to apply:

1. Go to the Sabancı University admissions portal
2. Select your program and complete the form
3. Upload transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statement
4. Submit your application before the deadline

Application deadline:

Undergraduate: Early deadline in May; final deadline in August. Graduate deadlines vary. Check here.

5. Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Scholarships

EMU is located in Northern Cyprus, which is under the Turkish administration. While technically not on the Turkish mainland, it still offers excellent scholarship options for international students.

What’s covered:

• Full and 50% tuition scholarships
• Some programs offer housing discounts

Who can apply:

• Students applying for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs
• Scholarships are mostly based on academic performance
• Open to students worldwide

How to apply:

1. Visit the EMU scholarships page
2. Apply online through the application portal
3. Choose your program, fill out the form, and upload all documents

Application deadline:

Applications are open year-round for most programs. Visit the EMU site.

Also check out: Apply for the Fully Funded Brazil Government Scholarships 2025–26 (GCUB-Mob)

6. Middle East Technical University (METU)

METU is one of Turkey’s most respected public universities especially in engineering, science, and architecture.

What you get:

• Tuition fee waivers
• Small monthly living allowance (for some grad programs)

Who can apply:

• Mostly for Master’s and PhD students
• You’ll need good grades and a relevant academic background
• A solid research proposal helps for PhD programs

How to apply:

1. Visit the METU International Office
2. Choose your department and follow the program-specific application instructions
3. Submit your application along with supporting documents

Application deadline:

Applications for undergraduate programs for the 2025-2026 academic year will be received between June 2-July 9, 2025. More details at METU.

7. Istanbul Technical University (ITU)

ITU is one of the oldest technical universities in the world and still ranks among Turkey’s best for engineering and architecture.

Scholarship support includes:

• Department-based funding
• Government scholarships for international students

Who can apply:

• Mainly for Master’s and PhD programs
• You’ll need a strong technical background and research interest

How to apply:

1. Visit the ITU International website
2. Apply through your chosen faculty’s graduate application process
3. Indicate your interest in scholarships during your application

Application deadline:

Varies by department; most open in April–May for Fall intake. More info here.