Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)

What it is

Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) is the Turkish Government's scholarship programme for international students, run by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). It funds associate, bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees at Turkish universities, plus separate research and short-term schemes. Unusually, it does not just pay: it also places you at a university, so you apply once and choose up to 12 programme preferences in a single application.

What it covers

According to the official site, the full-time scholarship includes:

• University tuition, paid by the programme.
• A monthly stipend: 6,500 TL at bachelor's level, 9,500 TL at master's level and 13,000 TL at PhD level.
• Accommodation: dormitory places for undergraduates throughout their studies; master's and PhD students get a dormitory place in the first year, then a housing allowance (6,000 TL in Istanbul and Ankara, 5,000 TL elsewhere).
• Health insurance.
• A one-off flight ticket to Türkiye at the start and home after graduation.
• One year of Turkish language education. Every awardee without a C1 Turkish certificate must take it, even if the degree is taught in English.

Stipend figures are set in Turkish lira, so check the current amounts on the official page before you plan a budget.

Can you apply from Pakistan or India?

Yes. The programme states it is open to citizens of all countries, with one application period for everyone. The published criteria are:

• Minimum grades: 70% for bachelor's applicants, 75% for graduate applicants (90% for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy).
• Age: under 21 for bachelor's, under 30 for master's, under 35 for PhD.
• Applicants who are already enrolled at a Turkish university at the same level are not eligible.

How selection works

1. Online application through the Türkiye Scholarships Application System (TBBS), free of charge.
2. Pre-screening against minimum grades, age limits and documents.
3. Expert committee review of your academic record, career goals, the consistency of your programme choices, your letter of intent and your social activities.
4. Interview: shortlisted candidates face a committee, usually for 15 to 30 minutes. Undergraduate candidates also sit a 30-question maths, geometry and logic test before the interview.
5. Final selection and placement.

Typical timeline

The 2026 application window ran from 10 January to 20 February 2026. Research and other special scholarships have their own periods. These dates change every year, so check the official announcements before you plan.

What makes a strong CS application

• Check the language of instruction for each of your 12 choices. Many programmes are in Turkish. English-taught ones usually need a recognised English test and sometimes GRE or GMAT scores.
• Keep your choices consistent. The committee explicitly looks at the consistency of your preferences. Twelve computer science and software engineering programmes tell a clearer story than a mix of unrelated fields.
• Make the letter of intent specific. Name what you have built, what you want to study and what you will do with it.
• Show life beyond grades. Social activities are a listed criterion, so mention community work, student societies, teaching or open source.

Common mistakes

• Applying with grades just under the threshold and hoping for an exception.
• Treating the Turkish language year as optional.
• Filling all 12 slots with famous universities without checking whether the programme is offered in English.
• Leaving the application until the final week of February.

Where to go next on Sefism

• Plan your year with the Masters and scholarships abroad roadmap and its cheat sheet.
• Prepare English and admission tests with TOEFL iBT, IELTS or the GRE General Test if your programmes ask for them.
• Weigh your options in Should I do a master's abroad or get work experience first?
• Want a second opinion on your letter of intent? Ask Tauseef.