About studying in Turkey

Many Pakistani students choose Turkey because public university fees are low, many programmes are taught in English, and the country is a short flight from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Turkish universities run their own admissions for international students, so you apply directly to each university with your HSSC/FSc or A-level results, or with a 16-year bachelor's degree for a master's. Fully funded Türkiye Scholarships are also open to Pakistani applicants every year.

If you plan to study in Turkey from Pakistan, you will need an admission letter first, then a student visa from the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad or the consulate in Karachi, and finally a student residence permit (ikamet) after you arrive. This guide explains each step, the approximate costs, work rules and what happens after graduation.

Meezab Future Consulting helps Pakistani students who want to study in Turkey: choosing the right course, applying to universities and preparing the student visa file.

Major cities

Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Konya, Eskişehir

Tuition (public) approx.

approx. €250–€1,200 per year; some top universities charge more

Tuition (private) approx.

approx. €4,000–€20,000 per year; medicine can be higher

Living costs

approx. €400–€800 per month; Istanbul is the most expensive

Main intakes

September (main); some programmes start in February

Student visa

Education-purpose student visa, then student residence permit (ikamet)

Visa processing

Can take 3–4 weeks; apply at least 4 weeks before travel

Work while studying

With a work permit: after year 1 (bachelor's), anytime (MS/PhD)

Post-study options

One-time short-term residence permit, up to 1 year

Why Pakistani students choose Turkey

• Public university tuition for international students is low, often a few hundred to a few thousand US dollars a year.
• Many programmes, especially in engineering, business and medicine, are offered in English.
• Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) is a fully funded government scholarship open to Pakistani students at all levels.
• Universities admit international students directly, so there is no single national exam you must pass.
• Master's and PhD students may apply for a work permit from the start of their studies.
• Graduates can apply once for a short-term residence permit of up to one year after finishing their degree.
• Living costs outside Istanbul are moderate compared with most European destinations.

Courses in Turkey

Popular subjects

Study cities

Cost of studying in Turkey

Fees depend heavily on whether you choose a public (state) or private (foundation) university. Public universities usually charge approx. €250–€700 a year for bachelor's and approx. €500–€1,200 for master's, although well-known state universities can charge more for English-taught programmes; for example, METU's 2025–26 fee for new international engineering students was USD 1,200 per semester. Private universities usually charge approx. €4,000–€20,000 a year, and medicine and dentistry are at the top of that range or above. Fees are often set in US dollars but paid in Turkish lira.

Living costs are roughly €400–€800 a month for accommodation, food and transport, and Istanbul costs more than cities like Konya or Eskişehir. For the visa, the Turkish Embassy asks for bank statements for the last three months, from you or a sponsor, showing enough money for one year of tuition, airfare, accommodation and food. Also budget for the residence permit card fee and health insurance, which are both required for ikamet.

Entry requirements for Pakistani students

• Bachelor's: HSSC/FSc (12 years) or A-levels with good grades; each university sets its own minimum marks and some accept SAT or their own YÖS exam.
• Master's: a recognised bachelor's degree, usually 16 years of education (a 4-year BS); a 14-year BA/BSc is usually not enough on its own.
• English-taught programmes: an IELTS, TOEFL or similar score set by the university, or the university's own English proficiency exam; otherwise an English preparatory year.
• Turkish-taught programmes: proof of Turkish proficiency (for example a TÖMER or university language centre certificate) or a Turkish preparatory year.
• Academic documents: Matric and HSSC certificates attested by IBCC, and degrees and transcripts attested by HEC, plus passport and photos.
• Some universities require recommendation letters and a statement of purpose for postgraduate programmes.
• Medicine applicants should also follow PMDC rules for studying medicine abroad if they plan to practise in Pakistan.

Turkey student visa from Pakistan

After you receive your acceptance letter, you apply for an education-purpose student visa. You fill in the online application at konsolosluk.gov.tr/Visa, then submit it with your documents through the Gerry's visa drop-box centres that handle Turkish visas in Pakistan. The Turkish Embassy in Islamabad lists these key documents: passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival (plus old passports), two 5x5 cm photos, travel health insurance for 90 days with at least €30,000 cover, a polio vaccination certificate from the last year, the acceptance or enrolment letter, a flight reservation, and stamped bank statements for the last three months showing funds for one year of tuition and living costs. A sponsor affidavit and family registration certificate may also be needed. The embassy says processing can take 3–4 weeks, so apply at least 4 weeks before travel. Confirm the current visa fee with the embassy or the visa centre, as it is not listed in the embassy's checklist.

The student visa only lets you enter Turkey. After arrival you must apply for a student residence permit (ikamet) within the visa period. You create an online e-ikamet application, pay the residence permit card fee, and submit documents (usually through your university's international office), including biometric photos, passport copies, a student certificate, proof of address and valid health insurance. Extensions can be applied for from 60 days before the permit expires.

Work while studying and after graduation

International students with a valid student residence permit can apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security: associate and bachelor's students after completing their first year, and master's and PhD students at any time. Working without a work permit is not allowed. After graduation, students can apply within six months for a one-time short-term residence permit of up to one year, which gives time to look for a job; to work, you still need an employer to obtain a work permit for you.

Intakes and when to apply

Most programmes start in September, with a smaller February intake at some universities. University application windows for international students usually open between January and July, and many state universities set deadlines in spring or early summer. Türkiye Scholarships applications are usually open from January to around 20 February each year (the 2026 deadline was 20 February). From Pakistan, start preparing documents and IBCC/HEC attestation 8–10 months before your intended start date.

How Meezab Future Consulting helps you study in Turkey

1. 1
   Profile check

   Share your grades, budget and goals. We suggest courses and universities in Turkey that fit your profile.

2. 2
   Applications

   We help you prepare documents, statements and applications, and follow up for your offer letter.

3. 3
   Visa file

   We guide you on funds, documents and interview preparation for your student visa.

4. 4
   Before you fly

   Accommodation, travel and arrival tips so you are ready for your first semester.

Study in Turkey from Pakistan: FAQs