Welcome to your trusted gateway to higher education in Türkiye
From your first question to the day you collect your residence permit, we walk beside every student — choosing a program, applying, and settling into life on campus.
Every step between "I want to study abroad" and move-in day
We're not a document-stamping service. Sardar and the team sit with each family, understand the budget and the goal, and build a plan around it — program, city, paperwork, and everything in between.
Program & university matching
We shortlist universities and programs against your grades, budget, and career goal — bachelor's, master's, or PhD.
Scholarships & funding
Guidance on Türkiye Bursları and university-specific scholarships, plus honest advice on what you actually qualify for.
Life after landing
Residence permit appointments, accommodation, and the first weeks of settling into a new city — we stay involved.
Straight answers, in your language, on your schedule
- One point of contact from application to arrival — no bouncing between departments.
- Realistic budgeting: tuition, living costs, and permit fees explained before you commit.
- Document checklists tailored to your nationality and target university.
- Support with Turkish language prep (TÖMER) if your program requires it.
- On-the-ground help finding safe, student-friendly accommodation.
- WhatsApp-first communication, because that's how our families actually reach us.
The person you'll actually be talking to
Sardar Sher
Every student who reaches out to Study Turkey with Sardar Today speaks directly with Sardar — from the first WhatsApp message about a program, through applications and visas, to settling in on campus. No call centre, no hand-offs.
Message SardarReady to start your file?
Tell us your target program and city — we'll map out the next steps together.
Welcome to Study Turkey with Sardar Today
If you're reading this, you're probably weighing a big decision — where to study, how to afford it, and whether it's really possible. We built this service to make that decision less overwhelming.
Türkiye has become one of the most talked-about study destinations for students across Asia and Africa — and for good reason. It offers internationally recognised degrees, a lower cost of living than most of Europe, and a culture that welcomes international students warmly. But the process of actually getting there — choosing the right university, preparing documents, applying for a visa, and settling in — can feel like a maze when you're doing it alone.
That's where we come in. Sardar Today works directly with students and their families, in plain language and over WhatsApp, to turn "I want to study in Türkiye" into an admission letter, a visa, and eventually a life on campus.
"Our job isn't finished when you get admitted. It's finished when you're settled in your dorm room."
Whether you're a high school graduate exploring bachelor's options, a working professional considering a master's, or a researcher chasing a PhD, take a look around — every page here is written to answer the questions we hear most often.
A study-abroad service built around one advisor's phone number
Study Turkey with Sardar Today started as a way to help friends and neighbours navigate Turkish university admissions — and grew into a dedicated advisory service for students across the region.
Sardar Sher
Sardar founded this service after helping students in his own community navigate admissions to Turkish universities one by one. Today he still personally reviews every student's file and stays reachable throughout their studies.
How we work
We keep the process personal on purpose. Every student who reaches out gets a real conversation about their grades, budget, and goals before we suggest a single university. We'd rather tell you honestly that a program isn't a fit than collect an application fee for one that is.
Who we serve
Prospective bachelor's, master's, and PhD students, plus families who want a trustworthy local guide through Turkish higher education, Turkish language preparation (TÖMER), scholarships, and residence procedures.
We listen first
A free initial conversation to understand your academic background and what you can realistically invest.
We shortlist and prepare
Matching universities, preparing documents, and tracking every deadline so nothing slips.
We stay in touch
From visa to residence permit to your first weeks on campus, we remain a WhatsApp message away.
What we're working toward
Our vision
To be the most trusted name connecting students to higher education in Türkiye — known for honesty, follow-through, and genuinely caring what happens to a student after admission, not just before it.
Our mission
To make studying in Türkiye accessible and understandable for every student who's serious about it, by simplifying admissions, demystifying costs, and standing with families through every stage of the journey.
What we set out to do for every student
- Match each student to programs and universities that fit their grades, budget, and ambitions — not a one-size-fits-all list.
- Give families a transparent, realistic breakdown of tuition and living costs before they commit to anything.
- Keep every application on schedule, with document checklists built around each university's actual requirements.
- Connect eligible students with scholarship opportunities, including Türkiye Bursları.
- Support the practical side of arrival — residence permits, accommodation, and orientation to a new city.
- Remain reachable after enrolment, so a question in month six gets the same attention as one in month one.
Why study in Türkiye?
Türkiye sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia — and its higher education system has grown to match that position, with globally ranked universities, English and Turkish-medium programs, and a cost of living that keeps a quality degree within reach.
Recognised degrees
Turkish universities are regulated by YÖK (the Council of Higher Education) and many are internationally accredited, with degrees recognised across Europe, the Gulf, and beyond.
Affordable, not cut-rate
Tuition and living costs are meaningfully lower than the UK, US, or Western Europe, without giving up modern campuses and equipment.
English & Turkish tracks
A growing number of programs teach entirely in English, while Turkish-medium programs are supported by TÖMER preparation.
A genuine crossroads
Two continents, deep history, and a central location that makes travelling around the region part of student life, not a side trip.
Safety & community
Large, established international student communities in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Konya make settling in easier.
Scholarship access
Government-funded Türkiye Bursları and university scholarships open doors that would otherwise be out of reach.
Bachelor's Programs
Four-year undergraduate degrees across engineering, medicine, business, social sciences, and the arts — taught in English or Turkish depending on the university.
Engineering & technology
Computer engineering, civil, mechanical, electrical-electronics, and industrial engineering.
Medicine & health sciences
Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and physiotherapy at well-equipped private universities.
Business & economics
Business administration, international relations, economics, and finance.
Architecture & design
Architecture, interior design, and industrial design at universities with strong studio culture.
Social sciences
Psychology, sociology, political science, and media & communication.
Arts & humanities
Fine arts, languages and literature, and education.
Admission is typically based on your high school transcript, and for some medicine and engineering programs, an entrance exam (YÖS) set by the university. We'll tell you exactly what your target university needs.
Master's Programs
One to two-year graduate degrees, thesis or non-thesis, for students looking to specialise or pivot their career.
Thesis-based master's
Research-focused, typically two years, ending in an original thesis — a strong route if you're considering a PhD afterwards.
Non-thesis master's
Coursework-heavy, usually one to one-and-a-half years, aimed at students who want to apply new skills directly in industry.
Popular fields
- Computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence.
- MBA and international business.
- Public health and health administration.
- International relations and political science.
- Architecture and urban planning.
PhD Programs
Doctoral study in Türkiye typically runs four to six years and combines coursework, a qualifying exam, and original dissertation research under a supervisor.
Find a supervisor and department fit
We help you identify departments whose research areas genuinely match your interests and master's background.
Prepare a strong research proposal
Most departments want a clear, well-scoped research direction before they admit a doctoral candidate.
Sit any required entrance exams
Some universities require ALES (an academic aptitude exam) and a language proficiency score.
Plan for funding
We flag assistantships, project funding, and scholarship options that can offset tuition and living costs.
Turkish Language (TÖMER)
TÖMER is the Turkish and Foreign Languages Research and Application Centre programs offered by Turkish universities to teach Turkish to non-native speakers — required for most Turkish-medium degree programs.
Who needs it
Students admitted to Turkish-medium bachelor's or master's programs, and anyone who wants a B1–B2 level of Turkish before arriving for day-to-day life, not just the classroom.
How it's structured
Courses are typically arranged in levels from A1 (beginner) to C1 (advanced), each lasting several weeks, with a proficiency exam at the end of the track.
We help you register for the right level, budget for the course, and — where needed — arrange accommodation for the TÖMER period before your degree program begins.
Scholarships
Funding can meaningfully change which universities are within reach. We help you understand what you actually qualify for and prepare a competitive application.
Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships)
A fully-funded government scholarship covering tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and a Turkish language course, open to bachelor's, master's, and PhD applicants from around the world. It's competitive and has a strict annual application window — we help you build a strong file well before the deadline.
University-specific scholarships
Many universities offer partial to full tuition waivers based on academic merit, entrance exam scores, or need.
Merit-based tuition discounts
Private universities in particular often discount tuition significantly for strong transcripts or exam results.
Universities
We place students exclusively with Türkiye's private (foundation) universities, spread across major cities and smaller university towns.
Private (foundation) universities
Smaller class sizes, more English-medium programs, and modern facilities — many also offer generous merit-based scholarships that significantly reduce tuition.
Why we focus here
Private universities give us faster, more predictable admissions and stronger scholarship options for our students, so we can match you to a program with confidence.
Cities with the largest student communities
Istanbul
Türkiye's largest hub for private universities.
Ankara
The capital, home to several of the country's leading research universities.
Izmir
A coastal city known for engineering and technology programs.
Konya
A calmer, affordable city with a large, welcoming international student base.
Tell us your intended major and budget, and we'll narrow this down to a short, realistic list of universities worth applying to.
Tuition Fees
Tuition varies widely by university type, city, and program. The figures below are indicative starting ranges to help you budget — we'll confirm exact, current fees for your shortlisted universities.
| Program level | Private university (per year, indicative) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| Master's | $4,000 – $15,000 |
| PhD | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Medicine & dentistry | $10,000 – $30,000 |
Figures are indicative ranges only and vary by university, program, and scholarship eligibility. We'll get you the current, official fee schedule once your shortlist is set.
Living Costs
Day-to-day expenses depend heavily on the city and your lifestyle. Here's a general, indicative monthly budget to help you plan.
| Expense | Indicative monthly range |
|---|---|
| Dormitory / shared housing | $80 – $250 |
| Private studio apartment | $200 – $500 |
| Food & groceries | $120 – $250 |
| Local transport | $15 – $35 |
| Utilities & internet | $25 – $60 |
| Health insurance | $15 – $40 |
Istanbul and other major cities generally sit at the higher end of these ranges; smaller university towns are noticeably cheaper.
Admission Process
A typical application timeline, from first conversation to enrolment.
Consultation & shortlist
We discuss your academic background, budget, and goals, then shortlist suitable universities and programs.
Document preparation
Transcripts, diploma, passport copy, and any required exam scores are gathered and formatted per each university's requirements.
Application submission
Applications are submitted through each university's official admissions portal, tracked against every deadline.
Offer & acceptance
Once an offer arrives, we walk you through accepting it, paying any deposit, and requesting your acceptance letter.
Student visa application
With the acceptance letter in hand, we guide you through the Turkish student visa application at your nearest consulate.
Travel, registration & residence permit
We help plan your arrival, campus registration, and the residence permit (İkamet) appointment.
Required Documents
Exact requirements vary by university, but most applications draw from this core checklist.
- Valid passport (with at least one year of remaining validity).
- High school diploma / bachelor's or master's degree, notarized and translated where required.
- Academic transcripts covering all completed years of study.
- Passport-sized photographs (per the university's exact specification).
- Entrance exam results where applicable (YÖS, ALES, GRE/GMAT depending on program).
- English or Turkish language proficiency certificate, if required by the program.
- Letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose (mainly for master's and PhD).
- Proof of financial means to cover tuition and living costs.
We'll turn this into a personalised checklist once we know your target program, and review every document before it's submitted.
Residence Permit (İkamet) Guidance
Every international student staying longer than 90 days needs a short-term residence permit (İkamet Tezkeresi) — the process is manageable once you know the sequence.
Book your appointment online
Applications go through the Directorate General of Migration Management's e-İkamet system, ideally booked as soon as you arrive.
Gather your documents
Passport, student certificate from your university, address registration, biometric photos, and valid health insurance.
Pay the permit fee
A residence card fee and permit fee are paid at a designated tax office or bank before or at your appointment.
Attend your appointment
We help you prepare for the in-person appointment, including what to expect and how to answer standard questions.
Receive your residence card
Your card typically arrives by mail to your registered address within a few weeks.
Accommodation Assistance
Where you live shapes your whole first year. We help you weigh the options against your budget and comfort with shared living.
University dormitories
Run by the university itself, usually shared or twin rooms, close to campus, and the simplest option for a first year abroad.
Private dormitories
Independent student residences near campus with better amenities and often single or twin rooms.
Private apartments
More independence and space, usually shared with roommates to keep costs reasonable.
We help you compare real listings near your campus, understand deposit and contract terms, and — where useful — connect with other incoming students looking to share.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Many bachelor's and master's programs are taught entirely in English. If your program is Turkish-medium, you'll complete a TÖMER course first to reach the required level.
It depends on the university type and city, but many students manage on a combined tuition-and-living budget well below what similar programs cost in Western Europe or North America. See our Tuition Fees and Living Costs pages for indicative ranges.
International students on a valid residence permit and student visa are generally permitted limited part-time work once registered, subject to Turkish labour regulations current at the time of application. We'll confirm the specifics for your situation.
It's a fully-funded government scholarship covering tuition, stipend, accommodation, and insurance. Eligibility depends on your academic record and the program you're applying for — we can help you assess your chances before the application window opens.
From your first conversation with us to arriving on campus, most students plan for four to eight months, depending on the intake and how quickly documents and exam results are ready.
We'll walk you through our fees clearly during your first conversation, before any commitment — no hidden charges, and no fee for the initial consultation.
Contact Us
Fastest response is on WhatsApp — most questions get an answer the same day.
Online Application Form
Share your details below and we'll reach out within one business day to start building your shortlist.