Education in Turkey for non-residents: kindergartens, schools, universities

Free pre-school and school education in Turkey is available even without citizenship. The system of private kindergartens and schools is also well developed in the country. They even accept children of tourists who decide to stay for a few months.

We tell you how to choose a Turkish school or kindergarten for your child and share advice from families who have lived in Turkey for a long time.

From the age of 2-3, boys and girls can go to a public or private kindergarten. From the age of 4 - to anaokula - an analogue of the Russian preparatory group. They prepare children for school - they teach Turkish, the basics of writing, counting. In private anaokulu, English, robotics, and other languages may be added to this. Many elementary schools are opening their preparatory groups to help adapt to the requirements.

What parents say: Children who go to the Turkish garden from the age of 2-3 learn the language quickly and can speak fluently by the time they go to school.

Boys and girls who are 6 full years old by the beginning of the school year go to school. The school year always starts in September, but on different days. The date depends on Muslim holidays.

Primary school is from 6 to 10 years old. In the middle - from 10 to 14. The program in state educational institutions is approximately the same.

Classes are in Turkish, English is taught as a foreign language. Private schools may offer teaching in a foreign language, international educational standards;

At the age of 14, children enter one of the Lisesi - high school. Most of them are specialized. Emphasis can be placed on foreign languages, physics and mathematics, natural sciences. There are general institutions, as well as something similar to our schools. They immediately give some kind of profession. Distribute students according to the competition. They take into account the results of the exams of the last year and the average score for grades 2,3,4 of high school.

There is a big competition in popular state lyceums. In private schools, children can continue their education according to their program.

A list of public kindergartens and schools in the selected province can be found on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Education. It is better to look for private ones in Google maps or on the forums of English-speaking families.

The more foreigners there are in the city, the more international kindergartens there are. In Istanbul, Alanya, Antalya, it is easy to find a suitable institution for a child. In small coastal towns, the choice is not so great.

Istanbul

Mine international preschool. Accepts children from 2 years old for a full day or half a day. Classes are taught by native speakers of Turkish and English. Children can do ballet, theater, get the first knowledge about the structure of the world and prepare for school;

Brightkids. Private kindergarten with English-speaking teachers. Accepts children from 3 years old. The main classes are reading, the basics of mathematics, drawing, a theater studio. Training is conducted in English;

Garden at Keystone Schools. Prepares children for school according to Canadian educational standards. Classes are in English, they additionally study Turkish, from the age of 4 - French. 

The garden operates at an international school that has primary and secondary classes.

Antalya, Alanya

Zigzag. A bilingual kindergarten that combines Turkish and British educational programs. Invites children to learn English and mathematics in a playful way. Once a week, pupils are taken for walks in the forest, where they can build huts and study plants not from books.

Children whose parents have an ikamet have the opportunity to study free of charge in public Turkish schools. However, it is worth considering that this free education has its limitations. Government agencies are often underfunded and therefore regularly approach parents for donations for office supplies, repairs and other needs.

Another disadvantage of public schools is overcrowding in classrooms. Teachers have to manage the attention of up to 40 children and delivering high quality education in such an environment can be challenging.

Private schools also accept foreigners, even without a residence permit. If there are free places, you can enroll in them even in the middle of the academic year. It is easy to find private schools offering education in Russian, English and Turkish.

However, it should be noted that one of the disadvantages of private schools is the high cost of education, which can start from 55,000 lira per year. For a quality education in a private school, you will have to pay an amount comparable to the cost of studying in Europe.

Istanbul

• British international school. Primary education costs from 250,000 lira per year - a classic British school. Offers classes in the International Baccalaureate program and national British educational standards.

All lessons are in English. There are hostels for students. Preschoolers can be given to prepare for the first grade;

• ENKA Schools. An international school popular with locals. Classes are in both Turkish and English. From the 5th grade, a third language is added as a foreign language. Students who complete all 12 grades will receive a Turkish diploma and pass the standard exams in the International Baccalaureate program. The cost depends on the class, additional classes. Starts from 250,000 lira per year. There are preparatory classes for toddlers;
   

Antalya, Alanya

• Waldorf School in Alanya. Offers non-judgmental learning focused on developing the potential of every child. You can come here to kindergarten and stay until the 8th grade. Classes are in Turkish and English, from the 2nd grade children learn German;
• TED Private School Network. It is very popular among both Turks and foreigners who have moved to the country. Classes are in Turkish, but from the primary grades, special attention is paid to teaching English. There are divisions in Alanya, Bodrum and other cities. Of the minuses - the high cost of training. But parents can get a discount for a second child.

Turkey is a member of the Bologna process. Therefore, universities offer undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. We talk about the features of training and admission.

Applicants have the opportunity to enter the bachelor's program immediately after finishing the 11th grade. However, it is necessary to successfully pass the YÖS exam (which does not test knowledge of the Turkish language and is available in various languages, including Russian) or SAT.

To study in English, a TOEFL certificate is required (IELTS is rarely accepted), and for Turkish-language programs, a TÖMER certificate. In both cases, a language proficiency level of at least B2 is required.

Preparatory Programs: Admission to a bachelor's program taught in Turkish is possible, even with a zero level of knowledge of Turkish. In this case, the first academic year will include language preparatory courses.

However, the passage of such a program does not exempt from the need to take the YÖS or SAT exam (each university determines the requirements for exams independently).

Visa: To obtain a visa, you must have at least 6,000 US dollars in your account per year and confirm payment of tuition.

The cost of education in Turkey has incredible ranges: from 500 USD/year to 20,000 USD/year

Also of great importance is the status of the student: a Turkish citizen or a foreigner. So, for example, a year of study at one of the best universities in Turkey - at Bilkent University - costs from 4,165 USD for Turkish citizens, and from 14,468 for foreigners.

Education and living expenses. State universities in Turkey provide education at affordable prices, and living expenses in the country remain quite acceptable. The cost of a bachelor's degree can start from $450 per year, and approximately $500 per person per month will be enough to live in Istanbul. In addition, due to the warm climate almost all year round, the cost of winter clothing is minimal.

Conditions for foreign students. The Turkish government aims to attract up to 200,000 international students by 2023. The state is actively investing in education, and one of the results was the state scholarship Turkiye Burslari. It includes tuition and living expenses, and also provides a monthly stipend. The Turkish government has also abolished the previously existing 50% quota for international students. Now there are no restrictions, which contributes to the transformation of Turkey into the center of international education in the East. The locals are also known for their hospitality and friendliness towards foreign guests.

Exchange programs. Turkish educational institutions actively participate in the European Erasmus+ exchange program and offer their own programs such as Mevlana or Farabi. Students from any country can study on an exchange outside of Turkey.

Wealth of culture and history. Turkish culture is a multi-colored palette that connects the modern and ancient worlds of East and West. Istanbul, once known as Constantinople, is located at the crossroads of two continents: Europe and Asia. This fusion of cultures is felt in the atmosphere of the city and throughout the country. Historical monuments, majestic mosques and sights guarantee an interesting pastime in Turkey.

Resort country. In addition to the unique culture, the climate and nature make Turkey a popular tourist destination. The country is washed by the Aegean, Black and Mediterranean seas. In winter, the air temperature usually does not fall below 4 degrees. Each region of the country offers its own special entertainment and natural beauty. For example, Cappadocia, with its "fairy chimneys" and hot air balloons, is a favorite destination for tourists and photographers.

If you're considering pursuing education in Turkey, you're undoubtedly making a fantastic decision. This destination offers a plethora of opportunities for international students, including renowned universities and captivating student experiences. With a remarkable count of 173 universities and colleges spread across Turkey, your options are bound to be diverse.

Among the 173 universities in Turkey, Cankaya University and Middle East Technical University stand out as the highest-performing educational institutions in the country. This compilation encompasses both public and private academic establishments within Turkey.

To aid you in streamlining your university choices, we have assembled a list of the finest universities in Turkey. Our rankings are constructed based on the academic prestige derived from credible sources, as well as the presence of international students. This approach provides you with an effective means to compare your preferred universities and select your prospective host institution in Turkey:

• Cankaya University
• Middle East Technical University
• Koc University
• Bogazici University
• Istanbul Technical University
• Sabanci University
• Hacettepe University
• Bilkent University
• Bahcesehir University
• Istanbul Aydin University