Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Burslari) Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Study in Turkey, Eligibility and How to Apply

Türkiye Bursları is the Turkish government’s scholarship for international students. It funds bachelor’s, master’s and PhD study at universities across Turkey and includes a one-year Turkish language course. Applications usually run from about 10 January to 20 February each year. The 2026 round closed in February 2026, so the next chance to apply is the 2027 round, which is expected to follow the same dates.

This guide explains what the scholarship covers, who can apply, how your application is assessed, the documents you need and how to apply step by step. The 2027 dates are estimates until the official call opens. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

Türkiye Bursları 2027 at a glance

What is Türkiye Bursları?

Türkiye Bursları, also written as Turkey Burslari or Türkiye Scholarships, places international students at Turkish universities and pays their costs for the whole degree. You do not apply to a university separately. You choose programmes inside the scholarship application, and you are placed in one of them if you are selected. Well-known universities such as Boğaziçi University and Middle East Technical University (METU) can be among your choices.

What does Türkiye Bursları cover?

• Full tuition
• A monthly stipend
• Accommodation
• Health insurance
• A return flight
• A one-year Turkish language course

Because tuition, housing, insurance and travel are all included, this is one of the more complete scholarships for students who cannot pay any costs themselves.

Who can apply?

• You are not a Turkish citizen.
• Bachelor’s applicants: under 21 years old.
• Master’s applicants: under 30 years old.
• PhD applicants: under 35 years old.
• You meet the minimum grade, which has been around 75% for master’s and PhD applicants.

Age and grade limits are confirmed in each year’s call, so check them when applications open.

Documents you need

• The online Türkiye Bursları application
• Transcripts and diploma
• A letter of intent
• Reference letters for master’s and PhD applicants
• A passport copy

Upload official, clear documents. Scanned copies that are cut off or hard to read weaken your application.

How Türkiye Bursları selects students

The scholarship publishes its selection process, which has three stages:

1. Preliminary check: applications are checked against basic rules such as minimum grades, age limits and required documents.
2. Expert evaluation: committees review your academic standing, previous qualifications, academic interests, career goals, the consistency of your programme choices, your letter of intent and your social activities. A shortlist is made for interview.
3. Interview and final selection: shortlisted candidates are interviewed by academics and experts, in more than 100 countries. The interview covers your academic knowledge and career goals. A selection committee then makes the final decision.

Expected timeline

This follows earlier years. The official call gives the exact dates.

How to apply for Türkiye Bursları, step by step

1. Create an account on the official Türkiye Bursları portal when applications open.
2. Fill in your personal and education details exactly as they appear on your documents.
3. Choose your programmes. You can list up to 12 choices. Keep them consistent with what you studied before.
4. Write your letter of intent. Explain your academic interests, your career goals and why you want to study in Turkey.
5. Upload your documents and check each file opens clearly.
6. Submit before the deadline. Do not wait for the last day, when the portal is slow.
7. Prepare for the interview if you are shortlisted.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Treat the letter of intent as the most important text you write. It is assessed directly.
• Choose programmes that follow from your previous degree. Consistency is checked.
• List your social and volunteer activities, because they count in the evaluation.
• Practise explaining your subject and your career plan in simple, clear answers.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing programmes unrelated to your background.
• Writing a letter of intent that could be sent to any country.
• Uploading unclear or incomplete documents.
• Leaving the application until the final days.

Is Türkiye Bursları right for you?

It suits you if:

• you meet the age limit for your level and have good grades;
• you want every main cost covered, including housing and a flight;
• you are willing to spend a year learning Turkish before your degree;
• you have taken part in social, volunteer or leadership activities.

Look elsewhere if:

• you are over the age limit;
• you want to start your degree immediately, without a language year;
• you want to choose one specific university and nothing else, because placement is decided by the programme.

How to write the letter of intent

The letter of intent is read by the expert committee and is one of the things they assess directly. Write it yourself, in clear and simple language. A structure that works:

1. Who you are: your degree, your results and what you are best at, in three or four sentences.
2. What you want to study and why: the field, the questions that interest you and the experience that led you there.
3. Why Turkey and these programmes: name real reasons, such as a department’s strength, a research group or the language of teaching.
4. What you will do afterwards: a specific job, project or field, and how it helps your country.

Keep to the length limit in the application form. Avoid general praise of Turkey and avoid copying samples from the internet, because reviewers read the same phrases many times. Our motivation letter template shows how to build each paragraph.

How to choose your universities and programmes

• Stay close to your previous degree. The committee checks that your choices are consistent with what you studied.
• Check the language of each programme. Some are taught in Turkish and some in English, and English-taught programmes ask for proof of English.
• Use your choices well. You can list up to 12. Include the programmes you want most, and add others in the same field at different universities.
• Read each department’s page. For master’s and PhD study, look at what the staff research and mention it in your letter.

Our pages for Boğaziçi University and METU describe two universities that teach in English.

How to prepare for the interview

Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by academics and experts. The interview covers your academic knowledge and your career goals. Prepare in four steps:

1. Reread your application and letter of intent. Your answers should match what you wrote.
2. Revise the basics of your subject. Interviewers may ask simple questions about your field.
3. Practise answering three questions aloud: why this field, why Turkey, and what you will do after graduation.
4. Prepare one or two examples of things you have done, such as a project or a volunteer activity.

Keep your original documents with you during the interview, speak calmly and say so honestly if you do not know an answer. See our scholarship interview tips.

A preparation plan

1. October and November: decide your level and field, and shortlist programmes.
2. December: collect transcripts, your diploma and your passport copy, and ask for reference letters if you are applying for a master’s or PhD.
3. Early January: draft your letter of intent and scan your documents clearly.
4. When applications open: create your account, enter your details and upload your documents.
5. Before the deadline: review your choices and submit. Do not wait for the last days, when the system is slow.

After you are selected

Successful candidates are told which university and programme they have been placed in. You then prepare for your student visa and travel. Most scholars begin with the one-year Turkish language course, and the degree starts after it. The scholarship pays your tuition, stipend, accommodation and health insurance during both the language year and the degree.

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply to a university separately?

No. You choose your programmes inside the Türkiye Bursları application.

How many programmes can I choose?

Up to 12.

Is there an interview?

Yes, for shortlisted candidates. It covers your academic knowledge and career goals.

Do I need to know Turkish?

No. The scholarship includes a one-year Turkish language course before your degree.

When does Türkiye Bursları open?

Usually around 10 January, closing around 20 February.

Is the Turkey scholarship fully funded?

Yes. Türkiye Bursları covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, a return flight and a one-year Turkish language course.

Is Turkey Burslari the same as Türkiye Bursları?

Yes. Turkey Burslari, Turkiye Burslari and Türkiye Scholarships are different spellings of the same Turkish government scholarship.

Where to apply

Apply only through the official Türkiye Bursları website. See our scholarship pages for Boğaziçi University and METU, and use our motivation letter template and interview tips.