The Turkish Scholarships Programme at Koç University offers an excellent opportunity for international students to study at one of Türkiye’s top-ranked private universities. Funded by the Turkish Government through the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), this prestigious scholarship supports talented students from around the world pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degrees.
Koç University has partnered with the Turkish Scholarships programme since 2019, providing a limited number of fully funded places each year.
Key Benefits of the Scholarship
The scholarship is comprehensive and covers:
- 100% tuition fee waiver
- Monthly stipend (based on Turkish Scholarships support levels)
- Accommodation in university dormitories (aligned with the monthly support provided)
- Return flights to and from your home country
- Turkish language course tuition (if required during your studies)
- Visa application support
- Social, cultural, and extra-curricular integration activities
Note: The scholarship follows the standard Turkish Scholarships coverage; for full details on amounts and conditions, refer to the official Türkiye Scholarships website.
Who Is Eligible and Which Programmes Are Available?
The programme is open to international students from all countries. Koç University allocates specific scholarships as follows:
- Undergraduate: 5 scholarships – available for all programmes except Medicine, Law, and Nursing.
- Master’s (with thesis only): 10 scholarships – available for all thesis-based Master’s programmes, excluding Clinical Psychology, LL.M., and non-thesis Master’s programmes.
- PhD: 20 scholarships – available for all PhD programmes.
- Research scholarships: 5–10 places for academicians (PhD holders) or PhD students at the dissertation stage affiliated with universities abroad.
Important eligibility notes:
- You must meet the general Turkish Scholarships criteria (including age limits, minimum academic grades, etc.) – check the official site for details.
- For Koç University, valid standardised test scores are required (e.g., SAT and TOEFL for undergraduates; GRE and TOEFL for graduate applicants).
- Only Fall semester intake applicants are eligible for funding.
- Applications without the required test scores will not be evaluated.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide
You must apply separately to both the Turkish Scholarships programme and Koç University. The processes differ slightly by level.
For Undergraduate Programmes
- Submit your online application via the Turkish Scholarships portal by the annual February deadline. Select an eligible Koç University undergraduate programme as your first preference.
- Apply separately to Koç University through their international student portal. Submit all required documents, including valid SAT and TOEFL scores above the minimum requirements.
- If selected by the Turkish Scholarships committee (including the interview stage) and offered admission by Koç University, you will receive the scholarship.
Results are typically announced in August or early September.
For Master’s (with Thesis) Programmes
- Apply online via the Turkish Scholarships portal by the February deadline, listing an eligible Koç University Master’s with thesis programme as your first preference.
- Submit your application to Koç University’s Graduate School by the programme deadline, including valid GRE and TOEFL scores. Only Fall intake applications are considered.
- Successful candidates must be selected by both the Turkish Scholarships Evaluation Committee and Koç University’s Graduate School committee.
For PhD Programmes
- Apply directly to Koç University’s Graduate School by the programme deadline, submitting valid GRE and TOEFL scores (Fall intake only).
- If shortlisted and nominated by Koç University (usually notified in August–September), complete the Turkish Scholarships application, selecting your Koç University PhD programme as your first preference.
- Final approval comes from the Turkish Scholarships Evaluation Committee.
Important Tips for Success
- Always indicate Koç University as your first preference in the Turkish Scholarships application (where required).
- Read all eligibility criteria and instructions carefully on both websites.
- Prepare and submit required test scores early – incomplete applications are not considered.
- Check the official application calendar for exact dates, as deadlines (especially Turkish Scholarships in February) are strict.