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Life in Istanbul for Students

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Istanbul has so many to offer to students! The city has been hosting many different civilizations, cultures, and religions for centuries, so the vibrant life of the city is rich and colorful.

Cost of Living

For many years, Istanbul has been a great city to have higher education. This state of Istanbul continues for a lot of reasons. The city is the home of 57 universities and has a variety of job opportunities in addition to a multicultural texture of living and history. One of the most attractive features of the city, however, is the fact that Istanbul is an uncostly city for an international student. Because of the condition of the Turkish Lira in the global exchange rate, international students can easily lead an affordable life in Turkey. In addition to the exchange rate, Turkey is a country that tries to improve the conditions of students by introducing special discounts to them. During their study periods, students can enjoy discounted prices in transportation, cultural activities, some restaurants, and some shops because of their student status.

Social Life for Students

Studying in a foreign country contributes a lot of things to international students. While the students mostly choose the country according to the university and the type of education, what shouldn’t be forgotten is the social life of the student. Luckily, Istanbul is not only a city of education but it can also offer great ways of spending time to the students who want an active social life. The city is famous for its bars that also host events for international visitors if the student wants a piece of nightlife after a day of studying. Apart from the nightlife that generally equals alcohol consumption, the universities also offer a great deal for the social life of the student. Almost every university has student clubs and organizations on numerous subjects. These student clubs organize events and occasions for the students to get together and spend fun times with each other.

Support for International Students

Starting a life in a foreign country is a very challenging idea. Starting a life in a foreign country while also studying in a program for higher education is even more challenging and it is very normal for students to need the help of other people. A student may need financial support apart from the ones they already have, need answers to their questions about being an international student, or just need someone to show them the ways of living in a foreign country.

Education System

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If you want to study abroad then it can be confusing to learn about a whole new education system from scratch. Don’t worry, Turkey has a single national education system and it is not complicated if you have the right sources.

Academic Calendar

The Republic of Turkey is a peninsula that generally has a mild climate except for its far eastern and south eastern parts. For this reason, the academic calendars of universities are divided into two terms that stretch over autumn, winter, and spring. The academic year usually starts in the middle of September with the autumn term, and it continues for 14 weeks. The three and a half months of lecturing include midterms and quizzes as well. The national holidays may be on the same day as lectures, and it is up to the lecturers to have make-up courses before the end of the semester. The term ends with the 14th week, and the finals pursue the lectures.

Qualifications

Istanbul is a big city with many people inside it. There are 57 higher education places for the people in Istanbul. Suitable for a historical city, Istanbul has historical universities that have very good places in international rankings of universities. While even being nominated to such rankings is an honor in itself, some universities of Istanbul come home back with trophies. That is why Istanbul is a good place for a student to continue their higher education this decision needs some hard work. Regardless of the hardness, some of the most terrifying steps are in fact quite easy, as the qualifications process. In order to apply to a university in Istanbul, a student needs many documents, but the only qualification they need is their high school diploma. Once the student has a diploma equivalent to their high school, they can apply to higher education places all over Turkey. For the equivalence letter, students must work with the Ministry of National Education of Turkey and the Turkish Embassy at the student’s main address. With a high school diploma, any student can apply for an associate's or bachelor’s degree.

Credit System

Like many universities around the world, the universities in Istanbul use a credit system for their academic plans as well. In order to achieve closer relations with European countries and higher education counterparts, the Council of Higher Education in Turkey has encouraged the universities to change their credit systems into the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. All Turkish universities have been using the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) according to the rules of the council to determine course credits since 2011. The ECTS credit system is based on the student's course load, showing that it is student-centered. The calculation of ECTS credits is based on the course competencies of the students and it takes into account the amount of study time required to achieve these competencies.

Application Guide

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Are you preparing to study in Istanbul? Then this section is for you. Discover the opportunities for undergraduates, as well as master’s students and phD programmes. You will learn everything you need to know about how universities operate on different levels in Turkey and understand the application process.

Master’s Programs in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city that has distinguished itself historically. It was a well-liked city during the reign of the empires, and it is evident that the popularity of Istanbul has not diminished. The city is one of the most popular tourist destinations each year, and it is also home to more than 15 million people in Turkey. Anyone who wants to visit the city has a lot to choose from because it is Turkey's most developed metropolis. You can take in the sights at tourist destinations or just watch the daily routines of the city. Istanbul is a great destination for vacations and tourist adventures, but it's also a very good option for educational purposes.

Bachelor Programs in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city that has been standing out throughout history. It was a popular city back in the times of empires, but it can be seen that the city has not lost its popularity. One of the biggest tourist destinations every year, Istanbul is also the home of over 15 million people in Turkey. As the most progressed city in Turkey, the city has a lot to offer to anyone who would like to go there. You can enjoy tourist attractions or just be mesmerized by the life there. While it is a good place to go for a holiday or a touristic adventure, Istanbul is also an excellent option for educational purposes.

PhD Programs in Istanbul

Istanbul is a city that has made a name for itself throughout history. Istanbul was a well-liked city during the time of the empires, and it is obvious that the city’s popularity continues even today. More than 15 million people live in Istanbul, making the city the most developed metropolis in Turkey. Istanbul is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations each year, thus there are many options for everyone who wants to visit. You can observe city life on a regular basis or take in the sights of popular tourist attractions. Istanbul is an excellent destination for touristic adventures or holidays, but it's also a fantastic choice for academic pursuits. There is a total of 57 universities in Istanbul that are separated into public and private universities. Most of these universities take Ph.D. candidates for their higher education and gift them to the world as prestigious doctors. Istanbul is a city that is also rich in its universities as some of these universities date back to medieval times and the Age of Enlightenment. Built by the sultans of their times, these universities thrive to be among the best universities in the world. It is important for these universities to live up to their former fame, that is why they are continually looking for ways to improve themselves and the teaching methods they employ.

Where to Stay

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Istanbul hosts many students every year. Newcomers may have a hard time finding a place to stay in Istanbul, so before your visit, we have gathered some tips and essential information for you. This section focuses more on student accommodation, such as dormitories and rented houses.

Dormitory

Istanbul houses prestigious universities that have high places in international rankings. That is why it is a city of education too as there are many international students applying to these universities to benefit from the qualified education they offer. While applying to a position in Turkish universities in Istanbul is a process on its own, the next step of the student’s acceptance is finding accommodation for their time of the study. Students may choose to live on their own in flats, but they also have the opportunity to stay in dormitories. There are three types of dormitories in Istanbul, and these are: private, governmental, and the ones that belong to the university. The governmental dormitories require a Turkish identity number that the student can have from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Home & Apartment Rental

Istanbul is the heart of Turkey and the country’s most crowded city with more than 15 million people living in it. Because of the fact that Istanbul is a touristic city in which life never stops, some regions are more popular than others. Though the popularity does affect the prices, Istanbul is an expensive city when it comes to accommodation nonetheless. The European side of the city appears to be more expensive in housing, but many occasions and events take place on the European side. In relation to this, the Anatolian side is relatively cheaper, but this may result in a long commute based on the school you are studying or the location of your work. A flat in the popular regions of the Anatolian side like Kadıköy that is furnished by the landlord is around 500€ minimum.

Find a University

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If you want to study in Istanbul then you will have a lot of options! there are many universities in Istanbul; some of them are public and some of them are private. Here you can see the top universities which are preferred by foreign students and know about their programs, their resources and campus life.

Education Programs

With its 57 universities, it can be said that Istanbul is a city of education. Through these prestigious universities, there is a variety of fields of study in Istanbul. Most universities offer associate’s, bachelor’s, master's, and Ph.D. degrees through their programs. The associate’s degree is also known as the pre-bachelor degree. It is a short cycle program that lasts for two years, and some subjects the associate’s degree offers may require an internship for experience before graduation.

Universities

Istanbul is an old city that was popular even back in the times of the empires. The popularity of the city is one of the reasons it is the most crowded city in Turkey and the fact that it is the most developed metropolis in the country. Housing more than 15 million people, Istanbul is a center for both tourists and business settlements. The popularity of the city and the range of possibilities it offers have resulted in the establishment of many universities in Istanbul. Currently, the city has 57 universities that are either public or private universities. Public universities in Istanbul have a more rooted history than the private ones thanks to the works of the Ottoman emperors who valued education and the earlier times of the Republic of Turkey. Istanbul University, for example, dates back to the medieval age as it was established by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror right after the seizure of Constantinople. Istanbul University offers a variety of subjects for higher education, and it is a university of recognition in international areas.