Every spring our inbox fills with messages from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Faisalabad asking the same thing: is Turkey a realistic option, and how much will it really cost? For a lot of families the answer is yes. Fees are far lower than in the UK or Australia, flights are short, halal food is everywhere and Pakistani passports are treated well by Turkish universities. This guide explains how to study in Turkey for Pakistani students, step by step, from FSc results to your residence card
It is written from what we see in real files. That includes the paperwork that delays Pakistani applicants most often, because most of the problems are avoidable
Why study in Turkey for Pakistani students makes sense
The relationship between the two countries is warm and long. Even the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad was designed by a Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay. In practical terms that goodwill means few cultural surprises, easy halal food, mosques on every campus and a Pakistani community already established in Istanbul, Ankara, Konya and Sakarya
- Direct flights from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to Istanbul take around six hours
- Hundreds of English-taught programs, especially at private universities in Istanbul and Ankara
- No mandatory entrance exam at most private universities
- A Turkish bachelor’s degree is part of the European Bologna system
- Living costs outside Istanbul are close to what many families already budget for Lahore or Islamabad hostels plus extras
Admission requirements with Pakistani qualifications
Turkish universities accept the main Pakistani school routes. Private universities usually admit on Intermediate (FSc, ICS, FA or I.Com) results or A-Levels, typically with at least 60% to 70% overall. Medicine and dentistry ask for much more, often 75% to 85% in FSc pre-medical and good biology and chemistry marks. State universities set their own criteria and some require SAT or YÖS, while others accept high school results directly
Students with O and A-Levels need an IBCC equivalence certificate showing their grades in Pakistani terms. FSc students do not need equivalence at home, but both groups will need the Turkish Ministry of Education equivalence (denklik) later for state university registration
English requirements
For English-taught programs, IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or TOEFL iBT around 72 to 80 is typical. Some private universities accept an English medium of instruction letter from your college, and almost all offer their own proficiency exam online. If you fail it, you join a preparatory year before the degree begins
Attestation and documents from Pakistan
Paperwork is where Pakistani files slow down. Since Pakistan joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2023, documents for Turkey can be apostilled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead of going through the old embassy legalisation chain. Before that, your certificates must be verified by the issuing board and, for degrees, by HEC
- Matric and Intermediate certificates and mark sheets, verified by your BISE board or IBCC
- Bachelor’s degree and transcript verified by HEC, for master’s applicants
- Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Sworn Turkish translation, done in Turkey or by a translator accepted by the university
- Passport valid for at least the length of your first year plus a margin
We keep a full list, with tips on each item, in our documents checklist for studying in Turkey
Costs: tuition and living expenses
These are the ranges we see for Pakistani students in the 2026–27 cycle. Private universities frequently discount list prices by 25% to 50%, sometimes more for strong FSc results, so treat these as starting points
| Item | Typical yearly cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State university tuition | Roughly $500 to $3,000 | Mostly Turkish-taught, some English |
| Private university tuition (most programs) | Roughly $3,000 to $8,000 | Before scholarship discounts |
| Private medicine (English) | Roughly $15,000 to $30,000 | Discounts reduce this significantly |
| Living costs outside Istanbul | Roughly $4,500 to $7,500 | Dorm or shared flat |
| Living costs in Istanbul | Roughly $7,000 to $11,000 | Rent is the big variable |
If budget is the main concern, our list of the most affordable universities in Turkey is a good place to start. Remember that the rupee exchange rate matters a lot over four years, so plan with a buffer of at least 10%
Scholarships open to Pakistani students
The Türkiye Bursları government scholarship receives thousands of applications from Pakistan every year and covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance and a Turkish language year. It is competitive, and a strong academic record plus a convincing statement matter more than anything else. Read our guide to the Türkiye Bursları scholarship for the timeline and tips
For most students the realistic route is a merit discount from a private university. Discounts of 25% to 50% are common, and top FSc or A-Level results can earn more
Medicine and popular programs for Pakistani students
MBBS remains the most requested program, followed by computer science, engineering, business and dentistry. If you plan to come back to practise, check the current rules of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council for foreign graduates before you enrol, including the national registration exam and any requirements about program length and clinical training. Our guide on how to study medicine in Turkey covers fees and English-taught universities in detail
Applying from Pakistan for 2027?
Saya Group checks your FSc or A-Level results, finds universities with the best discounts and guides you through attestation, admission and visa
The Turkish student visa from Pakistan
Visa applications in Pakistan are handled through Gerry’s centres, which have offices in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan and other cities. You fill in the online pre-application form, then submit your file at the centre. The Turkish mission makes the decision and the fee is not refundable
- University acceptance letter
- Bank statements and a sponsor letter, usually from a parent
- Flight reservation and accommodation details
- Travel health insurance
- Polio vaccination certificate, which Pakistani travellers need when leaving the country
After you arrive you have to apply for a student residence permit within the visa period. Our full guide to the Turkey student visa and residence permit explains both steps
Mistakes we see Pakistani applicants make
- Sending unverified or photocopied certificates and losing weeks on re-submission
- Showing a bank statement with a large deposit made the week before the visa application
- Paying agents for “guaranteed” scholarships that do not exist
- Arriving without a plan for the residence permit appointment
Daily life for Pakistani students in Turkey
Most students settle in faster than they expect. Food is the first worry for many parents and usually the first one to disappear, since meat in Turkey is halal and university canteens serve cheap lunches for roughly two to three dollars. Desi groceries, spices and basmati rice are easy to find in Istanbul neighbourhoods such as Aksaray and Fatih, and Pakistani student associations in Istanbul, Ankara and Konya organise Eid gatherings and help new arrivals find flats
The adjustment people underestimate is winter. Ankara, Konya and Erzurum get properly cold, so budget for a good coat and heating bills in a shared flat. Learning basic Turkish also changes daily life a lot, even if your program is in English, because landlords, shopkeepers and government offices rarely switch to English
Your next step
Get your board verification moving now, book an English test or check whether your target university offers its own, and pick three or four programs in cities that fit your budget. If you send us scans of your Matric, Intermediate and passport, we will tell you which universities can admit you for fall 2027 and roughly what you will pay after discounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani students study in Turkey without IELTS?
Yes, at many private universities. They accept an English proficiency exam of their own or an English medium of instruction letter, and students who do not pass can join a preparatory year
Is FSc accepted by Turkish universities?
Yes. FSc, ICS and other Intermediate qualifications are accepted, usually with a minimum of 60% to 70%. Medicine and dentistry need higher marks
How much does it cost to study in Turkey from Pakistan?
Most private programs cost roughly $3,000 to $8,000 a year before discounts, plus $400 to $900 a month for living costs depending on the city
Where do Pakistani students apply for a Turkish visa?
Through Gerry’s visa centres in major Pakistani cities, after completing the online pre-application form. The Turkish embassy or consulate makes the final decision
Can Pakistani students work in Turkey while studying?
Bachelor’s students can apply for a work permit after their first year, but part-time jobs are limited and should not be part of your budget plan
