Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
One application, one window each year — funding a first degree, a Master's or a PhD, with accommodation and flights included.
Offered by Government of the Republic of Türkiye
Türkiye Scholarships is the Turkish government's scholarship for international students, and it is one of the simplest to understand: there is a single application system, a single window each year, and it covers associate, bachelor's, master's and PhD study. What makes it unusual is how much is included. Beyond tuition and a monthly stipend, it provides your accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish language course, and a flight at the start and another when you graduate. It also places you at a university and department — you do not have to secure your own offer first, unlike Chevening. The age limits are strict and catch people out: under 21 for a bachelor's, under 30 for a master's, under 35 for a PhD. Check yours before starting.
Applications open
10 January 2027
Deadline — last day to apply
20 February 2027
at 23:59 UTC
Türkiye Scholarships publishes 10 January to 20 February as its application window "every year", and the 2026 round ran on exactly those dates. The 2027 dates shown here follow that published pattern, but the year's exact dates are confirmed on the official announcements page — check there before relying on them. Results are announced in early August and grantees travel to Türkiye in September.
Details checked against the official source on 13 August 2026. Rules change every year — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
TontonAfriJobs is not connected to this scholarship and never charges any fee. You can apply yourself, for free, using the steps below. Nobody needs to apply on your behalf.
Fully funded
Bachelors, Masters, Phd
Applications open 10 January and close 20 February — the same window every year
None to apply — a one-year Turkish course is provided after selection
Competitive
What the scholarship pays for
What you still pay for yourself
Find your country
Türkiye Scholarships is open to citizens of all countries, so every African country qualifies — including Cameroon and Sudan, which are shut out of UK study visas. The only people excluded are Turkish citizens, those who have lost Turkish citizenship, and anyone currently enrolled at a Turkish university at the same level they are applying for.
Don't see your country? Eligibility can change each year — check the official country list.
Can I apply?
You need to be able to tick every box below. Each one links to the official page that states the rule.
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You are a citizen of any country other than Türkiye. Turkish citizens and people who have lost Turkish citizenship cannot apply. Eligible groups
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AGE: under 21 for associate and bachelor's degrees, under 30 for master's, under 35 for PhD, and under 50 for the Research Scholarship. Age criteria
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GRADES: at least 70% for associate and bachelor's, at least 75% for master's and PhD, and at least 90% for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. Academic criteria
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You have graduated, or you will graduate before August of the year you apply. Final-year students are therefore eligible. Eligible groups
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You are NOT currently enrolled at a Turkish university at the level you are applying for. Having studied in Türkiye at a different level does not disqualify you. Ineligible groups
How to apply, step by step
Do these in order. Every step links to the exact official page you need — you never have to guess, and you never need an agent.
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1
Check your age against your level first
The age limits are hard: under 21 for a bachelor's, under 30 for a master's, under 35 for a PhD. This is the fastest way to know whether to continue, and the most common reason applications are rejected outright.
Age criteria -
2
Search the available programmes before you apply
You can only choose from the universities and departments the system offers you, and what you are offered depends on your own educational background. Search first so your choices are realistic.
Full-time programmes -
3
Check your qualification is recognised at home
Türkiye Scholarships advises candidates to check the equivalence and validity of their chosen field in their own country before applying. Do this now, not after you graduate.
Before you apply -
4
Apply through TBBS between 10 January and 20 February
Everything goes through the official Türkiye Scholarships Application System (TBBS). There is one window a year and no late applications, so do not leave it to the final days.
Apply on TBBS -
5
Prepare for interview between April and June
Applications are evaluated in March and April, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed between April and June. Results are announced in early August.
Official calendar -
6
Travel to Türkiye in September
Successful candidates complete initial procedures in August and transfer to Türkiye in September, starting with the one-year Turkish language course.
Official calendar
Papers you need to prepare
Start gathering these early — some take weeks to get.
Your most recent diploma or certificate
Or proof you will graduate before August of the application year.
Full academic transcripts
Used to check you meet the 70%, 75% or 90% threshold for your level.
A valid passport or national ID
Proves your citizenship, which is the core eligibility rule.
A passport-style photograph
Uploaded in the TBBS system.
A letter of intent
Why you want to study your chosen field in Türkiye and what you will do afterwards.
English test — which one to take
An English test proves you can study in English. You take it at a test centre (or sometimes at home), pay a fee, and receive a score. Book directly on the official website below — never pay an agent to book it for you.
No language test needed to apply
Nobody. Türkiye Scholarships does not require an English or Turkish test at application, and provides a full year of Turkish language training after you are selected.
This removes the single biggest upfront cost most African applicants face. If IELTS fees have been stopping you applying anywhere, start here.
Questions people ask
When do Türkiye Scholarships applications open?
Türkiye Scholarships applications open on 10 January and close on 20 February, which the official calendar describes as the application period every year. Applications are evaluated in March and April, interviews run from April to June, results are announced in early August, and successful candidates travel to Türkiye in September.
What is the age limit for Türkiye Scholarships?
Türkiye Scholarships applicants must be under 21 for associate and bachelor's degrees, under 30 for master's programmes, under 35 for PhD programmes, and under 50 for the Research Scholarship. These limits are strict and are the most common reason applications are rejected before assessment.
What grades do I need for Türkiye Scholarships?
You need a minimum academic score of 70% for associate and bachelor's degree applications, 75% for master's and PhD applications, and 90% if you are applying for health sciences such as medicine, dentistry or pharmacy. Note that Türkiye Scholarships does not award graduate-level scholarships in health sciences.
Do I need IELTS for Türkiye Scholarships?
No. Türkiye Scholarships does not require an English or Turkish language test to apply, and provides a full year of Turkish language training after you are selected. This makes it one of the few fully funded scholarships an African applicant can pursue without paying for a language test first.
What does the Türkiye Scholarship cover?
Türkiye Scholarships covers your full tuition, university and department placement, accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish language course, and a flight ticket at the start of your studies and another when you graduate. The monthly stipend is 4,500 TL for undergraduate students, 6,500 TL for master's students and 9,000 TL for PhD students.
Can I apply for Türkiye Scholarships if I studied in Türkiye before?
Only people currently enrolled at a Turkish university at the same level they are applying for are excluded, along with Turkish citizens and those who have lost Turkish citizenship. Having previously studied in Türkiye at a different level does not by itself disqualify you.
Do I need a university offer before applying for Türkiye Scholarships?
No. Türkiye Scholarships places successful candidates at a university and department itself, so you do not need to secure your own admission first. You choose from the universities and departments the application system offers you, which depend on your educational background.
Tips that genuinely improve your chances
- Check the age limit before anything else. Under 21 for a bachelor's is much younger than most people expect.
- There is no language test, so this is the cheapest major scholarship to apply for. If money has stopped you before, start here.
- Search the available departments before applying — you can only pick what the system offers you.
- Final-year students can apply, as long as you graduate before August. Do not wait a year unnecessarily.
- One window a year only. Miss 20 February and the next chance is twelve months away.
Protect yourself from scams
Türkiye Scholarships is free to apply for and applications are only accepted through the official TBBS system at tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr. No agent or consultant can submit your application, place you at a university, or improve your chances. If a website charges you an application fee for Türkiye Bursları, it is not the official system.
Ready to apply?
Applications are made directly on the official website — it is free, and you do it yourself.