Türkiye Scholarships: Fully Funded Study for Africans

Below: exactly what the Türkiye scholarship covers, who can apply, the deadline and timeline, how to apply step by step, and how to write an application that stands out.

What are Türkiye Scholarships?

Türkiye Scholarships (in Turkish, Türkiye Bursları) is a scholarship programme funded by the Government of the Republic of Türkiye for international students. It is one of the most generous fully funded options open to African students, because it bundles tuition, living costs, housing and travel into a single award.

A few things make this turkey scholarship worth a serious application:

• It’s genuinely fully funded — not a tuition discount. It covers the cost of studying and living.
• It’s free to apply. There is no application fee, and applications are made directly through the official portal — never through a paid agent who claims to “guarantee” you a place.
• It’s open across all study levels — bachelor’s, master’s and PhD.
• It welcomes students from across Africa, alongside applicants from the rest of the world.

Be careful who you trust. No one can guarantee you a government scholarship, and the official application costs nothing. If someone asks for money to “secure” your Türkiye Bursları place, that is a red flag — see how to spot a fake agent.

What the Türkiye scholarship covers

Türkiye Bursları is a comprehensive, fully funded package. According to the official programme, it includes:

• Full tuition — your university fees are paid in full.
• A monthly stipend — a living allowance paid each month, set higher at master’s and PhD level than at bachelor’s (the exact amount is revised each intake — confirm it on the official portal).
• Accommodation — university or state housing for scholarship holders.
• Health insurance — state health cover for the duration of your studies.
• Return flights — a one-time flight to Türkiye at the start and a return flight at the end of your programme.
• A Turkish language course — a one-year Turkish course before your degree begins.

Because it covers both tuition and living costs, the Türkiye scholarship is one of the few awards that can fund a whole degree with no money from home. See how it compares with other fully funded scholarships for African students.

(Stipend amounts, accommodation rules and the flight policy change between intakes — confirm the current figures on the official portal before you rely on them.)

Who can apply? (eligibility, age and grades)

Türkiye Scholarships are open to international students, including students from across Africa, who meet the programme’s requirements. The two requirements that catch people out are the age limits and the academic grade thresholds, and both differ by study level.

General eligibility usually includes:

• You are not a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye (and have not lost Turkish citizenship).
• You meet the age limit for your level — there are separate maximum ages for bachelor’s, master’s and PhD applicants.
• You meet the minimum academic grade — there is a minimum grade requirement, and it is higher for medical and health sciences.
• You are not already studying at the level you’re applying for in Türkiye.
• You can provide academic transcripts, your diploma or certificate, and supporting documents.

Because the exact age cut-offs and grade thresholds are set by the programme and can change each intake, treat the requirements above as “must check” rather than fixed. If you’re close to a limit, it’s worth getting your eligibility checked before you spend time on the application.

Not sure whether you qualify? Take our free eligibility check and we’ll tell you honestly whether the Türkiye scholarship — or another funded route — is realistic for your grades and age.

Deadline and timeline

Türkiye Bursları runs on one annual application window, opening early in the year for entry the following academic year. The exact dates change every intake.

• Application window: a single fixed window each year — for 2026 it ran 10 January to 20 February.
• Evaluation: applications are shortlisted, then strong candidates are invited to an interview.
• Results: successful applicants are notified, then placed at a university and programme.

Do not wait for the deadline. The portal can be busy in the final days, and you’ll write a far stronger application with time to spare. Confirm the live dates on the official portal and diarise the closing date the moment it’s announced. We track scholarship deadlines for African students so you don’t miss them.

How to apply for the Türkiye scholarship (one online portal)

You apply through one official online portal — there is no paper form and no fee. Here is the process at a high level (confirm each step on the portal, as details can change):

1. Create your account on the official Türkiye Scholarships portal (turkiyeburslari.gov.tr).
2. Choose your level and programmes. Select bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, and pick your preferred universities and programmes within the portal’s limit.
3. Fill in your details and academic record — personal information, your grades, and your study history.
4. Upload your documents — transcripts, diploma or certificate, ID/passport, and a photo, plus any references or test scores the portal requests.
5. Write your motivation/statement — explain why you, why Türkiye, and what you’ll do with the degree.
6. Submit before the deadline and keep your confirmation. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview, after which final results and university placement are announced.

That’s the whole route: one free online application, no agent required. If you’d like a second pair of eyes, World Study can review your documents and statement before you submit — see how we vet your documents.

Universities and programmes

The Türkiye scholarship places successful applicants at universities across Türkiye, in a wide range of subjects at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level. You select your preferred universities and programmes inside the application portal, and final placement is confirmed if you’re awarded the scholarship.

A few practical points:

• Choose programmes that match your grades and background. Competitive, high-demand fields (such as medicine and engineering) attract the strongest applicants, so your academic record matters more there.
• Language of instruction varies. Some programmes are taught in Turkish (with the one-year Turkish course beforehand) and some in English; check each programme’s language requirement and any English-test rule.
• Read each programme’s own requirements in the portal before you list it as a preference.

We’re not naming specific universities or programme places here, because the available list and the exact requirements are set by the programme each intake — always confirm them on the official portal.

Tips for a strong application

Türkiye Bursları is competitive — many strong students apply for each place — so a complete, well-told application matters. We won’t promise success, but these are the things that consistently help:

• Apply early. A rushed application submitted on deadline day rarely shows your best.
• Make your motivation specific. Say why Türkiye, why this programme, and what you’ll do afterwards — link it to your goals, not generic praise.
• Get your documents clean. Correct transcripts, a clear certificate, and a valid passport, all matching the names and dates on your form.
• Choose realistic programme preferences that fit your grades and field, rather than only the most oversubscribed courses.
• Prepare for the interview. If you’re shortlisted, be ready to talk clearly about your studies, your plan and your motivation.
• Use only the official portal. Never pay anyone to “guarantee” a place — it’s free, and a guarantee is a warning sign.

For more funded routes alongside this one, see our full guide to scholarships for African students and our main scholarships hub.

How we help

World Study helps African students apply for funded study honestly — with real requirements, real odds, and no inflated promises. For the Türkiye scholarship we can check your eligibility, review your documents and motivation statement, and help you prepare for the interview. Our core guidance is free; the official application is free too.

Talk to an advisor on WhatsApp or take the free 2-minute eligibility check → to see whether the Türkiye scholarship is realistic for you.