Information

Turkey

is a democratic, secular, unitary and constitutional republic at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest Asia. To the north is the Black Sea and to the west is the Aegean Sea. Its neighbors are Greece and Bulgaria to the west, Russia, Ukraine, and Romania to the north and northwest (through the Black Sea), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Syria and Iraq to the south. Turkey has the world’s 17th largest GDP by PPP and 18th largest nominal GDP. The Mediterranean Coast enjoys hot summers and relatively mild winters. The Black Sea coast is hot and humid in summer, and cold and wet in winter. The north-west and Istanbul can be balmy in summer but chilly in winter. It has a unique strategic position at the crossroads of East and West which endows this country with nearly ten-thousand years of history. As part of Asia and part of Europe, Turkey has remarkably wide climatic and geographical variations. Due to its location, surrounded by seas on three sides, Turkey as always been the center of great trade, silk and spice routes. Today, even in the most inaccessible or isolated corners, one can easily feel and see the traces of different cultures.

Economic Status

Turkey is among the top seven emerging economies. Price Waterhouse Coopers regards it as a faster-growing market than China and India. It has a sizeable automotive industry, which produced over 1.3 million motor vehicles in 2015, ranking as the 14th largest producer in the world. Turkish brands like Beko and Vestel are among the largest producers of consumer electronics and home appliances in Europe. Other key sectors of the Turkish economy are banking, construction, home appliances, electronics, textiles, oil refining, petrochemical products, food, mining, iron and steel, and machine industry. In 2010, the agricultural sector accounted for 9 percent of GDP, while the industrial sector accounted for 26 percent and the services sector for 65 percent. Tourism in Turkey has experienced rapid growth in the last twenty years, and constitutes an important part of the economy. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism currently promotes Turkish tourism under the Turkey Home name. In 2013, 37.8 million foreign visitors arrived in Turkey, which ranked as the 6th most popular tourism destination in the world.

 

Details

Official Name: Republic of Turkey

 

Capital: Ankara
Area: 780,580 sq. km.
Currency: New Turkish Lira (TRY)
Official language: Turkish
Time zone: GMT +2
Dialing Code: +90
Emergency services: 112
Religions: 99% Muslim, 1% other
Government: Parliamentary Republic
Population: 68 million
Population density: 93/km² (240/sq. miles)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): USD 10,380 per capita (est. 2008)
Human Development Index (HDI): 0.775

 

Reasons to study in Turkey

 

  • The number of international students in our state universities that offer worldwide education has been steadily increasing. There are now around 170 colleges and universities across the country, with more than 30,000 international students. There are hundreds of English-language programs offered in a number of subjects.

 

  • Turkey’s economy is among among the world’s fastest-growing economies and its education budget has tripled since 2002, reflecting its ambitions to compete in the global market for international students.

 

  • With a growing popularity, Turkey has impressive economic and political openings for the new emerging markets. From the countries in the region, there is a strong interest in the culture and lifestyle of Turkey.

 

  • The quality level of the education in state universities, where language of instruction is English, is at the Western standards. For any international student, Turkey has a lot to offer: high quality education and a very multicultural population, lively cities and beautiful landscapes, artistic, cultural and sportive events. Living and studying in Turkey will definitely inspire you and change your perspectives permanently.

 

  • Study programs in Turkey will overwhelm international students with a plenty of schools, programs and locations. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to experience both modernity and tradition in one of the safest and most stable countries in the region. Turkish universities provide internationally recognized degrees with affordable tuition fees. Turkey has a mission of supporting students with a variety of scholarships, foundation universities provide scholarships between 30 and 40 per cent of the tuition fee.

 

  • The Turkish education system offers international students a rich field of choices. You will find a number of options to fit just about any need from specialized degrees to unique programs geared toward international students. Multicultural affairs studies are popular as well as programs in International Relations, Eastern Mediterranean Studies, Business Management, Engineering, Travel, Tourism and Hospitality.

 

  • High quality but low-cost Dormitories and housing facilities are also provided for international students.

 

  • In terms of the founding principles, the quality level of the teaching staff, infrastructure and campus facilities, foundation universities are ranked among the world’s leading universities. The number of foundation universities in Turkey has already exceeded 70and these universities have strong international connections.
  • Turks are known for their warmth and hospitality. You’ll soon be drinking çay (tea) and playing tavla (backgammon) with the locals and being invited round for breakfast by your neighbours.
    Most Turks enjoy meeting foreign visitors and practising their English. Turkey is also one of the safest and most stable countries in the region.
  • Turkey has more than 5,000 miles of coastline and is washed by the waters of four very different seas, the Mediterranean to the south, the Aegean to the west, the Black Sea to the north and the small Sea of Marmara just below Istanbul.The Kaçkar mountains in the north-east are a hiker’s paradise with secret valleys, wonderful views and rare wildlife.
  • Due to its rich history, Turkey is considered to be an ‘open-air museum’, full of ancient sites and ruins that bear testament to the many civilisations that emerged or flourished here, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. Here you will find the world’s best-preserved Neolithic settlement at Çatalhöyük, the famous city of Troy and the statues of Greek and Persian gods on Mount Nemrut, described by Unesco as the 8th wonder of the world.
  • From the savoury pastries and kebabs served on the streets of Istanbul to the fresh fish, grilled corn and stuffed mussels sold on the coast, Turkish cuisine is a mouthwatering fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Caucasian and Balkan dishes. You’ll soon be eating olives and cheese for breakfast, drinking yoghurt with every meal and sipping lots and lots of Turkish tea.
  • The climate of Turkey is very kind with Istanbul and Izmir enjoying hot, dry summers and mild, cool, wet winters. Ankara has hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.
  • Tuition fees and the cost of living are lower in Turkey than in most European or American countries yet the quality of education is still high. There are also scholarships available that cover not only tuition fees but accommodation, insurance and travel costs.
  • A growing number of courses at Turkish universities are taught in English and many others offer the opportunity to learn English. English is also widely spoken in the major cities and tourist resorts.