Giresun University is a state university in the Black Sea region of Turkey and one of EduVix's most recommended choices for Azerbaijani students. The reason is simple: low tuition fees, some of the cheapest living costs in Turkey, relatively low admission competition and a quiet, safe city environment. In this article we cover everything in detail — from the university's history to its faculties, costs, admission requirements and campus life.
Study in Turkey — complete country guide (admission, universities, costs)University history and overview
Giresun University was founded in 2006, making it a relatively young state university. Since its founding it has become the educational center of the region and serves students in the eastern part of the Black Sea region. The university has state status, meaning it operates under YÖK (Council of Higher Education) supervision, and its diplomas are recognized across Turkey and by many international institutions.
Despite being young, Giresun University is growing rapidly: new faculties are opening, campus infrastructure is being strengthened and the international student quota is expanding every year. This is an attractive factor for Azerbaijanis — admission competition is significantly lower than at Istanbul and Ankara universities.
Because Giresun University is a state university, its diploma is recognized by YÖK and is fully valid for master's and PhD applications within Turkey. To have it recognized in Azerbaijan, an apostille and translation process at the Ministry of Education is sufficient.
Geographic location — why Giresun?
Giresun is a city in Turkey's Black Sea region, located along the coast. The city is small, quiet and safe: the population is around 100,000, crime rates are low and it offers students a comfortable living environment. Giresun is famous worldwide for its hazelnuts, and the local economy is based on agriculture, fishing and education.
An additional advantage for Azerbaijani students is the climate. Giresun has a mild, humid Black Sea climate — summers are not too hot and winters are not too harsh. This is similar to the climate of Baku, which makes adaptation easier.
Trabzon airport — the nearest international gateway
Giresun does not have its own airport, but Trabzon airport is around 160 km away (2-2.5 hours by bus). There are direct flights from Baku to Trabzon, which makes reaching Giresun from Azerbaijan easy. Alternatively, there are daily buses and domestic flight connections from Istanbul to Giresun.
Faculties and programs
Giresun University has several faculties and many specializations. The main faculties are:
- Faculty of Medicine — 6-year program, high requirements and an entrance exam
- Faculty of Engineering — computer engineering, electrical-electronics, mechatronics and more
- Faculty of Education — teacher training programs (Turkish, mathematics, science education)
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences — history, sociology, psychology, biological sciences
- Faculty of Sport Sciences — physical education and sports management
- Faculty of Tourism — tourism and hotel management, gastronomy
- Faculty of Theology — Islamic studies and religious research
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences — economics, business, public administration
The most popular programs for Azerbaijani students are usually Engineering, Economics, Education and Tourism faculties. The Faculty of Medicine is a more selective choice because it requires a high certificate GPA and additional exams.
Master's and PhD opportunities
Giresun University also has master's and PhD programs. For students who completed their bachelor's in Turkey or Azerbaijan, the master's path is open and scholarship opportunities (especially BİDEB and YLSY) are often available.
Tuition fees — for international students
Because Giresun University is a state university, tuition fees are relatively low. For international students, annual tuition typically ranges from 400 to 1200 USD depending on the program. The Faculty of Medicine and some engineering programs are in the upper range, while literature and education programs are in the lower range.
| Faculty / program | Annual tuition (USD) |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Medicine | 1200-1800 USD |
| Engineering (all majors) | 800-1200 USD |
| Economics and Administrative Sciences | 500-800 USD |
| Faculty of Education | 400-600 USD |
| Arts and Sciences | 400-600 USD |
| Faculty of Tourism | 500-700 USD |
| Faculty of Theology | 400-500 USD |
| Sport Sciences | 500-700 USD |
Tuition is usually paid every semester, and only the first semester amount is collected at registration. For students who must take the Turkish preparatory class, this does not create an extra cost — the preparatory class is within the same tuition fee range.
Living costs — Turkey's cheapest option
The biggest factor that distinguishes Giresun University is living costs. The total monthly living cost is around 300-400 USD, one of the lowest figures in Turkey. In Istanbul this figure is 600-900 USD, in Ankara 500-700 USD.
| Expense category | Giresun (USD) | Istanbul (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dormitory (KYK or private) | 80-150 | 250-500 |
| Food | 100-150 | 180-300 |
| Transport | 15-30 | 35-70 |
| Social and other | 30-60 | 100-200 |
| Monthly total | 300-400 | 600-900 |
For a city-by-city comparison and a more detailed budget plan:
Living costs in Turkey — city comparison and budget planAdmission requirements — step by step
The following documents are required for admission to Giresun University as an international student:
- 1Apostille certification of the school certificate (or diploma)
- 2Notarized Turkish translation of the certificate
- 3Ministry of Education confirmation of the translation (in some cases)
- 4Passport (validity at least 1 year)
- 5Passport-size bio photos (usually 6)
- 6University's online application form (open in July-August)
- 7Financial document (to prove you or your family can support admission)
- 8Language proficiency certificate (if you have one — TÖMER exempts you from Turkish preparatory)
The apostille and translation process takes 2-4 weeks. Since the application window is usually in July-August, it is very important to prepare documents in April-May. A delay loses your admission chance.
For the full admission process, certificate-based admission mechanism and visa steps, see our detailed guide:
Studying in Turkey: how it works — complete guide 2026Why is Giresun EduVix's most recommended university?
EduVix particularly recommends Giresun University in the following cases:
- For families who want to study abroad on a low budget
- For students looking for a quiet, safe and low-stress city environment
- For those who want to learn Turkish from scratch and plan to take a preparatory class
- For those whose certificate is mid-range and who do not want to compete at big-city universities
- For students on their first abroad experience who want easier adaptation
In Giresun, your first year of tuition + living costs (annual) will total around 3500-4500 USD. In Istanbul the same period costs 8000-12000 USD. The difference is 2-3 times.
Campus life and student community
Giresun University's main campus is located close to the city center and is easily accessible by bus. The campus has a library, sports halls, a cafeteria and student clubs. The number of Azerbaijani students grows every year and there is a small Azerbaijani student community — adaptation for newcomers is easy.
The KYK dormitory (state) is available for about 30-50 USD per month, but places are limited so you must apply on time. Private dormitories offer 80-150 USD and accept more students.
Social life and free time
Because Giresun is on the coast, it is quite lively in the summer. City parks, seaside cafes, Giresun Castle and Giresun Island are popular spots for students. You can visit Trabzon and famous nature spots like AYDER plateau and Uzungöl.
Comparison with big cities — the real difference
Many students dream of studying in Istanbul or Ankara, but the trade-off is cost and competition. Let's show the real difference:
| Criterion | Giresun | Istanbul | Ankara |
|---|---|---|---|
| International quota competition | Low | Very high | High |
| Annual tuition | 400-1200 USD | 1000-4000 USD | 800-3000 USD |
| Monthly living cost | 300-400 USD | 600-900 USD | 500-700 USD |
| Finding a dormitory | Easy | Hard and expensive | Medium |
| Safety | High | Medium | High |
| Language prep option | Mandatory, cheap | Available, expensive | Available, medium |
Student experience and post-graduation job opportunities
Studying in Giresun is not only an academic experience — it is a real experience of living abroad. The experience of Azerbaijani graduates shows that after graduation there are two main paths: finding a job in Turkey or returning to Azerbaijan and getting the diploma recognized. In both cases, a diploma from a Turkish state university is recognized in Azerbaijan's Ministry of Education through the apostille/translation process.
For graduates who want to stay in Turkey, the main paths are:
- Post-graduation job search visa (Sonradan Eğitim sonrası iş vizesi) — to look for a job for up to 1 year
- Master's/PhD — for those who choose an academic career path
- Industry work — engineer, economist, teacher in private companies
- Teaching — language/science teacher in Turkish private schools (especially for Education faculty graduates)
In the Turkish labor market, graduates with good specialization and language level (Turkish C1+) find jobs easily. Part-time and internship opportunities while studying are also widespread — this strengthens your CV and increases the chances of a real job offer after graduation.
Healthcare, transport and daily life
After receiving a student İkamet, you can join Turkey's Genel Sağlık Sigortası system and get cheap or free treatment in state hospitals. Private clinics also offer student discounts.
In terms of transport, Giresun is a student-friendly city:
- City bus card (Giresun Kart) — with a student discount, around 10-15 USD per month
- Campus to city center bus every 15-20 minutes
- Frequent bus to Trabzon (student ticket 8-12 USD) — weekly round trips are possible
- Shared taxi/dolmuş use is very common among students
Market, bazaar and food costs are also low: fresh hazelnuts, fish and vegetables are very cheap at the local market. A lunch at a private restaurant is about 3-5 USD, at the university cafeteria (yemekhane) with a student card around 1-2 USD.
Preparing for Giresun with EduVix
EduVix offers a complete preparation package for students who want to be admitted to Giresun University: Turkish language course, admission document preparation support, university selection consultation and visa process guidance. Our center is located on Baku-Shamakhi highway and offers in-person classes.
For a full free consultation, contact us:
Contact EduVix — free study abroad consultationThis article is for informational purposes. For exact tuition fees, admission dates and the program list, be sure to check Giresun University's official website and the YÖK international student portal.
