Turkey has become one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for Azerbaijani students in recent years. The reasons are clear: geographical proximity, cultural similarity, relatively low costs, and most importantly — admission based on a school certificate, without entrance exams. In this article we explain step by step how studying in Turkey works, the admission process, costs and practical steps.
How admission to Turkish universities works
Admission to Turkish state universities is mainly through the YKS (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı) exam. But for Azerbaijani citizens there is a special path: admission based only on a school certificate (or diploma), without taking YKS. This is part of the quota system reserved for international students.
The admission process consists of the following stages:
- 1Apostille and notarized Turkish translation of the school certificate
- 2Preparation of passport and other documents
- 3Online application on the university's official website
- 4Waiting for the admission decision
- 5Payment of tuition and registration
- 6Student visa application and travel to Turkey
The most critical stage is preparing documents on time. Application dates are usually in July-August, but the apostille and translation process takes 2-4 weeks. Therefore, it is optimal to start the process in April-May.
Certificate-based admission without exams — how is it possible?
Turkish YÖK (Council of Higher Education) allocates a special quota for international students. Under this quota, Azerbaijanis can be admitted based on their certificate GPA alone. The certificate average (transcript) is one of the main criteria — the higher it is, the better the chances for stronger universities.
For the full admission process, university selection and cost calculator, see our complete guide:
Study in Turkey — complete country guide (admission, universities, costs)Which universities to choose?
There are 200+ state universities in Turkey. The most popular choices for Azerbaijanis are:
Black Sea region — affordable and quiet
Giresun, Trabzon (KTÜ), Samsun (OMÜ) and Rize (RTEÜ) universities are the most accessible options for Azerbaijani students. Living costs are low, education quality is good, and admission competition is relatively low. Giresun University is particularly EduVix's recommended choice.
Big cities — Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir
Istanbul University, Ankara University, Ege University and other prestigious institutions have high rankings, but admission competition is very high and living costs are 2-3 times more expensive.
About Giresun University — detailed EduVix guideTuition fees and living costs
Tuition fees in Turkey vary by university and program. For international students, annual tuition is typically between 400-1200 USD at state universities. Living costs vary by city, ranging from 300-600 USD per month.
| Expense category | Monthly min | Monthly avg | Monthly max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dormitory (KYK or private) | 150 USD | 250 USD | 400 USD |
| Food | 120 USD | 180 USD | 250 USD |
| Transport | 20 USD | 35 USD | 50 USD |
| Social and other | 30 USD | 60 USD | 100 USD |
| Total | 320 USD | 525 USD | 800 USD |
For more detailed costs and city-by-city comparison:
Living costs in Turkey — city comparison and budget planTurkish language — a prerequisite for admission
Most programs at Turkish universities are taught in Turkish. If you don't know Turkish, you will need to complete a 1-year preparatory class (Türkçe Hazırlık) after admission. This means extra time and cost. Therefore, learning Turkish before going to Turkey is very beneficial — both for saving time and for adaptation.
EduVix offers a Turkish preparation course for students planning to go to Turkey. With this course, instead of spending the first year in a preparatory class, you can start the main program directly.
Visa and residence permit process
After admission, you need to apply for a Turkish student visa. The visa process requires the following documents: admission letter, passport, financial documents, insurance, etc. The visa is usually issued within 2-4 weeks. After arriving in Turkey, you must obtain a residence permit (İkamet) within 1 month.
For a step-by-step guide to the visa process:
Turkish student visa process — complete guide for AzerbaijanisPractical steps — when to start?
If you have decided to study in Turkey, plan the process with the following timeline:
- 1September-December: Research universities, make a shortlist
- 2January-March: Start learning Turkish (EduVix course recommended)
- 3April-May: Start the apostille and translation process
- 4June-July: Collect documents, monitor the application portal
- 5July-August: Apply online to universities
- 6August-September: Wait for admission decision, apply for visa
- 7September-October: Move to Turkey, register, get İkamet
This timeline is a general guide. Each university has its own calendar. Be sure to follow your chosen university's official website and the YÖK international student portal.
Why EduVix?
EduVix is an in-person education center in Azerbaijan. As part of study-abroad preparation, we offer: Turkish language course, university selection consultation, document preparation support, and visa process guidance. Our center is located on Baku-Shamakhi highway and offers in-person classes.
For a free consultation, contact us:
Contact EduVix — free study abroad consultationThis article is for informational purposes only. For exact admission requirements, dates and prices, be sure to check the university's official website and the YÖK portal.
