Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Turkey
Turkey bridges Europe and Asia both geographically and academically, offering globally ranked universities and the enormously popular Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships) — a fully-funded government program that draws thousands of Bangladeshi applicants every year.
তুরস্ক ইউরোপ ও এশিয়ার মধ্যে একটি সেতু, এবং তুর্কিয়ে বুরসলারি সরকারি বৃত্তি প্রতি বছর হাজার হাজার বাংলাদেশি আবেদনকারীকে আকর্ষণ করে।
Gateway International handles visas: Turkey's Dhaka visa application centre (Gateway International) processes all categories including student visas — no travel to a third country is required.
গেটওয়ে ইন্টারন্যাশনাল ভিসা প্রক্রিয়া করে: তৃতীয় কোনো দেশে ভ্রমণের প্রয়োজন নেই।
Universities & Popular Programs
Boğaziçi University (Istanbul)
Turkey's top-ranked university, strong in Engineering, Economics, and Sciences, with English-medium instruction.
Middle East Technical University (METU, Ankara)
Leading choice for Engineering and Architecture, fully English-medium.
Istanbul University
One of Turkey's oldest and largest universities, strong across Medicine, Law, and Social Sciences.
Marmara University (Istanbul)
Well-regarded for Business, Communication, and Theology/Islamic Studies programs.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Engineering, Medicine, Business, Islamic Studies, International Relations.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Public university tuition per year (self-funded) | $1,000 - $4,000 |
| Medicine tuition per year | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Living costs per month | $250 - $450 |
| Türkiye Bursları scholars | Free (tuition, dorm, stipend covered) |
Istanbul carries the highest living costs; Ankara and smaller university cities are noticeably cheaper.
ইস্তানবুলে থাকার খরচ সবচেয়ে বেশি; আঙ্কারা ও ছোট শহরে কম।
Scholarships & Funding
Türkiye Bursları (Turkey Scholarships) — the Turkish government's flagship international scholarship program, covering full tuition, free dormitory accommodation, a monthly stipend, health insurance, a one-time flight ticket, and a mandatory Turkish-language preparation year. Applications open annually (typically January-February) via turkiyeburslari.gov.tr, with a very large and competitive applicant pool from Bangladesh every year.
Competition is intense — Türkiye Bursları receives hundreds of thousands of applications globally each year, so a strong academic record and well-prepared application are essential; self-funded admission remains a reliable fallback.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport and completed online application printout.
- Two biometric photographs.
- An official letter of acceptance from the Turkish educational institution (or Türkiye Bursları scholarship award letter).
- Proof of payment of tuition fees, or scholarship confirmation.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support your stay.
- Your previous academic certificates.
- Proof of accommodation in Turkey (e.g., dormitory confirmation).
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission — directly with a Turkish university, or through the Türkiye Bursları scholarship portal.
- Receive your official letter of acceptance (or scholarship award letter, if applicable).
- Complete the online pre-application form at the official Turkish Consular Procedures website (www.visa.gov.tr), selecting the appropriate student visa category.
- Book an appointment at the Gateway International visa application centre in Dhaka.
- Attend your appointment, submitting your printed application form, passport, acceptance letter, and all other supporting documents in person.
- Pay the visa fee (approximately $60) plus the centre's service fees.
- Collect your passport with the visa once processing is complete, and plan arrival ahead of the September intake.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single-entry student visa | ~$60 + service fee |
Embassy & Application Centre
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Dhaka
House No: 7, Road No: 2, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212
Turkey Visa Application Centre (Gateway International)
AJ Heights, Cha-72/1/D, Progoti Sarani, North Badda, Dhaka-1212
Application Tips
- If applying for Türkiye Bursları, start well ahead of the January-February deadline — the application requires substantial documentation and preparation.
- Keep your official scholarship letter with your visa application if you're an awardee — it satisfies both the acceptance and financial-means requirements.
- Book your Gateway International appointment as early as possible, since slots can fill up quickly during peak admission season.
Work Rights
International students in Turkey with a valid residence permit for education generally may work part-time once they have completed their first year of study, subject to obtaining a work permit — confirm current rules with the Turkish immigration authorities after arrival.
তুরস্কে প্রথম বছর শেষ করার পর শিক্ষার্থীরা সাধারণত ওয়ার্ক পারমিটসহ খণ্ডকালীন কাজ করতে পারেন।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught Bachelor's/Master's | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| Turkish-medium programs (incl. Türkiye Bursları) | Turkish preparation year provided | — |
Türkiye Bursları awardees who don't already speak Turkish are given a mandatory one-year Turkish-language preparation course before starting their degree — no prior Turkish knowledge is required to apply.
Application Timeline (September Intake)
Türkiye Bursları Application
Submit your scholarship application (typically January-February) if pursuing the funded route.
Admission & Acceptance
Receive your university admission letter or scholarship award notification.
Gateway International Appointment
Submit your visa application at Gateway International in Dhaka.
Arrival
Arrive in time for orientation (or the mandatory Turkish-language year) before studies begin.
FAQ
Is Türkiye Bursları only for Islamic Studies? No — it covers Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs across nearly all fields, though Islamic Studies, Medicine, and Engineering are all popular among Bangladeshi applicants.
Do I need to travel to a third country for my visa? No — Gateway International in Dhaka processes the entire application locally.
Can I work part-time during my studies? Generally yes, after your first year, subject to obtaining a work permit.