Disadvantages of studying in Turkey

Turkey is considered an attractive educational destination for many international students, especially in the Arab region, due to its many advantages. Despite these advantages, there are some negatives that the Turkish government seeks to solve.

We will talk about the disadvantages of studying in Turkey as an international students and how to overcome them. Keep reading 

An Overview of Studying in Turkey

Before discussing the negatives of education in Turkey, we must first discuss the history of education in Turkey and the beginning of its plan to attract international students from around the world to study there. 

The Turkish government began attracting international students in 2012, and the number of students began to increase, reaching its peak in 2014.

With this continuous increase in student numbers, the Turkish government has developed a strategic plan to attract 300,000 students by 2023.

Read also: Advantages of studying in Turkey

Disadvantages of studying in Turkey

With the increasing number of students, as we mentioned earlier, the drawbacks of studying in Turkey have begun to emerge.

These drawbacks, it should be noted, are not limited to the educational aspect, but rather relate to the organizational aspect. Education in Turkey is highly efficient, and its private and public universities have achieved advanced rankings among international universities.

We will talk about the disadvantages of studying in TurkeySoftware and devote a separate title to each disadvantage.

1. Decentralization of applications to public universities

One of the most prominent drawbacks of education in Türkiye is the decentralized preference in applying to government universities.

2. Student visa rejection without giving reasons

Obtaining a student visa to Turkey is easy, but applications are often rejected without any explanation, and then accepted the next time they are submitted.

A decision has been issued by the Presidency of the Turkish Council of Higher Education to facilitate the procedures for obtaining a student visa and provide a reference number so that students can track their application.

If the application is rejected, the reason for the rejection must be attached.

3. There is no maximum limit for applying to universities

Many available university seats are wasted due to the large number of applications to universities without a maximum limit, which deprives some students of the opportunity to complete their studies at a Turkish university.

4. The cost of studying medical specialties is exaggerated

Medical specialties have high fees compared to other specialties in Turkish public and private universities, and this is one of the most prominent disadvantages of studying in Turkey.

5. Difficulty communicating

Communication between international students and Turks is difficult due to the Turkish language. Some Turks refuse to use any language other than Turkish, out of pride in their own language.

6. Incorrect study references

Despite the strength of the educational system, there are many incorrect references spread among students, which causes a lot of time to be wasted.

7. Seats are limited in public universities

The number of seats in public universities is limited for foreign students, and with the increase in applications, they are selected according to the best, so there is difficulty in acceptance into Turkish public universities.

8. Crowdedness of major Turkish cities 

One of the most difficult disadvantages of studying in Türkiye is the severe crowding in major cities such as Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, which causes a lot of time to be wasted in transportation . Therefore, it is necessary to choose accommodation close to the university to overcome this problem.

9. Increase in the cost of living

The cost of living is rising in major cities in Turkey, especially Istanbul.

10. Increase in university housing prices

University housing prices are rising due to the high demand for studying in Türkiye. 

Therefore, it is recommended to apply for university housing immediately after receiving university admission and not wait to come to Turkey.

11. Too many scammers

There are many who claim to be related to academic work, student affairs, and collecting money from students.

Disadvantages of studying some majors in Türkiye

If you want to study one of the medical or engineering specializations, you should know the disadvantages of these specializations.

• Most medical specialties are studied in Turkish.
• Acceptance into medical studies in English requires a very high score on the YÖS or SAT exam.
• The disadvantage of studying medicine in Turkey is the high cost of studying medicine, whether in English or Turkish
• Seats for studying medicine in public or private universities are quickly booked, which misses the opportunity for some students.
• It's difficult to pursue a career in dentistry in Türkiye. Despite the abundance of engineering-related study opportunities, the increasing number of students has increased competition for these positions, which has led some students to miss out on the opportunity to study in Türkiye.

Despite all the aforementioned disadvantages, we will provide some advice to avoid and overcome these disadvantages.

How to avoid the disadvantages of studying in Turkey?

After we have discussed the disadvantages of studying in Turkey, here are some tips to avoid these disadvantages:

1. You should apply for university housing because it is considered low-cost and is located on campus in most universities, thus saving the effort and time that you would waste if you lived somewhere else, even if it was close to the university.
2. If the major you wish to study is available at a public university, search for the state in which the university is located and whether it is compatible with your financial capabilities or not. The same major may be available at another university in another state with lower study and living costs.
3. Most Turkish universities offer free consultations before applying for admission. You should consult with academics at the university to avoid academic disadvantages.
4. Do not pay any money to anyone who claims to be a broker or company to help you apply to the university unless you visit the company’s website and confirm their actual existence.
5. You should also contact the New Horizons team for their advice and to avoid the disadvantages of studying in Turkey. We will provide a special address for the services provided by the New Horizons team.

Contact us now for more information about studying in Turkey.

What are the advantages of studying in Turkey?

After we discuss the disadvantages of studying in Turkey and propose a number of solutions to avoid these problems, let's now explore the advantages of studying in Türkiye and why it has become a top study destination.

• Providing education aligned with European standards.
• Practical training is available at affiliated institutions and laboratories, ensuring you gain significant experience before graduation.
• All students wishing to study in Turkey and who have received final acceptance from a Turkish university can apply and secure a student visa within weeks.
• Many nationally and internationally recognized universities.
• You can study in Turkey for free by applying for Turkish scholarships.

Read also: The average cost of living in Türkiye in 2025

New horizons services

• We offer unlimited free educational consultations.
• We offer discounts of up to 50% on tuition fees.
• Applications to the best universities in Turkey.
• We support you with degree equivalency and visa issuance.
• We work with you until your registration is confirmed.
• We help you find the right university housing for you.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that studying in Turkey offers attractive opportunities for many international students from all over the world, but it is not without drawbacks and challenges that must be taken into consideration, starting with the language barriers that hinder academic and social integration, through to the economic and living challenges. Therefore, studying in Türkiye requires making a well-thought-out decision.

Frequently asked questions about the Disadvantages of studying in Turkey

 What are the disadvantages of studying in Turkish private universities?

One of the most prominent disadvantages of studying in Turkish private universities is the high cost of studying there, as well as the requirement to pass the YÖS or SAT exams with a high grade.

What are the disadvantages of studying medicine in Türkiye?

There is an increasing demand for studying medical specialties in Türkiye, limited seats for foreign students, and the high cost of studying medicine compared to the cost of studying other specialties

Is the Turkish language considered a disadvantage of studying in Türkiye? 

Yes, foreign students find it difficult to learn it and difficult to communicate with Turkish students, as the Turkish people are proud of their language and refuse to deal with the English language.