Student Exchange Programs at Turkish Universities

Study in Turkey
Student Exchange Programs at Turkish Universities

Student exchange programs in Turkish universities provide the opportunity to study at a university different from the student's own for a semester or a full year. Students then return to complete their studies at the student's original university.

But what are student exchange programs in Turkish universities and what are their requirements? Read this article to know the answer.

What are student exchange programs at Turkish Universities?

The Student Exchange Programs at Turkish Universities are an important opportunity for students to benefit from the program's capabilities and advantages, as it allows students to enroll at a university other than their original university for one to two semesters.

Turkish universities are seeking to encourage student exchange programs with international universities. Among the most important student exchange programs are the Mevlana Cultural Program and the Erasmus program, which the European Union announced will have a budget of €30 million for the period 2021-2027. This doubles the program's budget, allowing Turkey to include a larger number of students in the program.

Which means that the European Union has doubled the program's budget, enabling Turkey to welcome a greater number of European students in the coming years.

It's worth noting that Turkey receives 10,000 applications annually, making it the most sought-after country among the 33 participating countries in the Erasmus program, according to information released by the Ministry of the European Union in Turkey and published by Anadolu Agency.

Read more: Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities

Student exchange programs available to students in Turkey

There are many student Exchange Programs at Turkish Universities, including:

1. Erasmus Program

  •  Erasmus student exchange program established by the European Union.

  • The program includes 33 European countries, including Turkey.

  • Turkey receives and sends students from and to European countries to study at universities registered in the program.

  • All students at Turkish universities, whether foreign or Turkish, are eligible to apply for the program as long as they have completed at least one semester of undergraduate or graduate studies.

  • Admission requirements for applicants to the program include:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.20 out of 4.00 for undergraduate students and 2.50 out of 4.00 for graduate students.

  • Students must pass the English language test.

  • Students with the highest grades are selected.

  • There is no specific number for each university, but the number of students awarded the scholarship is determined by the number of places allocated to that university. 

  • The program provides students with a monthly stipend for the duration of the exchange period, ranging from 200 to 500 euros, while housing costs are borne by the student.

2. Mawlana Program

  • The Mawlana Program was established by the Turkish Ministry of Education. It receives and sends students to and from Turkey, as well as from several Asian and Arab countries, and some European countries.
  • Students must pass a foreign language test at a score specified by the program.
  • The scholarship also includes a monthly stipend for the duration of the program, ranging from 750 to 900 lira.

3. Al-Farabi Program

  • A Turkish student exchange program where students exchange from one university to another within Turkey for one paid semester.
  • A specific cumulative GPA is required as part of the program's admission criteria.
  • There are no specific requirements to pass an English language test.
  • Students are allowed to enroll in two semesters in the program, provided that the second semester is unpaid.
  • A student who has applied or been accepted into one program cannot apply to another.
  • The student must pass the courses they will receive at the foreign university, and these courses will be counted at their home university toward the hours they must take to complete their studies.

4. University Partnership Program

In addition to the Erasmus program and other programs, some universities have international agreements with several different universities for student exchange.

For example, Gelişim University has agreements with more than 130 different international universities, allowing students to study internationally for a semester or a full year.

In addition to Gelişim University, several other universities have international agreements with universities that allow students to exchange for several courses, such as Beykent University and Biruni University.

Erasmus Program at Turkish Universities

In 2003-2004, Türkiye joined the student exchange program.

Türkiye is the top country in the program, welcoming more than 15,000 students annually.

Turkish universities assist students coming through internal and external exchange programs to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by student exchange programs. Each university has a dedicated office called the "Student Exchange Office."

The number of Turkish students studying in Europe under the Erasmus program and other solidarity programs reached 700,000 by 2020.

The student exchange program at Turkish universities includes several universities. Any student of any nationality who meets the conditions and criteria can apply for educational grants offered by student exchange programs, including the Erasmus program.

In this program, students do not pay university tuition fees. The program provides these fees along with a monthly travel allowance, which varies from country to country and from university to university. The student only bears the costs of the visa, airfare, and accommodation. At European universities, this often ranges from 400 to 600 euros per month. It varies from country to country depending on the standard of living there.

The program has a special system for the exchange mechanism, whereby the student enrolls for one or two semesters at a university abroad that offers the same specialization, provided that the other university is subject to an exchange agreement with the university or country.

Read also: Top 10 Private Universities In Turkey

The best Turkish universities participating in the student exchange program

Regarding the Erasmus student exchange program in Türkiye, the best universities offering this program are:

Documents required to join the student Exchange Programs at Turkish Universities

  • Personal photo
  • Passport photo
  • Turkish ID or residency photo
  • University transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation from the university

Advantages of the student exchange programs at Turkish universities

  • Possess communication skills and build an international network
  • Ability to learn the Turkish language easily
  • Develop students' personalities with mature ideas
  • Discover shared customs, values, and new cultures
  • An opportunity for openness and cultural exchange between Arab countries and European Union countries.
  • Sending and hosting talented and cultured students and researchers.
  • Effective student exchange contributes to the transfer of knowledge and expertise, ensuring the quality of international degrees and expertise.
  • Making friends from different nationalities opens up broad horizons for him. 
  • On the psychological level, this is a great opportunity for travel and tourism, in addition to education.

Learn more: Acceptance rate for studying at universities in Turkey

How can New Horizons help you benefit from the student exchange programs at Turkish universities ?

If your dream is to have the opportunity to study in Turkey and enjoy its many benefits, such as the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs at Turkish universities and study at a European university at the same time, you can contact us to help you achieve your dream:

  • Providing you with all the information you need to secure the opportunity to travel and study in Türkiye.
  • Assisting you in applying for scholarships and discounts of up to 50% on tuition fees.
  • Assisting you in obtaining preliminary acceptance to the university within 72 hours.

Conclusion

We can say that studying abroad is a very beneficial experience overall, as studying in Turkey brings great opportunities for personal and academic growth, and the experiences gained in Turkey provide unique and valuable insights into its culture and language.Student Exchange Program at Turkish Universities provide all these benefits.

About the Author

Profile picture of Team New Horizons

Team New Horizons

We are a team of passionate education experts committed to delivering high-quality content for students seeking to study in Turkey and beyond. With a deep understanding of universities, programs, scholarships, and student life, we aim to make your academic journey clearer and easier. We don’t just write — we guide, inform, and walk with you every step of the way.

21 Published Posts

Share your thoughts with us

We'd love to hear your feedback and ideas.

  • No options found

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers about studying in Turkey

After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students

An exchange program in Turkey is a system that allows students to temporarily study or intern at a university inside or outside Turkey with the aim of developing education, experience, and culture.

You must be a registered student at a Turkish university, fulfill the academic and linguistic requirements, prepare the required papers, and submit the application through the university's exchange office before the date.

The Erasmus Exam is often an English language test such as TOEFL or IELTS that proves your language proficiency for admission to the program.

Yes, the duration of the exchange can be extended according to the agreement of the university and the exchange program, subject to the approval of the host university and the home university.

Erasmus (international), Al-Farabi (domestic within Turkey), Mawlana Program (international), and sometimes special bilateral agreements.

Related Posts

Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities

Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities

  If you're interested in studying in Turkey in general and would like to enroll in one of its...

University Degree Equivalency in Turkey

University Degree Equivalency in Turkey

Turkey boasts a large number of prestigious universities, both public and private, making it a prim...

The best student services companies in Türkiye

The best student services companies in Türkiye

If you're a student considering traveling to Turkey to study and need help, you've come to the right...

Blue diploma certificate in Turkiye after graduation

Blue diploma certificate in Turkiye after graduation

The educational supplement, known as the "Blue Diploma" in Turkey, or the diploma supplement as it...

Contact us now! Start conversation on WhatsApp