Türkiye Burslari, the Turkish government scholarship, is the most complete Turkey scholarship for Pakistani students: free tuition, a monthly stipend of 6,500 TL (bachelor’s), 9,500 TL (master’s) or 13,000 TL (PhD), accommodation, health insurance, a return flight and a one-year Turkish course. Applications for 2027 entry are expected in the usual window of 10 January to 20 February on the TBBS portal, and applying is free.
Last checked: 20 October 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Turkey scholarship for Pakistani students: what Türkiye Burslari covers
Türkiye Burslari is run by YTB, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities. It places you in a university as well as paying for it, so you do not need a separate admission letter for full-time degrees. The full-time programmes page lists these benefits (turkiyeburslari.gov.tr):
| Benefit | Bachelor’s | Master’s | PhD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly stipend | 6,500 TL | 9,500 TL | 13,000 TL |
| Tuition fee | Covered | ||
| Accommodation | Covered | ||
| Health insurance | Covered | ||
| Flight ticket | Once, at the start of studies and on graduation | ||
| Turkish language course | 1 year | ||
Students who receive the Merit Scholarship get twice the regular stipend. YTB says this needs a 90% grade average plus qualifying exam and language scores that vary by level.
At these stipend levels you will not save money, so plan to live on the stipend and university housing. Check the official page for revisions before you budget; the figures above were on the site on 20 October 2026.
Türkiye Burslari 2027 eligibility: age and grades by level
The criteria page sets these limits (Criteria and Scholarship Programmes):
| Level | Age limit | Minimum academic result |
|---|---|---|
| Associate and bachelor’s | Under 21 | 70% |
| Master’s | Under 30 | 75% |
| PhD | Under 35 | 75% |
| Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy (bachelor’s) | Under 21 | 90% |
| Research scholarship | Under 50 | See programme rules |
You can apply if you have graduated or will graduate before August of the application year, so FSc, A-level and final-year BS students can apply in their last year. Graduate programmes do not include health sciences. People already enrolled at a Turkish university at the same level cannot apply.
For Pakistani marks, use your official percentage or the CGPA conversion your board or university prints on the transcript. If your degree is from Pakistan, get it HEC-attested in good time; our HEC degree verification guide covers the steps.
How to choose your programme preferences
TBBS lets you rank universities and departments. The committee checks “consistency of preferences”, so the list matters as much as your grades.
- Pick one field and stay close to it. Electrical, electronics and computer engineering can sit together; electrical engineering and business administration should not.
- Mix well-known universities in Istanbul and Ankara with strong universities in other cities. Competition for a handful of big-city departments is heavy.
- Check the teaching language of each department. Many programmes are in Turkish, which is why the one-year language course exists.
- Confirm that the degree will be recognised for your career back home, as YTB itself advises checking equivalence in your country before applying.
Documents for the Turkish government scholarship
YTB lists these documents for the online application on TBBS (Application in 5 Steps):
- A valid ID document (CNIC) or passport.
- A photo taken within the last year.
- National exam results, if any (for Pakistanis, this can mean board results or entry tests).
- Diploma or provisional graduation certificate.
- Transcript.
- International exam results (SAT, GRE, GMAT) only if your chosen programme requires them.
- Language test results such as TOEFL only if your chosen programme requires them.
- For PhD: a research proposal and a sample of your written research.
The form also asks for a letter of intent (statement of purpose) and your university and programme preferences. Graduate applicants can only choose from universities and departments offered in the system.
Interview and test
YTB’s selection has five stages: preliminary check (grades, age, documents), expert evaluation, a test for undergraduate candidates, interview, and final assessment (Evaluation and Selection).
- Undergraduate candidates take a 30-question quantitative test (mathematics, geometry, logic) in 60 minutes, on the same day as the interview.
- Interviews are face to face, usually 15 to 30 minutes, run by committees of academics and experts.
- The committee checks your documents, then asks about your purpose, academic knowledge and career goals. Bring originals of everything you uploaded.
Your invitation will give the city, date and time slot. Interview locations in Pakistan are announced to shortlisted candidates, so do not book travel until you receive it.
Statement of purpose tips
The expert committee reads your letter of intent alongside “academic status, previous qualifications, academic interests, career goals, consistency of preferences” and social activities. That list tells you what to write.
- Link your programme choices to one clear goal. Twelve unrelated departments look like you will take anything.
- Name a concrete plan for using the degree in Pakistan, for example in a sector, company type or public body.
- Show activity outside class: volunteering, society work, competitions, small projects.
- Explain why Türkiye specifically, such as a university’s strength in your field.
- Write it yourself. AI tools can check grammar, but a template letter is easy to spot. Our guide on using ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude as a student shows the safe way to use them.
Türkiye Burslari 2027 timeline (month by month)
The official calendar gives the cycle below (Application Calendar). The calendar does not print a year; the 2026 round was announced on 29 December 2025, so expect the 2027 notice around late December 2026.
| Month | Stage | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| October to December 2026 | Preparation | Collect transcripts, CNIC or passport, photo; shortlist programmes; draft statement |
| Late December 2026 | Announcement expected | Read the official notice on turkiyeburslari.gov.tr |
| 10 January to 20 February 2027 | Applications | Submit on tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr; do not wait for the last day |
| March to April | Evaluation | Check your email and TBBS status |
| April to June | Test and interviews | Attend with original documents |
| Early August | Results | Accept your placement in TBBS |
| August | Initial procedures | Student visa, travel planning |
| September | Travel to Türkiye | Arrive for the Turkish course or programme |
The calendar also lists a separate Success Scholarship (applications October to November) and a Research Scholarship with four application periods a year. Check eligibility for those on the site.
For the visa stage, see our page on the Turkey visa from Pakistan. To compare with other countries, read our list of fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students.
Common mistakes
- Applying when you are 21 or older for a bachelor’s degree. The limit is “under 21”.
- Uploading unclear phone photos of transcripts.
- Paying an agent. YTB says applications are online and free.
- Choosing programmes you cannot explain in the interview.
Frequently asked questions
When does Türkiye Burslari 2027 open?
The official calendar gives 10 January to 20 February for the general scholarship. Confirm the 2027 dates in YTB’s announcement, expected around late December 2026.
How much is the Türkiye Burslari stipend?
6,500 TL a month for bachelor’s, 9,500 TL for master’s and 13,000 TL for PhD, as listed on the official site in October 2026.
Is IELTS required for the Turkish government scholarship?
Not by YTB itself. You need TOEFL or similar only if your chosen programme asks for it.
What is the age limit for a Turkey scholarship for Pakistani students?
Under 21 for bachelor’s, under 30 for master’s and under 35 for PhD.
Do I need an admission letter from a Turkish university?
No. Türkiye Burslari places successful candidates in a university and programme as part of the scholarship.
Is the interview online?
YTB’s selection page describes face-to-face interviews held on the same day as the test.
