How much does it cost to educate children in Turkey ?

Education in Turkey covers all levels: from kindergartens to universities, and also includes various courses and sections. In this article let's consider how much it costs to educate children in Turkey, what options are available and what parents should pay attention to.

Kindergartens in Turkey

In Turkey, you can choose a public kindergarten (anaokulu) or a private kindergarten (kreş). Public kindergartens are usually free or require a small fee ( 500 to 2,000 TL per month), but there are not always places available. In private kindergartens, the cost varies from 5,000 TL to 20,000 TL per month, depending on the city, neighborhood and level of the institution. Some prestigious kindergartens in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya can cost up to 50,000 TL per year.

Additional costs:

• Meals (included or paid separately).
• Foreign language instruction.
• Developmental circles and sections.
• Transportation (if the kindergarten is far from home).
• After-school and extra classes.

School education

Education in public schools in Turkey is free, but parents pay for textbooks, uniforms and extra classes. Some schools may have fees for the use of gyms, laboratories or extra courses.

Cost of private schools:

• Regular private schools - from 30,000 TL per year.
• Bilingual schools - from 60,000 TL per year.
• International schools - from 150,000 TL per year.
• Elite private schools (e.g. British International School, MEF International School) - up to 500 000 TL per year.

International schools teach in English, German, French or other languages, which makes them popular among foreigners in Turkey. Such schools are most often located in Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya.

Higher education

Tuition fees at public universities for foreigners range from 5,000 TL to 50,000 TL per year, and private universities from 50,000 TL to 500,000 TL per year. For example:

• Bosphorus University (Boğaziçi Üniversitesi) - from 10,000 TL per year.
• Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) - from 15,000 TL per year.
• Sabancı University - from 80,000 TL per year.
• Koç University - up to 500,000 TL per year.

Additional costs:

• Dormitory accommodation or rent.
• Textbooks and materials.
• Transportation and meals.
• Turkish language courses for foreigners.

Additional education

Extracurricular activities and additional educationare popular in Turkey . Parents can enroll their child in:

• Sports sections (soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming) - from 500 TL to 5,000 TL per month.
• Music and art schools - from 1,000 TL to 10,000 TL per month.
• Language courses (English, German, Turkish) - from 2,000 TL to 15,000 TL per course.
• Programming and IT courses - from 5,000 TL to 25,000 TL per course.

In major cities there are specialized educational centers for university preparation. Popular programs:

• Preparation for YÖS (exam for foreign students) - from 10,000 TL per course.
• Math and Science courses - from 5,000 TL per semester.
• IELTS and TOEFL preparation - from 7,000 TL per course.

Education in Turkey offers many options, from free schools to elite private institutions. The choice depends on the family's budget and the child's educational preferences. Public schools and universities are available to all, but private institutions offer more options, especially for international students. On our website pemlak.com you will be able to find an apartment or a house for a comfortable stay during the whole period of study. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them!