You don’t have to spend the summer months just on vacation. Many universities in Turkey offer short-term, intensive summer school programs for international students. These programs provide both academic development and the opportunity to experience a whole new culture. And some with scholarships! That’s exactly what we will talk about in this article: Summer schools in Turkey, which universities offer these opportunities and most importantly, which scholarships can you apply for?
Who can participate?
It doesn’t matter if you are an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral student. Many summer school programs in Turkey are open to students of different levels. Some programs even open their doors to recent graduates or students studying in another country.
Program Duration and Periods
Summer schools in Turkey usually start in the following periods:
| Semester | Term | Sample University |
|---|---|---|
| June | 4–6 weeks | Boğaziçi University |
| July | 2–4 weeks | Koç University |
| August | 1–3 weeks | Istanbul Technical University |
Although some of these programs are fee-based, scholarships make it much easier to participate.
Which Universities Offer Summer School?
Many leading universities in Turkey offer special summer programs for international students. These usually offer both academic content and are supported by cultural excursions, Turkish language courses and social events.
Boğaziçi, Koç and ITU Examples
Boğaziçi University’s Summer Term has a particularly strong curriculum in social sciences and engineering. Koç University’s Global Learning Summer Academy program stands out in subjects such as business, politics and technology management. Istanbul Technical University (ITU) offers content focused more on engineering and architecture.
What Areas Are Covered by Programs?
A wide variety of fields:
- Language and culture programs (Turkish + Turkish culture)
- International relations and politics
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Software, artificial intelligence and engineering
- Art and design workshops
Some universities also offer participants a certificate of attendance, which is a big plus for CVs!
Summer School Chance with DAAD Turkey Scholarships
The Germany-based DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) supports participation in short-term academic projects not only in Germany but also in third countries such as Turkey. It is possible to apply for summer school scholarships through DAAD’s Turkey office.
What is the DAAD Summer School Scholarship?
DAAD offers scholarships to finance participation in summer schools in Turkey, especially for students studying at German universities. These scholarships can partially or fully cover accommodation, transportation and program fees.
Application Process and Dates
Applications are received via the official online portal of the ACAAD. Applications usually open in January-February each year and continue until the end of March. Candidates are asked for documents such as academic transcripts, motivation letters and sometimes language proficiency.
It is very important to pay attention to all the details before completing the application. “Missing documents” is one of the main reasons for disqualification in DAAD applications. Really.
TEV and Other Foundations Short Term Scholarships
In Turkey, not only DAAD but also local foundations support summer schools and short-term education. The Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) is the most prominent of these. In particular, scholarships based on academic achievement and need are offered.
TEV’s Overseas Scholarships
TEV provides scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students to participate in short-term academic programs. These scholarships usually cover travel expenses, program fees and part of the cost of living abroad. The following programs are particularly noteworthy for the summer school:
| Scholarship Type | Scope | Application Period |
|---|---|---|
| Short Term Research | Transportation + Accommodation | April-May |
| Summer School Participation | Participation Fee + Allowance | February-April |
For details, I recommend you to check TEV’s official scholarship page.
Other Institutions and Foundations
There are other places where you can find support besides TEV:
- Yunus Emre Institute: Scholarships for summer programs in Turkish language and culture.
- TUBITAK: It offers short-term research grants that enable participation in scientific projects.
- Erasmus+ Short-Term Mobilities: You can take part in projects involving cooperation with non-European countries.
Summer School Experience: Life Outside Education
In Turkey, participating in summer programs doesn’t just mean studying. On the contrary, there is a lot to discover in your free time. Especially in the summer months, cities come alive, events proliferate and seaside universities offer courses in a vacation-like atmosphere.
Accommodation Options in Turkey
There may be vacancies in university dormitories for the summer semester and some allocate quotas for foreign students. Otherwise for short-term accommodation:
- Airbnb apartments
- Student guesthouses
- Hosteller
There are options like this. While prices may be slightly higher in big cities like Istanbul, cities like Eskişehir, Antalya, Samsun are more budget-friendly.
Social and Cultural Life in Summer
Depending on the summer programs you attend, there may be activities such as city tours, museum visits, local festivals, etc. If you attend a summer school at Boğaziçi University, you can end the day watching the sunset over the Bosphorus. Or if you are at Koç University, you can go for a walk on Sarıyer beach. I can say that a learning process intertwined with culture awaits you.
In Turkey, attending summer school doesn’t just mean studying. On the contrary, there is a lot to discover in your free time. Especially in the summer months, cities come alive, events proliferate and seaside universities offer courses in a vacation-like atmosphere.
Some students also combine summer school programs with Summer Internship Programs and Application Processes in Turkey to improve themselves both academically and professionally. In this way, your experience in Turkey can be not only cultural but also career-oriented.
Apply Now: Start Your Future in Summer!
Summer school programs in Turkey are a great option for those who want to “not just take a vacation” this summer. Moreover, thanks to the scholarships offered by institutions such as DAAD and TEV, this dream is much more attainable than you think.
The Best Time to Apply for a Scholarship
Most summer school programs and scholarship applications close in the first half of the year. January to April is the critical period in terms of the application calendar. If you miss the calendar, you may have to wait a year.