FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Turkey’s private universities teach engineering, health and business degrees in English, and you will most likely study in Istanbul. You send your high school records and passport, receive a conditional acceptance letter and pay a deposit. Then you apply for a visa at the Turkish Embassy in Yaoundé.
Living costs differ by city, so plan tuition, housing and travel from the start.
Choosing a university
Turkey has hundreds of universities. International students often start with foundation-supported (private) universities in major cities, which provide English-language support. Compare them on program, language of instruction, fees and location, and ask about internships and links with employers.
Universities to consider
The table below has six private universities. Five of them list the following:
- Istanbul Medipol University: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing, with English-taught options in several of them.
- Bahçeşehir University (BAU): English-taught software engineering, computer engineering, mechatronics engineering and architecture.
- Istanbul Aydın University: English-taught computer, electrical, industrial, software and civil engineering, and business administration.
- Istinye University: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing, plus English-taught engineering.
- Yeditepe University: English-taught engineering programs, and medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
Istanbul Bilgi University is the sixth in the table. Check each program’s language column, because some programs at these universities are taught in Turkish.
Before you apply, ask each university’s international office what help it gives with residence permits and orientation in your first weeks.
🔄 Updated: Oct 29, 2026 18:04
Programs to consider
The universities above list engineering, management and healthcare programs taught in English. Choose by the career you plan to follow, whether you return to Cameroon or work elsewhere.
Degrees and tuition fees
The table below shows five bachelor’s programs with the fee, language and duration of each: software engineering, nursing, architecture, pharmacy and biomedical engineering.
🔄 Updated: Oct 29, 2026 18:04
Settling in on campus
Food, climate and daily customs will differ from home, and a new language takes time. A program taught in English lets you start without Turkish, and an active international office can help in the first weeks.
Housing and community
Many students live in a university dormitory in their first year. Ask what the dormitory includes, for example security, meals and internet access. Student clubs are another way to meet people, so ask the university which ones exist. If you rent privately instead, check the distance to campus and the public transport links before you sign.
Costs
A monthly budget of roughly $450 to $600 covers housing, food and local travel, though the real figure depends on the city and how you live. Add the tuition from the table above to see what a full year costs, and compare tuition and living costs in the same currency.
Applying step by step
Prepare these documents before you apply, and scan them at high resolution to avoid delays:
- High school diploma
- Graduation certificate
- Passport
- High school transcript
- Photo copy
If a document is not in English, ask the university which translations it accepts, since documents issued in French may need one. After you submit them, the university evaluates your profile and, if you meet its criteria, issues a conditional acceptance letter. You then pay a deposit to secure your place. The deposit is usually deducted from your first-year tuition. After that you receive the official acceptance letter that you need for your visa.
Student visa in Cameroon
The Turkish Embassy in Yaoundé handles student visa applications. Book your appointment well before your start date, because applications usually peak between July and September.
At the interview you must show proof that you can cover your costs. Bring your acceptance letter and travel insurance as well. Once the visa is approved, you can enter Turkey and apply for your residence permit.
After graduation
Turkish universities take part in the Erasmus+ exchange program. If an exchange semester in another European country interests you, ask your university which partners it has.
YÖK, which is Turkey’s higher education authority, recognizes these universities. Each country you might move on to has its own say on a Turkish degree, so check the rules of the country where you plan to work or study next.
Returning to Cameroon or studying further
If you plan to return to Cameroon, find out before you enroll whether your profession needs registration with a professional body there, because requirements differ by field.
Some students stay in Turkey for a master’s or PhD. Ask the university which graduate programs it lists for your field.
Planning early
Most universities open applications in early spring. Applying early gives you more time for documents, the visa and housing, while a late application can limit your choices.
Check the entry requirements with the university itself. Many universities teach in English, but confirm that your specific program does, because language policies differ by program.
Work backwards from your start date. The visa appointment comes after you hold the official acceptance letter, and that letter comes after your deposit. Allow time for each step, plus time for translations if your documents need them.
If you tell us your field and your budget, we can help you find a program or university that fits. You can also browse the programs and universities listed on our website.
