European Universities: Turkish Students’ Choices and Tuition Fees

The preferred destinations are generally English-speaking countries. International students account for 32% of students in Australia, 25% in Canada and 23% in the United Kingdom. Almost 60% of international students coming to OECD countries choose Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom or the United States. China and India are the largest sources of international students entering OECD countries.

How Has the Number of Turkish Students Studying Abroad Changed?

According to the report, the number of Turkish students studying abroad increased from 43,628 in 2015 to 77,279 in 2024—a rise of 77% over nine years. The total increase in the last three years alone was 47%. This growth may continue for several more years. In response to students’ interest in universities abroad, many high schools have recently introduced dual diploma programmes. Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education, meanwhile, introduced a language examination last year to provide at least some oversight of these programmes.

Which Countries Do Turkish Students Choose for University?

Comparing the OECD report’s lists for 2015 and 2024 reveals some interesting findings. The following table covers the four leading destinations in 2024. Student numbers are approximate figures calculated from the percentage shares published by the OECD.

- The number of Turkish students in Germany almost quadrupled over nine years, making Germany by far the most popular destination. Its share of the total increased from 12% to 26%.

- The United States, the most popular destination in 2015, saw its Turkish student numbers decline by 15% between 2015 and 2024. Its share of the total fell from 23% to 11%.

- Italy, which was not among the top five destinations in 2015, rose significantly to third place.

- The United Kingdom ranked fourth in both 2015 and 2024, but its Turkish student numbers doubled over the nine-year period.

Why Are Turkish Students Choosing Europe Over the United States for University?

1. The total cost of university education: When tuition, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses are considered together, the cost of a four-year education in the United States can be very high for an international student. Most public universities in Germany, by contrast, do not charge tuition fees. Italy offers income-based tuition fees and scholarship opportunities, while Poland also provides relatively affordable programmes. This makes Europe more accessible, particularly for Turkish families with middle and upper-middle incomes.

2. The expansion of English-taught programmes in Europe: In the past, knowing German was an important requirement for many programmes in Germany, just as knowing Italian was for programmes in Italy. Today, English-taught programmes are more visible, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and some Central European countries. The OECD’s 2026 report also identifies the spread of English-taught programmes across continental Europe as an important factor in changing international student mobility. This development matters for Turkish students: those who speak English are no longer limited to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

3. The balance between cost and quality at European universities: For many families, the goal is not necessarily admission to the world’s most prestigious university, but a good education and an internationally recognised degree. Germany’s technical universities, Italy’s long-established public universities and the Netherlands’ research universities offer strong options in this respect. Access to a satisfactory standard of academic education at a lower cost may be reducing the appeal of expensive alternatives in the United States.

4. The possibility of living and working in Europe after graduation: Choosing a university is not simply a decision about three or four years of education; it can also shape where a student will live in the future. Many European countries have provisions allowing graduates to remain in the country to look for work. Studying in Europe can also help students become familiar with the local labour market and build professional connections. In the United States, meanwhile, uncertainties remain around post-graduation work authorisation and long-term residency.

5. Geographic and cultural proximity: Travelling from Türkiye to Germany, Italy or Poland is easier and less expensive than travelling to the United States. Germany’s large Turkish community is another advantage. Students may have relatives or acquaintances in the country, and families can visit more frequently. The OECD report also notes that established migrant communities create networks that can attract new students.

6. The expansion of the study-abroad market in Türkiye and worldwide: Families that would not previously have considered sending their children abroad now appear to be exploring the option. More affordable English-taught programmes in Europe may have attracted a significant share of this new demand. The three-year duration of many European bachelor’s programmes may also appeal to some families.

Studying in Europe: Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom

As the first table shows, the most popular European destinations are Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Together, these three countries attract 43% of Turkish students studying abroad, yet they differ considerably from one another.

European University Rankings: The Leading University in Each of Three Countries

The following table uses the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. THE primarily evaluates research-intensive universities, and these rankings do not directly measure the overall quality of undergraduate education in a country.

The differences are clear. The United Kingdom’s leading university, Oxford, also ranks first worldwide. Germany’s leading institution, the Technical University of Munich, ranks 25th, while Italy’s highest-ranked university, Bologna, is 111th.

Note: Tuition fees are for 2026. Amounts in pounds sterling were converted into euros using the exchange rate in October 2026. Living expenses are not included.

The Top Five Universities in Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom

What if we considered each country’s top five universities rather than only its leading institution?

According to the 2027 THE rankings, the United Kingdom’s top five are Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Edinburgh. Edinburgh, fifth nationally, ranks 29th worldwide. Germany’s top five are TUM, LMU, Heidelberg, Bonn and RWTH Aachen, with the latter ranked 90th. Italy’s top five are Bologna, Sapienza University of Rome, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Politecnico di Milano and Padua, which ranks 224th.

This comparison produces the same clear order: the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

How Many Universities Rank in the THE World Top 100 and Top 300?

The order remains the same when we compare the number of universities in the top 100 and top 300. However, Germany comes closer to the United Kingdom, while Italy falls further behind.

The United Kingdom has 11 universities in the top 100 and Germany has seven, while no Italian university makes the top 100. In the top 300, there are 32 UK universities and 30 German universities, compared with just eight Italian institutions. It is also worth pointing out that no Turkish university appears in the top 300.

University Tuition Fees Abroad: Comparing Three European Countries

The table also includes the annual tuition fee at each country’s leading university. The differences are enormous. When considering these figures, we should also keep in mind that Koç University, Türkiye’s highest-ranked institution in THE 2027, charges an annual tuition fee of €39,000.

University Tuition Fees in England and Across the United Kingdom

Oxford’s annual tuition fees for international students amount to a small fortune, compared with just €12,000 for resident citizens. Of course, not all UK universities charge this much. At Edinburgh, ranked fifth in the country, fees range from €36,000 to €48,000. At other top-100 universities, such as Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow, fees can be as low as €30,000.

Overall, however, the United Kingdom is by far the most expensive European option for international students. In my view, families choosing this destination tend to come from the wealthiest segments of their home countries and are willing to pay high fees for a quality education.

University Tuition Fees in Germany: Public vs. Private Universities

The table shows annual tuition fees of €4,000–6,000 for international students at TUM, Germany’s leading university. However, this is an exception among public universities.

German public universities are generally tuition-free for both German and international students, although public universities in Baden-Württemberg and some institutions in Bavaria are exceptions. Most tuition-free programmes at German public universities are taught in German. There are also tuition-free bachelor’s programmes taught in English, although they are less common.

Most private universities in Germany, on the other hand, teach in English and typically charge annual tuition fees of €10,000–15,000. A Turkish student can therefore learn German and gain access to tuition-free university education, or study in English at a private university for considerably less than the tuition fees charged in the United Kingdom.

University Tuition Fees in Italy: Income-Based Reductions and Scholarships

Tuition fees at Italian public universities are much lower than those in the United Kingdom. Unlike Germany, most Italian public universities charge tuition fees, but the amount generally depends on the student’s family finances.

Annual tuition fees at public universities are typically around €500–4,000. Income-based reductions and regional scholarships can bring fees down substantially, sometimes to zero. This is one of the main reasons Italy is an attractive destination.

Balancing Cost and Quality When Choosing a European University

Different priorities lead to different choices. For a family that prioritises quality and is not concerned about cost, the United Kingdom’s leading universities may be the right option.

Italy is a strong choice for students who want to study in English while keeping costs down. For students who speak German, Germany’s public universities offer access to high-quality education at very low cost. English-taught programmes at German private universities can cost less than tuition at foundation universities in Türkiye, making Germany attractive to a broader range of families.

Which Countries’ Universities Admit OIHS Graduates?

Four of our first graduates went to Germany, one to Canada and one to the Netherlands. The countries from which this year’s graduates received admission offers were: Canada, with 11 offers across three students; the United Kingdom, with six offers across two students; Germany, with six offers for six different students; the Netherlands, with three offers for one student; and Finland, Spain and the United States, with one offer each.

Germany has been the most popular destination among our graduates, and more than half of our current students are targeting German public universities. Our students’ preferences largely reflect the broader shift towards Europe that we are observing across Türkiye.

How Might Turkish Students’ European University Choices Change?

I expect demand for the United Kingdom to remain strong because there is a segment of families in Türkiye who can afford—and are willing to pay—these universities’ fees. At the same time, I believe interest in Italy and Germany will grow.

Relatively affordable university options in Europe have encouraged families who would not previously have considered studying abroad to explore the possibility. If this trend continues, international university education could become accessible to a broader group of students in Türkiye.

In particular, learning German can give middle-class students access to German public universities. I therefore also expect demand for German language learning to increase in Türkiye.