Checked against official sources on 23 October 2026. Requirements, fees and dates change and can differ by university, embassy or consulate. Always confirm the current rules with the official source before you apply — we do this for every student we work with.
There is no single best city in Türkiye for Afghan students. The right city is the one where you can afford to live, where your programme is strong, and where you will learn Turkish quickly. Istanbul and Ankara attract the most attention, but many Afghan students do better in cities such as Konya, Kayseri, Eskişehir, Samsun or Sakarya, where living costs are usually lower and daily life pushes you to speak Turkish. This guide compares the main student cities and gives you a simple way to decide.
What the research says about Afghan students
A 2021 master's thesis at Ondokuz Mayıs University surveyed 120 Afghan students in Samsun. It found that 67.5% reported economic problems, while 30% reported language and communication problems. Money and language, not the city's fame, shaped their experience. Keep those two factors at the centre of your decision.
Five questions to ask before choosing a city
- Is my programme strong here? The university and programme come first; the city second.
- What will it cost to live here for four or more years, not just the first month?
- How quickly will I learn Turkish? Smaller cities with fewer foreigners speed it up.
- How far is the campus from affordable housing and transport?
- Can I handle the climate? Winters in eastern and central Anatolia are much colder than Jalalabad's.
The main student cities compared
| City | Major state universities (examples) | Cost of living | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Istanbul University, Istanbul Technical University, Boğaziçi, Yıldız Technical, Marmara | Highest | Most universities and English-taught programmes; long commutes |
| Ankara | Middle East Technical University, Hacettepe, Ankara University, Gazi | High–medium | Capital and student city; embassies and ministries |
| İzmir | Ege University, Dokuz Eylül, İzmir Institute of Technology | High–medium | Mild climate, coastal city |
| Bursa | Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa Technical University | Medium | Industrial city, close to Istanbul |
| Kocaeli and Sakarya | Kocaeli University, Gebze Technical University, Sakarya University | Medium | Strong for engineering and internships in industry |
| Konya | Selçuk University, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya Technical University | Lower | Large, conservative, student-friendly city; cold winters |
| Kayseri | Erciyes University, Abdullah Gül University, Kayseri University | Lower | Industrial and well organised; cold winters |
| Eskişehir | Anadolu University, Eskişehir Osmangazi, Eskişehir Technical University | Lower–medium | Famous as a student city; compact and easy to live in |
| Samsun | Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun University | Lower | Black Sea coast, mild and rainy |
| Trabzon | Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon University | Lower | Black Sea, strong engineering tradition |
| Erzurum | Atatürk University, Erzurum Technical University | Lowest | Very cold, snowy winters; large state university |
| Gaziantep | Gaziantep University, Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University | Lower | Southeastern trade city; hot summers |
Cost levels are relative and based on general patterns, not current prices. Always compare current dormitory and rent prices for the specific universities on your shortlist.
Istanbul: the biggest choice, the biggest costs
Istanbul has more universities than any other Turkish city, including most of the English-taught foundation universities. It offers the most internships and part-time opportunities (from the second year, with a work permit; see our guide to working while studying). The downsides are the highest rents and long commutes: the city spans two continents, and living far from campus can mean several hours of travel a day. Read our study in Istanbul guide before choosing.
Ankara: the student capital
Ankara is home to several of Türkiye's best-known state universities, the ministries, and many embassies. It is more compact than Istanbul, and universities such as Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe have large campuses and many international students. See study in Ankara.
The affordable alternatives
Konya, Kayseri, Eskişehir, Samsun, Sakarya and Trabzon combine large state universities with lower living costs and a quieter pace of life. Their advantages for Afghan students:
- Lower rent and daily costs, which matter for a four- to six-year degree.
- Faster Turkish. With fewer foreigners, you use Turkish every day, which helps in classes, internships and part-time work later.
- Easier access to dormitories. State dormitory places are often easier to obtain than in Istanbul. See our student accommodation guide.
- Strong programmes. Many have long-established faculties of medicine, engineering and agriculture.
The trade-offs are fewer English-taught programmes, fewer international employers and, in central and eastern Anatolia, cold winters. Erzurum, in particular, is among the coldest cities in Türkiye; plan for proper winter clothing and heating costs.
Matching the city to your goal
| Your goal | Cities to consider |
|---|---|
| Lowest total cost | Konya, Kayseri, Erzurum, Samsun, Trabzon |
| Engineering with industrial internships | Kocaeli, Sakarya, Bursa, Istanbul, Kayseri, Konya |
| Medicine or health sciences at a state university | Ankara, Istanbul, İzmir, Konya, Kayseri, Samsun, Erzurum |
| English-taught programmes | Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir (more foundation universities) |
| Fastest Turkish learning | Anatolian and Black Sea cities |
| Mild climate | İzmir, Samsun, Trabzon |
If you are considering engineering, see our guide to studying engineering in Turkey; for state versus private universities, see state vs foundation universities.
Practical tips for your first months
- Live close to your campus, even if a cheaper room exists further away.
- Get a student transport card as soon as you have registered; most cities offer student discounts.
- Arrange health insurance early: it is compulsory for the residence permit. See our health insurance guide.
- Connect with your university's international office and with other Afghan students, but make Turkish friends too.
- Keep your residence permit address updated whenever you move.
Questions to ask before you accept an offer
Once you have offers from universities in different cities, compare them with the same questions:
- Where exactly is the campus for my faculty, and where do students usually live?
- What does a dormitory place or a shared room cost near that campus this year?
- How many international students are in my programme, and is there an international office that answers emails?
- Is the preparatory year taught on the same campus, or somewhere else in the city?
- How do I travel from the nearest international airport to the city, and how long does it take?
- What are winters like, and what will heating and winter clothing cost?
- Are there internships in my field in this city or nearby?
Write the answers down side by side. Students who compare offers this way usually choose a city they can afford for the whole degree, not just the first semester.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Istanbul for its fame without checking the budget or the commute.
- Ignoring the climate and arriving in eastern Anatolia without winter clothing.
- Choosing a city before the programme, ending up in a weak programme in a famous city.
- Living only with compatriots and finishing the preparatory year without real Turkish.
How we help
We start with your programme, grades and budget, then compare cities realistically, including accommodation, transport and climate, before you apply. See our list of Turkish universities for Afghan students, our tuition fees guide, or send us your details and we will suggest cities and universities that fit you.
Questions students ask
Which city in Turkey is best for Afghan students?
There is no single best city. Istanbul offers the most universities and opportunities but is the most expensive and crowded. Ankara is a compact student city with major state universities. Cities such as Konya, Kayseri, Eskişehir, Samsun and Sakarya are usually cheaper, with strong state universities and faster Turkish learning.
Which is the cheapest city in Turkey for students?
Living costs are generally lower in Anatolian and Black Sea cities than in Istanbul, but prices change quickly. Compare current dormitory and rent costs for your shortlisted universities rather than relying on rankings.
Is Istanbul good for Afghan students?
Istanbul suits students who want a large city, many English-taught programmes and part-time opportunities later in their studies. It is also the most expensive city, and long commutes can take hours each day, so the campus location matters.
Do Afghan students in Turkey face financial problems?
Often. A 2021 master's thesis at Ondokuz Mayıs University surveyed 120 Afghan students in Samsun and found that 67.5% reported economic problems and 30% language and communication problems. Budget and language preparation matter more than a city's reputation.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the team at Noory Educational Consultancy Services, an education consultancy in Jalalabad established in 2018 and led by Fatihullah Noory (Founder & CEO). We check time-sensitive facts against official sources and update our guides when the rules change.