Study in Turkey for Kazakh Students 2026

Study in Turkey for Kazakh Students 2026 — Complete Guide

Turkey is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for students from Kazakhstan. Every year, thousands of Kazakh students choose Turkish universities for affordable tuition, internationally recognized diplomas, visa-free travel, and deep cultural connections between the two Turkic nations.

OWO Academy is the official authorized partner of Istanbul Kent University. We help Kazakh students with free application support, scholarship guidance, and complete assistance from enrollment to arrival.

1. Why Kazakh Students Choose Turkey

Turkey offers a unique combination of advantages that make it particularly attractive for students from Kazakhstan:

Visa-free entry — Kazakhstan citizens can enter Turkey without a visa for 30 days. After enrollment, you apply for a student residence permit (ikamet) which covers the full academic year.
Diploma recognition — Turkish university diplomas are recognized in Kazakhstan through the nostrification process at the Ministry of Education. YOK-accredited universities like Kent have full international recognition.
Affordable tuition — from $1,300/year at Kent University. This is 3-5x cheaper than studying in Europe, UK, or USA, while maintaining high educational standards.
Cultural proximity — Turkic language family (Kazakh and Turkish share many words), halal food everywhere, mosque access, Muslim-friendly environment. Many Kazakh students report feeling at home in Istanbul.
Quality education — YOK accreditation ensures European standards (Bologna Process). Erasmus+ exchange programs available. English-medium programs for those preferring English instruction.
Geographic proximity — Direct flights from Almaty and Astana to Istanbul (4-5 hours). Easy to visit family during holidays.
Growing Kazakh community — Istanbul has a significant Kazakh student community, especially in central areas like Taksim and Fatih.

2. Tuition Fees at Kent University (2026-2027)

Istanbul Kent University offers some of the most competitive tuition rates among private universities in Istanbul:

Program	Duration	Annual Fee (USD)
Associate Degree (Turkish)	2 years	$1,300/year
Bachelor's (Turkish)	4 years	$2,200/year
Bachelor's (English)	4 years	$2,900/year
Dentistry	5 years	$15,000/total
Pharmacy	5 years	$10,000/total
Master's (thesis)	2 years	$3,500/total
Turkish Preparatory (TOMER)	1 year	$1,500/year

Scholarships of up to 50% are available for international students. OWO Academy helps you apply for the maximum discount. See full pricing: Kent University tuition fees 2026 →

3. Popular Programs for Kazakh Students

Based on enrollment data, these are the most popular programs among Central Asian students at Kent:

Dentistry (English) — 5-year program with modern simulation labs. High demand from Kazakh students planning to practice in Kazakhstan or Turkey.
Psychology (English) — 4-year program, $2,900/year. Growing field in Kazakhstan with high employment prospects.
Nursing (English) — 4-year program. International nursing qualification opens doors globally.
Computer Engineering — 4-year program, $2,200/year. IT sector in Kazakhstan is booming.
Business Administration (English) — 4-year program with internship networks in Istanbul's business district.
Pharmacy — 5-year program, $10,000/total. One of the most affordable pharmacy programs in Turkey.

Browse all options: All 80+ programs at Kent →

4. Language Requirements

Kent offers programs in both Turkish and English. Here's what you need to know about language preparation:

Turkish-medium programs: If you don't speak Turkish, you can enroll in the 1-year Turkish Preparatory (TOMER) program ($1,500/year). Many Kazakh students find Turkish relatively easy to learn due to Turkic language similarities.
English-medium programs: Requires intermediate English. If you need preparation, Kent offers a 1-year English Preparatory program ($2,500/year) with KELT, DBS, and MET certification levels.
Russian advantage: Many Kazakh students speak Russian fluently. While Kent doesn't offer Russian-medium programs, Russian-speaking staff and advisors are available for support.

5. Student Life in Istanbul for Kazakhs

Istanbul offers a vibrant student experience with practical advantages for Kazakh students:

Housing: Shared apartments near Taksim cost $200-400/month per person. University partner dormitories available from $400/month.
Monthly budget: $500-800/month covers housing, food, transport, and personal expenses. Istanbul is affordable compared to European cities.
Halal food: Available everywhere. Student cafeterias offer meals from 50-80 TL ($1.50-2.50).
Kazakh community: Regular meetups, cultural events, and Nauryz celebrations in Istanbul.
Part-time work: After one year, international students can work up to 24 hours/week.
Direct flights: Air Astana, Turkish Airlines, and Pegasus operate direct Almaty/Astana-Istanbul routes.

6. How to Apply from Kazakhstan

The application process is simple and fully online:

Choose your program — Browse 80+ programs and pick the one that fits your career goals.
Prepare documents — Passport copy, high school diploma (with apostille), transcript, 2 photos. Translations must be notarized.
Submit application — Apply through our online form, Telegram (@OwoAcademyUz), or WhatsApp (+998 55 516 05 05). No entrance exam required!
Receive acceptance — Official acceptance letter arrives within 24-48 hours for most programs.
Pay first installment — Semester-based payment options available.
Travel to Istanbul — Visa-free entry for 30 days. Apply for student residence permit within the first month.

Detailed guide: Step-by-step application guide →

7. Visa & Residence Permit for Kazakh Students

Kazakhstan citizens have visa-free access to Turkey for 30 days. Here's the residence permit process:

Enter Turkey visa-free (30-day tourist entry)
Complete university registration
Get health insurance ($30-60/month)
Apply online at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr
Visit the Immigration Office (Il Goc Idaresi) with documents
Receive your ikamet card by mail (2-4 weeks)

Full visa guide: Student visa & residence permit in Turkey →

8. FAQ for Kazakh Students

Is a Turkish diploma recognized in Kazakhstan?

Yes. YOK-accredited Turkish university diplomas can be recognized in Kazakhstan through the nostrification process at the Ministry of Education and Science.

Do I need to take an entrance exam?

No. Istanbul Kent University accepts international students based on documents only — no YOS, no SAT, no entrance exam required.

Can I study in English?

Yes. Kent offers 14 English-medium bachelor's programs plus English-taught master's programs. If your English needs improvement, a 1-year preparatory program is available.

How much money do I need per month?

Budget $500-800/month for Istanbul. This covers shared housing ($200-400), food ($150-200), transport ($20-40), and personal expenses ($50-100).

Apply Free — OWO Academy

OWO Academy is the Official Authorized Partner of Istanbul Kent University. We provide free application support for students from Kazakhstan.

Phone/WhatsApp: +998 55 516 05 05
Telegram: @OwoAcademyUz
Apply online: Free application form →

Study in Turkey for Kazakh Students 2026 — Fees, Grants, Medicine