Contribution of foreign students to Turkey’s economy exceeds US$ 1 billion annually
It has been announced by experts in the education sector that 170,000 foreign students getting education in Turkey contribute to Turkey’s economy US$ 1 billion annually. It is also noted that that overseas education sector has gained momentum in the world as well as in Turkey.
Reports show that about 2 million students received education in a different country in the world in 2010 whereas today, this number has increased to 5 million. On the other hand according to OECD reports, the number of undergraduate and graduate students studying abroad will find 8 million in 2025.
In the past, developed countries were rather preferred by students wishing to get education abroad. However, it is currently observed that students even in countries with the best universities such as England, America and Canada go abroad to study in different programs showing how universal the industry has become. In this regard, around 1 million foreign students are getting education in the United States, 500 thousand in the UK and 260 thousand in Germany.
When we look at Turkey today, this figure has reached 170 thousand. Generally speaking, Turkey is preferred for undergraduate education and receives students from Syria, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, mostly. As for branches mostly preferred it is observed “healthcare and business management” attract highest attention.
Generally speaking, foreign students prefer private universities and mostly those established by several foundations. Fees for such universities start from an average of TL 10 thousand and go up to TL 150 thousand. As far as health education is concerned this figure varies from 80 to 100 thousand Turkish Liras. Although these figures might not substantially vary in case of education in a country like UK for instance, when cost of living to include accommodation, traveling, food etc. is added on top the total cost for a student increases which makes Turkey a more favorable alternative. This is not to forget the advantage of Turkish lira against British Sterling or US dollar as concerning exchange rates.
On the other hand it should be noted that students coming from abroad do not have to pay tuition in case they get education at a state university.
