r/TurkeyScholarship

I have got tired of waiting for an interview invitation, anyone for chat🥲

How can I see which universities and programs I chose when I applied? I have tried to enter the portal but I cannot seem to access my response.

update: before I was using arc browser and it would not download, I was able to download it now with safari

Everything You Need to Know About the Written Test & Interview 🇹🇷

Hey everyone!

Since we’re transitioning into the evaluation and interview phase of the Türkiye Bursları cycle, a lot of you have been asking about what actually happens after you click submit. The waiting game is stressful, but preparing for the next step will give you a massive edge.

Here is the exact breakdown of the Written Test and the Oral Interview process so you know exactly what to expect.

1. The Written Test (Undergraduates Only) 📝
   If you applied for a Bachelor’s degree—especially in high-demand fields like Health Sciences, Engineering, Sciences, or competitive Social Sciences—you will have to take a written test on the same day as your interview.

Format: 30 questions / 60 minutes. 

What’s on it? It is a quantitative test consisting of Mathematics, Geometry, and Logic. Think of it as a condensed version of the TR-YÖS (the entrance exam for foreign students in Turkey). 

Language: Questions are provided in both English and Turkish. If you are applying for STEM or Health fields, they expect you to have enough English comprehension to parse these technical questions. 
Does it matter for Social Sciences? Yes! They test social science applicants too, using the results to rank you against other applicants in your field. 

2. The Interview Structure (All Levels) 🗣️
   The interview usually lasts between 15 to 30 minutes and is conducted by a panel of Turkish academics and experts. It follows a strict 5-step protocol:

 

Step 1: Welcome & Introduction – The committee introduces themselves and explains how the interview will flow. 

Step 2: Document Control – CRITICAL: You must bring original hard copies of all the documents, certificates, and transcripts you uploaded to the portal. They will physically check them. 

Step 3: Intent & Motivation – This is where you explain why you want to study abroad, why you chose Turkey, and why your specific field matters. 

Step 4: Academic Knowledge & Career Goals – They will grill you slightly on your academic background. Expect questions directly tied to your Letter of Intent or Research Proposal (for PhDs).  
Step 5: Closing & Your Questions – They will give you a minute to ask them a question before wrapping up.

💡 High-Yield Interview Prep Tips

🔥 The Cheat Code: The interviewers will have a printed copy of your online application sitting right in front of them. Most of their questions will be pulled directly from what you wrote. Re-read your own essays before walking in!

Brush up on Basic Turkish Info: Know who the current President is, basic history (e.g., Atatürk, the transition from the Ottoman Empire), and the relationship between Turkey and your home country. 

Know Your Universities: Don't just say "I want to go to Istanbul." Know the exact names of the 12 universities you picked on your portal and why you chose their specific programs.

The Language Trap: Don't panic if you don't speak Turkish. The scholarship includes a mandatory 1-year Turkish language course (C1 level) for everyone anyway. Just answer confidently in English (or the language of your selected program). 

The "Return Home" Question: They want to know how your degree will help your home country. Be prepared to explain how your profession is in demand back home and how you will bridge relations between your country and Turkey. 

Drop your questions below! If you've given the interview in previous years, please share your experience and the exact questions you were asked to help out the group! 👇

I had my interview for the Masters programs in IR and it was so random and hard??!!

I told them about my background, they didn't ask any questions about things i have done. And then started asking questions about IR theories

Like can you explain what is the dependency theory and the modernization theory (like of course i wasn't prepared to explain this and my answer was awful???). these themes weren't even used on my thesis idea

and then they asked me about the primer minister and presidents name (what difference does it make knowing the name or not?) and "what do i know about turkey?" (what the hell did they want to know with this question)

they also asked about turkey's migration policies (related to what i want to work with but also IDK why would I know that before studying in/about turkey)

i don't know if I should know these things and i'm just stupid but this interview sounded crazy to me. they didn't ask me about my motivations or about any of my experiences or my thesis or why i wanted to study in turkey. i have participated in other masters interviews and it was never like that..