Each year, hundreds of thousands of Indian students pursue higher education abroad, with countries like New Zealand and Singapore emerging as popular destinations. While some students are also exploring options in Middle Eastern nations such as Iran, Cyprus, and Israel, Turkey has notably failed to capture significant interest from Indian students despite offering scholarship programs and other incentives.
Indian Student Enrollment in Turkey
Data indicates only a modest rise in the number of Indian students enrolling in Turkish universities during the pandemic years—from 51 in 2020 to 54 in 2021, and 84 in 2022. Post-pandemic, numbers increased more noticeably to 153 in 2023 and further jumped to 327 in 2024.
Despite this growth, Turkey’s efforts—including the “Turkey Scholarships for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes” introduced in 2020 for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD candidates—have not translated into sustained or substantial student inflows from India.
Geopolitical Tensions Affect Student Choices
Recent geopolitical developments have further dampened India’s interest in Turkey as a study destination. The country’s perceived support for Pakistan amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions has raised safety concerns among prospective Indian students and their families.
“I was planning to apply to Ankara University since my cousin studied there,” said a Class 12 student from Noida. “However, considering Turkey’s stance on the India-Pakistan conflict, I decided against it. Neither I nor my family would feel safe studying there given the country’s alleged support for terrorism.”
Educational Quality and Rankings Impact Appeal
Turkey’s relatively low global university rankings also contribute to its limited appeal among Indian students. According to the 2025 QS World University Rankings, only 25 Turkish universities were listed, all ranked below 285th globally. By comparison, the United States featured over 190 universities, the United Kingdom had more than 80, Canada 30, and India itself had over 70, including IIT Bombay at 118th place.
Similarly, in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, Turkish universities failed to rank above 351, while many leading institutions hailed from the US, UK, Canada, and even India, where universities appear in the 201–250 range.
Language Barrier Adds to Challenges
While several Turkish universities offer programs taught in English, Turkish remains the primary medium of instruction at many institutions. This language barrier presents a significant challenge for Indian students seeking a global educational experience.
Comparative Destinations
Turkey is not the only lesser-known destination facing low enrollment from Indian students. Azerbaijan, for example, attracted only 176 Indian students in 2021, increasing slightly to 197 in 2022 and 450 in 2023 and 2024.
