Turkey’s YLSY Program to Sponsor 850 Students for Postgraduate Studies Abroad in 2023
As we venture into 2023, the Ministry of National Education of Turkey (MEB) has announced its ambitious initiative to sponsor a total of 850 students for postgraduate studies abroad. This initiative is part of the Foreign Postgraduate Education Scholarship Program (YLSY), a strategic move to propel Turkey’s intellectual capital to new heights.
The Scope of YLSY
Under the YLSY, 529 students will represent 81 universities, and 321 students will represent 27 different public institutions across 69 countries worldwide. The program covers a wide array of advanced fields, including region- or country-specific studies, architecture, special education, psychology, sustainable environment, earthquake studies, cybersecurity, data science, to name a few. It also extends to cutting-edge areas like cloud computing, smart energy systems, innovative materials, migration studies, and autonomous vehicle technologies. The breadth of the program reflects MEB’s commitment to fostering a diverse range of expertise among Turkish students.
Eligibility Criteria & Application Process
Interested applicants must fulfill certain criteria to be considered for the YLSY. They must be Turkish citizens, hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA, meet age requirements, and hold an adequate ALES score without any severe disciplinary actions. Application must be submitted by December 29, via MEB’s Official Scholarship Student System (REBUS). Candidates will be shortlisted based on a combination of their ALES scores and undergraduate GPA, and are subsequently invited for oral examinations.
Post-Study Obligations
Successful candidates will enter into a mandatory service period, equivalent to the duration of their studies domestically and twice the duration abroad. This obligation relies on the understanding that the beneficiaries of the YLSY will contribute their newly-acquired skills and knowledge back to Turkey, enhancing the intellectual and technological capabilities of the nation.
Since its inception, the YLSY has supported thousands of students in their postgraduate education, with a current budget of approximately 2.21 billion Turkish Liras. As the program continues to expand, it underlines Turkey’s commitment to investing in its human capital, fostering diverse expertise, and transforming the nation into a global intellectual powerhouse.