5-Step Application Wizard
Follow these steps in order. The entire online application takes 2-4 hours if your documents are ready.
Create Your Account
tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
Go to the Official Portal
Visit tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr and click "Register." Do NOT use any third-party website claiming to submit applications for you — those are scams.
Use a Reliable Email
Use Gmail or Outlook. Some local email providers don't receive the verification email. Check spam folder if you don't see it within 10 minutes.
Set a Strong Password
You'll need to log in multiple times over several months. Write down your credentials. The password reset feature can take hours during peak periods.
Portal Warning
The portal crashes frequently in the last week before the deadline (mid-February). Create your account and start filling in information at least 2-3 weeks before Feb 20. Don't wait until the last day.
Fill in Personal Information
Accuracy is critical here
Name Exactly as on Passport
Your name must match your passport exactly. If your passport says "MOHAMMED" don't type "Muhammad." This mismatch causes visa issues later.
Contact Information
Provide a phone number where you can be reached by international call. Interview invitations sometimes come via phone. Include country code.
Education History
Enter all institutions attended. Calculate your GPA as a percentage (out of 100). If your school uses a 4.0 scale, multiply by 25 (e.g., 3.0 = 75%). If using a 5.0 scale, multiply by 20.
Language Skills
Be honest about your Turkish level (likely "None" or "Beginner"). If you have English certificates (IELTS/TOEFL), mention them but they're not required. Overestimating language skills can backfire in the interview.
Upload Documents
This is where most applications fail
Document Checklist
0/8 documents ready
File Format Requirements
All documents must be PDF or JPEG, under 2MB each. The portal rejects files silently if they're too large — you might not get an error message. Compress your PDFs before uploading. Full document guide →
Select University Preferences
You can list up to 12 universities
The 12-Preference System
You can select up to 12 university-programme combinations. Order matters — your first choice is given priority. But don't only pick Istanbul universities. Read the university placement guide for strategy.
Strategic Tips
- 1. Mix big and small cities — Istanbul/Ankara slots are extremely competitive
- 2. Check if your programme is available in English before selecting
- 3. Research the university's strength in your field, not just its city
- 4. Include at least 3-4 universities in smaller cities as "safety" picks
- 5. Your 5th or 6th choice might actually give you the best experience
The "Big City Quota" Trap
Everyone picks Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The quotas for these cities fill up instantly. If all 12 of your choices are big-city universities, your chance of placement drops dramatically. Diversify your list.
Review and Submit
Once submitted, you CANNOT make changes
Critical: No Edits After Submission
Once you click the final "Submit" button, your application is locked. You cannot change your motivation letter, upload new documents, or modify university preferences. Review everything at least twice before submitting.
Pre-Submission Checklist
- All documents uploaded and visible in preview
- Name matches passport exactly
- Motivation letter within 1,500-4,000 characters
- University preferences ordered strategically
- GPA correctly calculated and entered
- Contact information (phone + email) are correct
After Submission
Save your application reference number. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page. You'll receive an email confirmation. Then the 6-7 month wait begins. Check the timeline page for what happens next.
Common Application Mistakes
These errors cause more rejections than low GPAs. Avoid them.
Portal Survival Tips
Save Frequently
The portal auto-saves but crashes often. After filling each section, click "Save" manually. If the page freezes, don't close it — wait a few minutes.
Use Chrome or Firefox
The portal works best with Chrome. Safari and Edge users report more crashes. Disable ad blockers and browser extensions that might interfere.
Apply During Off-Peak Hours
Try to fill the form between 2-6 AM Turkish time (UTC+3). Server load is lightest during these hours. Weekdays are less busy than weekends.
Prepare Offline First
Write your motivation letter in a text editor. Pre-scan all documents. Calculate your GPA. Then transfer everything to the portal in one focused session.
Next: Write a Winning Motivation Letter
Your motivation letter is the most important part of the application. Learn the SPARK framework and the strict character limits.