MEB Scholarship (YLSY)

Scholarship Types:

• Integrated Master’s + Doctorate scholarship model

• Direct Doctorate scholarship

• Limited undergraduate placements

Studying in the UK with MEB Scholarship

The YLSY scholarship program, administered by the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of National Education (MEB) under Law No. 1416, is one of Turkey’s most comprehensive state-supported international education scholarships. Through this program, students can pursue fully funded Master’s and Doctorate studies in the UK. The most common model allows candidates to first complete a Master’s degree in the UK, followed by a Doctorate. This pathway enables students to study at high-ranking universities while simultaneously building their academic careers on an international level.

Candidates who have already completed a Master’s degree in Turkey can also apply directly for Doctorate-level scholarships. Undergraduate-level placements are more limited and generally offered in areas of strategic priority to the state. One of the program’s main advantages is that it covers not only tuition fees but also living expenses, travel costs, and certain academic expenditures. Therefore, the MEB YLSY scholarship is a highly effective funding model for candidates aiming to study in the UK with a scholarship.

Academic achievement, ALES scores, and foreign language proficiency are the primary selection criteria. Placement scores are typically calculated with 40% from ALES, 40% from undergraduate grades, and 20% from language test results. Once placed, scholarship recipients handle their university application processes individually; however, correct university selection, preparation of application documents, and strategic planning of acceptance remain critically important. Detailed and up-to-date information should be referenced from the official website of the MEB General Directorate of Higher Education and Overseas Education.

An important aspect of the program is the mandatory service requirement. Scholarship holders must complete public service in Turkey equal to twice the duration of their time abroad. In this respect, the MEB scholarship is not only a financial support program but also a strategic scholarship that requires long-term career planning.