Diyanat Burslari Scholarship Turkey
A fully funded international scholarship by Turkey's Diyanet Foundation for Islamic Studies and Theology students at high school, undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. Includes full tuition, monthly stipend, free dormitory, health insurance, return flights, and a fully funded 1-year Turkish language course.
Quick Facts
Status
Currently ClosedFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
February 28, 2026
Country
TurkeyAbout the Diyanat Burslari Scholarship Turkey
The Diyanat Burslari Scholarship is a fully funded international program administered by Turkey's Diyanet Foundation (Türkiye Diyanet Vakfı). It offers high-achieving international students direct access to Islamic studies in Turkey, promoting academic cooperation, cultural exchange, and long-term global engagement.
The program covers four study levels: International Anatolian Imam Hatip High School (15 schools), International Theology Undergraduate Program (7 universities), International Theology Graduate Program - Master's (8 universities), and International PhD Program (8 universities). All programs are in Islamic Studies, Theology, and Divinity.
Benefits are comprehensive: full tuition waiver, monthly living stipend, free dormitory, health insurance, a fully funded 1-year Turkish language course, return flight ticket, transportation, books and clothing allowance, and social/cultural tours.
The 2026 application cycle ran January 15 - February 28. Results are announced after June 15 following a multi-stage evaluation including document screening and interviews.
Turkey occupies a singular place in Islamic scholarship. Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa are home to institutions with centuries of tradition in Quranic sciences, Islamic jurisprudence, and Ottoman religious heritage - and these are the very universities that participate in this program. Graduates go on to careers as imams, religious educators, Islamic administrators, academic researchers, and scholars - contributing to Muslim communities across the world. For students of Theology and Islamic Studies, there is arguably no richer academic and cultural environment than Turkey, where the living tradition of Islamic learning is woven into the social and intellectual fabric of daily life.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
One of the most comprehensive Islamic scholarship packages globally
tuition, stipend, housing, flights, insurance, and cultural activities all covered
The fully funded 1-year Turkish language course is included before the main program - a rare benefit that ensures every scholar arrives linguistically prepared
Covers all study levels from high school to PhD, giving applicants at any academic stage a clear entry point
Turkey is one of the world's foremost centres for Islamic scholarship, Quranic studies, and Ottoman/Islamic heritage - offering depth of learning unavailable in most other countries
Living in Turkey as a student of Islamic Studies means full immersion in a Muslim-majority country with a rich religious culture, historic mosques and libraries, and an active scholarly community
The scholarship builds an international network of Islamic scholars across participating countries - a long-term professional and academic asset for graduates
What the Scholarship Covers
Eligibility Requirements
4 requirements
Documents Checklist
9 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Visit the application portal: https://dbys.tdv.org/Students/Apply
Register with nationality, date of birth, educational level, email, and password.
Activate your account via the confirmation link sent to your email.
Select your program level (high school, bachelor's, master's, or PhD) and begin the application.
Fill in personal information and upload a photograph with a white background.
Upload all required documents: ID/passport, transcripts, diploma, letter of intent.
Add referee details, review the application, and submit.
Application Timeline
January 15 - February 28, 2026
Application period
March 1-20, 2026
Application evaluation
March 23 - May 31, 2026
Prospective student interviews
May 15-31, 2026
Interview evaluation
After June 15, 2026
Results announced
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Write your Letter of Intent (LOI) entirely yourself - AI-generated content is actively screened and will lead to automatic rejection
Prepare specifically for the selection interview: Quran recitation (Tajwid), basic religious knowledge (Aqidah, Ibadah, Seerah), and a visual aptitude test
Age limits are strict: born after Jan 1, 2005 for undergrad; max 30 for master's; max 35 for PhD
Any gap of more than 2 years in academic education disqualifies graduate applicants - document your timeline carefully
All transcripts and diplomas must be official - unofficial copies are not accepted
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
Diyanat İşleri Başkanlığı Scholarship Portal: Primary application portal for the Diyanet Scholarship. Create an account and submit your complete application here before the deadline.
Diyanet Foundation (TDV) Official Website: Türkiye Diyanet Foundation - scholarship details, eligible programs, hosting institution information, and contact details.
For Pakistani Students
Embassy of Turkey in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 15/5 Ramna 4, Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-9202763
🌐 islamabad.emb.mfa.gov.tr →For Turkish student visa applications and bilateral cooperation with TDV. Contact the Turkish Cultural Center for Diyanet scholarship information sessions.
Embassy of Pakistan in Turkey (Ankara)
📍 Atatürk Bulvarı No. 171, Kavaklıdere, 06680 Ankara, Turkey
📞 +90-312-4676004
🌐 mofa.gov.pk/turkey/ →Consular services for Pakistani students in Turkey.
Students from Other Countries
The Diyanet Scholarship is open to international Muslim students from eligible countries. Contact the Turkish Embassy or the relevant Turkish Religious Affairs coordination office in your home country for application guidance.
Find Turkey Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions - click any to expand
Yes. All four program levels - Imam Hatip high school, undergraduate, master's, and PhD - are specifically in Islamic Studies, Theology, and Divinity. Students from other fields are not eligible.
Yes. A fully funded one-year Turkish language course is included as part of the scholarship, before the main academic program begins.
No. The program explicitly screens for AI-generated content and states that detection will lead to application rejection. Write your own sincere, original letter.
The interview covers: Quran recitation accuracy and Tajwid, basic religious knowledge (Aqidah, Ibadah, Seerah), a visual aptitude test, general cultural awareness, self-expression, and language proficiency.
For the undergraduate program, 7 universities participate, including Istanbul University, Ankara University, and Marmara University - all with strong Theology faculties. For Master's, 8 universities are included; for PhD, another 8. These are Turkey's leading institutions for Islamic scholarship and Divinity studies. Specific university assignments are made by the Diyanet Foundation after selection - you do not choose your university in the application.
The fully funded 1-year Turkish language course is the first stage of the scholarship before your degree begins. It is conducted at a Turkish university or language center and provides structured daily instruction. By the end of the year, most students reach B1-B2 Turkish level - sufficient for studying Theology and Islamic Sciences in Turkish. Some students use this year to also learn Arabic more formally since the two languages are deeply intertwined in Islamic scholarship. The year also serves as an orientation period to Turkish academic culture and campus life.
⏳
Applications Currently Closed
This scholarship is expected to reopen in January. Use this time to prepare your documents and polish your application.
Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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