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Some of the world’s leading universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, will travel to Türkiye this March to meet prospective students, as global institutions increase efforts to attract talent in the age of artificial intelligence.
The initiative comes as part of the IEFT Overseas Education Fairs, where representatives from 50 universities ranked among the world’s top 500 will hold face-to-face meetings with students and families.
The fairs will take place across four cities:
Organizers say the events aim to connect high-achieving Turkish students with institutions that offer programs aligned with rapid technological change.
Interest in international education continues to grow as students respond to shifting job markets shaped by artificial intelligence and technological transformation.
Deniz Akar, general manager of IEFT Overseas Education Fairs, said universities are adapting their programs to meet these changes.
“The world is changing very fast. When we look at technological developments over the past five years, we can say young people face a challenging future,” Akar told Türkiye Daily. “With the rise of artificial intelligence, students need to enter life with the highest level of skills.”
He added that universities increasingly seek students who go beyond academic performance.
“If students have strong transcripts, good language skills, and show themselves in extracurricular activities, there is no obstacle to admission,” he said.
Alongside Oxford and Cambridge, institutions such as Imperial College London and New York University are among those expected to participate.
Tuition fees among participating universities show a wide range depending on country and institution:
The variation reflects differences between private institutions and public universities, particularly in Europe, where state-funded education remains significantly cheaper.
Demand for overseas education has increased sharply, driven not only by prestige but also by economic considerations.
Rising tuition fees at private universities in Türkiye have changed how families evaluate options. Annual fees in fields such as medicine or law can reach around ₺1 million, while public universities in Europe often charge between €1,000 and €3,000 per year.
At the same time, living costs in Istanbul have climbed to levels comparable with major European student cities such as Florence, Budapest, and Warsaw.
This shift has altered decision-making among families. Many now see studying abroad as a comparable or even more strategic investment, especially when it leads to degrees recognized globally.
Organizers say the upcoming fairs offer students a direct opportunity to assess these options and engage with universities that are actively recruiting international talent.
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