Two bright students from Türkiye’s Darussafaka High School, Belinay Eger and Defne Aslan, have been awarded full scholarships to Marlborough College in the U.K., marking the first time in the 182-year history of the prestigious institution that non-British students have received its highly competitive Sixth Form Bursary.
The two students will complete the final two years of their secondary education at Marlborough, where members of the British royal family, including Princess of Wales Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie, once studied.
Belinay, currently in 11th grade, will begin her education at Marlborough in the 2025–26 academic year, while Defne, in 10th grade, will follow in 2026–27. Both students will receive full tuition and boarding support.
Ebru Arpaci, general manager of Darussafaka Educational Institutions, explained how the opportunity emerged: “Last summer, five of our female students attended Marlborough’s summer school. The school was so impressed by their performance that they contacted us, expressing a strong desire to offer scholarships. Initially, they planned to accept only one student, but when they couldn’t choose between Belinay and Defne, they decided to admit both. It was a proud moment for us.”
Speaking of her upcoming journey, Belinay said: “I am so excited to study in the UK. This is the first time the school is accepting scholarship students who are not British citizens. Perhaps we will set an example and pave the way for more talented students from around the world. I haven’t decided on a university yet, but I plan to study mechanical engineering and return to Türkiye to contribute to my country.”
Defne reflected on her interview process for the scholarship: “During the summer school, I noticed many similarities between Marlborough and Darussafaka, but I also realized how far ahead Türkiye is in terms of technology use. We stood out thanks to our language skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and social abilities. During our interviews, one question was: ‘Who would you like to sit next to at a dinner table?’ I answered Ataturk. Belinay said, ‘Ataturk and my father.’ Our answers deeply impressed the panel.”
Defne aspires to study at either the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) or the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Founded in 1843, Marlborough College is one of the U.K.’s most esteemed boarding schools, known for educating several royal family members. The school’s decision to award full scholarships to Belinay and Defne marks a significant step in opening its doors to international excellence.
