Obtaining University Admission in Turkey

The admission requirements for international students in Turkish universities are generally similar, with slight variations in the required documents and specific admission criteria.

Below are the admission requirements for international students in Turkish universities as published by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK):

1. Nationality

A student is considered an international applicant if they fall under one of the following categories:

• Individuals who have held foreign citizenship since birth.
• Those who were Turkish citizens by birth but later renounced their Turkish citizenship.
• Individuals who later acquired Turkish citizenship.
• Turkish citizens who completed their secondary education outside Turkey.
• Graduates of open secondary education schools outside Turkey (excluding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus).
• Students from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who hold a GCE AL certificate will also be considered international students, and their applications will be accepted.

For Turkish Students, Turkish students can enroll in higher education institutions by taking the national university entrance examination (YKS) in Turkey.

2. Completing the Required Documents for University Admission in Turkey

International students wishing to pursue university education in Turkey must meet the admission requirements by:

• Certifying, translating, and notarizing the required documents.
• Completing all necessary documents and submitting them to the relevant authorities.

3. Turkish Language Proficiency Test

International students seeking admission to Turkish universities must pass a language proficiency test in either Turkish or English, depending on the language of instruction for their chosen program.

• Turkish Language Proficiency Test

If you are an international student applying for a program taught in Turkish, you will need to take the Turkish Language Proficiency Test.

While this test is relatively easy for many students, those who fail the test are required to attend a Turkish preparatory language program at a Turkish Language Teaching Center (TÖMER) at the university for one academic year.

• English Language Proficiency Test

For programs where the medium of instruction is English, students must pass the English Language Proficiency Test and achieve the score required by the university or submit a valid TOEFL score.

Students who fail the English proficiency test must attend a one-year language course. After achieving the required language proficiency, they are eligible to enroll in their chosen academic programs.

4. University Admission Requirements

Admission requirements vary between universities and may include the following:

• Entrance Exam for International Students:

Many Turkish public universities require international students to take an entrance exam such as the TRYÖS (Turkish Universities’ Foreign Student Exam) or SAT. This is a fundamental requirement for admission.

• Minimum Grade Requirement:

Most private universities require international students to meet at least the minimum grade threshold set by the university as a basic condition for admission. This threshold varies depending on the university and the chosen field of study.

Once the student meets all the necessary admission and success requirements, the university issues a preliminary acceptance letter. The student then uses this document to apply for a student visa at the Turkish embassy or consulate in their home country.

5. High School Diploma Equivalency

To gain admission to Turkish public universities, an international student’s high school diploma must be equivalent to a Turkish high school diploma.

Therefore, the student must translate and notarize their high school diploma and submit it to the educational attaché at the Turkish embassy in their home country to obtain a diploma equivalency certificate. Alternatively, the student can sign a commitment to obtain the equivalency certificate within one academic year after enrolling in the university.

International students wishing to apply for university admission in Turkey must provide the following documents:

• High School Diploma: The high school diploma (or a provisional graduation certificate for applicants in the second semester of 12th grade) must be translated into Turkish or English and notarized.
• High School Transcript: The transcript for the last three years of high school must be translated into Turkish or English and notarized.
• Passport: A valid passport.
• Blue Card (if applicable).
• University Application Form: Each university has its own application form, which must be completed.
• Financial Guarantee Letter: A financial guarantee letter proving the student’s ability to continue their education in Turkey. The amount and type of guarantee are determined by the university’s board.
• Registration Fees: Some universities may charge a fee for filling out the application form and preliminary admission. However, this is often free of charge.

Important Notes:

1. These documents must be submitted to the relevant university departments by the deadline specified in the academic calendar. Failure to provide the required documents on time or in full will result in the loss of the student’s right to enroll.
2. International students must apply for a student residence permit in Turkey within 30 days of their arrival.

Below are the steps for international students to register at Turkish public universities:

1. Passing the Entrance Exam for Public Universities: 

Students must pass the entrance exam for public universities (TRYÖS or SAT), depending on the requirements of the program they wish to enroll in.

2. Online Application for University Admission: 

Students must apply online through the registration portal of Turkish public universities and pay the required application fees.

3. Filling Out the Application Form for International Students: 

Students must complete the application form with the following details:

• Personal Information: Enter personal details.
• Program and University Selection: Choose the department and university the student wishes to apply to, specifying the language of instruction (Turkish or English).
• Uploading Required Documents: Upload the necessary documents for university registration, which vary depending on the university and program.
• Submitting the Application: Click the “Apply Now” button to finalize the application.

4. Waiting for Results and Receiving University Admission

After submitting the application, the evaluation process begins, which may take approximately 15 days. Successful candidates will receive an admission letter sent to their email by the universities. This may initially be a conditional acceptance letter, which can still be used to complete the registration process at the university.

The admission requirements for private universities in Turkey generally differ from those of public universities.

• Admission to private universities does not require taking the YÖS or SAT exams or achieving high acceptance rates.
• Admission to private universities is guaranteed, unlike public universities where admission is based on a ranking system. Students are accepted based on their cumulative grades, and the higher the cumulative GPA, the greater the chance of getting university admission in Turkey.

Steps to Get University Admission in Turkey – Private Universities

The steps for accepting international students in both public and private universities are similar. 

However, some universities may require different documents or conditions that students need to consider before applying.

1. Research private universities in Turkey and choose the program the student is interested in.
2. Ensure that the university is accredited by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) in Turkey and recognized in the student’s home country.
3. Meet the admission requirements for the chosen program.
4. Fill out the international student application form, upload the required documents, and send them to Directly Company, which will complete your paperwork and register you at the university.
5. Some private universities may require a motivational letter as part of the application.
6. Wait for the results to receive university admission in Turkish universities.

In general, private universities take less time to process admission applications compared to public universities.

The registration dates for Turkish universities vary by university, and it is important to register as early as possible because spots for international students in highly sought-after departments and universities, such as Medical and Dental faculties, fill up quickly.

• In general, the application period for public universities starts at the end of April each year and ends in September.
• Registration for some private universities remains open year-round, but applications usually begin at the end of March and end in October.

Important Notes:

Application dates, exams, and admission requirements vary between different universities. Therefore, it is best to regularly check the official website of the university or directly contact the foreign student admissions department to verify registration dates and obtain accurate information. You can also contact the educational consultancy department at Directly Student Services for inquiries about registration dates.

The duration to obtain a Turkey study visa generally ranges from two weeks to one month from the time of application. The processing time depends on several factors, such as:

• The speed of processing applications at the Turkish embassy or consulate in the student’s home country.
• The completeness and accuracy of the documents submitted by the student.

In general, it is advisable to apply for a Turkey study visa early to ensure that all registration procedures at the university are completed on time.

The admission rates in Turkish public universities depend on several factors, including:

• The university entrance exam required for admission to public universities in Turkey, such as the YÖS (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı) or the SAT exam if applying to study at a public university.
• The student’s high school GPA.

The acceptance rates in Turkish public universities vary and are influenced by factors such as:

• Demanded programs: Medical and engineering programs typically have higher acceptance rates compared to other fields because they are among the most sought-after programs by international students.
• Foreign student quotas: The acceptance rate also depends on the number of international applicants and the number of spots allocated to them at the university.

In general, the acceptance rates in Turkish public universities range between 60% and 98% for medical programs such as medicine and dentistry.

The admission rates in Turkish private universities are clearly lower than those in Turkish public universities.

• The university acceptance rates start from 50% and can reach around 70-80% in some medical fields.
• There is no requirement to take the university entrance exams, such as YÖS or SAT, to gain admission to private Turkish universities.

For example, studying medicine at a private university in Turkey does not require a high GPA, but the student’s high school diploma GPA should not be less than 60%, and there is no need to take the YÖS or SAT exams.

The cost of obtaining university admission in Turkey is completely free, but the registration fees at Turkish universities vary from one university to another.

Public Universities

• Registration fees range between 100 and 200 USD.
• The cost of studying at public universities in Turkey ranges from 300 to 10,000 USD per year.

Private Universities

• Registration is free!
• The cost of studying at private universities ranges from 1,000 to 30,000 USD annually.

In general, the annual tuition fees for international students are updated every year. You can contact Directly Company for detailed information on the annual tuition fees for international students in private universities in Turkey.

In Public Universities:

The academic year 2024-2025 for most Turkish public universities starts in mid-September or early October each year and continues until June.

In Private Universities:

The start dates for private universities vary by institution. Some universities begin their academic sessions in September or October each year, while others start in February or March. Additionally, some universities may offer extra terms at different times of the year.