The requirements for studying in Turkey are what many international students look for if they wish to pursue their education at Turkish universities, whether in public or private institutions, especially since Turkey has 120 public universities and 80 private universities.
In this article, we will discuss the most important admission requirements for enrolling in Turkish public and private universities, along with what distinguishes these universities from others around the world.
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The Most Important Requirements for Studying in Turkey
Turkey offers a European-style education system that relies on both practical training and skill acquisition rather than merely theoretical memorization, enabling graduates of these universities to enter the job market with ease.
Turkish universities are also divided into:
- Public universities, which are under the auspices of the Turkish state and subject to strict regulations, with most of their degrees recognized both locally and internationally.
- Private universities, which follow European educational programs but are also subject to government oversight.
Furthermore, the study requirements in Turkey vary depending on the type of university the student wishes to attend—be it public or private. The requirements for Turkish public universities are generally considered more challenging than those for private ones, as you will see in the detailed discussion of the requirements in the following paragraphs.
Admission Requirements for Turkish Public Universities
As mentioned above, the admission requirements for Turkish public universities are somewhat more challenging than those for private universities, especially if the field of study is related to medical or engineering disciplines. In most universities, admission requires passing the Turkish YÖS exam or international tests such as the American SAT.
However, there are certainly a good number of universities that accept students solely based on their high school diploma without requiring any of these tests. Accordingly, you can expect that the requirements become more difficult as the university’s ranking increases. The study requirements in Turkish public universities include the following:
- A translated and notarized copy of the high school diploma, along with its attestation by the Turkish Directorate of National Education or by the Turkish Embassy in the country where the student resides. Note that this attestation is not required at the time of registration but is needed when confirming admission to the university.
- A copy of the student’s passport, which must be valid at the time of submission. Some universities may also require a translated copy of the passport.
- Two personal photographs of the student with a white background, which must be completely clear.
- Certificates proving the student’s proficiency in the language of instruction for the chosen specialization. If such certificates are not available, the applicant will be subjected to a proficiency exam.
- Some public universities require the applicant to pass the Turkish YÖS exam or the American SAT exclusively for university admission, while some universities do not require these tests and accept the high school diploma directly.
- Some universities may charge a fee for reviewing the application, and this amount is non-refundable if the student is not accepted into the university.
Admission Requirements for Turkish Private Universities:
Turkish private universities are more accessible than public ones for many students due to the ease of applying and the high likelihood of acceptance.
Although private universities are available to many Turkish and international students, they provide a good level of higher education both within Turkey and in Europe. They rank well among the best universities at both the local and global levels, particularly among European institutions.
Regarding the academic registration requirements at these universities, they require only a high school diploma—unlike public universities. The documents required for application are as follows:
- A copy of the applicant’s passport.
- A certificate proving that the student has completed high school, along with a transcript or grade report detailing the marks obtained in the various subjects.
- An English language proficiency certificate such as the TOEFL, if available, if the student wishes to study the specialization in English. In the absence of such a certificate, the student may take the university’s English exam, which will determine if he is qualified to study in that language.
- A letter of recommendation, endorsement, or nomination, in case the student wishes to pursue a master’s degree at one of the Turkish private universities.
What is the Difference Between the Turkish YÖS Exam and the American SAT Exam?
As mentioned above, Turkish public universities require applicants to pass either the YÖS or SAT exam for admission. We will explain the nature of each exam separately:
Turkish YÖS Exam
The Turkish YÖS exam is a local test that is considered an essential requirement for gaining university admission to study at Turkish public universities. It consists of 80 questions, including 35 questions in mathematics, between 10 to 45 questions in aptitude, and 10 questions in engineering. The exam duration is 90 minutes.
American SAT Exam
The American SAT exam is an international test administered solely in English and is quite similar to the YÖS exam. It requires candidates to pass a mathematics section—which includes topics such as engineering, algebra, and statistics—in addition to a reading section based on lengthy texts from which questions are answered.
Furthermore, there is an optional section for writing an essay on a given topic, as well as a section where candidates must decide whether an answer is correct or not and correct any erroneous statements.
Advantages of Studying at Turkish Universities
No university can provide everything a student dreams of in terms of a modern academic study approach that aligns with the requirements of the contemporary job market, advanced technological facilities, and the other demands of modern academic life—except that Turkish universities guarantee a comprehensive academic experience that meets all the demands of modern education.
Below is a list of the most important advantages of studying at Turkish universities, regardless of their type, along with the facilities they offer students:
- Students can obtain a scholarship to study in Turkey, which provides health insurance and a card that exempts them from paying for public transportation and many other services free of charge.
- The high quality of education has placed the majority of Turkish universities among the best advanced universities in the world.
- Turkish universities have gained wide international recognition for their degrees.
- The study costs at public universities are very low and affordable when compared to other countries that offer outstanding education.
- Each university has its own website containing all the details a student might wish to know, and all announcements—especially those related to the academic calendar or examinations—are published on these sites.
- There is the possibility of studying in English in all specializations related to medicine, engineering, management, and the arts, which prepares students for work in European countries after mastering the language.
- Modern technological infrastructure is available, including classrooms equipped with advanced teaching equipment, as well as modern laboratories, theaters, libraries, and high-level workshops.
- An appropriate and straightforward educational system is in place, with easy access to academic staff for discussions regarding course subjects.
- A diverse environment enriched with various cultures, customs, and traditions is provided, enabling students to learn about different cultures and develop skills in adaptation and communication with various other civilizations.
- There is the possibility of working while studying, allowing the student to find time for employment that does not interfere with their academic schedule.
We have reached the end of our article on the conditions for studying in Turkey. We have outlined the most important admission requirements for enrolling in Turkish universities, whether public or private, and explained what sets Turkish universities apart from others and why they attract a huge number of international students every year.