Admission rates in Turkey are not considered relatively high and are a point of interest for students planning to study in Turkey. Therefore, we will present the admission rates in both public and private universities, for the most important university majors, as well as for postgraduate studies.
We will also discuss the criteria for determining university admission rates in Turkey and provide important details about university admissions, so that Skyline Education has equipped you with all the necessary information on this topic.
We wish you an enjoyable read.
What are the Admission Rates in Turkey for the Academic Year 2023 – 2024
By "admission rate" we mean the percentage of a student's high school result that qualifies them for university admission in one of the majors at Turkish universities. These rates vary according to the type of university, as follows:
What is the Admission Rate for Undergraduate Studies in Turkey
The definition of the admission rate varies as follows:
- Admission rate for undergraduate studies in Turkey: It is the cumulative average of high school studies (from first secondary to third secondary).
- Admission rate for master’s studies: It is the graduation average from the bachelor's program.
- Admission rate for doctoral studies: It is the cumulative average of both the bachelor's and master’s programs.
Check out the article: Education Ranking in Turkey 2023
Admission Rates in Turkish Public Universities
In Turkish public universities, admission rates for undergraduate studies start at 60% for most majors and can increase with the importance of the major, reaching about 95% in some cases, especially for medical specialties.
Admission Rates in Turkish Private Universities
In Turkish private universities, the admission rates are lower than those required by public universities, starting at 50% and reaching approximately 70–80% depending on the university and the major to be studied.
Important Notes on University Admission Rates in Turkey
- The university entrance exam is also included in the calculation of the final admission rate when applying to a public university, whereas this is not required in private universities.
- Universities organize entrance exams such as YÖS and SAT annually; some exams are accepted only at the institutions where they are held, while others are centralized and accepted in all or most Turkish public universities.
Also read: The Difference Between the SAT and YÖS in Turkey
- To be accepted for any university major in Turkey at any of the three academic stages (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), the student must be proficient in the language of instruction, although this proficiency is not included in the calculation of the final admission rate.
- If the student is not proficient in the language of instruction, they must undergo a preparatory academic year during which they study the language in which their university curriculum will be taught.
Admission Rates for the Most Important University Majors in Turkey
Our discussion on public and private universities regarding admission rates is not sufficient; therefore, we will also address the admission rates in Turkey according to the major to be studied, as explained in the following paragraphs:
Admission Rate for Medicine in Turkey
For studying Medicine in private universities in Turkey, it is sufficient that your high school score is at least 75%, whereas in public universities your high school score must be 90% and your university entrance exam score at least 95%.
Admission Rate for Pharmacy in Turkey
For private universities, the admission rate for studying Pharmacy starts at approximately 70–75% depending on the university, while in public universities a rate between 85–90% may be required, along with a similar score on the university entrance exam.
Admission Rate for Engineering in Turkey
Regarding engineering disciplines in Turkey, admission rates in private universities start at about 60–65%, whereas in public universities the rate is approximately between 75–80%, with a similar score on the university entrance exam.
Admission Rate for Physiotherapy in Turkey
For studying this specialization in private universities, a rate starting from 50% is sufficient, whereas in public universities the combined high school score and university entrance exam result should be around 60%.
Admission Rate for Nursing in Turkey
Similarly to the previous specialization, the rate for studying Nursing in a private university in Turkey also starts from 50%, while admission rates for nursing in public universities begin at approximately 60%.
Admission Rates for Other Majors
For other disciplines such as Law, Humanities, Educational Sciences, Literature, and other university majors, the admission rates range between 50–60% in private universities, while requiring between 65–70% in public universities.
Summary of University Major Admission Rates in Turkey
So as not to overwhelm you with details, we have prepared this table outlining the minimum admission rates in Turkey for the most important university majors:
| University Major | Minimum Admission Rates in | |
| Public Universities | Private Universities | |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 90–95% | 75% |
| Pharmacy | 90% | 70% |
| Engineering Majors | 70–75% | 60–65% |
| Physiotherapy and Nursing | 60% | 50% |
| Other Majors | 65–70% | 50–60% |
Admission Rates for Postgraduate Studies in Turkey
Continuing our discussion on admission rates in Turkish universities, a student must have a bachelor’s average if they want to pursue a master’s in Turkey, and a specific master’s average when wishing to study for a doctorate. Therefore, we outline the following rates according to the table below:
| Postgraduate Studies | Major | Public Universities | Private Universities |
| Master’s | Medical and Pharmacy Majors | 90% | 75% |
| Other Majors | 75% | 60–70% | |
| Doctorate | Medical and Pharmacy Majors | 90% | 70–75% |
| Other Majors | 70% | 55–65% |
It is also required to achieve high scores in the university entrance exams for Master’s and Doctorate studies, which are usually exams in English or Turkish.
Criteria for Determining University Admission Rates in Turkey
Admission rates in Turkey depend on several very important criteria that play a prominent role in determining whether the rate is high or low, namely:
Type of University
The type of university plays a significant role in determining admission rates; public and foundation universities usually require higher admission rates compared to private universities, with differences ranging approximately between 10–20%.
Meanwhile, admission rates are relatively similar when comparing public and foundation universities in Turkey, due to lower tuition fees which enhance student competition for enrollment and university admission.
Also read: Best Universities in Turkey 2023
The Province in Which the University is Located
In major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya, university admission rates are relatively higher compared to universities in smaller cities, due to greater competition for studying in major cities, whereas this competition decreases in less vibrant and less significant cities.
Students, like any foreign residents in Turkey, tend to live in provinces of higher importance and, naturally, study there, which explains the intense competition for enrollment in universities in Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya compared to other cities.
University Major
As mentioned earlier, admission rates in Turkey vary according to the university major; the more important the major, the higher the admission rate. University majors can be categorized by admission rates as follows:
- Majors with high admission rates, which are usually medical specialties (Medicine, Dentistry) and Pharmacy.
- Majors with moderate admission rates, such as Engineering, Law, Humanities, Physiotherapy, and Nursing.
- Majors with low admission rates, which include Social and Educational Sciences, and Literature.
Available Seats
The lower the number of available seats for foreigners in a given major at a university, the higher the admission rate in Turkey for that major at that institution, and vice versa.
It should also be noted that majors with limited available seats close their enrollment early; therefore, it is always recommended to register early if you meet the admission requirements for that university and major.
Important Questions about University Admission in Turkey
Below are some important questions about admission rates in Turkey that we at Skyline Education would like to share with you, along with our comprehensive answers:
Are University Admission Rates in Turkey High?
They are considered normal for studies in public universities, while being relatively low for Turkish private universities. In general, only medical and pharmacy majors have relatively high admission rates.
What is the Required Language Proficiency Level for Admission to Turkish Universities?
Students must be proficient in the language of instruction; typically, a student must have passed 4 to 5 levels in the language to be considered proficient, and the proficiency certificate must be recognized (for example, "TOMER" for Turkish and "TOEFL" for English).
How Can I Find Out the Admission Rates at Any Turkish University?
Turkish universities publish announcements regarding their admission rates before the academic year begins. You should stay updated with university news, or you can contact us to inquire about admission rates, registration dates, and other details regarding Turkish universities.
Is the High School Average Considered in the Admission Rates for Master’s and Doctorate Studies?
No, for postgraduate studies the high school average is not required nor is it included in the calculation of the admission rate; it is only required for undergraduate admission in Turkey.
Does the Admission Rate Differ Depending on the Student’s High School Certificate?
The source of the high school certificate does not affect the determination of the university admission rate.
This article was a detailed report on admission rates in Turkey to ensure you are fully informed about the important details related to this topic. In general, if you have any inquiries, please contact us or fill out the university admission request form in Turkey.
This article was prepared by the editorial team at Skyline Holding, which is affiliated with our company "Skyline Education".