Universities in Turkey

Turkey (Türkiye) has two kinds of universities: state universities and non-profit foundation universities. All of them are supervised by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE, in Turkish YÖK), an autonomous body that plans and coordinates the system. The current structure dates from the Higher Education Law No. 2547 of 1981, which made every higher education institution a university; the first foundation university began teaching in 1986.

The universities in our directory show both types. Kadir Has University (KHAS) is a foundation university founded in 1997 in Istanbul, with five faculties; its main campus in Cibali, a few metres from the Golden Horn, occupies a former tobacco factory founded in 1884. Trakya University in Edirne is a state university established on 20 July 1982; it has added faculties and institutes over the years, including a Balkan Research Institute in 2010 and a Romani Language and Culture Research Institute in 2014. Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University is a state university in Bolu, established in 1992.

How it works

Turkish degrees follow the Bologna three-cycle system and use ECTS credits. A national qualifications framework for higher education was adopted in 2010.

• Associate degree (önlisans): two years, often at vocational schools
• Bachelor's degree (lisans): four years and 240 ECTS; dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy take five years, and medicine six
• Master's degree: two years and at least 120 ECTS with a thesis, or one to one and a half years without a thesis
• Doctorate: usually eight semesters, with 180 to 240 ECTS of courses, a proficiency exam and a dissertation

Each university sets its own calendar, but the academic year generally starts in September and ends in June. Depending on the university and programme, teaching is in Turkish or in English; KHAS, for example, asks for a Turkish and/or English proficiency certificate at registration and runs a School of Foreign Languages with a preparatory programme.

Admission

International students apply directly to the university, which makes the selection. CoHE publishes each year the number of places that state and foundation universities reserve for international students. Universities set the exams they accept, such as TR-YÖS, YÖS, SAT, Abitur or the International Baccalaureate; some fine arts, music and sports programmes add a talent test.

TR-YÖS is run twice a year by the national testing centre ÖSYM in Turkish, German, Arabic, French, English and Russian. Knowing Turkish is not a requirement to take it; each university assesses the applicant's language level. At KHAS, accepted students receive an acceptance letter for the visa and must later submit an equivalence certificate for their school-leaving diploma from the Turkish Ministry of National Education. For graduate admission, CoHE has handled the recognition and equivalence of foreign degrees since 1983.

Costs and funding

At state universities, tuition fees are set by presidential decree according to the field and length of study. At foundation universities they are set by the university's board of trustees. KHAS, for example, lists a 2026-27 fee of 1,476,000 TL a year for Business Administration, or 738,000 TL with a 50% scholarship, for new students paying in cash. Fees are paid each semester before course registration, so check the international fee for your programme with the university.

Scholarships include university tuition waivers, the CoHE scholarship for students from partner countries and Türkiye Scholarships, a government programme that also places students at a university and covers needs such as accommodation and health insurance. Scholarship holders without a Turkish proficiency certificate are offered a one-year Turkish preparation course.

Visa and residence

Students need a student visa from the nearest Turkish consulate, and should apply as soon as they receive their admission letter; visas for study are issued by Turkish missions abroad, not as e-visas. After arrival, students apply for a student residence permit. Under a protocol in force since 29 November 2023, they hand in the residence permit documents at their university's student affairs or international office.

How to choose

• State or foundation university: compare fees, scholarships and campus size
• Language: check whether the programme is taught in Turkish or English and whether a preparatory year is needed
• Admission exam: see which exam your chosen university accepts (TR-YÖS, YÖS, SAT or others)
• City: Istanbul or a regional city such as Edirne or Bolu
• Paperwork: allow time for the diploma equivalence, the visa and the residence permit

Frequently asked questions

Can international students study in English in Turkey?

Yes, at some universities and in some programmes. Others are taught in Turkish, so check the language of instruction and whether an English or Turkish preparatory year is required.

What is TR-YÖS?

An admission exam for international students, held twice a year by ÖSYM in six languages. Many state and foundation universities ask for it, and Turkish is not required to take it.

How long is a bachelor's degree in Turkey?

Four years and 240 ECTS. Dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy take five years, and medicine six.

Do I need a visa to study in Turkey?

Yes. Apply for a student visa at the nearest Turkish consulate once you have your admission letter, then apply for a student residence permit through your university after arrival.