Medicine Schools and Programs in Turkey

Medicine Studies in Turkey

Medicine in Turkey is a six-year undergraduate programme taught at the faculties of medicine (tıp fakültesi) of public and foundation universities. Students go straight from secondary school into medical school; there is no separate pre-medical bachelor's degree. The degree is considered equivalent to a master's, and most programmes are taught in Turkish, so language is the first practical question for an international applicant.

SpainExchange lists two universities in Turkey with medicine: Trakya Üniversitesi in Edirne and Abant Izzet Baysal University in Bolu.

How the medical degree is organised

Turkish higher education is overseen by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK / CoHE) and follows the Bologna three-cycle system. According to the official Study in Türkiye portal, which YÖK runs, a bachelor's degree normally takes four years and 240 ECTS, while dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy take five years and medicine six; these qualifications are considered equivalent to a master's degree.

The faculty of medicine at Trakya Üniversitesi, founded in 1974 and based in Edirne since 1982, describes a typical structure:

• Years 1 to 3: mainly basic medical sciences, combined with clinical subjects
• Years 4 and 5: clinical clerkships in the hospital alongside theory
• Year 6: internship (intörn doktorluk), with students taking part in patient care

Trakya's undergraduate medical programme is accredited by TEPDAD, the national accreditation body for medical education programmes, until 1 January 2030. After graduating, doctors who want to specialise sit a competitive selection exam and train in a specialisation in medicine programme, which Study in Türkiye describes as equivalent to a doctorate.

Admission for international students

International students apply directly to the university, which makes the selection. Each year, public and foundation universities publish quotas for international students on the YÖK website. Universities admit students on these quotas with exams they choose, such as TR-YÖS, YÖS, Abitur, SAT or IB; Study in Türkiye names medicine among the fields open through these quotas. TR-YÖS is run by ÖSYM, the national measuring and placement centre, twice a year in Turkish, German, Arabic, French, English and Russian, in centres in Türkiye and abroad. Applicants must have completed secondary education equivalent to a Turkish high school.

Turkish is the main language of instruction at most universities. Turkish is not required to sit TR-YÖS, but each university sets its own language requirements. Many universities offer a Turkish preparatory year, at the end of which students are expected to reach level C1. The Yunus Emre Institute runs Turkish courses and the Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS) abroad.

Costs, visa and health insurance

At public universities, tuition fees are set by Presidential Decree according to the field and length of study; at non-profit foundation universities, by the university's board of trustees. Fees are paid each semester before course registration, and some students receive full or partial tuition waivers or other scholarships. Check the current fee on the university's international student pages.

Students need a student visa from the nearest Turkish consulate and should apply as soon as they receive their admission letter. After arrival they apply for a student residence permit through their university's student affairs or international student office. At Trakya Üniversitesi, international students can register for Turkey's general health insurance within three months of first enrolment; otherwise they cannot join it later during their studies.

Recognition and careers

A medical degree from a faculty of medicine in Turkey leads to work as a physician and to specialty training. Doctors who studied abroad and want to practise in Turkey apply to YÖK for diploma equivalence; for medicine this can involve the Level Determination Examination (STS), held twice a year by ÖSYM, with a minimum score of 35 out of 100 and a foreign language score. Graduates who plan to work in another country should check that country's rules for recognising foreign medical degrees before they enrol.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to study medicine in Turkey?

Six years. Turkish medical degrees are entered directly after secondary school and are considered equivalent to a master's degree. At Trakya Üniversitesi the sixth year is a full internship in the hospital.

Do I need to speak Turkish to study medicine in Turkey?

Usually yes, because Turkish is the main language of instruction at most universities. Some universities accept students without Turkish and offer a preparatory year, after which a C1 level is expected; each university sets its own requirements.

Which exams do international students take?

Universities choose the exams they accept for their international student quotas, for example TR-YÖS, YÖS, Abitur, SAT or IB. TR-YÖS is held by ÖSYM twice a year in several languages.

Is a Turkish medical degree recognised abroad?

Recognition is decided by each country's own authorities. Check with the medical council or ministry of the country where you plan to work before choosing a programme.