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In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Your Guide to Studying in Türkiye in 2026Türkiye offers a wide range of universities and degree programmes. This guide explains the differences between public and foundation universities, the role of TR-YÖS, language preparation, qualification recognition and tuition costs.
Contents
- Public and foundation universities
- The TR-YÖS admission examination
- Teaching language and preparatory study
- International recognition and the Diploma Supplement
- Tuition fees and budgeting
1. Public or foundation university?Public universities — Devlet Üniversiteleri
Examples include Istanbul University, Middle East Technical University (METU) and Boğaziçi University. Their histories, academic strengths and admissions policies differ. Places in competitive subjects can be difficult to obtain, but there is no universal formula assigning 90% of admission to one test.
Tuition for international students is set by the institution and programme. Public universities can cost less than foundation universities, but fees are not uniformly nominal, especially in medicine. Check the current table for your entry cohort.
Foundation universities — Vakıf Üniversiteleri
These are the non-profit foundation institutions commonly called private universities. Facilities, teaching languages and fees differ; neither modern laboratories nor predominantly English teaching should be assumed without checking the programme.
Some accept eligible applicants through school-leaving qualifications, while others require specified examinations, scores, interviews or additional evidence. A secondary school diploma does not guarantee a place. Tuition scholarships may be available under published conditions.
2. What is TR-YÖS?TR-YÖS is the central examination for international undergraduate applicants administered by ÖSYM. Its numerical ability and basic mathematics components include reasoning and geometry; it is not a physics or chemistry examination.
YÖK states that public universities no longer run their own separate international admission examinations. They may use TR-YÖS or other qualifications accepted under the relevant framework, such as IB, Abitur or GCE A Levels. Universities publish their own accepted routes and thresholds. Istanbul University's 2026 list, for example, also includes SAT and ACT. TR-YÖS is therefore an important route, not the only possible route to every public university.
The examination is offered in Turkish, English, Arabic, German, French and Russian. The published 2026 dates are 12 April and 11 October, rather than January and May. Consult ÖSYM for each session's guide and deadlines. Applying for or passing TR-YÖS does not itself submit an application to a university or guarantee placement.
Eligibility for international admission depends on citizenship and secondary education history. Applicants who attended secondary school in Türkiye must check the 2026 YÖK rules and any specified exceptions; YKS may be the required route. Do not assume that a foreign passport alone establishes eligibility.
3. Teaching language and preparatory study- Turkish-taught programmes: provide accepted Turkish proficiency evidence or take the university's examination where available. The required level and accepted certificate issuer vary. TÖMER refers to language centres; a compulsory year at one particular centre is not universal.
- English-taught programmes: follow the university's accepted language test or exemption rules. TOEFL, IELTS and internal exams are not automatically interchangeable. If you do not meet a compulsory language standard, preparatory study may be required.
- Scholarship conditions: Türkiye Scholarships has a separate Turkish language requirement for awardees without accepted C1 proficiency, even on English-taught degrees.
4. Recognition and the so-called Blue DiplomaTürkiye participates in the Bologna Process. The document often marketed as a Mavi Diploma or Blue Diploma is a Diploma Supplement: it explains the nature, level and content of your completed studies alongside the diploma.
It can help another institution assess your qualification, but it does not automatically grant degree equivalence, professional licensing or admission throughout the EU, the United States or elsewhere. Recognition depends on the destination country, institution, programme and profession.
The same applies to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan. Check the relevant authority's current recognition and study conditions before paying. Recognition of a university alone may not establish recognition of every programme, campus or study mode.
5. Tuition: use current institutional figuresThere is no reliable single national average for medicine, dentistry, engineering, business or humanities. The following are published 2026–27 examples, checked on 8 October 2026, not a price range or recommendation for the whole country:
| Institution and programme | Published fee | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| METU engineering or architecture | USD 1,200 per semester | International-quota entrants starting in autumn 2023 or later |
| METU economics and administrative sciences; specified humanities programmes | USD 800 per semester | The same entry cohort rule; joint programmes have separate fees |
| Acıbadem medicine, English | USD 36,000 | Published 2026–27 annual tuition, VAT included |
| Acıbadem computer or biomedical engineering, English | USD 15,000 | Published 2026–27 annual tuition, VAT included |
| Acıbadem psychology or sociology | USD 8,500 | Published 2026–27 annual tuition, VAT included |
Ask whether your offer includes preparatory study, summer school, additional years, materials and any clinical or practical training fees. Check scholarship renewal conditions, payment currency and refund rules. Budget for accommodation, food, travel, insurance and residence procedures separately.
Plan aheadIf you want a competitive public medical programme, allow substantial time for the examinations and qualifications it actually accepts. If considering a foundation university, research early and request an official written fee offer. An early application does not automatically secure a discount or a place.
Wishing you success with your studies.
Official references