Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities

If you're interested in studying in Turkey in general and would like to enroll in one of its universities and gain the opportunity to study at a Turkish university, you'll undoubtedly be asking yourself this question: How can you gain admission to a Turkish university? What are Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities?  This is what we'll cover in detail in this article. So, let's not waste time and get straight to the point.

First and foremost, there are two points you should consider before considering admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities:

First: Choose the major

You must determine the major you wish to study. This depends on several factors, the most important of which are:

• Your personal desires and the field you are passionate about
• The nature and reality of the job market
• The most in-demand majors in the market

And other factors you should take into account when determining the appropriate major for you during your studies in Turkey.

Find Out More :The Most In-demand majors for 2025

Second: Choose the University

Determining the university you wish to attend during your undergraduate studies in Turkey also depends on factors such as:

• Whether the university offers the major you desire.
• Other factors include the university's level, specifically in your chosen major.
• The quality of its education.
• Its geographical location.

And other factors and considerations that may help you determine which university is most suitable for you.

Read more: The best universities to study in Turkey 2025

The Benefits of enrolling in Turkish Universities

Not every university can provide you with the advanced quality of education you dream of, aligned with the job market, technological services, and other academic requirements.

However, Turkish private universities offer you a comprehensive academic experience that meets all your study requirements without complicated conditions, such as:

• Working while studying
• A diverse educational and cultural environment helps you learn about different cultures and customs and enhance your communication skills with other civilizations.
• A simple teaching style allows students to discuss course material with professors.
• Advanced infrastructure, such as classrooms equipped with modern teaching technologies, large libraries, and workshops.
• Study in English in various majors.

Requirements for Studying in Türkiye at Public Universities

We can divide Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities into 2 parts:

• Requirements for Studying in Türkiye at Public Universities
• Requirements for Studying in Türkiye at private Universities

Admission to public universities is considered somewhat more difficult than admission to private universities. This is due to certain requirements for application, which may pose an obstacle for students during the registration process. Perhaps the most important of these requirements is the need to pass the YOS test, a simplified overview of which we have provided above.

Most public universities in Turkey rely on this test as a condition for admission to university and study in Turkey, specifically for students whose high school grades are lower than the required grade for university admission. In this case, the YOS test serves as an equivalency test for the student's grades, with the aim of measuring the student's eligibility and ability to complete university studies in Turkey.

Requirements for Studying in Türkiye at Private Universities

• A copy of the student's passport.
• A recent personal photo of the student.
• A high school graduation certificate and transcript.
• A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) certificate, such as the IELTS test, if available, if you will be studying in English at the university.
• A letter of recommendation if applying for a master's degree.

Read more: Accredited Turkish private universities in Arab countries 2025

Student Visa Requirements in Turkey

Bachelor's and master's students must obtain a student visa to enter Turkey legally.

After receiving final acceptance from a private university, you can apply for a student visa to Turkey. To learn how to apply and what documents are required to obtain a student visa to Turkey, read the following requirements:

• A personal photo.
• A passport valid for more than 6 months.
• A copy of the visa application form from the Turkish consulate or embassy.
• Travel health insurance.
• A copy of the ID card.
• A copy of the university admissions certificate.
• A bank statement.
• Payment of the visa fees.

After verifying that all application requirements are met and there are no deficiencies, the application is submitted to the Turkish consulate or embassy in the country where you reside. It takes two to three weeks to obtain a student visa to Turkey.

It should be noted that a student visa in Turkey does not grant its holder the right to work. Instead, a student or tourist residency permit is required, allowing you to work within specified hours.

Turkey Scholarship Conditions

Turkey offers numerous scholarships to Arab students. The Turkish Scholarship is one of the most important international scholarships, welcoming a large number of students annually to study in Turkey. The Turkish Scholarship Program is considered one of the most important fully-funded programs, and many students apply for it. Master's, bachelor's, and doctoral students can apply. Here are the conditions for applying for the Turkish Scholarship:

• The student's age must not exceed 22 years for the undergraduate level.
• The applicant's age must be under 30 years for the master's level.
• The student's age must be under 35 years for the doctoral level.
• The student must not be enrolled in a Turkish private or public university.
• The student must not have any health problems.
• The student must have a national ID or passport.
• The student must not have Turkish citizenship.
• The high school GPA must be at least 70% for the undergraduate level.
• The student wishing to enroll in graduate studies must have a GPA of at least 75%.

Advantages of studying at the Turkish Scholarship

The Turkish Scholarship is one of the best scholarship programs. If you meet the requirements for a scholarship to study in Turkey, you can apply. Over 100,000 students register, of whom less than 5,000 are accepted. You can study in Turkey for free at one of the best Turkish private or public universities by obtaining acceptance into the scholarship. Here are the most important advantages of this scholarship:

• It covers all study costs in Turkey.
• It covers accommodation and health insurance costs throughout your stay in Turkey.
• It covers the costs of studying for the preparatory year.
• It provides the student with a monthly stipend to help him meet his personal needs.
• It provides you with a free transportation card.

Read more: The average cost of living in Turkey in 2025

Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities

The official language of instruction at the university. Most public universities adopt Turkish as the official language of instruction, while most private universities offer instruction in English. Some universities also offer the opportunity to study in both English and Turkish.

Some universities require that students pass one of the following entrance exams, the most important of which are the SAT and YÖS exams.

Below, we will provide an overview of these exams:

1. The SAT exam

It is an international university admissions test. Its purpose is to demonstrate your cognitive abilities and the extent to which you can apply this knowledge during your undergraduate studies in Turkey. This test assesses your reading, writing, and mathematics skills for middle school.

Learn more: What is the SAT test? and Why is it important?

2. YÖS Exam

YOS exam is intended for foreign students (non-Turkish) who wish to study in Turkey. However, the student must have a high school diploma of any type (secondary, secondary, etc.). The exam aims to measure basic mathematical skills (IQ), algebraic and geometric mathematics, logical thinking, and problem-solving ability.

What are the application deadlines for Turkish universities for the year 2025?

After knowing Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities, you should ask about application deadlines for Turkish universities for the year 2025.

The application deadlines for Turkish universities 2025 are as the following: 

Application deadlines for Turkish public universities:

• Application start date: Typically begins in April.
• Application deadline: Typically ends in July.
• Results announcement: Results will be announced in August 2025.
• Final registration period: Extends from September to early October 2025.

Application deadlines for Turkish private universities:

• Application start: Most private universities began accepting applications in January 2025.
• Application deadline: Extends until August 2025 or until seats are filled.
• Results announcement: Periodically after applications are submitted, and applicants are usually notified within a few weeks of submitting the application.
• Final registration: Extends until the beginning of the academic semester in September or October 2025.

Study costs in Turkey

Study costs vary from one university to another, but they are significantly lower than those in Europe. Tuition fees at Turkish public universities are cheaper than at private universities. However, it is difficult for students to meet the study requirements for public universities in Türkiye, and these requirements pose a significant obstacle for students.

The average cost of studying in Türkiye ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for engineering and management majors, while for medical majors such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, it ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 per year.

Why apply through New Horizons?

• Applying to private universities through us is completely free.
• Provide all information you need to know about the Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities. 
• We help you choose your major after consulting with one of our educational advisors (free of charge).
• We show you the best universities in your desired major.
• New Horizons is an authorized agent for most Turkish universities.
• Our students receive exclusive discounts at most universities.
• We complete your application process and assist you with your travel.
• We act as the link between you and the university to complete your paperwork.
• Support in submitting online university applications.
• Providing information about admission tests such as YÖS and SAT.
• Guiding students to take language tests such as TOEFL and IELTS.
• Following up on application status with universities and providing updates to students.
• Providing advice to improve admission chances to public and private universities.
• Assistance in searching for scholarships and funding opportunities.
• Providing post-admission services such as guidance on housing, accommodation, and other administrative procedures.

Contact us now for more information about studying in Turkey.

Conclusion 

Finally, we hope you've made the Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities clear. If you have any further questions about Türkiye, please contact us and you'll receive a specialized educational advisor to assist you through all the steps involved in studying in Türkiye.