The preparatory year for Turkish universities is your first step toward studying at a Turkish university. It's not limited to learning and mastering the English or Turkish language alone, but also helps you become familiar with the university environment and the environment in which you'll learn and live.
This allows you to quickly adapt to this new environment and maximize your study in Türkiye.
If you are an international student who has completed high school and wants to obtain a university qualification in Türkiye, you will need to study a university preparatory course at a Turkish university….. keep reading for more details.
We can say that the preparatory year is the year in which the international student learns to study and master the language of the country he is coming to study in.
If the specialization he has chosen is taught in a foreign language other than the mother tongue of the country in which he is studying, he learns this language as well to reach a level of proficiency in the language that enables him to study the specialization program he has chosen.
Here comes the question. Is it required for the student to learn one language in the preparatory year?
The answer here is no. The student can learn the mother tongue of the country in which he will study, as well as another foreign language that is the language of study of the specialization.
The preparatory year is of great importance at Turkish universities for the following reasons:
Most notably, it is considered a requirement for admission to many Turkish universities.
Learn and master the Turkish language, which is the language of the country in which you live during your study period, which will facilitate your daily dealings.
Learn English if your chosen major requires that it be taught in English.
It has great importance from a functional point of view for the student, as your understanding and mastery of the language enables you to absorb your lessons with high efficiency, and thus be able to enter the job market and be able to face its challenges and difficulties, especially if this language is the mother tongue of the country in which you study.
The preparatory year for Turkish universities is not mandatory for international students. When a student applies to study a specific major in one of the Turkish universities, whether in English or Turkish, he can bypass the preparatory year by passing the language test and achieving the required grade set by the university. Then he can enroll in the first year of studying the bachelor’s program.
If the student does not pass the language test, the preparatory year is mandatory for the student so that he can learn and master the language in which he will study.
The preparatory year study system depends on the student’s commitment to several matters, including
The student’s regular attendance.
Doing homework and submitting it on time.
Making use of the resources provided.
Some universities require the student to obtain five levels in the language he is studying in order to be able to pass the preparatory year.
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Many Turkish universities open their doors for international students from all over the world so They consider English as the primary language for their programs and specializations. In this case, the student must submit a certificate of English proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS. If the student does not have this certificate, he must take a language proficiency test.
If he does not pass the test, he must attend the preparatory year to master the language, so that an additional year is added to the number of years of study for the specialization he has chosen.
1. It is worth mentioning the preparatory year curricula for the English language, which include several levels, starting from the introductory level and reaching the advanced level in the language.
2. The curriculum includes special programs for reading, writing, listening and speaking so that the student acquires the skills and competence sufficient for academic study as well as entering the job market with great confidence after graduation.
3. The study takes approximately 24 hours per week.
4. The Turkish study plan for the English language (curriculum) includes other subjects, such as culture and civilization, so that students gain additional knowledge about the history of the country in which they live.
Most Turkish universities consider the Turkish language as the primary language of study, as the Turkish people are proud of their language and refuse to deal with anything else. Therefore, the student is required to submit an accredited certificate indicating his mastery of the Turkish language, which enables him to study academically. In the event that this certificate is not available, the student is subject to a test to determine the extent of his proficiency.
If the student fails the test, he must attend the preparatory year to learn and master the Turkish language.
1. The preparatory year for learning the Turkish language is divided into two semesters. The first semester includes studies at levels A1 and A2, while the second semester includes studies at levels B1 and B2.
2. The minimum acceptable level for passing the preparatory year is for the student to have achieved level C1.
Yes, a student can skip the preparatory year by submitting an accredited certificate proving his proficiency in the language he chose to study his major in one of the Turkish universities. In the event that these certificates are not available, the student will take a test to determine his level in the language.
Upon passing the test with an acceptable score specified by the university, he will begin studying in the first year directly without the need to register in the preparatory year.
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The preparatory year begins with the start of the new academic year, and its date is determined by the Turkish Higher Education Institution.
The preparatory year at Turkish universities takes a full year, divided into two semesters. In each semester, the student studies at least two levels.
The answer to this question varies and depends largely on the student’s ability to comprehend the academic subjects, but in general, the university seeks to provide a curriculum in the preparatory year that enables the student to pass the language proficiency test.
We can say that the failure rate in the preparatory year is very low, almost negligible.
The cost of studying the preparatory year varies from one university to another.
Some universities set $5 per level of the language, with a total of approximately $1,200 to $6,000 per preparatory year for all levels of language learning.
It is worth noting here that these costs change from one year to another, so the student must follow up on the cost of study through the official website of the university at which he intends to study.
Read also: The average cost of living in Türkiye in 2025
Yes, many Turkish universities provide free registration for the preparatory year, provided that the student has paid the full fees for the first academic year.
Contact us now for more information about studying in Turkey.
In the end, we learned that the preparatory year is a condition for admission to Turkish universities, and the student must prepare well for it in order to move to the first year of studying the bachelor’s program for the specialization he chose.
Unfortunately, the preparatory year does not qualify you for a scholarship, but you can apply for it later when you achieve success and distinction in your studies.
The cost of the preparatory year varies from one group to another, but on average it ranges from $1,200 to $6,000.
No, the preparatory year is separate from the number of years of bachelor’s study and is specific to learning and mastering the language in which the student will study.
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