University admissions in Turkey

Study in Turkey
University admissions in Turkey

The journey to university admissions in Turkey may seem long and complicated, but in reality, it is an organized and clear process when followed in the right way.

Obtaining university admissions in Turkey has become easier with the emergence of specialized companies. However, students continue to search for answers to all their questions about university admission in Turkey and the necessary steps for admission to Turkish universities.

In this article from the New Horizons team we provide a guide explaining how to obtain university admissions in Turkey, the admission requirements, and recommendations for the best universities and required majors

How do you get university admissions in Turkey?

You can obtain university admissions in Turkey after ensuring you meet the admission requirements by following these steps:

Step One: Determine Your Major and University

It is very important to choose a future major that is important in your country, as well as to identify the ideal Turkish university for your major.

Step Two: Prepare the Required Documents

Each Turkish university requires specific documents to accept student applications. Research them and ensure they are submitted in full.

Step Three: Submit the Application

You can apply for admission to Turkish universities online by applying through the university's official website.

Or, to ensure quick acceptance, you can register through the New Horizons office accredited by the Turkish government.

Step Four: Obtaining Initial and Final Acceptance

Upon acceptance, you will receive an email with a conditional acceptance letter subject to payment of a portion of the tuition fee (the confirmation fee). Once the aforementioned amount is paid, you will receive your final acceptance from the university.

Step Five: Completing Final Registration

This is called preliminary registration. However, after you are officially accepted, you must submit all original documents to the university yourself. This requires you to begin the process of obtaining a student visa to Turkey.

After finishing all the previous procedures, you will obtain admission to Turkish universities, whether public or private.

If you'd like comprehensive answers to all your questions, you can schedule an educational consultation now with one of New Horizons' expert university admission counselors.

What are the admission requirements for Turkish universities?

First, the requirements for studying in Turkey vary from one Turkish university to another. However, they do share some basic requirements:

Admission requirements for Turkish public universities

  • Bachelor's Requirements: High school diploma with a minimum GPA of 98% for medicine, and passing the YOS or SAT.
  • Master's Requirements: Bachelor's degree with a good GPA, and passing the ALES, GRE, or GMAT.
  • PhD Requirements: Master's degree with a thesis with a good GPA, along with degree equivalency and passing admission tests.

Admission Requirements for Private Turkish Universities

  • Bachelor's and Diploma Requirements: High school diploma with a minimum GPA of 60%.
  • Master's Requirements: Bachelor's degree only with a good cumulative GPA.
  • PhD Requirements: Master's degree with a thesis, and some universities require a research proposal.

University Acceptance Rates in Turkey

  • Admission rates in Turkey vary from one Turkish university to another, especially at public universities.
  • In general, admission rates at Turkish public universities are higher, ranging from a low of 70% to a high of 98% for medicine.
  • Admission rates at Turkish private universities are lower, ranging from a low of 50% to a high of 85% for medicine.

Read more: Study in Turkey: Universities, Costs, and Requirements for 2025

What documents are required to obtain university admissions in Turkey?

Here are the application documents for private and public universities in Turkey:

Application documents for private Turkish universities

Bachelor's and Diploma Papers

Master's Papers

PhD Papers

  • High School Certificate
  • Transcript
  • Recent Personal Photo
  • Passport
  • Language Proof of Proficiency (if applicable)
  • Bachelor's Certificate
  • University transcript
  • Personal Photo
  • Passport
  • Language Proof of Proficiency (if applicable)
  • Master's Certificate with thesis and transcript
  • Bachelor's Certificate and transcript
  • Personal Photo
  • Passport
  • Language Proof of Proficiency (if applicable)

Registration documents for public universities in Turkey for international students:

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

PhD

  • Translated High School Diploma
  • Translated High School Transcript
  • Passport or ID Card (Copy)
  • Officially Recognized Equivalency Certificate (Denklik)
  • Personal photos
  • Language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS/TOMER)
  • Passport (copy)
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree Transcript (Translated)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation
  • Letters of recommendation (usually two)
  • Language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS/TOMER)
  • Passport (copy)
  • Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
  • Bachelor's and Master's Degree Transcripts (Translated)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letters of Recommendation (3 Letters)
  • Research statement/research plan
  • Language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS/TOMER)

Important Tips for Ensuring university Admissions in Turkey

Here are the most important tips to ensure you receive your application and a response from your university:

  • All documents must be translated into English or Turkish, depending on the university's requirements.
  • Turkish universities require additional documents for some majors. Check these documents before registering.
  • It is important to keep one copy for yourself and one for the university when paying the verification fee.
  • It is very important that your passport is valid.

What are the application deadlines for university admissions in Turkey?

Private Turkish universities continue to register and issue university admissions from April through September, and universities may extend the deadlines until October.

Registration at Turkish public universities begins from May through August and closes when places are filled.

What are the registration fees for Turkish universities?

It's completely free. You don't need to pay any fees to the university to receive your application. The university deducts the registration fee from the tuition fees.

Registration to private Turkish universities through New Horizons is also completely free, whether you're seeking educational advice or university admissions.

What are scholarships in Turkey?

One of the advantages of studying in Turkey is the numerous scholarships available to international students in general. These scholarships are divided into:

Funded Turkish Scholarships

Include most majors and Turkish public universities, covering all tuition fees, housing, and travel expenses, along with a monthly stipend for the student.

Partial Scholarships in Turkey 

These are scholarships offered by private Turkish universities to all students at varying rates, some of which reach 50%. They are obtained by applying through accredited university admissions offices in Turkey, such as New Horizons.

Read more: The Cost of studying in Turkey 2025

What are the requirements for a student visa to Turkey?

To obtain a student visa to Turkey, you must have final acceptance and submit other documents to the Turkish consulate in your country of residence, such as:

  • A personal photo.
  • A passport valid for more than 4 months.
  • A visa application form from the consulate.
  • Private travel health insurance.
  • A photo of your ID.
  • A photo of your university admission.
  • A bank statement.
  • Visa fees are non-refundable and vary from country to country.

What are the best Turkish universities for Arab students?

The best universities in Turkey for Arabs are those with a high academic reputation, recognized in Arab and European countries, adhere to the latest standards and teaching methods, and have state-of-the-art infrastructure. These benefits apply only to:

  • Bahcesehir University, Istanbul.
  • Istanbul Aydin University.
  • Istinye University.
  • Gelisim University.
  • Bilgi University.
  • Medipol University Istanbul.
  • Okan University.

What are the most in-demand majors in Turkey and the world?

The most in-demand majors in Turkey and the world are those related to artificial intelligence and the fields that will be indispensable for the future. These are:

  • Artificial Intelligence Engineering.
  • Biomedical Engineering.
  • Human Medicine.
  • Aeronautical Engineering.
  • Software Engineering.
  • Dentistry.
  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Business Administration.
  • Information Systems Engineering.
  • Pharmacy.

Studying in Turkey in English or Turkish?

The language of instruction at Turkish universities is English and Turkish. However, many programs are taught in English at private universities, unlike public universities, which rely more heavily on Turkish as their teaching language.

Tips for Adjusting to Your New University Life in Turkey

  • Get to know your peers from different nationalities to build a strong network.
  • Set aside time to learn basic Turkish to make your daily life easier.
  • Explore the city and your university early to find out where important services are located.
  • Participate in student activities to quickly integrate into the university community.
  • Manage your time between studying and socializing to avoid stress.
  • Make sure to communicate with your professors for academic support.
  • Don't hesitate to ask for help from student offices when needed.
  • Maintain your good habits, but be open to new ones.
  • Enjoy your experience and view every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.

What is the best university admissions office in Turkey?

New Horizons is one of the best university admissions offices in Turkey, specifically for private Turkish universities. It has received official accreditation from the Turkish government and is an official agency of the best private Turkish universities.

How can the New Horizons team help you obtain university admissions in Turkey?

  • We help you choose the most in-demand university major in your country to secure future job opportunities.
  • We guide you to the most appropriate Turkish university for your major, from among public and private universities.
  • We provide you with a detailed list of the required documents for each university to avoid missing documents.
  • We review your documents before applying to ensure they meet the admission requirements.
  • We submit the application on your behalf through approved official websites.
  • We guarantee a prompt response to your application from trusted Turkish universities.
  • We follow up on your provisional acceptance without delay.
  • We guide you through making a secure payment to ensure final acceptance.
  • We support you in preparing the original documents for final university registration.
  • We guide you through the steps to obtain a study visa to Turkey easily and quickly.

Obtaining university admissions in Turkey is closer than ever with clear steps and support from specialized agencies like New Horizons.

However, the secret to success in studying in Turkey remains early planning, meticulously preparing your paperwork, and knowing the admission requirements for each academic level.

Therefore, we recommend you get a free consultation now, which will provide you with reliable information on the process of enrolling and studying at Turkish universities.

About the Author

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Team New Horizons

We are a team of passionate education experts committed to delivering high-quality content for students seeking to study in Turkey and beyond. With a deep understanding of universities, programs, scholarships, and student life, we aim to make your academic journey clearer and easier. We don’t just write — we guide, inform, and walk with you every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers about studying in Turkey

After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students

Some Turkish universities require a recommendation letter, especially for master's and doctoral programs, while most bachelor's programs do not.

University admission in Turkey is moderately difficult and depends on the student’s GPA, the type of university, and the chosen major.

Turkish public universities require entrance exams such as YÖS or SAT, while private universities do not require them at all.

The required language certificates are TOEFL or IELTS for English-taught programs, and TÖMER for Turkish-taught programs.

A student’s monthly expenses in Turkey range between $400 and $600, depending on the city and type of accommodation.

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