Admission requirements to study in Turkey

To apply to a Turkish university, check the selected programme’s rules for international applicants: accepted school or university qualifications, entrance results, language evidence and deadlines. Private and public universities do not share a single admission checklist. Separate the initial application from final registration, and read every condition in an offer before paying a deposit or making travel plans.

Below: the documents Turkish universities usually ask for at bachelor's and master's level, the exams that may apply, and when applications open. To compare subjects first, see our programme catalogue.

Choosing the Right Program and University

Compare the actual degree subjects and curricula at institutions such as Sabanci University, Ozyegin University and Isik University. Choose the teaching language you can study in and check any preparatory-year requirement. If a later master’s degree abroad is the goal, check the receiving university’s recognition, subject and language requirements; a Turkish degree does not make every graduate programme automatically accessible.

University Admission Requirements at Turkish Private Universities

From undergraduate to graduate degrees, get the necessary documents required for applications:

• Undergraduate Degree Application

  • • Passport copy
    • A recent passport-style photo
    • High school diploma or graduation certification, with grades meeting the requirements for the selected programme and qualification
    • Language proficiency test scores (TOEFL or university's proficiency test)
    • Application form, transcript, motivation letter, and more

• Graduate Degree Application

  • • Passport copy
    • A recent passport-style photo
    • Bachelor's or Master's diploma
    • Statement of purpose, CV and recommendation letters
    • Exam scores (GRE or GMAT), language proficiency test (TOEFL)
    • Financial proof, written exams, interviews, etc.

University Admission Requirements at Turkish Public Universities

For public universities, check which qualifications and exam results the selected programme accepts. The YÖS/TR-YÖS route is one item to verify, alongside any other accepted qualification. Do not assume that a high exam score overrides a school-grade minimum: ask the university whether both conditions apply before paying for an exam or submitting the application.

• Passport copy
• A recent passport-style photo
• High school diploma or graduation certification
• Competitive YÖS exam score (eligibility depends from university to university)
• Language proficiency test scores (TOEFL or university's proficiency test)
• Application form, transcript, motivation letter, and more

What exams are required for application to study in Turkey?

The required qualifications and exams depend on the university, programme and applicant category. Check the school-grade requirement, accepted academic results, teaching language and any interview or portfolio separately. Private or public status alone does not establish a minimum GPA or make YÖS compulsory for every applicant; use the current requirements of each shortlisted programme.

What is the minimum SAT score for Turkey?

There is no national minimum. Public universities that accept the SAT instead of YÖS set their own thresholds, usually a total score and sometimes a separate Math minimum, and these differ by university and programme. Take the threshold from the current international-student admission notice of the university you are applying to.

Can I study in Turkey without a SAT?

Yes. Many private universities admit international applicants on school grades, a language certificate or their own English test, and sometimes an interview. Public universities usually ask for YÖS or one of the accepted alternatives, of which the SAT is only one. Which entrance exams count is set by each university's admission notice.

Application Deadlines

For the autumn intake in September, most universities open applications around mid-January. Have your documents translated and ready before the window opens.

For the Spring intake in February, certain universities accept applications starting in early October. Deadlines differ by university, so note each one on your shortlist.