Physiotherapy in Turkey: the short answer
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation is a four-year health-sciences bachelor’s. For 2026–27, Üsküdar lists $4 200 per year for its Turkish track, and Okan lists $4 500 in Turkish or $5 000 in English per year. Biruni lists $5 000 in either language and Medipol lists $9 000 in English; confirm their billing periods in the offer. Clinical requirements and admission documents depend on the university.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Degree and length | Bachelor's (lisans), 4 years; master's about 2 years; PhD 4–5 years |
| Teaching language | Turkish or English, depending on the university |
| Clinical training | Supervised practice in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, heaviest in years 3–4 |
| Published tuition, 2026–27 | $4 200/yr at Üsküdar; Okan $4 500/yr in Turkish or $5 000/yr in English |
| Exams | SAT or TR-YÖS optional at many private universities; required by most state universities |
| Right to practise | Decided by the health regulator of the country where you will work |
Choose the teaching language early, then compare clinical placements and the entry requirements of the programmes you shortlist. Ask the university how it supports students who will work with Turkish-speaking patients.
What you study
The first year lays the scientific base: anatomy, physiology and movement science. From the second year students learn assessment and treatment methods, electrotherapy and manual therapy, then apply them in orthopaedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, paediatric and sports rehabilitation. The final year is usually a clinical internship rotating through hospital departments.
- Anatomy and physiology
- Kinesiology and biomechanics
- Introduction to physiotherapy
- First aid
- Assessment and measurement in physiotherapy
- Electrotherapy and thermotherapy
- Therapeutic exercise
- Manual therapy and massage
- Orthopaedic rehabilitation
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
- Paediatric physiotherapy
- Clinical internship across hospital units
- Sports physiotherapy
- Orthotics and assistive technology
- Research project
A good fit if you
- like anatomy, sport or helping people recover movement;
- enjoy hands-on work and long contact with patients;
- are ready to use Turkish with patients even on an English-taught track.
Consider another route if you
- want a desk-based or laboratory career;
- expect to practise abroad automatically after graduation;
- dislike physically demanding work on your feet all day.
Entry requirements for international applicants
Private universities set their own minimums, so treat this list as a typical file and confirm details with the university.
- School certificate and transcript. Biology and chemistry marks help. Holders of the 11-year certificate apply directly at many private universities; the Ministry of National Education issues the equivalence certificate (denklik) after admission.
- Exams. SAT, TR-YÖS or national exam scores are optional at many private universities and can raise scholarship chances.
- Language. English tracks require an accepted English score or the university’s exam, otherwise a preparatory year; Turkish tracks require a Turkish certificate or preparatory year.
- Health documents. A health report and vaccination records are often requested before clinical placements.
- Graduate study. Master’s and PhD applicants need a physiotherapy degree; institutes may ask for ALES, an English score and an interview.
The university decides admission and scholarships; the Presidency of Migration Management decides the student residence permit.
How to compare physiotherapy programmes
With so many universities offering the degree, compare clinical quality before price.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| University hospital or partner hospitals | Varied patient groups make the internship worthwhile |
| Clinical hours and supervision | Recognition bodies abroad often compare supervised practice |
| Labs for exercise, electrotherapy and gait analysis | Practical skills are learned in labs before patients |
| Language on the English track | Ask how placements work when patients speak Turkish |
| Graduate programmes | Üsküdar, Okan, Biruni, Atlas, İstinye and Antalya Bilim publish graduate fees; compare the year and fee period in each row |
Several universities publish date-dependent prices: Mudanya charges $6 000 for 2026–27 but $4 800 for early registration by 30 November 2026, and Antalya Bilim’s 2026 list shows reduced prices that depend on the registration date.
Universities offering Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Read the fee period and academic year in each row. Where the university publishes only a listed amount, confirm the billing period in your written offer.


| University | Degree | Language | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uskudar University | Bachelor | Turkish | $4 200/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Okan University | Bachelor | Turkish | $4 500/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Okan University | Bachelor | English | $5 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Biruni University | Bachelor | Turkish | $5 000 listed tuition (2026–27); confirm the billing period in the offer · fee source |
| Biruni University | Bachelor | English | $5 000 listed tuition (2026–27); confirm the billing period in the offer · fee source |
| Ankara Medipol University | Bachelor | Turkish | $5 000 listed tuition (2026–27); confirm the billing period in the offer |
| Yeni Yuzyil University | Bachelor | Turkish | $5 000 listed tuition (2026–27); confirm the billing period in the offer · fee source |
| Atlas University | Bachelor | Turkish | $5 200/yr (2026–27) |
| Atlas University | Bachelor | English | $5 900/yr (2026–27) |
| Istinye University | Bachelor | Turkish | $8 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Istinye University | Bachelor | English | $8 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Antalya Bilim University | Bachelor | Turkish | $8 300/yr (2026 list) · fee source |
| Bahcesehir University | Bachelor | Turkish | $8 500/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Bahcesehir University | Bachelor | English | $8 500/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Medipol University | Bachelor | Turkish | $8 500 listed tuition (2026–27); confirm the billing period in the offer · fee source |
| Medipol University | Bachelor | English | $9 000 listed tuition (2026–27); confirm the billing period in the offer · fee source |
| Bilgi University | Bachelor | Turkish | Before payment, obtain a written quote for the Turkish Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation bachelor’s, including fee period, academic year and VAT. · fee source |
| Gelisim University | Bachelor | Turkish | $3 500 listed whole-programme tuition (2025–26 archive); obtain a quote for your intake · fee source |
| Gelisim University | Bachelor | English | $4 250 listed whole-programme tuition (2025–26 archive); obtain a quote for your intake · fee source |
| Gedik University | Bachelor | Turkish | $5 000/yr (2025–26 list, latest published) · fee source |
| Halic University | Bachelor | Turkish | $4 700/yr (academic year not stated on the official list) · fee page (academic year not stated) |
| Nisantasi University | Bachelor | Turkish | Fee on request · application portal (academic year not stated) |
| Okan University | Master | Turkish | $4 500 whole programme, thesis (2026–27) · fee source · $3 500 non-thesis |
| Uskudar University | Master | Turkish | $4 800 whole programme, thesis (2026–27) · fee source · $4 400 non-thesis |
| Antalya Bilim University | Master | Turkish | $5 400 thesis (2026 list) · fee source |
| Biruni University | Master | Turkish | $6 000 thesis track (2026–27) · fee source |
| Atlas University | Master | Turkish | $7 415 thesis track (2026–27) · fee source |
| Istinye University | Master | Turkish | $8 500 whole programme, thesis (2026–27) · fee source |
| Istinye University | Master | English | $8 500 whole programme, thesis (2026–27) · fee source |
| Bahcesehir University | Master | Turkish | $14 000 whole programme, thesis (2026–27) · fee source · $12 000 non-thesis |
| Gelisim University | Master | Turkish | $4 500 thesis (2025–26 list) · fee source · $3 750 non-thesis |
| Biruni University | PhD | Turkish | $10 000 (2026–27) · fee source |
| Istinye University | PhD | Turkish | $12 500 whole programme, 4-year track (2026–27) · fee source |
| Bahcesehir University | PhD | Turkish | $40 000 / whole programme (2026–27, Turkish Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation PhD) · fee source |
| Halic University | PhD | Turkish | $6 300 / whole programme (academic year not stated on the official list) · fee page (academic year not stated) |
Fee basis: each university’s published list price for new international students. Rows marked 2025–26 retain archived amounts; confirm the fee and billing period for your intake. Mudanya ($6 000 for 2026–27) and Galata (latest list 2024–25) also teach physiotherapy; ask them for a dated quote.
Careers and the right to practise
Physiotherapists work in hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation and neurology centres, sports clubs, elderly-care homes, schools for children with special needs and home-care services, or open their own practice where local law allows. Further study can develop skills in manual therapy, sports or paediatric physiotherapy; permitted clinical responsibilities depend on professional rules.
The diploma and the licence are separate. Foreign graduates who want to work in Turkey need a work permit and the authorisations required for health professionals. Abroad, the national regulator decides: some countries compare curricula and clinical hours and may require an exam, supervised practice or an adaptation period, and recognition of a Turkish qualification is decided by the destination country. Check your target country’s rules before choosing between Turkish and English tracks.
Budgeting for a physiotherapy degree
Plan for four years of tuition plus any preparatory year. Üsküdar lists its Turkish language course (TÖMER, levels A1–B2) at $1 500 for 2026–27, and Gelişim’s 2025–26 list charges $1 750 for a year of Turkish preparatory school; English preparatory fees vary by university. Add clinical uniforms, textbooks, housing, food, transport, health insurance and the residence-permit card. Many universities publish lower prices for payment in advance, and some add university scholarships that only they can award.
Physiotherapy in Turkey: questions applicants ask
Yes. Okan lists $5 000 per year for 2026–27; Atlas lists $5 900, İstinye $8 000 and Bahçeşehir $8 500 per year. Biruni lists $5 000 and Medipol $9 000, with billing periods to confirm in the offer. Compare the language and clinical requirements as well as the fee.
Not at many private universities, which admit on school results; state universities usually require TR-YÖS or another accepted exam.
Only after the destination country’s regulator recognises your qualification, which may involve an exam, extra supervised practice or an adaptation period.
Yes. Okan, Üsküdar, Biruni, Atlas, İstinye, Antalya Bilim and Bahçeşehir publish master’s fees, with the source’s year and billing period shown where available. Several also offer a PhD.
Programme comparison, eligibility checks, document preparation and application follow-up are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The university decides admission and any scholarship.
Planning to study physiotherapy in Turkey?
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. A personal strategy, requirement checks, selection of agreed options, document preparation, applications, and support are provided under an agreement with StudyU.