Studying in Türkiye: the rules, not the rumours

Two answers circulate about the YÖS exam and both are wrong. It is neither universally required nor never required. The accurate position is published in a document of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

Applicants holding a foreign high-school diploma

Each university issues its own admission regulation, adopted by its senate and submitted for approval to the Higher Education Executive Board. That regulation decides which instruments are accepted and the minimum scores. The instruments listed include national exams of the applicant's country, international exams (SAT, Abitur, IB), the high-school average itself, a university-run exam, and TR-YÖS, which ÖSYM administers twice a year.

One distinction matters: since 2024-2025, state universities may no longer run their own YÖS exam, while foundation (private) universities still may, or may admit on other instruments. This is why many private universities in Istanbul admit on the high-school average with an interview.

Graduates of Turkish high schools

And the international-admission rules exclude two groups: Turkish citizens who completed secondary education in Türkiye or the TRNC, and foreign nationals who enrolled in a Turkish secondary school from the 2022-2023 academic year onwards. Those who enrolled before that year remain within the international-admission route.

For a parent, this is a decision to make when choosing a school in grade nine — not when the child graduates.

Recognition: a distinction that costs students

So the question to ask before enrolling is not "is this university recognised in Türkiye" — every licensed Turkish university is — but "is this specific university on my country's list?" We verify that before any fee is paid.

Türkiye Scholarships

The programme also covers tuition in full, accommodation, general health insurance, one year of Turkish language training, and flights on arrival and after graduation. Eligibility: 70% average for undergraduate study (under 21), 75% for postgraduate (under 30 for a master's, under 35 for a PhD), and 90% for health sciences. The general application window published in the official calendar runs 10 January to 20 February — confirm the dates each year.

Student residence and the right to work

A student enrolled at a Turkish higher-education institution must hold a student residence permit, tied to the length of study, with the enrolment certificate as the linking document. A student may apply for general health insurance within three months of enrolment.