One of the most common questions from applicants considering Turkish universities is "What exactly do I need to take?" The answer depends on several factors — the status of the university (private or state), the level of the programme (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) and the language of instruction. Let us look at each case separately.
The main difference between Turkey and most European countries or the United States: at private universities there are no subject entrance exams at all. You only need a language test. State universities are a different story.
Language exams: which are accepted and which are not
A language exam is mandatory for everyone — regardless of the type of university, the level of the programme or the language of instruction. An important nuance: not having it at the document submission stage does not prevent admission, but you will not be able to start studies on the main programme without confirming your language level.
TOEFL iBT — the main standard for English programmes
Most Turkish universities accept TOEFL iBT as proof of English proficiency. The minimum score for most programmes is 80 iBT, which corresponds to B2 level. A number of universities with higher requirements set the threshold at 90 or more.
Why IELTS is not accepted in Turkey
This is important to know in advance. IELTS is not accepted at Turkish universities — despite the fact that this exam is recognised everywhere in the world. That is the established practice in Turkish higher education: the standard for confirming English remains TOEFL. Do not waste time sitting IELTS if you are planning to apply to Turkey.
Apart from TOEFL, some universities accept other international exams: CPE, CAE, FCE (Cambridge English), PTE Academic, YÖKDİL, YDS, E-YDS. The specific list depends on the university — check the official website.
The university's internal language exam
An alternative to an international certificate is an internal test designed by the university itself. It is free and is usually held a few weeks before studies start. If you do not have a TOEFL, this is a perfectly workable option.
There is one nuance, though: if the internal test shows an insufficient language level, the student is required to complete a preparatory language year at the university. The duration is from 6 months to 2 years depending on the starting level. So if you are in doubt, it is better to take the TOEFL in advance and know where you stand.
The TÖMER exam — for Turkish-language programmes
If you are planning to study in Turkish, you will need a TÖMER certificate. The exam can be taken in Turkey itself or at overseas branches. For a bachelor's degree B1–B2 level is required, and for some specialties higher. If you do not have a certificate, most universities offer a Turkish course directly at the university.
The YÖS and TR-YÖS exams: who needs to take them?
YÖS (Yabancı Öğrenci Sınavı) is an entrance test for international applicants aiming at state universities. Historically each state university ran its own YÖS — on different dates, with different formats and passing scores. This created confusion.
Since 2022 the system has changed: the scattered university YÖS exams have been replaced by the centralised TR-YÖS — a single state exam organised by ÖSYM (the state assessment and selection centre). Most state universities have switched to it.
What TR-YÖS is and how it replaced the old format
TR-YÖS is a test that examines logical thinking and mathematics. In format it is similar to the old university YÖS exams, but now it is centralised: one exam instead of many different ones. The result is accepted by most state universities in the country.
Key features:
- Registration — through the official ÖSYM website
- The exam is held on fixed dates (published at the start of the year on osym.gov.tr)
- Registration closes several weeks before the test date
- The result is accepted by state universities as an alternative or a supplement to the SAT
Important: private universities do not need TR-YÖS. Private (foundation) universities require neither YÖS nor TR-YÖS. Here it is enough to have a school certificate with a decent GPA and a language confirmation. This is one of the main reasons why most international students choose Turkish private universities.
Standardised tests: SAT, ACT and their role
SAT and ACT are not mandatory at Turkish universities — with rare exceptions. However, high SAT scores may increase the size of an academic discount: a number of universities take the results into account when awarding grants and scholarships.
At state universities the SAT is sometimes accepted as an alternative to TR-YÖS — check with the specific university.
Indicative minimum SAT values considered acceptable: an overall score of around 1,000 out of 1,600, with math from 600 out of 800. But this is a range, not a strict threshold — each university sets its own requirements.
Exams for master's and doctoral programmes
Requirements for master's and doctoral admission are fundamentally different:
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination) — general or subject. Accepted on most programmes.
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) — for MBA programmes and business specialisations.
- ALES — the Turkish state equivalent of GRE, accepted at all state universities for master's and doctoral programmes.
The exact set depends on the programme: check the admission documents on the university's website. A language exam (TOEFL) is mandatory for master's programmes too.
In summary: what to take and who
- Private university (bachelor's): language exam — TOEFL iBT 80+ or an internal test; entrance test — not required
- State university (bachelor's): language exam — TOEFL iBT or an internal test; entrance test — TR-YÖS or SAT
- Any university (master's): language exam — TOEFL iBT; entrance test — GRE / GMAT / ALES
- Turkish-language programme (any university): language exam — TÖMER B1–B2+; entrance test — as required by the university
If you still have questions about specific requirements, see the frequently asked questions about studying in Turkey section. It contains answers to the most common situations faced by international applicants. Take a look at the universities of Turkey as well — some of them offer an internal test instead of TOEFL, which greatly simplifies admission. Learn more about the Edu Turkish company and our experience of accompanying students.
