Turkey is gradually becoming one of the most popular destinations to study medicine abroad. The country is well-known for its highly developed medical treatments and world-class laboratories. It is home to numerous medical universities that offer programs in English. International students prefer to study medicine in Turkey due to the ease of admission and affordable tuition fees. Apart from this, Turkey’s rich culture and heritage also attract many students. There are over 47 medical universities in Turkey. They provide high-standard education by following advanced teaching methods and sophisticated scientific approaches. In this article, we have listed some of the best medical universities in Turkey that offer their education in English.
Overview of best Medical universities in Turkey
| Programs offered | MD, dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine |
| Program level | Undergraduate |
| Duration of MD | 6 to 7 years |
| Annual tuition fees for MD at public universities | 10,000 to 21,000 USD |
| Annual tuition fees for MD at private universities | 16,000 to 26,500 USD |
| Minimum eligibility criteria | High school education |
Best Medical universities in Turkey
Turkish medical universities offer medicine programs as an undergraduate degree called MD. It can last anywhere from 6 to 7 years. Here is a list of some of the best medical universities in Turkey that offer programs in English. In addition to regular MD programs, these universities also offer dual or joint MD programs and allied health care programs like dentistry, nursing, veterinary medicine, etc.
| University | EduRank National Ranking (2022, Medicine) | Annual tuition fees for MD (USD) |
| Hacettepe University | 1 | 9,962 (185,690 TL) |
| Ankara University | 3 | – |
| Koç University | 20 | 26,500 |
| Istanbul Okan University | 72 | 23,500 |
| Altinbas University | 80 | 25,000 |
| Istanbul Aydin University | 85 | 19,500 |
| Halic University | 89 | 16,000 |
| Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) | NA | 21,198 |
Hacettepe University
The Hacettepe University is a public institution located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. It was established in the year 1967. The institution comprises 14 faculties. The Faculty of Medicine at the university offers two programs: regular MD and a dual degree MD/Ph.D. program. The first three years of the program are dedicated to core medical teaching whereas the fourth and fifth years are for clinical rounds and advanced medical teaching. The final year of regular MD is reserved for hospital internship. The MD/Ph.D. program takes two more years to finish (a total of 8 years) or longer, depending on the research area.
| Program | Duration | Annual tuition fee
(USD) |
| MD | 6 years | 9,962 (185,690 TL) |
| Dual MD/Ph.D. | 8 years | – |
Istanbul Aydin University
The Istanbul Aydin University (IAU) is a private university established in 2007. IAU is the home to 39,000 students, out of which 3,500 are international students. The university offers bachelor, associate, postgraduate and doctoral programs. The most prominent areas of study are medicine and dentistry.
| Program | Duration | Annual tuition fee
(USD) |
| Medicine | 6 years | 19,500 |
| Dentistry | 5 years | 17,500 |
Koç University
It is a non-profit private institution founded in 1993 and located in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Currently, there are over 7000 students studying at the university.
| Program | Duration | Annual tuition fee
(USD) |
| Medicine | 6 years | 26,500 |
| BSc Nursing | 4 years | 19,500 |
Ankara University
It is the first higher education institution founded in Turkey after the formation of the republic in 1923. The university has a large enrollment of 70,000 students.
| Program | Duration |
| Medicine | 6 years |
| Dentistry | 5 years |
| Veterinary | 5 years |
Eastern Mediterranean University
EMU or Eastern Mediterranean University is a public university established in 1979. It is located in Northern Cyprus, Turkey. The University has a multicultural environment with 17,500 students from 110 countries and 1,100 faculty members from 35 countries. EMU offers bachelor, associate, postgraduate and doctoral programs mainly in English. All of these courses are fully recognized by the Council of Higher Education in Turkey. For a joint program of 6 years duration with Marmara University, students have to complete the first three years at EMU. The last three years take place at UTEAK (National Medicine Education Accreditation Board) accredited Marmara University Medicine Faculty. The MD program in conjunction with IUMS is 7 years long, where the pre-clinical phase (1-3 years) is conducted by EMU and the clinical phases (4–7 years, including summer school terms) are conducted by IUMS in Tehran, Iran.
| Program | Duration | Annual tuition fee
(USD) |
| Medicine (Joint Program with Marmara University, Turkey) | 6 years | 21,198 |
| Medicine (Joint Program with Iran University of Medical Sciences, IUMS) | 7 years | 21,198 |
| Dental Medicine (Joint Program with IUMS, Iran) | 5 years | 18,250 |
Admission requirements for MD
A high school diploma (10+2) is the minimum requirement for entrance to Turkish medical schools. The university from which students receive their diplomas should be accredited. In addition, students must pass either the SAT, ACT, or TQDK entrance exams to be eligible to apply. The test score must be no more than two years old from the date of the examination. Students must also submit their English proficiency results. Here are some general admission requirements for an MD
- Photocopies of high school diploma (biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics as compulsory subjects)
- Transcripts
- Passport-sized photographs
- Photocopy of the passport or birth certificate
- Proof of English Proficiency if any
- SAT (Reasoning Test), ACT, YOS, or TQDK (whichever is applicable)
Overall, Turkey is a great option for students wanting to pursue a medical degree abroad. Students can choose either between public or private universities to study medicine in Turkey. They all offer high-quality education at an affordable fee. They also provide assistance to international students for a hassle-free learning experience. Gyanberry is an authorized representative for a few of the best medical universities in Turkey. We offer free admission counseling and visa advice to all interested candidates. Contact us to know more.
