The admission process for medicine programs like MD/MBBS, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing at Turkish universities is quite elaborate. The application cycle usually starts in March and continues until September for fall intake, which is most common for undergraduate programs. Spring intake is mostly reserved for graduate entry programs.
The first step in the admissions process is to select the right university and program for you. Online applications are accepted by Turkish medical universities. During the application process, students must submit relevant documentation. If you are chosen, you may be required to take an examination. Because private universities accept internationally recognized tests, this stage is often skipped. After acceptance, the final step is to apply for a student visa. Let us look at how to apply for medical admission in Turkey in depth in this article.
Application process of Medical universities in Turkey: Overview
| Number of intakes | Two (Fall and Spring intakes) |
| Application portal | University website or Gyanberry application services |
| Medical programs offered in English | Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing |
| Eligibility | High school education (10+2) |
Acceptance rate of popular Medical universities in Turkey
| Istanbul Aydin University | 85% |
| Hacettepe University | 95% |
| Istanbul Univesity | 57% |
| Eastern Mediterranean University | 40-50% |
| Ankara University | 43% |
| Halic University | 92% |
| Istanbul Aydin University | 85% |
| Istanbul Okan University | 81% |
| Altinbas University | 32% |
| Marmara University | 22% |
Disclaimer: Acceptance rate data is collected from third-party sources such as Edurank. Actual data is not reported by the universities and may vary.
Medical programs offered in Turkey
Turkey offers high-quality medical education that is acceptable on a global scale. As a result, thousands of international students enroll each year. In Turkey, there are numerous universities that offer medicine and related programs such as dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing.
| Program Name | Duration |
| Medicine (MD/MBBS) | 6 years |
| Dentistry | 5 years |
| Pharmacy | 5 years |
| Nursing | 4 years |
Eligibility criteria
Before beginning the application procedure for medical programs in Turkey, students should confirm their eligibility. The minimal eligibility criterion for programs such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy is a high school diploma, or the completion of 10+2 schooling. The minimum high school score required for candidates varies based on the country and program type. The score criterion for medicine and dental courses is usually high, like above 70%, while for other courses, 50–60% is the minimum requirement. Students who score higher than the minimum requirement have a better chance of being chosen.
| Minimum entry requirement | High school diploma |
| English Proficiency test | TOFEL |
| Where to apply? | University online portal/ Gyanberry application services |
International students must also provide proof of their English skills. TOFEL (65-75) is the most widely approved standardized test in Turkey for admission to English-taught programs. In a few cases where an applicant fails to provide English test scores, Turkish universities provide an English admissions exam.
Admission procedure for the Medical program in Turkey
The application process for medical admission in Turkey starts with filling out an online application. There is no centralized admission process for Turkey; hence, students have to apply directly via the university website. The entire application process for medical admission in Turkey can be broken down into the following steps:
- Fill out the application form
- Upload necessary documents
- Submit application and pay the application fee
- If selected, appear for the entrance test (public universities only)
- Obtain an acceptance letter upon passing
- Pay tuition fees and secure your position
- Apply for an education or student visa
Private universities accept scores from internationally recognized tests like the SAT, ACT, IB, Abitur, etc. Hence, the application process for private medical universities is much simpler than that for public universities.
Documents required for application
- Diploma from a high school (a copy translated to Turkish or English)
- Transcripts from high school (a copy translated to Turkish or English)
- Valid passport
- English proficiency test scores
- Motivational letter
- Recommendation letters if any
- Turkish language certificate (few public universities)
How to get a student visa for Turkey?
Students who receive an acceptance letter from a Turkish medical university must immediately apply for their Turkish student visa. They can contact their nearest Turkish Republic Consulate. The visa process takes time, so students should apply as soon as they receive the letter from the university. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey has also introduced e-visa application services where students from a few countries can apply for a student visa via the internet. Depending on the country, the visa application fees can range from 15 to 60 USD. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa through Gyanberry.
Documents required
- Passport-size photos
- Original passport
- A photocopy of the required passport pages
- Declaration form by the student
- University acceptance letter
- A bank account statement
Turkey is quite known for its high standard of medical education and offers programs in English for overseas students. You can study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing at various state-funded and private universities in Turkey. The application process starts with filling out the application online, followed by the submission of relevant documents. Public universities call the selected candidates for a written examination called YOS; however, private universities accept internationally recognized tests like the SAT, ACT, IB, etc. Selected candidates are then given an acceptance letter. The final step in the application process is to pay their tuition fees and apply for a visa to Turkey.
International students might find it challenging to choose an institution and successfully complete the application procedure. Thus, to make the process convenient, Gyanberry offers comprehensive counseling and admission services (both free and paid) to medical universities in Turkey. Get in touch with us to learn more.
