A- Basic Criteria:
The following guidelines have been approved:
1) In accordance with Article 14/f of Law No 6287 published in the Official Gazette No 28261 on 11.04.2012, universities willing to accept students from abroad can do so with the approval of the Higher Education Council.
2) a) The Higher Education Council calculates the number of available spaces for international students based on the reccommendations of the institutions where these students will be studying.
b) The number of spots allotted for international students is not to exceed 35% of the available spaces in public universities and 50% of those in private universities as specified by the SSPT (Students Selection and Placement Test), the relevant higher education program, and the recommendation of the university. The SSPT will determine the number of spaces that will be reserved for international students during the relevant academic year for programs enrolling students for the first time. Spaces allotted for international students will not be limited for those who are placed for the first time according to the SSPT additional placement criteria.
c) Information regarding the number of available spaces for programs, the medium of instruction and the preparatory program is posted on the website of the Higher Education Council.
d) Considerations such as medical certificates and educational fees for higher education programs are determined by the universities. For daytime classes, night school, distance education and open learning programs for associate and bachelor’s degree programs of universities affiliated with METEB and open to international students, such as vocational technical high schools, there is no specified space limitation.
3) For international students who have gained acceptance into a higher education program, their high school equivalence exams (such as Abitur, International Baccalaureate, GCE, Tawjihi) recommended and approved by the Higher Education Council are valid indefinitely; university entrance examinations (such as the SAT, etc.) are valid for 2 years.
4) The minimum and maximum amount of annual tuition fees to be paid by international students at public universities is designated by the Ministerial Cabinet without exception.
5) Tuition fees to be paid by international students accepted into foundation universities are determined by the Higher Education Commission.
6) If a particular program does not receive any applications from international students or there remains vacant places, upon the request of the university, these places may be tranferred to other programs with the approval of the relevant department heads, on the condition that the maximum number of spaces allotted for international students is not exceeded as stipulated in Article 2/b, except for Law, Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceuticals programs; tranfers made within/into these programs must be approved by the Higher Education Council.
B- Applicants:
a) On condition that they are in their final year of high school or about to graduate;
Applications from the following are accepted:
1) Foreign nationals;
2) Those who are denaturalized from Turkish citizenship with the approval of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and their under age children, who are registered on the official documents of denaturalization from Turkish Citizenship, certifying that they have a Document on Practicing Recognized Rights pursuant to Turkish Citizenship Law No 5901, Article 7(1), stipulating “a child who was born to a Turkish father or mother within marriage in Turkey or abroad is a Turkish citizen.” These applicants who apply to Turkish universities are advised to analyze the Turkish Citizenship Law;
3) Foreign nationals who obtain Turkish citizenship and dual citizens;
4) Turkish Citizens who have completed their secondary education in foreign countries, not including NCTR (including those who have completed middle school in Turkish schools abroad, not including NCTR);
5) Those who have NCTR citizenship and who reside and completed middle school there, and who have satisfied the minimum score requirements on the GCE AL examination; and those who completed their secondary education abroad between the years 2005-2010 and who have satisfied the minimum score requirements on the GCE AL examination, or who as yet plan to sit the exam at a future date.
b) Applications from the following are not accepted:
1) Turkish citizens who have completed their entire education in Turkey or NCTR;
2) NCTR citizens (except those who completed middle school in NCTR, and who have satisfied the minimum score requirements on the GCE AL examination); and those who completed their secondary education abroad between the years 2005-2010 and who have satisfied the minimum score requirements on the GCE AL examination, or who as yet plan to sit the exam at a future date.
3) Pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article a, applicants who have dual citizenship at birth, one of which is Turkish Republic citizenship (not including those who complete middle school abroad except in NCTR or those who complete middle school in Turkish Schools abroad except in NCTR);
4) Applicants with dual citizenship, one of which is NCTR citizenship (not including those who completed middle school in NCTR, and who have satisfied the minimum score requirements on the GCE AL examination); and those who completed their secondary education abroad between the years 2005-2010 and who have satisfied the minimum score requirements on the GCE AL examination, or who as yet plan to sit the exam at a future date.
5) Turkish citizens studying at schools in foreign embassies in Turkey; and those studying at foreign schools in Turkey; or those whose nationality of birth is Turkish pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article a.
C- University acceptance criteria relevant factors:
1) Regulating directives or regulations approved by university senates on accepting students from abroad such as minimum scores of nationwide examinations, international examinations, middle school average grades, examinations conducted by universities, and applying for Higher Education Council approval;
2) Providing financial assistance for international students to ensure the continuation of their higher education in our country;
3) International students must obtain a student visa to do their higher education studies in Turkey, for which it is necessary for universities to send an “acceptance letter” or equivalent to students they have accepted. For students who apply between semesters and who meet application requirements, a “pre-acceptance letter” or equivalent document will be sent on the condition that no more than 1/3 of the spaces allotted for international students for the following year have already been occupied.
4) Preparing orientation materials that promote Turkish universities to encourage international students to choose our country for higher education; encouraging universities to take part in educational fairs abroad; and establishing an International Students Office within universities to assist applicants and registered students.
5) Establishing an application calendar for international students within the academic calendar and informing the Directorate of the Higher Education Council of the number of registered international students.
6) Evaluating international students’ level of Turkish proficiency through criteria and required documents determined by the university.
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