Studying in Turkey Without Exams 2025

Studying in Turkey without an entrance exam can be considered the easiest and most reliable way to pursue education in this country. Applicants who wish to study abroad always want to explore all available paths for higher education. However, the idea of gaining university admission without any exam and merely with a high school diploma might seem unlikely. For instance, students who have studied natural sciences and dream of pursuing medicine or dentistry have always found entrance exams to be a significant challenge. There are two main routes for applicants aiming to study in Turkey: one is taking the YOS exam (Foreign Student Admission Exam), and the other is entering universities without an exam. To learn more about admission without an entrance exam in Turkish universities, stay with us until the end of this article.

Why is Studying in Turkey Without an Exam the Best Choice?

Turkish universities are divided into two categories: public and private. In most cases, the conditions for studying in private universities are simpler compared to public universities. However, there is no difference in educational quality or the value of the degrees awarded by these two types of universities. Public universities generally have much lower tuition fees compared to private ones. The low tuition fees in public universities have led to an increase in applications from both local and international students. This trend has made the Turkish educational system place two main entrance exams—SAT and YOS—as the primary admission requirements for these universities. International students aiming to study in Turkey will be allowed to attend classes only after achieving the minimum required scores. Most registrations for studying in Turkey without an entrance exam are directed toward private universities. Another advantage of choosing this route is cost savings. To succeed in the aforementioned exams, strengthening test-taking skills and mastering the subjects is crucial. It should be noted that preparing for these exams can be costly. Many students end up spending between 30 to 40 million Toman to succeed in the YOS exam. Additionally, mastering English and Turkish is necessary for success in the SAT and YOS exams. However, for admission and studying in Turkey without an entrance exam, proficiency in these two languages is not mandatory. Students are allowed to improve their language skills by enrolling in 6-month language courses after their admission.

Studying Abroad in Turkey: Benefits of Studying Without an Entrance Exam

Turkish universities admit students through entrance exams such as YOS, SAT, or ACT. In the YOS exam, students are required to answer 80 to 100 questions on topics like logic, mathematics, and geometry. The passing score varies depending on the university and the program. Additionally, the YOS exam questions are presented in either Turkish or English, so proficiency in one of these two languages is essential. Studying in Turkey without an entrance exam offers several benefits for prospective international students. Here are some of the advantages:

1. Cultural Similarity with Iran: The cultural similarities between Turkey and Iran are significant, which is a major advantage. Students find it easier to communicate and adapt to the culture of Turkey, making the transition smoother.
2. Affordable Tuition Fees: Tuition fees in Turkey are reasonable, making it an attractive option for many students. In terms of tuition costs, Turkey is considered one of the most affordable countries, and it offers scholarships to many applicants.
3. Wide Range of Academic Programs: Turkish universities offer a diverse selection of programs, allowing students to choose from a wide array of fields at various academic levels.
4. High Quality of Education: Another important benefit is the high standard of education, ensuring that students receive up-to-date and valuable knowledge in their chosen field of study.
5. Internationally Recognized Degrees: Graduates from Turkish universities receive degrees that are globally recognized, which can be useful for career opportunities in European countries.
6. Scholarship Opportunities: The availability of scholarships is another factor that has contributed to the popularity of studying in Turkey.

Required Documents for Admission to Turkish Universities Without an Entrance Exam

To gain admission to Turkish universities without taking an entrance exam, it is recommended to go through local organizations or departments specializing in this area. One of the significant advantages of studying in Turkey without an entrance exam is that there are no age restrictions. While Turkish public universities generally accept students between the ages of 18 and 23 for bachelor’s, medical, dental, and other paramedical programs, private universities in Turkey do not have this age limit. The key documents required for admission to Turkish universities include:

• Passport
• Translated and original high school diploma and transcript
• Translated and original pre-university certificate and transcript
• Passport-sized photo (3×4)

Studying in Turkey Without an Entrance Exam: Available Programs

In Iran, it is not possible to apply for programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and paramedical fields without an entrance exam. Many applicants believe that there is no way to pursue studies in these fields without taking an entrance exam. However, this assumption is incorrect. You can easily study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other programs at well-regarded private universities in Turkey without taking an entrance exam. The following programs in Turkish universities are available without an entrance exam for international students:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Paramedical programs such as Nursing, Midwifery, Optometry, Audiology, and Physiotherapy
• Medical Engineering
• Architecture and Interior Design
• Urban Planning Engineering
• Music
• Physical Education
• Civil Engineering
• Cinema and Performing Arts
• Mechanical Engineering
• Law
• Genetics
• Aviation
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Business Administration

Admission to Medicine and Dentistry Programs in Turkey Without an Entrance Exam

If you are interested in pursuing a degree in dentistry or medicine but are unable to enter a university through Iran’s entrance exam, don’t worry. Studying in Turkey without an entrance exam at both private and public universities offers you this opportunity. However, there are a few restrictions when it comes to admission to public universities without an entrance exam. First, only three public universities in Turkey accept foreign students for medicine and dentistry programs without an entrance exam. Furthermore, these universities impose age restrictions, admitting only students between the ages of 18 and 23. These restrictions indicate that for better chances of acceptance into medicine and dentistry programs without an entrance exam, it is advisable to prioritize private universities in Turkey. The registration fees for these universities are higher compared to public universities, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 annually. Additionally, these private universities offer courses in English, so learning Turkish is not a requirement.

Studying in Turkey Without an Entrance Exam: List of Universities Offering Admission Without an Exam

Initially, you might think that universities offering admission without an entrance exam in Turkey are low-quality or specific institutions, but that is not the case. You can apply to both public and private universities in Turkey through special methods for admission without an entrance exam. Here is a list of some of the most well-known universities in Turkey that offer admission without an exam:

• Sabancı University
• Çukurova University
• Hacettepe University
• Gazi University
• Middle East Technical University (METU)
• Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
• Koç University
• Ege University
• Boğaziçi University
• Yıldız Technical University
• Ankara University
• Akdeniz University
• Çankaya University
• Istanbul Bilgi University
• Bahçeşehir University
• Sakarya University
• Istanbul Aydın University
• Selçuk University
• İzmir Institute of Technology
• Yeditepe University

Admission Fees for Studying in Turkey Without an Exam

It is difficult to provide exact tuition fees for admission without an entrance exam in Turkey, as each university offers a wide range of programs, each with varying costs. Additionally, whether the program is offered in English or Turkish will also affect the tuition fees. Below are the average tuition fees for the 2024 academic year at both public and private universities in Turkey:

• Private Universities: The annual tuition fees for undergraduate programs range from 80,000 to 400,000 Turkish Lira, and for associate degree programs, they range from 20,000 to 35,000 Turkish Lira. Tuition fees for medical, dental, and pharmacy programs range from 150,000 to 400,000 Turkish Lira, while engineering programs have fees ranging from 60,000 to 120,000 Turkish Lira. The tuition fees for law programs at reputable private universities are between 15,000 and 50,000 Turkish Lira annually.
• Public Universities: Public universities in Turkey offer high-quality education at significantly lower fees compared to private universities. However, tuition fees for high-demand programs like medicine and engineering at top-tier public universities can be similar to those of private universities due to their prestigious rankings both domestically and internationally. Below is an overview of average tuition fees:

  Type of University	Medicine Programs	Paramedical Programs	Engineering Programs	Law Programs	Average Tuition Fee
  Public Universities	165,000 TRY	42,000 TRY	43,000 TRY	18,000 TRY	11,900 TRY
  Private Universities	20,000 USD	3,800 USD	8,500 USD	6,000 USD	8,000 USD

How to Obtain Scholarships for Admission Without an Exam in Turkey

Applicants seeking to study in Turkey without an entrance exam have the opportunity to benefit from various scholarships. One of the main advantages of receiving a scholarship in Turkey is that it covers tuition fees, accommodation costs, health insurance, and the expenses for a language preparatory course. Additionally, other scholarships are available to cover other academic expenses for applicants. If you want to receive scholarships for studying in programs without an exam, it is essential to submit your documents along with a suitable academic resume within the given time frame.

Conclusion

As discussed, the option of studying in Turkey without an entrance exam is becoming more common in reputable universities. Therefore, the demand for medical programs without an entrance exam in Turkey will likely increase in the coming years. As previously mentioned, the admission conditions for universities offering admission without an exam are not particularly difficult, so prospective students who are looking to study in Turkey can focus on improving their language skills rather than spending time on entrance exams. If you are interested in applying to universities in Turkey based on your high school GPA, do not miss the opportunity. Contact our consultants at Elm Vira now. They will guide you in selecting the right program and university based on your conditions and preferences. Additionally, you can get more information regarding admission without an exam at Turkish universities and receive free consultation from our experts at Elm Vira.