The Most Important International Exams for Studying in Private Universities in Turkey

Studying in Turkey has gained great popularity among international students from around the world. It is considered a global educational destination that rivals the quality of education in the best European universities. Among Turkish universities, private universities provide an opportunity for foreign students who wish to obtain higher education and pursue the best academic programs that qualify them for global employment opportunities after graduation.

However, admission to Turkish universities requires students to pass several international exams, which are one of the admission requirements. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss everything related to studying in Turkey, its top private universities, and the most important international exams necessary for studying in Turkey. Stay with us.

The Education System in Turkish Universities

Turkey has become a member of the Bologna Process, an international governmental cooperation among 48 European countries in the field of higher education to improve and develop higher education. This cooperation allows students to continue their education in European Union countries. The education system in Turkey is based on the following academic degrees, which require passing several international exams that we will present to you in this article:

• Bachelor’s degree for a duration of 4 years.
• Master’s degree for a duration of 2 years.
• Doctoral studies for a duration of 3-5 years.

Studying in Private Universities in Turkey

Studying in private universities in Turkey requires passing several international exams that ensure students’ qualification for studying in Turkey and admission to these prestigious universities. Turkey has a total of 209 universities, including 65 private universities. Studying in these private universities has several advantages over public universities. Private universities in Turkey are known for providing high-quality education through the best faculty members and academics. These universities offer diverse study programs and advanced infrastructure, including all necessary facilities for students such as classrooms, laboratories, research centers, and recreational facilities. All of these factors make studying in private universities a dream for both local and international students.

Important private universities in Turkey:

1. Başkent University
2. Römieli University
3. Bilken University
4. Esenyurt University
5. Doğuş University
6. Altınbaş University
7. Özyeğin University
8. Yeni Yüzyıl University
9. Istanbul Okan University
10. Istanbul Topkapı University

Advantages of studying at private universities in Turkey:

• Private universities in Turkey possess advanced infrastructure equipped with the latest modern facilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality education. This is achieved through modern classrooms, research laboratories, advanced libraries that assist students in research and studying, as well as recreational facilities such as cafeterias, restaurants, and theaters.
• Studying medicine at private universities in Turkey provides excellent study opportunities for international students. These universities offer their students the opportunity to train in hospitals and medical centers located within their campuses, allowing students to combine academic excellence with clinical training. This ensures the graduation of competent doctors who can practice their profession in leading international hospitals.
• Turkish private universities offer a wide range of academic programs in fields such as medicine, engineering, sciences, arts, and humanities. This diversity makes Turkish and international students prefer studying at private universities over others.
• Student life is one of the most important factors that attract students to private universities in Turkey. Students live a rich life inside and outside the campus. Within the campus, there are numerous student clubs and cultural activities that students can join. They can also visit many tourist attractions, museums, and explore various cities in Turkey during holidays, enriching their experience while studying.
• Student accommodation is a key feature of studying at private universities in Turkey. These universities prioritize providing various types of accommodation for students, including on-campus dormitories or private residences contracted by the universities, in order to ensure a safe study period for their students.
• Turkish universities accept several international admission tests, such as the IELTS or TOEFL for English language proficiency. This diversity allows students to take tests that suit their abilities.

International exams and language certificates required for studying in Turkey

International exams and language certificates required for studying in Turkey
Admission to private universities in Turkey requires passing some international exams that measure students’ abilities and academic knowledge. There are also exams that assess their proficiency in the Turkish and English languages. However, as a general rule, the higher the high school grades, the greater the chance of admission to Turkish universities.
In addition to that, most Turkish higher education institutions accept international tests such as SAT, GRE, GMAT, which are taken in the English language. Some institutions also require international exams like YÖS (Turkish Proficiency Exam for Foreign Students) for undergraduate students and ALES for master’s or doctoral studies.

Language skills are also essential for studying in Turkey. Besides studying in Turkish, there are many programs taught in English. Therefore, students are required to pass international language exams such as obtaining a TOEFL certificate in English and a TÖMER certificate in Turkish. In both cases, students are required to achieve a B2 level.

1. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test):

The SAT is one of the international exams required for university admission at private universities in Turkey. The SAT aims to measure students’ academic abilities, as well as their language and mathematical skills. It is an important indicator of their analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The test consists of two main sections: the Mathematics section and the Reading and Writing section. The Mathematics section includes questions that require knowledge and understanding of basic mathematical concepts such as algebra, geometry, and statistics. The Reading and Writing section includes questions that assess the ability to read and understand written texts in English, as well as writing and expression skills.

After completing the SAT test, the results are submitted to the private universities that the student wishes to enroll in. These universities use these results as part of the selection process for accepted students. Usually, there is a minimum required score for admission to the university that the student must achieve to be eligible for enrollment.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The TOEFL test aims to measure students’ ability to read, write, listen, and speak in English. It is one of the internationally recognized tests required for studying in Turkey. The test consists of two main sections: the Reading and Listening section, and the Writing and Speaking section.

1. The Reading section evaluates students’ ability to read and comprehend academic texts in English. It includes multiple-choice questions and essay questions that require understanding of vocabulary, grammatical structures, and academic details.
2. The Listening section aims to assess students’ ability to comprehend conversations and academic lectures in English. It includes multiple-choice questions that require understanding of details, main ideas, and relationships between presented ideas.
3. The Writing section asks students to write a short academic essay on a specific topic, and it assesses their ability to organize and express ideas clearly and logically using correct vocabulary and grammatical structures.
4. The Speaking section requires students to have a conversation with an English-speaking interviewer. It evaluates their ability to express ideas and respond to questions in a logical and clear manner using correct vocabulary and grammatical structures.

The TOEFL test is administered in several international test centers in Turkey, and specific dates are scheduled for the test. Students’ performance is evaluated in each section separately, and a score is assigned to each section based on their performance. TOEFL scores range from 0 to 120, and individual scores are usually converted into percentages. Typically, achieving a certain score is required for university admission, although this requirement may vary from one university to another.

3. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

The GRE test is one of the most important internationally recognized tests required to assess the general academic abilities of international students who wish to enroll in private universities in Turkey. The test aims to measure skills in various areas such as mathematics, English language, and analytical writing.

This test is designed to measure the academic abilities of students who want to pursue graduate studies at Turkish universities. Many graduate schools and Turkish universities use GRE test scores as part of their admission criteria for academic programs.

Conditions for registration in private universities in Türkiye

• Payment of the university application fee.
• Proficiency certificate in the language.
  • In the case of studying in English, passing the TOEFL or IELTS language test with a score determined by the university is required.
  • In the case of studying in Turkish, passing the TOMER Turkish language test or attending a preparatory year is required.

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Required Documents:

To register at private universities in Türkiye, there are several documents required, and the student must submit these files and documents before sending the university application. It is sufficient to send them in PDF or JPG format during the initial registration stage for the student to obtain provisional acceptance at the university. These documents may vary depending on the undergraduate or graduate level, but there are some documents that are common to both stages. The following are the necessary documents for application:

For undergraduate and institute students:

• Valid passport.
• Recent passport-sized photo (white background).
• Copy of high school diploma.
•  Student’s email address.

For graduate students:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate for graduate students.
• Translated copy of the transcript in English or Turkish.
• Receipt of payment for the application fee.
• Recommendation letters (Master’s, Ph.D.).

In conclusion, if you have made up your mind about studying in Turkey, we hope that we have provided you with helpful information to assist you in your educational journey. We have also discussed the important private universities in Turkey that offer prestigious study opportunities to their students, in addition to discussing the required international tests for your university admission. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us, and the Sefa team will assist you in facilitating the university enrollment process and provide recommendations to support you throughout your educational journey in Turkey.