Can foreign citizens and Blue Card holders receive education at universities in Turkey?

Foreign citizens and Blue Card holders can indeed pursue education at universities in Turkey. Prospective students who wish to pursue higher education can gain admission through either international student quotas or the central exams conducted by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM).

Higher Education Opportunities in Turkey for Foreign Citizens:

Foreign citizens and Blue Card holders can enroll in Turkish higher education institutions through two methods:

Through international/foreign student quotas and their respective requirements.

By taking the central exams prepared by the Turkish Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) known as ÖSYS (YGS+LYS).

Turkish Citizens/Dual Citizens:

a) Turkish citizens who have completed their secondary education abroad (entire high school) can be placed in Turkish higher education institutions through international/foreign student quotas.

b) These students also have the option to apply for admission through the YGS-LYS exams if they choose to do so.

Blue Card Holders:

a) Blue Card holders can enroll in Turkish higher education institutions through international/foreign student quotas. There is no requirement for Blue Card holders to have completed their secondary education abroad. Blue Card holders who have completed a part or all of their secondary education in Turkey can also qualify for international/foreign student status.

b) These students can also choose to apply for admission through the YGS-LYS exams if they prefer.

Application and Quotas for International/Foreign Students:

a) There is no centralized exam or placement system for international/foreign students applying for quotas.

b) Each university sets its own admission criteria and announces them after approval by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

c) Application periods and requirements should be followed on the respective websites of each university. Some universities may conduct their own exams at designated centers abroad on specified dates.

d) Typically, university exam applications take place between January and April.

e) These students are subject to the same application criteria as other foreign nationals to benefit from international/foreign student quotas.

f) General application requirements and criteria may vary annually and are updated and announced by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

ÖSYS Application Requirements:

a) The general name for the system that selects and places students in undergraduate and associate degree programs is the Student Selection and Placement System (ÖSYS). This system includes the Higher Education Transition Examination (YGS) and the Undergraduate Placement Examinations (LYS).

b) Applications can be made through secondary education institutions, ÖSYM Exam Coordination Centers, and individually via the internet. Application dates and detailed information can be found on the website http://www.osym.gov.tr of ÖSYM.

Student Contribution Fees:

The payment of student contribution fees for students who have the right to benefit from the international/foreign student quota is carried out by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities under the Prime Ministry of the Republic of Turkey, in accordance with the Council of Ministers' Decree renewed annually since 2013. This applies to students who are registered in the first or distance education programs of higher education institutions and have not exceeded the designated number of academic years.

For Detailed Information:

http://www.studyinturkey.gov.tr/

To access the general application requirements for student admission from abroad by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), please see:

http://www.yok.gov.tr/documents/10279/19575784/Yurtdisindan_Ogrenci_Kabulune_Iliskin_Esaslar161115.pdf

For the admission criteria of universities in Turkey under the International/Foreign Student status, please refer to:

http://www.yok.gov.tr/documents/10279/26532925/2016_2017_Yurtdisi_Kriterleri_080816.xls