Higher Education

General Principles
A separate examination for foreign students called The Examination for Foreign Students (YÖS) is organized by ÖSYM every year. YÖS is only for those applicants who wish to enroll in undergraduate programs in Turkey. There are a predetermined number of places for foreign applicants to each of the undergraduate programs in Turkish universities. Since the testing, selection and placement of foreign applicants wishing to enter university as freshmen to any of these programs is carried out by ÖSYM, all correspondence concerning admission as freshmen should be addressed to: ÖSYM-YÖS 06533 Bilkent, Ankara.

Students wishing to transfer to an undergraduate program must apply directly to the institutions concerned. Application deadline is determined by ÖSYM each year. However, the deadline to submit the completed application forms to ÖSYM is no later than mid May.

Conditions of Application
Applicants must hold the nationality of a country other than the Republic of Turkey or The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Stateless citizens and refugees can also apply. Applications will not be accepted from persons with Dual Nationality rights, one of which is for the countries named above. The applicants must have completed or be in their final year of secondary education in a school in which the education is equivalent to that of a Turkish High School. The applicant must be in the last year of secondary education or have successfully completed secondary education in Turkey and must meet the specific requirements of the institution of higher education in which they wish to enroll.

Procedure for Application
Persons wishing to make an application should ask for an "Application Form" and the "ÖSYM-YÖS 2005 Guide". Requests for these can be made in writing to: "Ögrenci Seçme ve Yerlestirme Merkezi, ÖSYM-YÖS, 06533, Bilkent, Ankara, TÜRKIYE" or in person to "ÖSYM-YÖS, Karyağdı Sokak No: 28, Aşağıayranıcı, Ankara, TÜRKIYE".

The forms can be provided in November 2004. The Guide booklet gives detailed information about the prerequisites for entering institutions of higher education in Turkey, the number of places available for foreign students and other relevant information. This information is designed to assist the applicant to list his/her preferences when filling out the Application Form. The Application Form asks for information about the applicant's personal and academic background and identification.

The fee for application is determined by ÖSYM. It is best to contact them for the updated fees. Candidates wishing to enter the examination at a center in a country in which they are not a resident are responsible for obtaining the necessary papers and permission to enter the examination. Additionally, applicants must obtain permission and secure the necessary doucemnts (i.e. passport) in order to leave their country of residence, according to the prevailing laws of those countries. ÖSYM cannot be used as an intermediary to obtain papers or permission.

The Examination
The examination is comprised of two tests. The “Basic Learning Skills Test” assesses abstract reasoning. The questions have a minimal dependence on language but explanations are given in Turkish and English. The “Turkish Language Proficiency Test” assesses the applicant's comprehension of written Turkish. The examination (YÖS), will be held on Sunday 17 April 2005. In order to enter the examination at the Ankara center, candidates are responsible for obtaining a valid passport; for those entering the examination at centers outside Turkey, who are residents of that country, a valid identification card is necessary; non-residents are required to comply with the requirements of the country concerned. The dead line for application is 11 March 2005 and the registration fee for the exam is US $ 50.

The examination consists of two parts in a single booklet. The first part is The Basic Learning Skills Test, which mainly assesses abstract reasoning. The questions have minimal dependence on language but explanations are given in Turkish and English. The second part is The Turkish Language Proficiency Test, which assesses the candidate's comprehension of written Turkish. Both tests consist of multiple-choice items.

The Examination Centers
This year, the examination (YÖS) will be held in Ankara (Turkey) and also at Tirana (Albania), Baku (Azerbaijan), Dacca (Bangladesh), Cairo (Egypt), Amman (Jordan), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Beirut (Lebanon), Skopje (Macedonia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Ulanbator (Mongolia), Islamabad (Pakistan), Kazan (Russian Federation), Damascus (Syria) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on the same date.

Evaluation, Placement and Announcement of Results
Scores are calculated separately for each test. In the placement of students according to the regulations explained in the ÖSYM-YÖS 2005 Guide, it is the score of the "Basic Learning Skills Test" that is taken into account. Whatever the medium of instruction may be, the score of the "Turkish Language Proficiency Test" plays no part in placing students into high schools of higher education. The Turkish score is used only to determine whether or not an applicant can immediately commence a study high school when the medium of instruction is Turkish.

Following evaluation and placement, the "Examination Result Card" is sent by post to each applicant. Applicants must register in the high schools in which they have been placed during the registration period for the 2004-2005 academic year.

In Turkey some universities in all, and some in a few, of their programs offer instruction through foreign language. Applicants who are placed in higher education programs where the language of instruction is Turkish must also register in the program into which they have been placed but those whose Turkish is considered to be insufficient are given up to one year in which to attain and prove their proficiency. They are then allowed to commence their programs of higher education.

Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for the programs of higher education is determined each year. In the 2003-2004 academic year, the tuition fees for foreign students varied depending on the nature of the program. The fees are about 550-1150 US dollars in state universities and 5000 to 12000 US dollars in private foundation universities. ÖSYM does not offer scholarships for foreign students and cannot be applied to as an intermediary to secure them.

Accommodation
There are dormitories on some campuses and also a limited number of state organized hotels. Students are required to pay the dormitory and hostel charges.

Living Expenses
Maintenance costs are about 400-450 US dollars per month. Residence Permits are only given to students who can prove that they will be receiving adequate financial support.

Would you like to add your comment about this article? Click here!

• METU
• OSYM

Editor's Picks

Antalya Antalya, one of the most breath-taking places of Turkey, because of its spectacular location... more...

Traveling by Bus Every corner of Turkey can be reached from the bus station, or Otogar as it is called here. more...

Best of windsurf spots Recently the number of beaches providing windsurfing facilities has increased and shores are embellished with colorful surf.. more...

Anatolian Civilizations Museum The museum is located southeast of Ankara Citadel and is composed of two Ottoman Buildings. more...

Trattoria da Rosario Trattoria da Rosario is a small but special Italian restaurant hidden amongst the trees in Koşuyolu, Kadıköy. more...

Hamams in Ankara Would you like to take a bath in Karacabey Hamam of 15th century or Şengül Hamam of 18th century? more...

Latest Articles