English-Taught Programs in Turkey: How to Get In Through YKS

English-taught programs in Turkey attract many Arab and international students. However, many families do not know that the way in is the same exam as for Turkish programs. If you studied at a Turkish high school, you still enter an English-taught program through YKS. After placement, most students then face one more step, the English prep year. This guide explains the prep year, the exemptions and how to choose well.

What are English-taught programs in Turkey?

English-taught programs in Turkey exist at many state and foundation universities. The program name shows the teaching language, both in the ÖSYM quotas guide and on YÖK Atlas. For example, “(İngilizce)” means the program is taught in English. A name with “(%30 İngilizce)” means that at least 30% of the courses are in English, while the rest are usually in Turkish.

Some also teach in French, German or Arabic, as these Istanbul examples show.

Istanbul examples

• Boğaziçi teaches 39 of its 40 programs in English.
• İTÜ teaches in English, or 30% in English.
• Yıldız Teknik has English, 30% English and Turkish programs.
• Galatasaray teaches all bachelor’s programs in French.
• Türk-Alman Üniversitesi teaches in German.
• Marmara and Medeniyet teach mostly in Turkish, but also have some programs in English, Arabic and other languages.

You still enter English-taught programs in Turkey through YKS

However, the teaching language does not change the exam. TYT and AYT are only in Turkish, and each program still uses its normal score type. For example, an English-taught engineering program uses the SAY score, so fast reading in Turkish matters here too. Our guide to YKS score types also explains SAY, EA, SÖZ and DİL.

Since 2026, foreign nationals who enrolled in or graduated from a Turkish high school enter Turkish universities only through YKS. So for this group, English-taught programs in Turkey are not a way around the exam. Students schooled fully abroad usually use the international quota instead, as our guide to YKS vs YÖS explains.

Also, the English YDT test belongs to the DİL score type of language and translation programs. Therefore, it does not count for an English-taught engineering, economics or medicine program.

English programs are often more competitive

English-taught programs in Turkey have their own quota and base rank, so the gap with the Turkish version can be large. In medicine, for example, İÜ-Cerrahpaşa’s English program had a 2026 base rank of 728, while its Turkish program had 2,067. Our guide to studying medicine in Turkey also covers these rankings.

The English prep year (hazırlık)

Most English-taught programs in Turkey start with a prep year. In fact, YÖK’s regulation makes prep compulsory in any program taught wholly or partly in a foreign language. New students first sit the university’s placement or proficiency exam. Then those who pass, or who are exempt, start year one directly, and everyone else joins the one-year prep.

Also, the prep year does not count in the length of the program. As a result, a four-year degree with prep usually takes five years, so plan your budget for that extra year.

The two-year limit

A student who does not finish prep within two years must leave the program. Then you have two options. First, you can move to an equivalent Turkish-taught program at the same university. Second, you can ask ÖSYM, only once, for a Turkish-taught program whose base score your YKS score meets. The 2026 ÖSYM quotas guide also states this rule.

How to skip the English prep year

In English-taught programs in Turkey, there are three ways to go straight to year one.

1. Pass the university’s proficiency exam. Universities hold it when the academic year starts.
2. Show an accepted exam score. This can be YDS, e-YDS or an equivalent international exam, as long as you reach the Senate’s score.
3. Prove your schooling in English. You are exempt if you did at least the last three years of secondary school in a country where English is the native language. However, this works only at schools that the country’s own citizens attend.

The regulation sets no national minimum score for students. Instead, each university’s Senate decides, so two universities can ask for different scores for the same certificate.

Which certificates count?

ÖSYM publishes an equivalence list for international language exams. For English, it includes TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, PTE Academic, Linguaskill General and the Oxford Test of English (Advanced). For example, a TOEFL iBT score of 84 equals 70 in YDS. Results are valid for five years from the exam date. Also, a session inside Türkiye counts only if it took place in a state-university building.

IELTS is not on ÖSYM’s official list. However, some universities accept IELTS under their own rules, while others do not. For example, İYTE’s 2026 exemption table lists YDS 70, TOEFL iBT 84 or PTE 71, but not IELTS. So check your university’s own table before you book an exam.

How to choose among English-taught programs in Turkey

Before you add English-taught programs in Turkey to your list, go through these steps.

1. Read the program name. Then check whether it says “(İngilizce)” or “(%30 İngilizce)” on YÖK Atlas.
2. Compare both versions. Also look at the base ranks of the English and Turkish programs in the same department.
3. Find the exemption table. The school of foreign languages usually publishes it, so search its website.
4. Test your English early. A practice test shows whether you can skip prep, so you can plan your year.
5. Plan the cost. Foreign students placed through YKS pay a fee, as our guide to public universities in Turkey explains.
6. Keep your Turkish strong. You still need it for YKS, for daily life and for the Turkish courses in a 30% program.

How ILEAP Academy prepares you for English-taught programs in Turkey

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. Whatever language your future program uses, the door is still a Turkish exam, and that is where we help. Every student starts with a level test, then joins the right group. We explain topics in Arabic, train the Turkish of the exam step by step and run timed practice exams with clear net reports. We have three centers in Istanbul, and the same program also runs online. Discover ILEAP Academy to book a level test, and read our complete YKS exam guide too.

Frequently asked questions

Do English-taught programs in Turkey need YKS?

For students from Turkish high schools, yes, because since 2026 they enter only through YKS. However, students schooled fully abroad usually use the international quota, as our guide to YKS for foreign students explains.

Is IELTS accepted for English-taught programs in Turkey?

It depends on the university, because IELTS is not on ÖSYM’s list. Some universities accept it under their own rules, so check the exemption table first.

Can I skip the prep year?

Yes, if you pass the university’s proficiency exam, show an accepted score or meet the schooling rule. Otherwise, you join prep and have up to two years to finish it.