YKS for Foreign Students: Who Has to Take It After the 2026 Rule

YKS for foreign students used to be a side topic. Most international students in Türkiye applied to universities with their diploma or a university exam, and only Turkish citizens worried about YKS. That changed in 2026. Today, foreign students who studied at a Turkish high school can enter a Turkish university only through YKS. This guide explains the new rule, who it covers, who is exempt and how to plan your next steps.

What changed in 2026

Until 2025, many foreign students at Turkish high schools could still apply through the international student quota (yurt dışı öğrenci kontenjanı). In the 2025 rules, for example, students who enrolled before the 2022–2023 school year kept that option.

The 2026 rules removed the cut-off date. According to YÖK’s rules for international admission and the 2026 ÖSYM guide, foreign nationals who enrolled in or graduated from a high school in Türkiye now enter Turkish universities only through YKS. As a result, YKS for foreign students is no longer optional for this group. It is the main door.

YKS for foreign students: who takes it now

The rule covers more students than many families expect:

• Foreign nationals at Turkish high schools. If you enrolled in a Turkish high school or graduated from one, you take YKS like Turkish students.
• Students under temporary protection. This includes many Syrian students. ÖSYM accepts the temporary protection ID card (Geçici Koruma Kimlik Belgesi) on exam day.
• Mavi Kart holders. They sit YKS and compete for the normal places. However, for 2026 and 2027 only, Mavi Kart holders who started a high school prep class from 2021–2022 can still use the international quota, after a court decision.
• Naturalized Turkish citizens. Students who became Turkish citizens take YKS as citizens. They can use the international quota only if they never studied at a Turkish or KKTC high school.

Who is exempt from the rule

There are a few exceptions. Students from embassy schools, international private schools registered in MEB’s MOBİS system, and some MEB or YÖK project programs can still apply through the international quota. YÖK’s 2026 text also names the children of Turquoise Card holders.

Foreign students who completed all of their secondary education abroad are not affected either. They usually apply with TR-YÖS, SAT or another accepted exam, and each university sets its own criteria. For example, a student who finished high school in Syria, Egypt or Jordan and then moved to Türkiye is usually in this group. Because every case has details, check your own situation before you decide.

Registering as a foreign student

You register for YKS during ÖSYM’s application period, which normally opens in early February. Foreign students apply with the 11-digit foreign ID number that starts with 9. If you do not have one, ÖSYM gives you a candidate number that starts with 0.

The online application needs a Turkish ID card and e-Devlet, so foreign students usually apply in person at an ÖSYM application centre. Bring your original ID. On exam day, ÖSYM also accepts the temporary protection ID card and some residence permits. Read the exact list in the 2026 YKS guide before you go.

What the rule means for your study plan

First, the exam language. TYT and AYT are written only in Turkish, so reading speed matters as much as subject knowledge. Students who studied in Arabic for years often understand the maths but lose time on long Turkish questions.

Second, the competition. You now compete with Turkish students for the same places and rankings. In 2026, for instance, medicine required a SAY ranking within the top 50,000. That is why a late start is risky.

Third, your options. If you are strong in Arabic, the YDT foreign language test is also offered in Arabic, and it leads to language programs through the DİL score type. It can be a smart extra option for some students.

In short, YKS for foreign students is the same exam as for Turkish students, but the starting point is different. For the full picture of the exam itself, read our complete YKS exam guide.

A simple checklist for this year

1. Confirm your group: did you study at a Turkish high school, or did you finish all of high school abroad?
2. Check your documents early: your foreign ID number, temporary protection card or residence permit.
3. Note the dates: applications usually open in early February, and the exam is on a weekend in June.
4. Choose your target majors and look at their rankings from last year on YÖK Atlas.
5. Start a weekly study plan with regular practice exams, and review every mistake.

How ILEAP Academy helps with YKS for foreign students

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. We work with Arab and international students who studied at Turkish high schools, and we know where they usually struggle. Our program explains each topic in Arabic, builds the Turkish exam vocabulary step by step and trains students with timed practice exams. Classes run in person in Istanbul and online. Discover ILEAP Academy or send us a message to check your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Is YKS for foreign students a different exam?

No. It is the same exam, on the same days, with the same questions. Foreign students register with their foreign ID number and compete for the same places as Turkish students.

Can Syrian students under temporary protection take YKS?

Yes. Since 2026, students under temporary protection who studied at a Turkish high school are placed through YKS, and ÖSYM accepts their temporary protection ID card on exam day.

Can I still apply with YÖS if I studied at a Turkish high school?

In most cases, no. Since 2026, foreign students who enrolled in or graduated from a Turkish high school enter university only through YKS, apart from a few listed exceptions.

I finished high school abroad. Do I need YKS?

Usually not. Foreign students who completed all of their secondary education abroad normally apply through the international quota with TR-YÖS, SAT or another accepted exam.