Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and its cultural and historical diversity helps shape its higher education system. With a relatively low cost of living and affordable tuition fees, it is worth considering for students who want to study medicine abroad.
Let us take a closer look at the medical education Turkey has to offer. In this article, we look at notable medical schools in Turkey.
Top Medical Schools in Turkey
1. Hacettepe University
The roots of Hacettepe University’s medical education go back to the Department of Child Health, which was established in Ankara before the medical faculty itself was founded in 1963. Hacettepe is widely recognized as one of Turkey’s strongest universities for medicine; in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, it was Turkey’s highest-ranked university for Medicine.
The Faculty of Medicine offers a six-year MD program. Hacettepe lists Medicine (English) as an English-medium program, and both its Turkish and English undergraduate medical education programs are accredited by TEPDAD through 2029.
2. Istanbul University
Istanbul University’s Istanbul Faculty of Medicine is linked to the Ottoman Military School of Medicine, where modern medical education began on March 14, 1827. The faculty describes this school as the first modern medical school in Turkey. Today, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine offers Turkish and English medical tracks.
In 1967, due to administrative and educational issues, Istanbul University’s Faculty of Medicine was divided into two faculties: Istanbul Faculty of Medicine and Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. The Cerrahpaşa Journal of Medicine has been published since 1967 and remains an important medical publication platform. Today, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine is part of Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, while Istanbul Faculty of Medicine remains under Istanbul University.
3. Ankara Üniversitesi
After the Republic of Turkey was founded, the growing number of medical students increased the need for another major medical faculty beyond Istanbul. Ankara University Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1945 and is commonly described as the first medical faculty established in the Republic of Turkey.
Ankara University later added an English Medicine Program, which the faculty says began in the 2017–2018 academic year. The program follows a six-year integrated curriculum that includes preclinical education in the early years and clinical training in the later years.
4. Ege University
Ege University’s Faculty of Medicine uses Turkish as its official language of instruction. Its medical education is organized around an integrated, organ-system-based structure, combining basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, laboratory work, and skills training.
The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1955. Its first academic year included 90 students, 20 of whom were international students. International applicants should check Ege University’s current admission and Turkish-language requirements before applying, as Turkish proficiency is important for medical study and clinical training.
5. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi
Dokuz Eylül University was founded on July 20, 1982, under Decree Law No. 41. Some academic units and facilities that had previously belonged to Ege University were transferred during the creation of the new university.
Today, Dokuz Eylül University is one of Turkey’s major public universities and has a large international student community. Its Faculty of Medicine is known for a curriculum that emphasizes problem-based learning, and its medical program is carried out in Turkish. Eligible students may also take part in exchange opportunities such as Erasmus, Farabi, and Mevlana programs.
6. Koç University
If you are interested in enrolling at Koç University, be prepared to study across more than one campus. The first three years of the medical program are taught at the Rumelifeneri Campus, while clinical education from the fourth year onward takes place at Koç University Hospital in Topkapı.
Koç University School of Medicine offers a six-year medical program taught in English, although Turkish is used when patients are present. The program includes a freshman year, preclinical years, clinical years, and a final internship year. This top medical school in Turkey aims to produce well-rounded physicians who can address the health issues of the 21st century.
7. Gazi Üniversitesi
Similar to Dokuz Eylül University, Gazi University was formed from several existing institutions, including Ankara Higher Technical Teacher School, Ankara Higher Technical Teacher School for Girls, Ankara Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences, and Ankara State Engineering and Architecture Academy.
Gazi University Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1979 as part of the Ankara Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences. It began its medical education in connection with the Dr. Muhittin Ülker Emergency and Traumatology Hospital. Today, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine offers Turkish and English medical programs, and both are accredited by TEPDAD.
8. Marmara University
Marmara University’s institutional roots go back to 1883, when Hamidiye Ticaret Mekteb-i Âlisi was established. Based in Istanbul, Marmara University is one of Turkey’s long-established public universities.
The university offers programs in Turkish, English, French, German, and Arabic, making it one of Turkey’s notable multilingual universities. Its School of Medicine is nationally accredited, and its medical education includes basic sciences, clinical sciences, clerkships, and practical training.
The medical program has an international profile through its curriculum, research opportunities, and faculty connections. Students should check the current official program page for language, clinical-training, and admission details before applying.
9. Akdeniz University
Located in Antalya, in Turkey’s Western Mediterranean region, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine is known for its integrated curriculum and student-centered approach. Its medical education emphasizes organ-system-based learning, problem-solving, clinical preparation, and community-oriented training.
The faculty was established in 1973 as Antalya Faculty of Medicine under Ankara University. Medical education continued at Ankara University until 1977, and basic medical education then moved to Antalya. Clinical sciences education began in Antalya in 1981.
Applicants should verify the current language of instruction and clinical-training requirements on the official program page. As with many medical schools in Turkey, Turkish-language ability is important for patient-facing clinical education.
10. Erciyes University
Erciyes University was established as Kayseri University in 1978, but its Faculty of Medicine has earlier roots. The medical faculty began in 1968 as Kayseri Gevher Nesibe Faculty of Medicine, affiliated with Hacettepe University, and later became part of Erciyes University.
Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine is accredited by TEPDAD through 2030. Its medical education is primarily in Turkish, and international students should check the university’s current Turkish proficiency and preparatory-language requirements before enrolling.
In medical school, the early years focus on basic and clinical foundations, laboratory work, and student-centered learning. The later years include clinical rotations and internship training under supervision.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in Turkey
Can International Students Enroll in Medical Schools in Turkey?
Yes, many medical schools in Turkey accept international students, and several offer English-medium medical programs. However, students should still plan to learn Turkish because patient communication and clinical clerkships often require Turkish. Some universities offer Turkish-language courses, and many require Turkish proficiency before the clinical years. Admission requirements vary by university.
Examples of universities with English-medium medical options include Hacettepe University, Istanbul University, Ankara University, Koç University, Gazi University, Altinbaş University, Acıbadem University, and Istanbul Okan University. Applicants should always check each university’s current quotas, tuition fees, language rules, and admission requirements.
What is the Medical Curriculum Like in Medical Schools in Turkey?
Like many countries in Europe and Asia, Turkey generally offers medicine as a six-year, one-tier undergraduate program, sometimes with an additional language preparatory year. The following is a sample curriculum from Hacettepe University:
Hacettepe’s regular MD program lasts six years. The first three years focus on core medical courses with limited clinical exposure. The fourth and fifth years combine clinical rounds with medical courses, while the sixth year is an internship year in the hospital.
Different Turkish medical schools organize their curricula differently, but a common structure includes basic and preclinical sciences in the early years, clinical clerkships in the middle-to-later years, and supervised internship training in the final year. Graduates should also check current Turkish regulations on licensing, diploma recognition, residency, and any compulsory service obligations, especially if they plan to practice in Turkey.
The list above shows the strength and variety of medical education in Turkey, from long-established public faculties to private foundation universities with English-medium tracks. Before applying, check each university’s current quotas, language rules, tuition, accreditation status, and clinical-training requirements. To prepare for your stay, check out our guide about the cost of living and studying in Turkey.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Turkey was helpful. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Study in Turkey and Available Programs for International Students pages for more informative articles.
