Being a doctor is one of the most respected and honorable professions in the world. Doctors can be our heroes, role models, and saviors because they often save lives and treat illnesses. With that said, a profession that is responsible for people’s lives and health should not be taken lightly. It requires careful study, clinical practice, and lifelong learning.
That is why high-quality education is very important for local and international students who plan to become medical practitioners or physicians. Becoming a doctor generally requires more years of study than many other professions, and medical education continues even after graduation through professional development, specialization, and practice. In this article, we will look at things to consider when studying medicine in Turkey.
1. Is Turkey a good place for medical studies?
Yes. Turkey can be a good option for medical studies, especially for students looking for six-year medical programs, public and foundation universities, and both Turkish- and English-medium study options. However, the quality, language of instruction, tuition, clinical training, and entry requirements vary by university, so students should check each official program page before applying.
Turkey has a large higher education system and many medical faculties. It has several established medical schools and university hospitals, along with growing options for international students.
2. What are the requirements to study medicine in this country?
Requirements vary by university and by whether you apply as a first-year student or a transfer student. In general, international applicants should expect to provide a passport or ID page, high school diploma, full high school transcript, Turkish translations and notarizations where required, an equivalence letter when required, exam or placement results, photographs, and any financial assurance or residence permit documents requested by the university.
For example, Ankara University’s current international registration documents include the original high school diploma, the full high school transcript, notarized Turkish translations, an equivalence letter, exam result, passport copy, placement result, six photos, and a financial assurance declaration. For Ankara University Medicine and Medicine (English), the current entry route listed for international applicants is the TR-YÖS exam, with a minimum score of 440 out of 500. Always verify the current year’s guide before applying.
After admission, visa and residence permit requirements depend on the student’s nationality and length of stay. Students should follow the official Turkish visa and residence permit rules and the instructions given by their university’s international office.
3. In what language do you study medicine in Turkey?
The language depends on the university and program. Turkish is the official language of Turkey, and many medical programs are taught in Turkish. Some universities also offer English-medium medicine programs, such as Ankara University’s six-year English Medicine program, while others offer Turkish/English programs or require an English preparatory year.
Even students in English-medium programs should expect to learn Turkish, especially before clinical years, because patient communication in hospitals is usually in Turkish. Turkish-medium programs commonly require proof of Turkish proficiency, while English-medium programs may require a university language exam or a recognized English-language equivalent.
4. Can you study medicine in Turkey as an international student?
Absolutely. International students can study medicine in Turkey if they meet the university’s admission, language, document, and visa or residence requirements. Universities such as Ankara University and Istanbul University have international student units and admissions pages that publish application rules, accepted exams, and registration procedures.
Because each university sets its own quotas and document rules, applicants should use the official international admissions page of the university rather than relying only on general study-abroad summaries.
5. What are the components of the medical curriculum in Turkey?
Medical education in Turkey is generally a six-year program. The structure varies by university, but a common model is three preclinical years, clinical clerkships in years 4 and 5, and a sixth-year internship or family medicine period.
For example, Istanbul University’s Istanbul Faculty of Medicine describes the first three years as integrated study of medical sciences, normal structure and function, and pathological structure and function. Years 4 and 5 are clinical clerkship years, and year 6 is an internship year. Ondokuz Mayıs University describes a similar structure: the first three years are preclinical, years 4 and 5 are clinical, and the sixth year is family medicine.
6. How many medical schools are in Turkey?
In the most recent public statement found from the Council of Higher Education, Turkey had 128 medical faculties in total, but not all were active or had student quotas. For the 2024-2025 academic year, 116 medical faculties were providing education and able to admit students: 87 at state universities and 29 at foundation universities. Because new programs and quotas can change by year, students should confirm the active program list in the official university admissions guide for the year they apply.
7. How difficult is it to study medicine in this country?
Medicine is academically demanding in Turkey, as it is in any country, because it combines preclinical science, clinical clerkships, and supervised internship. Istanbul University’s Faculty of Medicine reported a 78% six-year graduation rate and a 2% dropout rate in its medical education presentation. OECD’s 2025 education profile also reports low first-year tertiary dropout in Turkey and high completion rates in health and welfare fields. Students should still expect a heavy workload, competitive exams, and strong language demands during clinical training.
8. What do you need to become a doctor after in Turkey?
If you graduate from a medical school in Turkey, your route to practice generally involves diploma registration or approval by the Ministry of Health and completion of Turkey’s compulsory state service obligation. Official guidance states that graduates of official and private medical faculties in Turkey are subject to a two-year state service obligation.
If you earned your medical degree outside Turkey and want to practice in Turkey, you generally need medical-degree equivalence through the Council of Higher Education. When required, this can include the STS, or Seviye Tespit Sınavı, in medicine or an accepted equivalent route, followed by the Ministry of Health’s licensing and work-permission procedures. Turkish language ability is important for medical practice because patient care and official procedures are primarily in Turkish.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Available Courses for International Students and Scholarships Page.
