Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Who decides which English test counts
Study in Türkiye, the Council of Higher Education's portal, says international students apply to universities directly and that each university sets the exams and scores it accepts within the quotas published by YÖK (Study in Türkiye FAQ). There is no single national list of English tests that every university must accept for admission.
At both universities below, you show English either with a recognised exam score or by passing the university's own proficiency exam. Students who do neither join the English preparatory programme before starting their degree.
| University | IELTS accepted? | What it asks for |
|---|---|---|
| Boğaziçi University | Yes, IELTS Academic (paper or computer) | 6.5 overall with 6.5 in Writing; IELTS Online not accepted |
| Middle East Technical University (METU) | Only results from tests taken on or before 23 December 2022 | TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or the METU English Proficiency Exam |
Boğaziçi University: IELTS Academic 6.5 with Writing 6.5
Boğaziçi's School of Foreign Languages recognises TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic (paper-based or computer-delivered) as equivalent to its own BUEPT exam (Boğaziçi). The IELTS standard is an overall band of 6.5 with 6.5 in Writing. A candidate with 6.5 overall but a lower Writing band can sit the TWE writing exam on the BUEPT day and qualify with a pass.
Only results from the last two years are accepted, IELTS Online and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted, and you must take your result in person to the YADYOK Student Affairs Office for approval. From 12 June 2026, the TOEFL iBT standard is 4.5 overall and 4.5 in each section on the new scale.
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METU: IELTS no longer accepted
METU's admissions page says that, under a University Senate decision of 23 December 2022, IELTS exams taken on or after 24 December 2022 are no longer accepted (METU). Admitted students without a valid TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic score can take the METU English Proficiency Exam; those who do not reach the minimum spend a year in the Department of Basic English.
The METU equivalence table, updated on 31 August 2026, sets these minimums. Scores are valid for 2 years, and graduate programmes can set their own requirement (METU equivalence table).
| Purpose | METU EPE | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic (taken after 12 Nov 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate: exemption from the prep year | 60 | 75 | 65 |
| Graduate admission (minimum; programmes may vary) | 65 | 79 | 70 |
| Foreign Language Education department | 70 | 86 | 73 |
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS accepted in Turkish universities?+
At some. Boğaziçi accepts IELTS Academic 6.5 with Writing 6.5. METU does not accept IELTS taken on or after 24 December 2022. Each university publishes its own list.
Does Boğaziçi accept IELTS Online?+
No. Boğaziçi accepts IELTS Academic on paper or computer, not IELTS Online, and only results from the last two years.
What if I have no English test score?+
Most English-medium universities let admitted students sit their own proficiency exam. If you do not reach the pass mark, you join the English preparatory year before your degree.
How long are English scores valid at METU?+
Two years, according to the METU equivalence table.
Does PTE work instead of IELTS at METU?+
Yes. METU lists PTE Academic: 65 for undergraduate prep-year exemption and 70 as the graduate minimum for exams taken after 12 November 2024.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS in Turkey: fees and test cities
- Türkiye Scholarships: is IELTS needed?
- Do you need IELTS to study in Turkish?
- TOEFL's new 1 to 6 score scale
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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