Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Admission exams and the language question
TR-YÖS is the international student admission exam that public and foundation universities use. ÖSYM runs it twice a year in Turkish, German, Arabic, French, English and Russian (Study in Türkiye FAQ). The FAQ says knowing Turkish or documenting it is not a condition for entering TR-YÖS; each university evaluates applicants' Turkish level by its own conditions.
Universities also accept other exams for international quotas, such as YÖS, Abitur, SAT or IB, as listed on their own websites.
| Programme language | Language proof | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish | Turkish level (for example TYS, or the university's own assessment) | The university |
| English | English test such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or IELTS, or the university's own exam | The university |
The Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS)
TYS is developed by the Yunus Emre Institute and tests reading, listening, writing and speaking over 180 minutes and 80 questions (Study in Türkiye FAQ). The FAQ says success in TYS may exempt you from the language preparatory class at Turkish universities.
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Scholarship holders: one year of Turkish
Türkiye Scholarships gives every award holder without a C1 Turkish certificate a one-year Turkish course and expects C1 by the end of it (Türkiye Scholarships). Requirements change between intakes and scholarship rounds. Confirm the current rule on the Study in Türkiye FAQ before you book a test or apply. This guide is general information, not admissions advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IELTS for a Turkish-taught degree?+
No. Turkish-taught programmes assess Turkish. An English test matters only for English-medium programmes.
Is Turkish required to sit TR-YÖS?+
No. Study in Türkiye says knowing Turkish is not a condition for entering TR-YÖS; universities assess Turkish level themselves.
Can TYS exempt me from the preparatory year?+
Study in Türkiye says success in TYS may exempt you from the language preparatory class. Confirm with your university.
How long is the TYS exam?+
180 minutes: reading 60, listening 45, writing 45 and speaking 15 minutes in total.
Keep reading
Related
- Does Turkey accept IELTS for university?
- Türkiye Scholarships: is IELTS needed?
- IELTS in Turkey
- 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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