Can You Study in Turkey Without IELTS?
The short answer is yes — and many students do. Turkey's higher-education system has grown dramatically over the past decade, and with it, the number of universities offering English-medium instruction. At the same time, Turkish universities and the national scholarship authority (YTB) recognise that not every strong candidate has sat an expensive standardised test.
Whether you are a self-financing student or applying for a fully funded award, Turkish universities typically assess English proficiency through one of several alternative routes. The key is knowing which route applies to your situation — and making sure the specific program you are targeting accepts it.
IELTS Alternatives Accepted by Turkish Universities
Turkish universities — particularly those participating in Türkiye Scholarships — accept a range of documents and tests in lieu of IELTS. Below are the most commonly accepted alternatives:
| Alternative | What it is | Accepted for |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | ETS's Internet-Based Test | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letter | Official letter from your school/university confirming your education was in English | BSc level primarily; some MSc |
| University Language Exam | English proficiency test administered by the Turkish university itself — usually free and taken on arrival | BSc, MSc (varies by institution) |
| Cambridge (B2 First / C1 Advanced) | Cambridge English qualifications | BSc, MSc (most programs) |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | Online proficiency test (~$65 USD) | Accepted by select programs; confirm per university |
| Prior English-medium education | High school or undergraduate degree completed entirely in English | BSc, MSc — often waives all test requirements |
Some universities — especially for medical and engineering programs — may still require a recognised test score at master's or PhD level. Always read the admissions requirements on the individual faculty page, not just the university's homepage.
Fully Funded Scholarships in Turkey for International Students
Turkey's scholarship ecosystem for international students is anchored by a single powerhouse program — but there are additional sources worth knowing about.
🇹🇷 Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
The flagship government scholarship administered by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). It is the most competitive and most comprehensive fully funded option for studying in Turkey.
- Full tuition at a Turkish state university
- Monthly stipend (BSc: ~700 TRY equivalent; MSc/PhD: higher)
- Free university accommodation
- Health insurance coverage
- One-year Turkish language course on arrival
- Round-trip airfare for the first year
Other Scholarship Sources Worth Exploring
While Türkiye Scholarships is the flagship, a few other routes provide funded or subsidised study in Turkey:
- University-specific scholarships: Institutions such as Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Boğaziçi University, and Middle East Technical University (METU) offer partial or full merit scholarships to international students applying directly. Requirements vary by faculty.
- OIC Scholarships: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation offers awards for students from member states to study in Turkey. Contact your country's Ministry of Education or the OIC secretariat for current cycles.
- Bilateral government agreements: Depending on your home country, your government may have an exchange or co-funded agreement with Turkey. Check with your own Ministry of Education or foreign affairs department.
- Research assistantships (RA/TA): PhD applicants may be offered research or teaching assistantships directly by faculty members at Turkish universities, covering tuition and living expenses.
Turkey Scholarships That Accept Students Without IELTS
The question most students ask is: "Does Türkiye Scholarships require IELTS?" Here is the nuanced answer.
At bachelor's level, the majority of programs under Türkiye Scholarships — including those taught in English — do not require a standardised test score if you have graduated from an English-medium high school. A Medium of Instruction letter from your school is typically sufficient. For programs taught in Turkish, the scholarship includes a mandatory one-year Turkish language course, so no Turkish proficiency is required at the time of application either.
At master's and PhD level, English-taught programs are more likely to ask for a test score — but many still accept TOEFL, Cambridge qualifications, or a university-administered language exam in lieu of IELTS. Some research-focused PhD programs may waive the requirement entirely if your previous degree was in English and you have a strong research proposal and supervisor agreement.
The safest strategy is to gather all the documents you can — MOI letter, any English test you have taken (even school-leaving exams like O/A-Levels), and any certificates of English-medium study — and upload them together. Let the admissions committee decide which document satisfies the requirement. Providing more evidence is never penalised.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Türkiye Scholarships Without IELTS
Follow this roadmap from research to final interview. The official application portal opens in January each year.
Research English-taught programs
Visit turkiyeburslari.gov.tr and browse the program database. Filter by language of instruction: select "English" to surface programs where IELTS is most easily waived. Cross-check each program's page on the university's own website to confirm the current language requirement.
Obtain your Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter
Contact your school or university's registrar as early as possible. The letter must be on official letterhead, stamped, signed, and clearly state that the language of instruction was English throughout your study period. Getting this done early removes your single biggest hurdle.
Prepare your full document package
Gather: valid passport, academic transcripts (certified), diploma or predicted grades letter, MOI letter, passport photos, and two reference letters. For research degrees, also prepare a research proposal (1–2 pages) and, if possible, a letter of intent from a Turkish faculty supervisor.
Write a strong motivation letter
Your motivation letter (often called a personal statement on the portal) is the human face of your application. Connect your academic background directly to why you chose Turkey and this specific program. Be specific: name professors whose work inspires you, projects you want to join, or industry connections unique to Turkey. A generic letter is the fastest path to rejection.
Use the free SOP OutlinerSubmit your application on the portal (Jan–Feb)
The portal at turkiyeburslari.gov.tr opens in January. Complete your profile, upload all documents in PDF format, and add up to 12 program preferences in order of priority. Submit well before the February deadline — the system can slow significantly in the final days.
Prepare for the interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview conducted by Turkish diplomatic missions or YTB-appointed panels, typically between April and June. Expect questions about your motivation, knowledge of Turkey, your field of study, and your long-term plans. The interview is conducted in English or Turkish — confirm which with your local Turkish embassy. Practice speaking clearly and confidently about why Turkey, why this program, and what you plan to do after graduating.
Receive your offer and complete pre-departure steps
Results are usually announced between June and August. Successful candidates receive a placement letter and instructions to apply for a student visa at their nearest Turkish embassy. Arrange your housing (the scholarship covers dormitory accommodation, but you should confirm availability with your assigned university).
English-Taught Programs in Turkey — What's Available?
Turkey has significantly expanded its English-medium offerings. Here is a snapshot of what you can realistically pursue without IELTS:
Medicine & Health Sciences
Several universities (including Ankara University, Istanbul Medipol, and Hacettepe) offer English-medium Medicine programs. Language requirements vary — some accept MOI letters; others require TOEFL or a faculty entrance exam.
Engineering & Technology
METU (Middle East Technical University) and ITU (Istanbul Technical University) are globally ranked engineering schools with fully English-medium programs. METU explicitly accepts non-IELTS applicants through its own English proficiency exam.
Business & Economics
Boğaziçi University, Bilkent, and Koç University offer English-medium business degrees. These are competitive but widely accessible through the Türkiye Scholarships portal.
Natural Sciences & Research
For PhD and MSc researchers, many Turkish universities accept supervisor-approved applications without a standardised language test, particularly when the research group's working language is English.
FAQs About Studying in Turkey Without IELTS
Is IELTS mandatory for Türkiye Scholarships?
No, IELTS is not mandatory for Türkiye Scholarships. The scholarship program itself does not publish a single universal language requirement — each university and faculty within the program sets its own. At bachelor's level, the vast majority of English-taught programs accept an MOI letter from your previous school. At master's and PhD level, requirements are stricter, but TOEFL, Cambridge B2/C1, or a university-administered exam are widely accepted alternatives. Always check the specific program page on the official portal.
Can I apply with only my high-school English results?
Yes, in many cases. If you attended an English-medium high school, your transcripts and an official MOI letter from your school serve as evidence of English proficiency. This is especially true for bachelor's-level programs. Candidates from countries where the national curriculum is taught in English (Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, and many others) frequently use this route without any paid language test. For postgraduate programs, you may additionally need to show that your undergraduate degree was also in English, or provide a test score.
Are there English-taught medicine or engineering programs that do not require IELTS?
Yes. Several Turkish universities — including METU, Istanbul Technical University, and a number of private universities like Istanbul Medipol and Bahçeşehir — offer English-medium medicine and engineering programs that do not strictly require IELTS. METU, for instance, administers its own English Proficiency Exam (EPE) for incoming students who lack an external test score. For medicine specifically, some universities run an entrance exam that doubles as a language assessment. Contact the admissions office of each university you are considering to confirm the current policy.
What is an MOI letter and how do I get one?
A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is an official document issued by your school or university confirming that your previous education was conducted in English. To obtain one, contact your institution's registrar's office or student affairs department and request a letter explicitly stating: (1) the name of your institution, (2) the program you studied, (3) that the language of instruction was English throughout. The letter should be on official letterhead, signed by a registrar or academic officer, and stamped. Most institutions issue these free of charge, though processing times can take 1–3 weeks — request it early.
Does Türkiye Scholarships include a language course if I don't speak Turkish?
Yes. One of the most valued benefits of the Türkiye Scholarships program is a mandatory, fully funded one-year Turkish language course (TÖMER) before you begin your degree. This means even if you are applying to a Turkish-medium program, you do not need to know Turkish at the time of application — the language training is built into the scholarship. For English-medium programs, the Turkish course is still offered and is a tremendous cultural and social advantage during your stay.
What GPA or academic standard is needed for Türkiye Scholarships?
The official minimum is a 70% grade point (or equivalent) for undergraduate applicants and a 75% minimum for postgraduate applicants. However, competition is very high — successful applicants typically have grades well above these minimums, often in the 85–95% range. Strong extracurricular activities, a compelling motivation letter, and relevant academic or research experience help compensate for grades that sit near the minimum threshold. There is no strict minimum for English test scores because, as noted, many programs accept alternative proof.
When does the Türkiye Scholarships application open in 2026–2027?
Historically, the portal opens in early to mid-January and closes in mid-to-late February. For the 2027 intake, expect the window to follow the same pattern: approximately January 10 – February 20, 2027. Deadlines are firm and the portal closes at midnight (Turkey time) on the closing date — do not leave your application to the last few days, as the portal becomes very slow. Start preparing your documents in October or November to be ready the moment the portal opens.
Ready to apply for Türkiye Scholarships?
Read our full step-by-step guide covering every stage — documents, portal walkthrough, and interview preparation. Free, no counselor needed.