Market report Turkey

Market Report Turkey – The Turkish Study Abroad Market

In this market report on Turkey we cover key socio‑economic, educational and student mobility trends shaping outbound recruitment. Turkey remains one of the most dynamic emerging economies globally, with a young population, about 39% under age 24, that provides a large pool of potential future international students. Its diversified economy, strategic location between Europe and Asia, and expanding private education sector all contribute to growing aspirations for international study. Despite periodic economic challenges, demand for overseas education is robust: surveys indicate that more than 80% of young Turks aspire to study abroad at some point.

According to UNESCO and sector estimates, Turkey sends roughly 50,000–60,000 students abroad for tertiary study annually in recent mobility cycles, with growth particularly strong in K–12, ELT/English programs, and higher education combined. UNESCO data shows that there were over 51,000 Turkish students abroad, with Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom among the largest hosts. Recent enrollment patterns suggest Germany hosted well over 14,000 Turkish students by 2023, while the United States enrolled around 9,400 in 2024–25.

Looking toward 2026 and beyond, Turkish outbound mobility is expected to stay resilient and continue growing, driven by several key trends:

• Rising demand for international pathways early: Interest is accelerating not only at university level but also for junior/ELT and secondary programs, especially in English‑speaking destinations.
• Economic and currency factors: Although inflation and a weak lira make study abroad costly, many families prioritise foreign education as a route to stronger career outcomes.
• Visa and destination shifts: Some traditional EU destinations have tightened visa access, shifting parts of mobility to affordable or visa‑friendly markets such as Germany, Poland, Italy and Czechia, alongside continued interest in the UK, US and Canada.
• Diversification across segments: Growth isn’t limited to higher education; junior short‑term, language and boarding programs form a growing part of outbound flows.

For international recruiters, Turkey remains a high‑potential market with large scale and upward momentum, characterized by widespread interest in English‑medium study, post‑study careers abroad, and diversified mobility pathways that span K–12, language, and degree programs.

Market Report Turkey – The Turkish Education System

Secondary education

General secondary education covers education between the age of 15 to 18 for four years after primary education. Secondary education includes all of the general, vocational and technical education institutions. Secondary education is often referred as high school education, since the schools are called lyceum (in Turkish: lise).

There are 6 types of secondary schools in Turkey:

• Public High Schools (“Normal Liseler” or “Duz Liseler”). Any student who successfully completes 8 years of basic education can go onto these schools. Graduates of public high schools, if successful in the nationwide University Entrance Examination (ÖSS), can go onto higher education institutions. Graduates are awarded with the Lise Diploması.
• Vocational High Schools (Meslek Liseleri): Some of these schools may take an additional year to complete. Graduates can automatically go on to higher vocational schools (Meslek Yüksek Okulları – 2 Year Vocational Colleges) in their respective fields of study if they wish. Alternatively, if successful in the university entrance examination, they can go onto 4-year schools in their respective fields.
• Anatolian High Schools (Anadolu Liseleri): One year of English study followed by 3 years of regular high school education, additional hours for English. Math and Science lessons at these schools are sometimes taught in English. Lessons at some Anatolian high schools are taught in either German or French.
• Super High Schools (Super Liseler): The difference between these and normal high schools is one extra year of English study. They differ from Anatolian high schools in that the language of instruction for math and science courses is always Turkish and less hours are given to English lessons.
• Science High Schools (Fen Liseleri): These are special public schools for students who have exceptional aptitude in the sciences. These very competitive high schools train students specifically for higher education in the sciences, technical and medical fields. There is also Anatolian Science High Schools (Anadolu Fen Liseleri), where the medium of instruction for math and sciences is sometimes in English.
• Private High Schools (Ozel Liseler): Most private high schools charge very high tuition fees and are very competitive.
  (Source: studyinturkey.com)

Admission to Higher Education

Students graduating from secondary education obtain the Lise Diplomasi. This diploma is a prerequisite for admission to higher education. Admission to university is centralized and based on the Student Selection Examination (ÖSS). Candidates have to obtain a minimum score at the ÖSS of 160 points to be eligible to enroll in two-year vocational higher education and open/distance education programs and a minimum of 185 points for all four-year bachelor/University programs. The maximum ÖSS score that can be obtained is 300 points. Source: UNESCO

Higher Education

The academic system in Turkey is largely modelled after of the American / Anglo-Saxon system, with two-year Associate’s Degree programs, followed by 4-year Bachelor’s degree programs, and a 3-4 year Doctorate. Higher Education in Turkey is under the authority of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), which is a fully autonomous national board of trustees without any political or government affiliation.

University level studies:

• University level first stage: Önlisans Diplomasi/Lisans
  Diplomasi: An Önlisans Derecesi or Diplomasi (Associate Degree) is awarded after the successful completion of two-year university studies. Courses leading to the Lisans Diplomasi require a minimum of four years’ university study. Courses last for five years in Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine and for six years in Medicine. The qualifications in these three fields of study are considered to be the equivalent of a Yuksek Lisans Diplomasi (Master’s degree).
• University level second stage: Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi/Bilim Uzmanligi
  Diplomasi: The Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi (Master’s Degree) lasts for two years with thesis and for one-and-a-half years without thesis.
• University level third stage: Doktora Diplomasi/Bilim Doktorlugu Diplomasi/Tipta Uzmanlik Belgesi/Sanatta Yeterlik
  Diplomasi: Candidates must hold the Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi and sit for an examination. The Doktora Diplomasi is conferred after two years’ study and on completion of a doctoral thesis (a total of four years). The Tipta Uzmanlik Belgesi (specialist degree) in Medicine is conferred to recognize a physician’s advanced skills and expertise. It is considered to be the equivalent of a Doktora Diplomasi.
  (Source: euroeducation.net)

Types of Higher Education Institutions in Turkey

There are 3 types of Higher Education Institutions in Turkey:

• State Universities (Devlet Universiteleri): Universities provide either two or four years of education for undergraduate studies, while graduate programs last a minimum of two years. Some universities also ask for an additional year of English preparatory study to be completed before the start of studies, unless an exemption examination is passed
• Higher Vocational Schools (Meslek Yuksek Okulları): Higher Vocational Schools offer 2 years of undergraduate study after high school and are similar to community colleges in the USA. Graduates must take the national Vertical Transfer Test (Dikey Gecis Sinavi) and have a good GPA to be admitted to university. Graduates are awarded h the Associate’s or Pre-Bachelor’s Degree (On Lisans Diplomasi).
• Private or Foundation Universities (Ozel / Vakif Universiteleri): Private Universities all operate under the supervision of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and are non-profit by nature. When accredited, they can award bachelor, master and PhD titles. Most of the countries top universities are located in Istanbul or Ankara and are ranked in the world’s top 100. Examples are: KOC University, Bilkent University, Istanbul Bilgi University.

Latest Turksih Higher Education study abroad stats

At this point a total number of 51,146 Turkish students are studying abroad (source:UNESCO). These are the most popular study abroad destinations for students from Turkey:

IB schools in Turkey

• Istanbul American Schools – https://ias.school/
• Uskudar American Academy – https://www.uaa.k12.tr/en
• Aljazari International Schools of Science and Technology – https://aljazari.com.tr/
• Alkev Schools – https://www.alkev.k12.tr/
• Elite Academy – https://eliteacademy.school/

Scholarships for Turkish students