University admission in Turkey
Turkish University Admission for Afghan Students
How international admission to Turkish universities works, what universities look at, when to apply, and how our Jalalabad team supports your applications from shortlist to acceptance letter.
Checked against official sources on 19 October 2026. Requirements, fees and dates change and can differ by university, embassy or consulate. Always confirm the current rules with the official source before you apply — we do this for every student we work with.
In short: International students apply directly to each Turkish university. Many programmes admit students on grade 12 results; some also ask for TR-YÖS, a university YÖS exam or the SAT, plus English or Turkish. Most programmes start in September or October, so start preparing 9–12 months ahead.
How to apply to Turkish universities from Afghanistan
International students apply to Turkish universities directly. Each university runs its own admission process for foreign applicants, publishes its own requirements and quotas, and sets its own deadlines. There is no single national application for international undergraduates. (The exception is the Türkiye Scholarships programme, which has its own central application. See scholarships.)
In practice this means you will usually apply to several universities, each through its own online portal, with slightly different document requirements. Keeping these applications accurate and on time is a large part of the work we do for students.
Who applies as an international student?
Foreign nationals who completed their secondary education outside Türkiye generally apply through the international student route. Different rules can apply to applicants who studied part of high school in Türkiye or who hold or have held Turkish citizenship. If that is your situation, tell us before you apply.
What universities look at
Universities decide which qualifications and exams they accept. Depending on the university and programme, admission may be based on:
- High school results: your grade 12 diploma and transcripts. Some universities admit international applicants on grades alone.
- Entrance exam scores, such as TR-YÖS (the international student exam run by ÖSYM, Türkiye's national assessment centre), a university's own YÖS exam, or international tests such as the SAT.
- Language proficiency: an English test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) for English-taught programmes, or Turkish proficiency for Turkish-taught programmes. Applicants without it are often admitted to a preparatory year first.
- For master's and PhD programmes: your bachelor's or master's degree and GPA, and often a statement of purpose, references and sometimes an entrance exam or interview. See master's admission.
Minimum scores, accepted exams and quotas are published by each university and differ from programme to programme. We check these on the university's official pages for every application.
Intakes and application timeline
Most degree programmes start in the autumn (fall) semester, in September or October. Some universities, mostly foundation universities, also admit international students for the spring semester, which starts in February. Application windows for autumn entry often open in the first half of the year. Some universities have fixed application periods, while others accept applications until their places are filled. Always work from the current year's official announcement.
| When (before autumn start) | What to do |
|---|---|
| 9–12 months | Consultation, passport check or renewal, gather diplomas and transcripts, plan any tests |
| 6–9 months | Shortlist universities and programmes; take SAT, YÖS or language tests if required; translate and legalise documents |
| 4–8 months | Submit applications within each university's window; follow up on results |
| After an offer | Meet any offer conditions; confirm your place following the university's official payment instructions |
| 2–4 months | Prepare and submit the student visa application |
| On arrival | Final registration at the university, then the student residence permit application |
This is a planning guide, not an official calendar. Real deadlines are set by each university and can be earlier.
After you receive an offer
Offers can be conditional (you must still meet a requirement, such as a language score or final results) or unconditional. Read the conditions and deadlines carefully. To confirm your place, follow the payment instructions published by the university and pay only through its official channels. Once confirmed, the university issues the acceptance letter you need for the student visa.
Final registration happens in Türkiye. Universities usually ask to see original documents, and undergraduate students generally need a high school equivalence certificate (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education. See the documents checklist.
How our Turkish university admission consultants help
Students can start their Turkey university admission in Jalalabad at our office at Istiqlal Plaza, or work with us remotely from Kabul and other provinces. Our support includes:
- A realistic shortlist based on your grades, language level, programme and budget
- Checking every requirement and deadline against the university's official information
- Preparing and reviewing application forms and supporting documents
- Submitting applications through official portals and tracking results
- Explaining offer conditions, payment instructions and next steps
- Moving straight on to the student visa file once you are accepted
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do Afghan students need to take an exam to study in Turkey?
It depends on the university and programme. Some universities admit international applicants on high school results; others require TR-YÖS, their own YÖS exam, the SAT or another accepted score. We check this for every programme on your shortlist.
When should I apply for the autumn intake?
Start preparing 9–12 months before the semester begins. Many application windows for autumn entry open in the first half of the year, and some close early.
Is there a spring intake in Turkey?
Some universities, mostly foundation universities, admit international students for a spring semester starting in February. Most programmes start in the autumn.
Can you apply to Turkish universities on my behalf?
Yes. With your consent and your documents, we prepare and submit applications through the universities' official channels and keep you informed of every result.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the team at Noory Educational Consultancy Services, an education consultancy in Jalalabad established in 2018 and led by Fatihullah Noory (Founder & CEO). We check time-sensitive facts against official sources and update our guides when the rules change.
No visa, no service fee
Planning to study in Türkiye? Talk to our team in Jalalabad.
Tell us about your education and goals. We will explain your realistic options, the documents you will need and a sensible timeline, so you can decide with clear information.