If you want to study a Turkish-taught programme, or simply enjoy life in Turkey to the full, learning Turkish is the key. Turkish-taught degrees are often cheaper, especially at state universities, and Turkish opens doors to internships and jobs. This guide explains how international students learn Turkish through TÖMER centres and preparatory programmes, and what level you need.
What Is TÖMER?
TÖMER is the common name for Turkish language teaching centres at Turkish universities (for example at Ankara University and many others). They run intensive courses for foreigners from beginner to advanced level and hold proficiency exams. Their certificates are widely used for university admission.
Turkish Levels Explained
| Level | What you can do | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A1–A2 | Everyday basics: shopping, directions, simple conversations | Daily life |
| B1 | Handle most daily situations, simple texts | Part-time work, social life |
| B2 | Follow lectures with effort, write academic texts | Minimum for some Turkish-taught programmes |
| C1 | Study comfortably in Turkish | Required by many universities and programmes |
Each university sets its own required level; medicine and law often expect C1.
The Turkish Preparatory Year
If you are admitted to a Turkish-taught programme without a valid certificate, you usually join a one-year preparatory programme. Classes are intensive (often 20+ hours a week), and you must pass the final exam to start your degree. Budget for this extra year when you compare costs; see tuition fees in Turkey.
How Long Does It Take to Reach C1?
With full-time intensive study in Turkey, many students reach B2 in about 8 months and C1 within a year. Speakers of Azerbaijani, Turkmen and other Turkic languages often progress faster; speakers of Arabic and Urdu often recognise many shared words.
English-Taught Alternative
Prefer to study in English? Hundreds of programmes are fully English-taught; see English-taught programs in Turkey. Even then, basic Turkish makes daily life much easier.
Not sure whether to study in Turkish or English?
Saya Group compares Turkish- and English-taught options for your budget and goals and plans your preparatory year if you need one.
Tips to Learn Turkish Faster
- Live with Turkish flatmates or in a mixed dormitory.
- Watch Turkish series with Turkish subtitles.
- Use language exchanges and university clubs.
- Practise daily: ordering food, shopping, using public transport.
- Learn the grammar logic early: Turkish is regular and suffix-based.
What a Typical TÖMER Course Looks Like
A Turkish language course at a university TÖMER centre is structured, intensive and exam-focused. The exact format is set by each centre, but most follow a similar pattern that is worth understanding before you enrol.
- Level-based modules: courses move step by step from A1 to C1, with a placement test at the start if you already know some Turkish.
- Daily classes: intensive courses usually run on weekdays, several hours a day, so treat them like a full-time study commitment.
- All four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking are taught together, along with grammar and vocabulary.
- Regular assessment: you sit exams at the end of each level, and the final proficiency exam determines whether you meet university requirements.
- Cultural activities: many centres organise trips, conversation clubs and cultural events that help you practise outside the classroom.
Evening, weekend and online options are also common, but they move more slowly. If you need Turkish for university admission, an intensive format is usually the more realistic choice.
How to Choose a Turkish Language Centre
Not every language course leads to a certificate that your future university will accept. Before paying, check these points carefully:
- Recognition of the certificate: ask your target university which certificates it accepts. University TÖMER and other university-based language centres are generally the safest choice.
- Location: study in the city where you plan to live. Learning Turkish while studying in Istanbul or studying in Ankara gives you constant practice in daily life.
- Class size and teaching method: smaller groups and communicative methods give you more speaking time.
- Schedule and intake dates: make sure the course start dates fit your university application timeline.
- Total cost: fees are set by each centre and differ by city and format, so compare the full price to reach C1, not just one level.
What the Turkish Proficiency Exam Tests
Whether you take a TÖMER exam or a university’s own Turkish proficiency test, the aim is to show you can follow lectures, read academic texts and write assignments in Turkish. Most exams assess four skills:
- Reading: understanding articles, notices and academic-style texts.
- Listening: following conversations, announcements and short lectures.
- Writing: producing structured texts such as essays, letters or opinion pieces.
- Speaking: discussing everyday and academic topics clearly, often in an interview.
Practise each skill under timed conditions in the final weeks. Many students lose marks in writing and speaking because they focus only on grammar and reading.
Turkish Beyond the Classroom: Daily Life and Career
Even if your degree is taught in English, a solid Turkish language course pays off. Turkish helps with renting a flat, dealing with offices and hospitals, making friends and taking part in campus life. It also significantly widens your internship and job options in Turkey, where many employers expect at least working Turkish.
Some scholarships, including Türkiye Bursları, include a Turkish language year before the degree starts, which shows how central the language is to student life. Read more about 100 percent scholarships in Turkey if you are considering a funded route.
Who Needs a TÖMER Course, and Who Does Not?
A TÖMER course is essential if you plan a Turkish-taught degree and do not want to spend a full preparatory year at your university, or if your university asks for a proficiency certificate before you start. It is also useful for scholarship students, professionals moving to Turkey for work and families relocating for the long term.
You may not need a full certificate course if your programme is entirely English-taught and your goal is only everyday communication. In that case, a shorter general course, conversation classes or a part-time evening Turkish language course may be enough. Think about your plans after graduation, too: if you hope to work in Turkey, aiming for at least an upper-intermediate level is a wise investment. Saya Group’s Istanbul advisors can help you decide which route fits your study plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turkish hard to learn?
Turkish grammar is very regular, which helps. The word order and suffixes take practice, but most students make fast progress with immersion.
Do I need Turkish for English-taught programmes?
No, but many universities offer free Turkish courses and it helps in daily life and internships.
Which certificate is accepted?
Certificates from university TÖMER centres and recognised Turkish proficiency exams are commonly accepted; check your university’s list.
Can I take a TÖMER course online?
Many centres offer online Turkish courses, especially for beginners. They are a good way to start before you travel, but check whether the online certificate is accepted by your target university for admission purposes.
Can I learn Turkish before moving to Turkey?
Yes, and it is a smart idea. Online courses, apps and private tutors can take you to a basic level before you arrive, so you can then join a higher TÖMER level and save time.
Is a Turkish language certificate valid forever?
Validity rules are set by each university, and some only accept certificates issued within a recent period. Check your target university’s requirements before you take the exam so your result is still valid when you apply.
