Pharmacy is one of the most popular health degrees in Turkey for international students. It costs far less than medicine or dentistry, takes five years, and leads to careers in community pharmacy, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry and research. This guide explains how to study pharmacy in Turkey for the 2027 intake: programme structure, universities, fees, admission rules and scholarships.
What You Study in a Turkish Pharmacy Degree
- Years 1–2: general and organic chemistry, biology, physiology, anatomy and pharmaceutical botany.
- Years 3–4: pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical technology, biochemistry, toxicology and microbiology.
- Year 5: clinical pharmacy, pharmacy management and compulsory internships in community and hospital pharmacies.
If you enjoy laboratory science, our guide to studying microbiology in Turkey is also worth a look.
Universities Offering Pharmacy
Strong state faculties of pharmacy include Hacettepe, Ankara, Istanbul, Gazi and Ege universities. They are low-cost but competitive and mostly Turkish-taught. Private universities such as Istanbul Medipol, Yeditepe, Istinye, Acıbadem, Biruni, Bezmialem and Altınbaş are popular with international students, and several offer English-taught pharmacy.
Pharmacy Tuition Fees in Turkey
As a real example, Istinye University lists pharmacy for new international students in 2026–27 at $15,000 a year in English and $14,000 a year in Turkish (with a small discount for full payment). Compared with English-taught medicine at the same university ($29,000), pharmacy costs roughly half. Prices vary between universities, so compare several offers.
| Scholarship | Annual tuition (on $15,000) | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|
| None | $15,000 | $75,000 |
| 25% | $11,250 | $56,250 |
| 50% | $7,500 | $37,500 |
| 100% | $0 | $0 |
Illustrative calculation; awards usually require a minimum GPA each year.
See prices for other programmes in our tuition fees in Turkey guide.
Find a pharmacy programme that fits your budget
Saya Group compares English- and Turkish-taught pharmacy programmes and applies for the highest scholarship your grades allow.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma with good grades in chemistry and biology.
- For private universities: usually no YÖS; see how to study in Turkey without YÖS.
- For state universities: an exam score such as YÖS or SAT.
- English proficiency for English-taught programmes, or a preparatory year.
- Passport, translated documents and, after admission, diploma equivalence.
Career Prospects
Graduates work in community and hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory affairs, quality control, clinical research and academia. If you plan to practise in your home country, check its licensing rules and whether it recognises your chosen university before you apply.
Pharmacy, Medicine or Dentistry?
Pharmacy is shorter and cheaper than medicine and has strong industry careers. If you are set on clinical practice, compare it with our medical scholarship and dentistry scholarship guides.
English-Taught or Turkish-Taught Pharmacy?
English-taught programmes let you start studying sooner if your English is already strong, and they keep your options open for postgraduate study or work abroad. Turkish-taught programmes are often cheaper and are the norm at state universities, but you will first spend a year learning Turkish. Students who plan to work in Turkey after graduation also benefit from fluent Turkish.
Whichever you choose, pharmacy courses rely heavily on laboratory work and chemistry, so strong science grades from high school matter more than the language of instruction.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Shortlist universities based on language, fees and location.
- Prepare documents: passport, translated diploma and transcripts, English certificate if you have one.
- Apply early in 2027, as pharmacy quotas at popular private universities fill quickly.
- Compare offers and scholarships, then pay the deposit to secure your seat.
- Apply for your student visa and residence permit; see our Turkey student visa guide.
Where to Live as a Pharmacy Student
Most pharmacy faculties are in Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Istanbul offers the widest choice of universities and internships but has the highest rents, while Ankara and İzmir are usually cheaper and calmer. Plan your budget with our cost of living in Turkey guide.
Internships and Practical Training
A pharmacy degree in Turkey is not only lectures and laboratory work. Programmes include compulsory internships, usually in community pharmacies and hospital pharmacies, and sometimes in the pharmaceutical industry. These placements are where you learn how prescriptions are handled, how medicines are stored and dispensed, and how pharmacists advise patients.
For international students, internships are also a test of language skills. Even in English-taught programmes, patients and many staff in community pharmacies speak Turkish, so students who learn conversational Turkish early get far more out of their placements. A TÖMER Turkish language course alongside your first years of study is a practical investment. Ask each university how it arranges internships for international students, which partner pharmacies and hospitals it works with, and whether you can complete part of your training in your home country.
Working as a Pharmacist After Graduation
Most international graduates who study pharmacy in Turkey plan to work in their home country or a third country. Before you enrol, check what your target country requires to license foreign-trained pharmacists. Many countries ask for degree recognition, a licensing or qualifying exam, a period of supervised practice and proof of language ability.
Turkey is part of the Bologna Process, and universities issue ECTS credits and a Diploma Supplement, which helps when you apply for recognition. Our guide on whether Turkish degrees are recognised explains how this works in practice. Keep your transcripts, course descriptions and internship records, as licensing bodies often ask for detailed evidence of what you studied.
Rules for foreign nationals practising as pharmacists in Turkey itself are more restrictive than in many other professions, so do not assume you can work as a community pharmacist in Turkey after graduation. Licensing rules change, so confirm the requirements with the relevant professional body in your target country.
Tips to Succeed in Your Pharmacy Degree
- Strengthen your chemistry: organic chemistry and biochemistry are the subjects first-year students find hardest.
- Use the preparatory year well: if you take an English or Turkish prep year, focus on scientific vocabulary as well as general language.
- Join student societies: pharmacy student associations organise seminars, congresses and industry visits that help you build a network.
- Think about specialisation early: clinical pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, regulatory affairs and research all need slightly different experience.
Is Studying Pharmacy in Turkey Right for You?
Pharmacy in Turkey suits students who enjoy chemistry and biology, want a healthcare career without the length and cost of medicine, and like the idea of working in community pharmacies, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry or research. It is also a good fit if you want a programme that combines laboratory science with patient contact.
It may be less suitable if you dislike laboratory work, want to start earning quickly, or plan to practise in a country with a long and uncertain recognition process for foreign graduates. Weigh the five-year commitment, the total cost and the licensing route in your target country before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years is pharmacy in Turkey?
Five years, plus a preparatory language year if you need one.
Can I study pharmacy in English in Turkey?
Yes, several private universities offer English-taught pharmacy programmes.
Is YÖS required for pharmacy?
Not at most private universities, which admit based on your high school grades. State universities usually require an exam score.
Can I get a scholarship for pharmacy?
Yes. Private universities offer merit scholarships, and Türkiye Bursları is also open to pharmacy applicants.
Is a pharmacy degree from Turkey recognised abroad?
Degrees from accredited Turkish universities are widely recognised, but working as a pharmacist abroad usually also requires a licensing process in that country. Check the specific requirements of the country where you want to practise before you enrol.
Is pharmacy in Turkey difficult?
Pharmacy is a demanding five-year degree with a heavy science workload, especially in chemistry, pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology. Students with a solid science background and good study habits usually cope well.
Can I do a master’s or PhD in pharmacy in Turkey after graduating?
Yes. Many Turkish universities offer postgraduate programmes in areas such as pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical technology, which can lead to careers in research, industry or academia.
