{"id":12658,"date":"2026-10-07T19:47:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T16:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/?p=12658"},"modified":"2026-10-07T21:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T17:58:10","slug":"best-medical-universities-in-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/best-medical-universities-in-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Medical Universities in Turkey 2027: Top State and Private Medical Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Turkey has some of the strongest medical schools in the region, backed by large university hospitals and a busy health tourism sector. For international students the real question is not only &#8220;which is the best?&#8221; but &#8220;which is the best <em>for me<\/em>?&#8221;, because admission rules, language and fees differ sharply between state and private universities. This guide introduces the <strong>best medical universities in Turkey<\/strong> for the 2027 intake and explains how to choose.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#FFF8E8;border:1px solid #E9CF95;border-left:5px solid #D4A64A;border-radius:12px;padding:16px 20px;margin:22px 0;\"><strong>At a glance:<\/strong> Medicine (MD) in Turkey takes 6 years, including a final internship year \u2022 Top state faculties are mostly Turkish-taught and admit by exam score \u2022 Leading private universities offer English-taught medicine and 25%\u2013100% scholarships \u2022 Check recognition in your home country before you choose.<\/div>\n<h2>How We Chose These Universities<\/h2>\n<p>There is no single official ranking of Turkish medical schools. This list combines long-standing reputation, the size and quality of university hospitals, research output and international rankings such as subject rankings and hospital rankings. For example, Hacettepe University Hospitals were ranked 234th in the world and second in Turkey in Newsweek\u2019s World\u2019s Best Hospitals 2026 list.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin:26px 0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12624\" src=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-medical-universities-in-turkey-photo.webp\" alt=\"Medical students and doctors during clinical training\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:14px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-medical-universities-in-turkey-photo.webp 1200w, https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-medical-universities-in-turkey-photo-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-medical-universities-in-turkey-photo-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/best-medical-universities-in-turkey-photo-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption style=\"font-size:13px;color:#5b6280;text-align:center;margin-top:6px\">University hospitals give Turkish medical students hands-on clinical training.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Top State Medical Faculties<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Hacettepe University (Ankara):<\/strong> widely seen as one of Turkey&#8217;s leading medical schools, with a large hospital network and an English-taught medicine programme alongside its Turkish one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Istanbul University \u2013 Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (\u00c7apa):<\/strong> Turkey&#8217;s oldest medical faculty and a major teaching hospital in Istanbul.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Istanbul University-Cerrahpa\u015fa:<\/strong> another historic Istanbul faculty with strong surgical departments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ankara University:<\/strong> one of the country&#8217;s established medical schools with large teaching hospitals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ege University (\u0130zmir), Gazi University (Ankara), Marmara University (Istanbul) and Dokuz Eyl\u00fcl University (\u0130zmir):<\/strong> respected faculties with strong clinical training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>State universities charge international students much lower fees, but admission is competitive and usually requires an exam score such as Y\u00d6S or SAT. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/what-is-the-yos-exam\/\">Y\u00d6S exam guide<\/a> to prepare.<\/p>\n<h2>Top Private Medical Schools<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ko\u00e7 University (Istanbul):<\/strong> a research-focused university with a modern hospital and an English-taught medical programme.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ac\u0131badem Mehmet Ali Ayd\u0131nlar University (Istanbul):<\/strong> linked to one of Turkey&#8217;s largest private hospital groups.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Istanbul Medipol University:<\/strong> large English-taught medicine programme with its own hospitals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bah\u00e7e\u015fehir, Yeditepe, Istinye and \u00dcsk\u00fcdar universities (Istanbul):<\/strong> popular with international students thanks to English-taught options and scholarships.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ba\u015fkent University (Ankara):<\/strong> known for its hospital network across Turkey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Private universities admit international students mainly on high school grades, and many do not require Y\u00d6S. See how in our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/study-in-turkey-without-yos\/\">study in Turkey without Y\u00d6S<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>State vs Private: Quick Comparison<\/h2>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:18px 0;font-size:15px\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background:#0B1F3A;color:#fff\">\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left\"><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left\">State universities<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding:10px;text-align:left\">Private universities<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Tuition<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Low, set by each university<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">High; e.g. ~$24,000\u2013$29,000\/yr for English-taught medicine at large Istanbul privates (2026\u201327)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Language<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Mostly Turkish (prep year)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">English or Turkish<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Admission<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Exam score (Y\u00d6S, SAT, etc.)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Mainly high school grades<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">Scholarships<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">T\u00fcrkiye Burslar\u0131<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:10px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7ef\">25%\u2013100% merit awards<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;color:#5b6280\">Compare full prices in our tuition fees guide.<\/p>\n<p>For full price lists, read our <a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/tuition-fees-in-turkey\/\">tuition fees in Turkey<\/a> guide, and for funding options our <a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/medical-scholarship-in-turkey\/\">medical scholarship in Turkey<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0B1F3A,#163E70);color:#fff;border-radius:16px;padding:24px 26px;margin:30px 0;\">\n<p style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#F2C66D;margin:0 0 8px;\">Which medical school fits your grades?<\/p>\n<p style=\"color:#fff;margin:0 0 10px;\">Saya Group compares state and private medical faculties for your grades, budget and recognition needs, and applies for the highest scholarship you qualify for.<\/p>\n<p><a style=\"display:inline-block;background:#D4A64A;color:#0B1F3A;font-weight:700;padding:11px 22px;border-radius:30px;text-decoration:none;margin-top:8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/free-consultation\/\">Get a Free Consultation<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How to Choose the Right Medical University<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Recognition:<\/strong> check that your home country&#8217;s ministry of health or medical council recognises the university.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clinical training:<\/strong> ask about the university hospital, patient numbers and where internships take place.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Language:<\/strong> even in English-taught programmes, learning Turkish helps a lot with patients during clinical years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Total cost:<\/strong> include six years of tuition, any preparatory year and living costs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scholarship terms:<\/strong> check the minimum GPA you must keep every year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Admission Timeline for the 2027 Intake<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Autumn 2026:<\/strong> decide between state and private universities and check recognition in your country.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Late 2026 \u2013 early 2027:<\/strong> sit Y\u00d6S or SAT if you are targeting state universities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>January\u2013February 2027:<\/strong> apply for T\u00fcrkiye Burslar\u0131 if you want a fully funded place.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Early 2027 onwards:<\/strong> apply to private universities as soon as international admissions open; medicine quotas fill first.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Summer 2027:<\/strong> accept your offer, pay the deposit and apply for your student visa.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What Life Is Like as a Medical Student in Turkey<\/h2>\n<p>The first three years focus on basic and pre-clinical sciences in lectures, labs and small groups. From the fourth year, students rotate through hospital departments such as internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology. The final year is a full internship with real ward responsibilities under supervision.<\/p>\n<p>Students in English-taught programmes who also learn Turkish find the clinical years much easier, because most patients speak Turkish. Many universities offer free Turkish courses for international students, and it is worth starting early.<\/p>\n<h2>How the Six-Year Medical Programme Is Structured<\/h2>\n<p>Medicine in Turkey takes six years at every university, with an optional language preparatory year beforehand. Programmes generally follow the same three-stage structure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pre-clinical years (years 1\u20133):<\/strong> basic medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology and pathology, often taught through integrated, system-based modules.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clinical clerkships (years 4\u20135):<\/strong> rotations through departments such as internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry in university hospitals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internship year (year 6):<\/strong> a full year of supervised practice in which you take on more responsibility for patient care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When comparing the best medical universities in Turkey, ask how many hospital beds and patients students have access to, how large clinical groups are, and how much contact with Turkish-speaking patients you should expect during rotations.<\/p>\n<h2>Practising Medicine After Graduation<\/h2>\n<p>Most international students plan to practise in their home country or another country after graduating. Before choosing a university, check what your target country requires from foreign medical graduates. This often includes recognition of the degree, a national licensing exam, a period of supervised practice and language tests. Many licensing systems also check that the medical school appears in international directories of recognised schools.<\/p>\n<p>Turkey is part of the Bologna Process and issues ECTS credits and a Diploma Supplement, which helps with recognition. Read more in our guide to whether <a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/are-turkish-degrees-recognized\/\">Turkish degrees are recognised<\/a> abroad. Rules change, so always confirm current requirements with the medical licensing authority in the country where you want to work.<\/p>\n<h2>Red Flags When Choosing a Medical School<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A newly opened faculty without its own university hospital or established clinical partners.<\/li>\n<li>Agents promising guaranteed admission or a scholarship before you have applied.<\/li>\n<li>Unclear information about the language of instruction during clinical years.<\/li>\n<li>No clear answer about fees for every year, including the preparatory year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a broader overview of the degree itself, see our guide on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/study-medicine-in-turkey\/\">study medicine in Turkey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Which is the best medical university in Turkey?<\/h3>\n<p>Hacettepe University and Istanbul University&#8217;s medical faculties are often named among the best. Among private universities, Ko\u00e7 and Ac\u0131badem have strong reputations. The best choice depends on your grades, budget and language.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I study medicine in English in Turkey?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Many private universities and some state universities, such as Hacettepe, offer English-taught medicine.<\/p>\n<h3>How long is medical school in Turkey?<\/h3>\n<p>Six years, with the final year spent as an intern in hospital departments. A preparatory language year may be added if needed.<\/p>\n<h3>Are Turkish medical degrees recognised?<\/h3>\n<p>Degrees from accredited Turkish universities are recognised in many countries, but each country has its own licensing rules and approved lists, so always check before you apply.<\/p>\n<h3>Can international graduates specialise in Turkey after medical school?<\/h3>\n<p>Specialty training in Turkey is accessed through a national examination, and the conditions for foreign nationals differ from those for Turkish citizens. If you hope to specialise in Turkey, check the current rules early in your studies.<\/p>\n<h3>Is it hard to get into medical school in Turkey as an international student?<\/h3>\n<p>Competition is high at leading state universities, which admit international students through Y\u00d6S or accepted international exam results. Private universities usually admit students based on high school grades, but places in medicine fill quickly, so apply early.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#F4F6FB;border:1px solid #E3E7F2;border-radius:14px;padding:18px 22px;margin:30px 0\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;margin:0 0 8px;color:#0B1F3A\">Related guides<\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/dentistry-scholarship-in-turkey\/\">Dentistry Scholarship in Turkey 2027<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/study-medicine-in-china-vs-turkey\/\">Study Medicine in China vs Turkey 2027<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/100-percent-scholarship-in-turkey\/\">100% Scholarship in Turkey 2027<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The best medical universities in Turkey for 2027: leading state medical faculties, top private medical schools with English-taught MD programmes, admission rules, fees and scholarships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-study-abroad"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12658"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12895,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12658\/revisions\/12895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sayainternational.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}