Aston University
Aston University School
School Entry Requirements (UG)
School Entry Requirements (PG)
English Language
Approved School List
TURKEY
(Country Manager: Yuliya Whittem)
ABS
Lise Diplomasi at Grade 4 (B) (Old
system 7/10) + IELTS 6.5
EAS
Lise Diplomasi at Grade 4 (B) (Old
system 7/10) + IELTS 6.0 (6.5 for
Management programmes)
Suitable for year one entry providing
students come from one of the
schools from the Approved School
list below
GPA minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 plus 7.0
overall in IELTS.
For universities ranked as Excellent, a
GPA of 2.8 could be considered
acceptable. See list below.
Suitable for year one entry
providing students come from one
of the schools from the Approved
School list below
GPA minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 plus 6.5
overall in IELTS
For universities ranked as Excellent,
a GPA of 2.8 could be considered
acceptable. See list below.
LHS
Not accepted for year one
entry – IFP only
(This update: 02 January 2013)
LSS
Lise Diplomasi at Grade 4 (B) (Old system 7/10) +
IELTS 6.0
Suitable for year one entry providing students
come from one of the schools from the
Approved School list below
GPA minimum 3.0 out of 4.0
GPA minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 plus 6.5 overall in
plus 6.5 overall in IELTS
IELTS
For universities ranked as
For universities ranked as Excellent, a GPA of 2.8
Excellent, a GPA of 2.8 could
could be considered acceptable. See list below.
be considered acceptable.
See list below.
The medium of instruction is Turkish. All Turkish applicants must present evidence of meeting our English Language requirements. The number of private schools is
increasing rapidly; the vast majority of these institutions being English medium. Demand stems from parents looking to improve their children’s education and boost
their chance of a good university place, either in Turkey or abroad. English language classes usually start in the fourth grade (age 10/11).
When considering graduates of Turkish medium schools, the following two groups of secondary schools are entered by competitive entrance exam and
can be regarded as strong academically provided they present a minimum overall G.P.A of 4.0 - Anadolu Lisesi (Anatolian High Schools) and Fen Lisesi
(Science High Schools).
In addition to the Turkish medium schools above, there follows a list of high schools in Turkey where we can accept students directly into Year One if the applicants
meet the conditions above. The names on the left are the Turkish names of the schools listed on the right. If a school does not appear on the list, please contact the
Country Manager for Turkey for assistance.
ISTANBUL
Özel İstanbul Amerikan Robert Lisesi
Özel Eyüboglu Lisesi
Özel İtalyan Lisesi
Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi
Özel Saint Benoit Fransız Lisesi
Özel Saint George Avusturya Lisesi
Ticaret Okulu
Özel Saint Joseph Fransız Lisesi
Özel Saint Michael Fransız Lisesi
Özel Üsküdar Amerikan Lisesi
Tuzla Vehbi Koç Vakfı Koç Özel Lisesi
Kadıköy Anadolu Lisesi
Nişantaşı Işık / Şişli
Özel Alman Lisesi
Özel Ayazağa Işık Lisesi
Beyoğlu Anadolu Lisesi
İstanbul Galatasaray Lisesi
İstanbul Lisesi
Private Amerikan Robert College,İstabul (Aps)
Private Eyuboglu Hıgh School (IB)
Private Italian High School
Notre Dame de Sion
Saint Benoit French Hıgh School
Saint George’s Austrian High School
Private Saint Joseph French Lycee
Private Saint Michael French Lycee
Uskudar American Academy
Tuzla Vehbi Koc Foundation-The Koc School
Kadıköy Anatolian High School
Fevziye Schools Foundation- Sisli Isık Private
Hıgh School
German High School of İstanbul
Fevziye Schools Foundation- Ayazaga Isık
PrivateHıgh School
Beyoglu Anatolian High School
İstanbul Galatasaray High School
İstanbul High School
Istanbul International Community School
British International School
MEF International School
TED College Istanbul
HISAR School
ENKA Schools (Istanbul and Adapazari)
Eyoboglu School
ANKARA
Bilkent University Preparatory School
Bilkent University Preparatory School-
Bilkent International School (BUPS)
TED Ankara Koleji Vakfı Özel Lisesi
Bilkent International School (BUPS)
Private TED Ankara College
ADAPAZARI
ENKA Schools (Istanbul and Adapazari)
IZMIR
İzmir Fen Lisesi
Özel İzmir Amerikan Lises
Özel Saint Joseph Fransız Lisesi
İzmir Science High School
İzmir American Hıgh School ( American Collegiate Institute )
Private St. Joseph French Lycee
MERSIN
Devlet Lise Dipplomasi
(State High School Diploma)
Tarsus American College
8 years of basic education allows entry to a 3 or 4 year course at high school (Lise). Secondary education is provided by three main types of institution: general,
vocational and technical high schools.
Lise Bitirme Diplomasi
(Private High School Diploma)
General High Schools (General Lise)
These offer 3-year programmes which prepare students for entry into higher education. The core curriculum at all schools consists of the following subjects:
Biology
Chemistry
Foreign language
Geography
Health
History
History of the Turkish Revolution & the Reforms of
Atatürk
Mathematics
Military science
Philosophy
Physical education
Physics
Religious culture and ethics
Turkish language and
literature
After the first year, students select from six subject areas according to performance and interest. These are:
Art
Foreign
languages
Literature and
mathematics
Natural sciences
Social
sciences
Sports
Upon completion, students are awarded the State High School Diploma (Devlet Lise Diplomasi).
Types of institution offering general high school education
In addition to general high schools, the following institutions are able to offer general high school programs:
Foreign language high schools (Yabanca Dil
Agirlikli Lise)
Anatolian high schools (Anadolu Lisesi)
Science high schools (Fen Lisesi)
Anatolian Teacher Preparation High School
First implemented in the 1992/93 academic year, these were established to provide more effective and
extensive foreign language education at the secondary level. Courses last 4 years, with the first year
devoted to an intensive foreign language program.
These schools aim to provide a more effective form of foreign language teaching by using a modern
European language (usually English) as the primary medium of instruction in subjects such as
mathematics and science. Courses last 4 years, which includes a year of preparatory language education.
Entrance is based upon a highly competitive examination, the demand for which is explained by a limited
number of places and the generally very successful results of graduates in the subsequent University
Entrance Examinations.
These schools provide 3-year programs for gifted mathematics and science students, with heavy emphasis
placed on such in the curriculum. The language of instruction is Turkish. Graduates from Science High
Schools generally achieve the best scores in the subsequent University Entrance Examinations.
These institutions provide 4-year courses which prepare students for higher education-level teacher
(Anadolu Ögretmen Lisesi)
Anatolian Fine Arts high schools
programs. This includes a 1-year English-language preparatory course. Courses cover educational theory
and methodology and the history of education, alongside the courses offered at general high schools.
These institutions provide 4-year courses for gifted students in the area of fine arts. This includes a 1-year
English language preparatory course.
The Lise Diplomasi is a prerequisite for the State University Entrance Examinations in Turkey which admit to a 4-year Bachelors Degree. Entry is highly competitive.
Applicants may express a preference but the institution and the course offered depend on the results of the entrance examination administered by the Student
Selection and Placement Centre (OSYS). There is a particular pressure for places in engineering, medicine, economics and business-related programmes. Exam is
taken once a year (usually in May) and is multiple choice, lasting for five hours.
From 2000, a student wishing to enter a Turkish university has to graduate from High School with a min GPA of 3.0, and gain at least 120 points in the University
Entrance Exam (Ögrenci Seçme Sinavi - ÖSS).
If a student studies for an overseas degree, they still have to graduate from High School with a min GPA of 3.0, and gain at least 120 points in the ÖSS for their degree
to be recognised by YÖK. YÖK should also accredit the university, and students are strongly advised to register their overseas course with the Office of Equivalency at
YÖK before they begin their course. Three-year British degree courses are recognised by the accreditation office at the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
However, students who wish to study abroad, and who hold the following qualifications, do not have to sit the ÖSS for their degrees to be recognised; SAT 1 (minimum
score 1000 ), ACT (minimum score 21), Abitur, French Baccalaureat, GCE A level certificate (minimum 2 subjects), International Baccalaureat (IB).
For the university entrance exam, students choose a subject speciality from five options:

maths/science

social studies

foreign languages

music/art

Turkish/maths.
These relate to students’ preferences for university study. Students wanting to study foreign language based subjects (e.g. English Literature) also have to take an
additional language exam soon after the ÖSS.
Preparation for the ÖSS usually takes at least one year and many students attend dershane (crammer) schools after regular school classes, and at weekends.
Scores obtainable from each ÖSS speciality are weighted in favour of different university courses (Engineering, French, etc.). ÖSS scores have three components;
quantitative, verbal and combined.
Specific courses need certain ÖSS subjects and component scores; ÖSYM publishes a book listing these requirements.
However, it is not only the student’s raw ÖSS score that is used to calculate a student’s final ranking on the university admissions list; an additional weighting is
calculated, based on the High School attended by the student.
Each High School is classified as a specialist school for one, or more, of the five ÖSS subjects, or other specialist subjects (engineering, design, etc.) in the case of
vocational schools. Component scores of students are weighted in favour of the school classifications.
The High School grade point average (GPA) of each student is also used in the calculation of the final ÖSYM ranking; the better the GPA, the better the ranking. Finally
the average GPA of each school is factored in two; the better the school GPA, the better the students individual ranking.
As one school administrator explained, 'You have to choose your school, both for subject speciality and quality of results.' The importance of attending a good High
School is increasing as YÖK tries to take the power away from the private Dershane schools and increase funding into the state school sector.
The Ministry of Education also offers scholarships each year to each of the top 200 students in the University Entrance Exam (Ögrenci Seçme Sinavi - ÖSS). The
scholarships can only be used for undergraduate study outside Turkey. However, because many of the top 200 students are also eligible for other scholarships within
Turkey, the full contingent is never filled.
Considered to be equivalent to be between GCSE and A’level standard. Foundation programme is required unless the student attends one of the schools listed above
in the Approved Schools list and meets our entry requirements.
85 –
100%
70 – 84%
5
A
4
B
Very
good
Good
Develet Teknk Lise Diplomasi
(State Tech 4-year High School
Diploma)
Develet Maslet Kise Diplomasi
(State Vocational High School
Diploma)
55 – 69%
3
C
Average
45 – 54%
2
D
Pass
0 – 44%
1
E
Fail
Considered to be equivalent to between BTEC First Diploma and BTEC National Diploma and of a similar standard to the State High School Diploma.
Vocational and Technical High Schools (Meslek Liseleri, Teknik Liseler)
These provide 3-4-year secondary education programs which prepare students for employment in various occupations or higher education.
Vocational high schools offer 3-year courses with an average of 41 teaching periods per week. Upon completion, students are awarded a State Vocational or Trade
High School Diploma (Devlet Meslek Lise Diplomasi).
Technical high schools offer 4-year programs with an average of 41 teaching periods per week. Upon completion, students are awarded a State Technical 4-year High
School Diploma (Devlet Teknik Lise Diplomasi).
Look carefully at the transcripts as some programmes may not have sufficient academic content to satisfy entry requirements.
Foundation programme is required.
Higher Education in Turkey
85 –
5
A
Very
100%
good
70 – 84%
4
B
Good
55 – 69%
3
C
Average
45 – 54%
2
D
Pass
0 – 44%
1
E
Fail
Higher education in Turkey is defined as any post-secondary programme with a duration of more than 2 years.
There are 53 state and 19 private universities along with a number of non-university institutions of higher education. Each university decides on its own individual rules
and curricula. List of Turkish Universities attached.
Universities usually offer courses of 4 years or more, which lead to Bachelor degrees or professional titles. Colleges mainly offer 2-year courses and award Ön Lisans
(see entry below), but may also offer some 4-year courses.
Students who wish to enter universities must have a Lise Diplomasi and sit a competitive entrance examination conducted by the Student Assessment and Placement
Centre (ÖSYM), which works in conjunction with YÖK (Council of Higher Education). Overall scores are calculated using both examinations and high school grade point
averages. Once admitted, students can choose up to 24 course choices in order of preference. Further tests determine students' performance for some practical
courses.
Where English is the language of instruction, students must undertake a preliminary year to improve their English proficiency. The following University use English as
the medium of instruction:

Bilkent University (an agreement was signed in 2008 between ABS and Bilkent)

Bogaziçi University

Gaziantep University

Koc University

The Middle East Technical University
Anadolu University in Eskisehir offers distance learning courses.
There is no specific system for grading in the higher education system. Some use single letters (A - F), some use double letters (AA - FF).
Grading for

Bogaziçi University

the Middle East Technical University
Letter
GPA
Percentag
Grade
e
AA
4.0
90 – 100%
Excellent
BA
3.5
85 – 89%
Good /
Excellent
BB
3.0
80 – 84%
Good
CB
2.5
75 – 79%
Average /
Good
CC
DC
2.0
1.5
70 – 74%
65 – 69%
DD
F1 – F2
E
1.0
0
60 – 64%
0 – 59%
Average
Weak /
Average
Weak
Fail
Conditional Fail
A cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) of 2.0 for all courses taken is required for an undergraduate degree. When a course is repeated due to an F or DD, only the
new grade is included in the cumulative grade point average of the student. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 is required for work presented for a graduate
degree. If the semester or cumulative grade-point average is below 2.0 than the student is on probation. Probation indicates unsatisfactory work, not misconduct in any
sense; it is imposed one semester at a time. The student is removed from probation by the Faculty Executive Council. An average of 3.0 - 3.49 earns the rating of
Honour Student; an average of 3.50 - 4.0 earns the rating of High Honour Student.
Istanbul University
Ön Lisans
(Pre-Licence Diploma/Higher
Technician Diploma)
Percent
Letter Grade GPA
age
90 –
A
4.0
100%
84 –
B+
3.7
89%
77 –
B
3.3
83%
70 –
C+
3
76%
63 –
C
2.7
69%
56 –
D+
2.3
62%
50 –
D
2.0
55%
0–
F
Fail
49%
There are mostly 2 years in duration and successful completion results in the Ön Lisans Diplomasi (Pre-Licence Diploma/Higher Technician Diploma).
Subjects offered include:

catering

fashion design

office management

computer programming

electronics

dental technology

nursing
Some vocational education centres/colleges of higher education also offer a 4-year Diplomasi qualification in some special fields, such as nursing. They also train
teachers.
Lisans Diplomasi
(Bachelors degree)
Considered UK Bachelors (Hons)
equivalent
Uzmanlik Belgesi
(Specialist Certificate)
Mühendis Diplomasi
(Engineer's Diploma)
Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi
Usually considered to be the equivalent of the first year of a UK Bachelor degree (occasionally equated with HND)
This is the Bachelors level lasting at least 4 years. Dentistry (Dis Hekimligi Diplomasi), veterinary medicine (Veteriner Hekim Diplomasi) and architecture courses last up
to 5 years and medicine 6 years.
Students are usually required to maintain a grade point average of at least 2.00.
In medicine the professional qualification of Tip Doktorlugu Diplomasi is awarded. Degrees awarded in veterinary medicine, dentistry and medicine have equivalent
standing to the Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi (Master's Degree).
This is awarded in certain fields including agriculture, pharmacy or veterinary science two years after completion of a Lisans Diplomasi.
This is awarded after completion of the first level of university studies.
Takes 2 years to complete and admission is through an entrance exam. The first year is taught whereas the second year is the preparation of a thesis. Students must
(Master's Degree)
complete a minimum of seven credit courses and obtain a grade point average of at least 3.00 to graduate.
Considered UK Masters equivalent
The Yüksek Mühendis Diplomasi (higher engineer diploma) is awarded upon completion of a further 2 years study at the second level of university studies. It is the
equivalent of a Master's degree.
Candidates are expected to have the equivalent of a master's degree and pass the entrance examination.
Doktora
(Doctor of Philosophy)
Considered UK PhD equivalent
Uzmanlik
(Specialist degree)
International Schools
A PhD is awarded to those who successfully finish a 2-year instruction period followed by completion of a doctoral thesis (this generally takes 4 years in total). In fine
arts, completion of the university course may lead to a Diploma of Proficiency.
This is a qualification awarded to specialists in medical fields and is conducted in training hospitals. It is equivalent to a doctorate.
Ankara:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bilkent University Preparatory School/ Bilkent International School – An English-medium school set up in 1993 and operated by the board of trustees of
Bilkent University, one of Turkey’s leading Univeristy and an Aston University partner. Caters for Turkish students wanting to study in English and to the
international community in Ankara. IGCSE offered from grade 9 and IB Diploma from year 11. Ages 4-19 years catered for, males and female.
Ozel Bilkent Lisesi – Again, set in the grounds of Bilkent University but this school follows the national curriculum. A significant part of the curriculum is taught
in English so graduates should be proficient users of English, although IELTS still required.
Ozel Buyuk Kolej – A private, independent, co-educational school offering bilingual education. Students follows the national curriculum. Ages 5-18 catered
for. There is a comprehensive ESL programme which means graduates are proficient English speakers with either a TOEFL or UCLES qualification.
Ted Ankara College Foundation - A private, co-educational institution offering the national curriculum and encompassing a university preparatory program
taught in English (except Social Science). IB Diploma started in 1999 from year 11 onwards. Ages 5-18 catered for.
Istanbul:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Istanbul International Community School – Premier, independent, international school. Caters to students aged 3-18 and offers the IB Diploma and SATs.
The Koc School – One of the most popular schools in Turkey. Entry for Turkish nationals is by competitive examination. Co-educational boarding and day
school. The curriculum is university preparatory throughout with very high academic standards and well-qualified graduates. Students follow the Turkish Lise
programme with the option to take IB Diploma as an extra.
Robert College of Istanbul – The oldest American School outside the USA. Caters for male and female students between the ages of 4 and 20 years.
Admissions is through a highly competitive examination and enrolment comes from the top 2% of the examinees. Most students graduating had for the USA
as the curriculum is American-focussed with SATS and APs offered alongside the Turkish Lise. 70% of the corsework is taught in English except for science
and maths.
Uskudar American Academy – English language medium school offering SAT and AP curriculum to students in the 5-19 age bracket.
Yuzyil Isil High School – Opened 1995, an IB school. Ages catered for are 14-17 years. Entrance by competitive examination. English medium.
State Universities:
Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu
Adnan Menderes University, Aydin
Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyon
Akdeniz University, Antalya
-Average
-Average
-Average
Excellent
Anadolu University, Eskisehir
Ankara University, Ankara
Excellent
Atatürk University, Erzurum
+Average
Balikesir University, Balikesir
-Average
Bogaziçi University, Istanbul
Excellent
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Average
Celal Bayar University, Manisa
+Average
Cukurova University, Adana
+Average
Cumhuriyet University, Sivas
Average
Dicle University, Diyarbakir
Average
Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir
Excellent
Dumlupinar University, Kütahya
-Average
Ege University, Izmir
Excellent
Erciyes University, Kayseri
+Average
Firat University, Elazig
-Average
Galatasaray University, Istanbul
Excellent
Gazi University, Ankara

Turkey’s second largest University
Excellent

Nigel Reeves & Dennis Crumpton visited in October 2002
Gaziantep University, Gaziantep
-Average
Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat
-Average
Hacettepe University, Ankara
Excellent
Harran University, Sanliurfa
-Average
Inönü University, Malatya
Average
Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul
Excellent
Istanbul University, Istanbul
Excellent
Kafkas University, Kars
-Average
Kahramanmaras Sütçü Imam University, Kahramanmaras –Aver
Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon
+Average
Kirikkale University, Kirikkale
Average
Kocaeli University, Kocaeli
Average
Marmara University, Istanbul
Excellent
Mersin University, Mersin
Middle East Technical University, Ankara
Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul
Mugla University, Mugla
Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay
Nigde University, Nigde
Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun
Osmangazi University, Eskisehir
Pamukkale University, Denizli
Sakarya University, Sakarya
Selçuk University, Konya
Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta
Trakya University, Edirne
Uludag University, Bursa
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul
Yüzüncü Yil University, Van
Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak
-Average
Excellent
Excellent
-Average
-Average
-Average
Average
-Average
Average
+Average
Average
Average
Excellent
Excellent
Average
-Average
State Higher Institutes of Technology:


Gebze Higher Institute of Technology, Gebze
Izmir Higher Institute of Technology, Izmir
Private Universities:
Atilim University, Ankara
Average
Bahcesehir University, Istanbul + Average
Baskent University, Ankara
+ Average
Beykent University, Istanbul
Average
Bilkent University, Ankara (ABS partner) E
Cag University, Tarsus
Cankaya University, Ankara
+Average
Dogus University, Istanbul
Average
Fatih University, Istanbul
Average
Halic University, Istanbul
-Average
Isik University, Istanbul
Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul
Istanbul Kultur University, Istanbul
Kadir Has University, Istanbul
Koc University, Istanbul
Maltepe University, Istanbul
Okan University, Istanbul
Sabanci University, Istanbul
Ufuk University, Istanbul
Yeditepe University, Istanbul
Average
Excellent
-Average
Average
Excellent
Average
-Average
Excellent
-Average
Excellent
Note universities have been marked as Excellent (the best), +Average (second best), Average and –Average (low average where you might wish to ask for a GPA slightly higher than 3.0).
RANKINGS:
(1) The following rankings were submitted by one of our agents in Turkey, British Education Bureau (BEB) in May 2009.
Below is a ranking of the top 15 Universities. This has been sourced from official Turkish and international rankings. But we have also sought the opinions of respected academics and employers, to
give a clearer picture. The intention is to establish a ranking which is specific for British Universities to consider when assessing students.
We are confident that this is an accurate reflection of the standards. Official Turkish sources would tend to overlook the private institutions and focus heavily on 'red brick' Universities, so would not
give an accurate picture. So we have sought to get the balance right. Naturally, all of these universities are officially classified as 'excellent'.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Bogazici (Boshorus) University
Middle East Technical University
Istanbul Technical University
Sabanci University
Bilkent University
Istanbul University
Koc University
Ankara University
Hacettepe University
(Istanbul - Public)
(Ankara - Public)
(Istanbul - Public)
(Istanbul - Private)
(Ankara - Private)
(Istanbul - Public)
(Istanbul - Private)
(Ankara - Public)
(Ankara - Public)
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Ege University
Gazi University
Yeditepe University
Bilgi University
Galatasaray University
Middle East Technical University
(Izmir - Public)
(Ankara - Public)
(Ankara - Private)
(Istanbul - Private)
(Istanbul - Public)
(Ankara - Public)
(2) British Council Turkey issued university rankings in May 2009. Institutions are ranked in order of student preference for places. Please see separate document called Turkish University
Rankings 2009 for details.
Note: In the medicine rankings, Hacettepe (fist and second) and Istanbul (third and fourth) appear twice. This is because the first ranking for Medicine at Hacettepe is taught in English and second
one is taught in Turkish. Third ranking for Medicine at Istanbul University is in Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine and the fourth one is in Istanbul Faculty of Medicine.