Many private universities in Turkey teach Medicine in English, mostly in Istanbul and Ankara. The table below lists the universities whose own websites confirm an English-taught Medicine program, with the city and a short note on each. Before you choose, compare the entry rules, the language of the clinical years and how your home country recognizes the degree.
What “English-taught Medicine” means in Turkey
A Medicine degree (MD) in Turkey usually takes six years, as several universities on this list state. At private (foundation) universities, international students often choose between an English-taught and a Turkish-taught version of the same program. Some universities, however, teach Medicine only in Turkish, or mostly in Turkish with some courses in English, so “Medicine” on a university’s list does not always mean English.
Three points to keep in mind:
- English preparatory year. If you do not have an accepted English score, you take the university’s English exam. If you do not pass, you study a preparatory year first, which makes your total study time longer.
- Language of the clinical years. Patients in Turkey speak Turkish. At least one university, Istanbul Aydın University, states that its English Medicine program is fully in English for the first three years, and that hospital training from Year 4 is in Turkish. Ask every university how the clinical years work.
- Turkish still matters. Even in an English program, learning Turkish helps you in hospitals and daily life. Many universities run TÖMER Turkish language centers.
Universities with English-taught Medicine: comparison table
The table is based on each university’s official international pages. Programs and languages can change, so confirm the details of your program on our program search, where you will also find the live fees.
| University | City | Medicine language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University | Istanbul (Ataşehir) | English | Health-focused; trains at Acıbadem university hospitals; two teacher reference letters required |
| Altınbaş University | Istanbul | English | Accepts TOEFL iBT 65 or PTE Academic 55 for bachelor’s; English prep school with four levels |
| Bahçeşehir University (BAU) | Istanbul (Beşiktaş) | English | Broad university; ask where clinical training takes place |
| Biruni University | Istanbul (Zeytinburnu) | English (Turkish option also listed) | Biruni University Hospital, opened 2016 |
| Haliç University | Istanbul (Eyüpsultan) | English | English Medicine since 2021–2022; motivation letter required |
| Istanbul Atlas University | Istanbul (Kağıthane) | English or Turkish track | Runs Atlas University Hospital in Bağcılar |
| Istanbul Aydın University | Istanbul (Küçükçekmece) | English or Turkish | First three years fully in English; hospital training from Year 4 in Turkish |
| Istanbul Health and Technology University (İSTÜN) | Istanbul (Beyoğlu) | English | Six-year program; accepts TOEFL iBT 75 or an English-medium school letter |
| Istanbul Medipol University | Istanbul (Beykoz) | English (also a mainly Turkish version) | International School of Medicine; JCI-accredited Medipol Mega University Hospital |
| Istanbul Okan University | Istanbul (Tuzla) | English or Turkish | Own university hospital on the Tuzla campus |
| İstinye University | Istanbul (Sarıyer, Zeytinburnu) | English | Trains in hospitals of the Liv Hospital and Medical Park group |
| Üsküdar University | Istanbul (Üsküdar) | English or Turkish | Known for neuroscience; clinical sites in NP Health Group hospitals |
| Yeditepe University | Istanbul (Ataşehir) | English | Own university hospitals; English is the main teaching language |
| Ankara Medipol University | Ankara | English | One-year English prep for Medicine if needed; TOEFL iBT 84 or PTE 71 accepted |
| Atılım University | Ankara (İncek) | English | Known for engineering; all health sciences programs in English |
| Başkent University | Ankara (Etimesgut) | English or Turkish | Requires an exam or qualification result (e.g. YÖS, SAT, IB, A levels); higher English score (e.g. TOEFL iBT 96) |
| Lokman Hekim University | Ankara | English or Turkish | Six-year program; own hospitals of the Lokman Hekim Health Group |
| Yüksek İhtisas University | Ankara | English or Turkish | No own hospital; clinical practice in contracted and public hospitals |
Some well-known universities are not in the table because their Medicine program is taught in Turkish, or mainly in Turkish. For example, Nişantaşı, Beykent and Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl universities teach Medicine in Turkish, and Bezmialem Vakıf University states that its Medicine is taught about 70% in Turkish and 30% in English.
Istanbul or Ankara?
Most English-taught Medicine programs are in Istanbul. The city has many university hospitals and a large international student community, but it is big, and commutes between home, campus and hospital can be long. Check where your clinical training will take place before you choose your housing. Our advisors can tell you where each program trains its students.
Ankara, the capital, has fewer options but a calmer pace. Başkent, Lokman Hekim, Ankara Medipol, Atılım and Yüksek İhtisas all offer Medicine in English.
Admission requirements: an honest look
Private universities in Turkey usually admit international students based on their high school results, without a central entrance exam. Medicine is still the most competitive program, and the rules are stricter than for other subjects. Here is what the universities’ own pages show:
- Higher minimum results. Istanbul Medipol lists higher minimums for Medicine and Dentistry than for other programs for several qualifications, such as the Iranian diploma with Pişdaneşgahi, the Baccalaureate and the ACT.
- Exam or qualification required at some universities. Başkent University does not accept a high school diploma alone for Medicine. You need a qualifying result in an exam or system it lists, such as YÖS, SAT, ACT, IB or A levels.
- Extra documents. Acıbadem asks Medicine applicants for two reference letters from Math, Biology or Chemistry teachers. Haliç asks for a motivation letter.
- English level. Requirements differ. Başkent asks for a higher English score for Medicine (for example TOEFL iBT 96). Ankara Medipol accepts TOEFL iBT 84, PTE 71 or 70 in its own exam, and Biruni exempts students with TOEFL iBT 79 from the preparatory program.
- Limited places. Universities set a limited number of places (quotas) for international students each year, so apply early.
No agency can guarantee a place in Medicine. A strong file with complete, consistent documents gives you the best chance. Read our guide on how to apply to Turkish universities for the full process.
Recognition in your home country
All the universities in the table are foundation universities approved by YÖK, Turkey’s Council of Higher Education, and their degrees have the same legal status as degrees from other Turkish universities. Medicine, however, is a regulated profession. To work as a doctor at home, you will usually need approval from your country’s medical council, and some countries add their own licensing exam. Contact your ministry or medical council before you apply and ask about the exact university and program.
Fees and budget
Fees for Medicine are set by each university and change every year, so we do not list amounts here. You can see the live fees on each university page and in our guide to studying medicine in Turkey in English. Some universities offer discounts, such as for early payment or siblings, or merit scholarships. For living costs, see the cost of studying in Turkey.
If you are also open to North Cyprus, universities such as Near East University and Cyprus International University teach Medicine in English. Recognition rules there are different, so read our guide to studying in North Cyprus first.
How Lord Agency can help
Since 2017, Lord Agency has helped international students apply to private universities in Turkey and North Cyprus, including many of the medical schools above. We can compare entry rules, languages and current fees for your nationality, and help you prepare a complete application. Our consultation is free. Request a free consultation or message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study Medicine in Turkey fully in English?
Yes, at the universities in the table above. Still, ask each university about the clinical years. At Istanbul Aydın University, for example, hospital training from Year 4 is in Turkish, and patients in every Turkish hospital speak Turkish.
Do I need an entrance exam for Medicine in Turkey?
Usually not at private universities, which admit international students based on high school results. Some, such as Başkent University, require a result in an exam or qualification such as YÖS, SAT, ACT, IB or A levels.
How long is Medicine in Turkey?
Usually six years; several universities, such as İSTÜN, Lokman Hekim and Yüksek İhtisas, state a six-year program. If you need an English preparatory year, add one more year.
Is a Turkish medical degree recognized abroad?
Degrees from YÖK-approved universities are official Turkish degrees. To practise medicine in another country, you usually need approval from that country’s medical council, and sometimes a licensing exam. Check before you apply.
Which university is best for Medicine in English?
There is no single best choice. Compare the hospital where you will train, the language of the clinical years, entry requirements, the city and the current fees. Our advisors can help you build a shortlist.
