This guideline is established based on the most recent legislation from the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and pertinent sections of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, specifically Article 7. YÖK govern the admission process for various categories of applicants seeking entry into undergraduate programs in Turkey, including foreign nationals, former Turkish citizens, citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and dual citizens.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions to be eligible for direct application to undergraduate programs in Turkey:
Foreign Nationals with Secondary Education in Turkey (Before Specified Academic Years):
Foreign nationals who completed their secondary education (high school) in Turkey before the 2022–2023 academic year as per YÖK regulations, and before the 2024–2025 academic year according to institutional guidelines, are eligible to apply directly to undergraduate programs. This eligibility does not extend to those who attended embassy schools, international private educational institutions registered in the MOBIS system, or participated in Ministry of National Education projects.
Former Turkish Citizens / Blue Card Holders:
Individuals who have renounced their Turkish citizenship or hold a Blue Card, and were enrolled in secondary education in Turkey before the 2022–2023 academic year, qualify under this category. These applicants must provide documentation proving the renunciation of their Turkish citizenship and comply with relevant provisions of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901.
Foreign Nationals or Dual Citizens:
Holders of foreign citizenship or dual citizenship (including Turkish) who were enrolled in Turkish secondary education institutions prior to the 2022–2023 academic year are eligible to apply. According to Article 7 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, individuals born to a Turkish parent are considered Turkish citizens at birth, which may influence their application category and eligibility.
Turkish Citizens Educated Entirely Abroad:
Turkish citizens who have completed all secondary education outside Turkey (excluding the TRNC) are eligible. This includes graduates from Turkish high schools abroad recognized by the Ministry of National Education (MEB), provided the school is not located in the TRNC. These applicants must provide proof of their physical attendance abroad, such as passport entries, to verify their education abroad during high school.
Nationals of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC):
TRNC nationals residing in the TRNC who completed their entire secondary education under the GCE A-Level system are eligible. Additionally, TRNC nationals who studied in a GCE A-Level system abroad between 2005 and 2010 and possess GCE A-Level results also meet the eligibility criteria.
YKS Requirement for Certain Applicants:
Starting from the 2022–2023 academic year, certain applicants within the aforementioned categories, specifically foreign nationals, former Turkish citizens/Blue Card holders, and TRNC citizens enrolling in secondary schools in Turkey must submit valid Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) results to gain admission to higher education institutions in Turkey. This YKS requirement is waived for those who were enrolled in Turkish secondary schools before the 2022–2023 academic year, provided they satisfy all other eligibility conditions.
Ineligibility Criteria
Applicants do not qualify under the “applications from abroad” category if they fall into any of the following categories:
Turkish Citizens Who Completed All Secondary Education in Turkey or the TRNC:
Individuals who hold Turkish citizenship and have completed their entire secondary education in Turkey or the TRNC are generally ineligible unless they meet the conditions specified for Turkish citizens educated entirely abroad.
TRNC Citizens (Not Meeting Eligibility):
TRNC citizens who do not satisfy the GCE A-Level requirements or who completed their secondary education in the GCE A-Level system outside the specified dates (2005–2010) are ineligible.
Dual Nationals by Birth with Turkish Citizenship:
Dual nationals, one of whose citizenships is Turkish by birth, who have completed all their secondary education in Turkey or the TRNC are ineligible unless they qualify under the exemption for completing their entire secondary education abroad.
Applicants with Distance Education Diplomas Abroad:
Applicants who obtained a distance education diploma abroad without physically residing in the foreign country during their high school period are disqualified from the international category.
Dual Nationals with TRNC Nationality:
Dual nationals holding TRNC nationality must meet the TRNC national eligibility criteria If these conditions are not met, they remain ineligible.
Graduates of Embassy Schools or Certain International Private Schools:
Graduates who hold Turkish citizenship, dual citizenship (including Turkish), or have renounced Turkish citizenship but attended embassy schools, international private schools registered in the MOBIS system, or participated in Ministry of National Education projects from the 2022–2023 academic year onward are generally ineligible. This is subject to YKS requirements or other statutory exceptions.
Recent Enrollees in Turkish Secondary Education
Turkish citizens, Blue Card holders, or foreign nationals planning to enroll in Turkish secondary education from the 2024–2025 academic year onwards are typically ineligible unless they satisfy specific exceptions defined by YÖK or other relevant regulations.
To further qualify for direct application to undergraduate programs in Turkey, applicants must adhere to specific age and educational timeline criteria. Firstly, applicants must be 23 years old or younger at the time of application. Individuals over 23 years old have a very slight chance of being accepted, and some programs may enforce stricter age limits. It is essential for applicants to verify the specific age requirements of their chosen programs with Hitit University to ensure compliance.
Secondly, the recency of high school graduation is a critical factor in the eligibility process. Applicants must have graduated from high school within the last five years prior to the application date. Those whose high school graduation date exceeds five years from the application date are rejected and considered ineligible for direct application. This criterion is strictly enforced to maintain the relevance and currency of the applicant's educational background, and exceptions are typically not granted, highlighting the importance of meeting this requirement.
All students whose applications are accepted are personally responsible for completing their university registration, visa procedures, and all related processes. Please ensure that you plan your visa application and travel arrangements in accordance with the official registration dates
