Best private medical universities in turkey

Last Updated on July 30, 2023

Becoming a medical practitioner is maybe the most popular career goal that many have, way before even reaching high school. Future doctors nurture their passion for helping others and start studying Medicine before applying to a medical school.

Medicine is also a versatile field that can be studied anywhere in the world, so you have a variety of choices at your disposal. This is why it may sound easy to choose a medical school abroad. However, since it’s a decision that might change your life, it needs to be well planned in advance.

Right here on infolearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on hacettepe university ranking, istanbul university ranking, best medical schools in turkey, best medical universities in istanbul, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.

Requirements for studying Medicine in Turkey

Requirements depend on the school. Some offer free tuition to those who have aced the International Student Exam (YÖS) and TOEFL IBT or IELTS exam. A high GPA and GRE are also needed to gain admission to state medical schools.

Private medical schools, on the other hand, usually do not require applicants to undergo an International Student Exam.

They, however, need to have a high GPA (80% or above), GRE, and TOEFL IBT/IELTS scores. Because they have more slots for international students, admission rates are higher in Private universities.

Applying to medical schools in Turkey can be a tough process, so we’ve provided a guide on How to Study in Turkey for International Students. This guide will give you a general overview of the application process, so check it out!

How Much does it Cost to Study in Turkish Medical Schools?

As mentioned in the introduction, it costs anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 a year to study in private medical schools. In addition, you will need to pay for living costs such as rent, food, and transportation costs. This cost will be high for many international students, but there are ways that you can study for free. If you are interested, check out How to Study in Turkey for Free (10 Steps).

How long does it take to study in Medical Schools in Turkey?

Compared to the US where medical school takes 4 years, you will need 6 years to study medicine in Turkey. The first and second years consist of basic science education, while the third year of schooling deals with pathologies and diseases.

The fourth and fifth years are focused on clinical internships, while sixth-year students take on the duty of a regular doctor. Though they are called interns, these physicians receive compensation for their hospital duties.

Best Medical Schools in Turkey

1. Hacettepe University

  • Medical Program Page

The founding of Hacettepe University’s Faculty of Medicine, in 1963, was preceded by the establishment of the Department of Child in Ankara. What made their Faculty of Medicine stand out among competitors is that they integrate the scope of many fields in one subject, which shortens their pre-clinical and clinical years. As a result, Hacettepe University is the best medical school in Turkey. They also offer 30% of their program in English, which makes their medical program foreign-friendly.

2. Istanbul University

  • Medical Program Page

Istanbul University’s Faculty of Medicine is considered Turkey’s first medical school dated back to 1453, but it was un-established until 1827. As the first medical school in Turkey, it is the frontier of Turkey’s medical education that offers modern medical science with the latest technologies.

In 1967, due to administration and education conflicts, the Faculty of Medicine separated into two: the İstanbul Faculty of Medicine and the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. The Cerrahpaşa Journal of Medicine is one of the leading platforms for medical publications in Turkey. They offer their medical programs in both English and Turkish.

3. Ankara Üniversitesi

  • Medical Program Page

After Turkey became a Republic, there was an increase in medical students that the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine can no longer accommodate. The need for another medical school was great, which resulted in the founding of the Ankara School of Medicine in 1945. And so Istanbul University’s School of Medicine is the first medical school in Turkey, but Ankara University is the first medical school built in the Republic of Turkey.

And after only a few years, it quickly emerged as one of Turkey’s best medical schools. In 2018, they launched a medical program taught entirely in English for their graduates to be able to work internationally and to attract international students as well.

4. Ege University

  • Medical Program Page

Opposite to the previous three universities, Ege University’s medical program only uses Turkish as the language for instruction. Their approach in medical education uses the Vertical Integration Program that is organ-based. Ege University is also one of the first medical schools in Turkey accredited by the National Medical Education Accreditation Board (TEBDAD). It is equipped with medical infrastructures and programs to provide excellent medical education such as simulated patient laboratories, specific study modules, research training programs, and more.

They are always open to international students; their first academic year in 1955 even included 20 foreign out of 90 students. However, they require non-Turkish students to pass the Turkish Language Proficiency test. A failing grade would mean that the students will have to undergo a preparatory program based on their language capacity.

5. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi

  • Medical Program Page

Ege University grew into a massive institution with many facilities and schools in different provinces. In accordance, during 1982, Ege University was divided through the Higher Education Institutes Foundation Law no. 41. Some of its facilities served as the foundation of many universities, including Dokuz Eylül University. Dokuz Eylül University is a mosaic of many facilities from Ege University, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Fast-forward to the present, Dokuz Eylül university is now one of the best medical schools in Turkey, on par with Ege University. And just like Ege University, they accept international students but only use Turkish as an instruction medium.

6. Koç University

  • Medical Program Page

If you are interested in enrolling at Koç University, be prepared to attend their multiple campuses as they teach the first three years of the medical program in their Rumeli Feneri Campus. While the clinical clerkship at Koç University’s Training and Research Hospital is based in Topkapi. Their medical education is in English and follows a Doric order with professionalism on its dome, the anatomically-based syllabus on supporting columns, and research and public health programs at its base. This top medical school in Turkey aims to use this model in producing excellent and well-rounded doctors capable of addressing health issues of the 21st century.

7. Gazi Üniversitesi

  • Medical Program Page

Similar to the Dokuz Eylül University, Gazi University is also composed of different facilities from various schools. And for Gazi University, these were from Ankara High Technical Teacher and Ankara Girls Technical Higher Teacher Schools, Ankara Economic and Commercial Sciences Academy, and Ankara State Engineering Architecture Academy.

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, one of the top medical universities in Turkey, was formerly a portion of Ankara Economic and Commercial Sciences Academy, built out of a former Emergency and Traumatology Hospital in 1979. At its early stage, the Faculty of Medicine suffered due to a lack of facilities and laboratories, which they supplied by converted barracks nearby. After years of property acquisition and educational improvement, Gazi University rises to be one of the leading institutions in medicine and the first state university accredited by the Turkish Quality Standards Institute (TQSI).

Best Private Medical Universities In Turkey

UniversityCityLanguageYearly Fees
(before discount)
Yearly fees
After our discount!
APPLY
ISTANBUL ATLAS UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$20.000$15.000
ATILIM UNIVERSITYANKARAENGLISH$15.000$15.000
İZMİR EKONOMİ UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$15.000$15.000
LOKMAN HEKIM UNIVERSITYANKARAENGLISH$20.000$16.000
ANKARA MEDİPOL UNIVERSITYANKARAENGLISH$29.000$19.000
HALİÇ UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$20.000$18.000
ALTINBAŞ UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$25.000$20.000
BİRUNİ UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$23.000$20.000
İSTİNYE UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$20.000$20.000
İSTANBUL MEDİPOL UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$29.085$22.380
İSTANBUL OKAN UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$23.500$20.500
BAHÇEŞEHİR UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$25.000$25.000
YEDİTEPE UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH$27.500$27.500
BAŞKENT UNIVERSITYİSTANBULENGLISH85.000 TL100.000 TL

Best Medical Universities In Istanbul

1. Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine

Located in Ankara, Hacettepe University is the top-ranked Turkish university in terms of academic performance. With its high international standards, it ranks 4th out of all the global universities in Turkey.

As such, its Faculty of Medicine scores high in US News’ parameters for Clinical Medicine. It ranks 5th in clinical medicine international collaboration, which makes it a perfect school for foreign students.

Established in 1954, this medical school in Turkey offers two programs. The regular MD program takes the usual 6 years. Qualified applicants, on the other hand, may opt for a joint MD-Ph.D. program. Here, students can take doctorate studies after two years in medical school.

MD-Ph.D. candidates can specialize in different fields, including Biochemistry, Biophysics, Medical Biology, and Pharmacology, to name a few. Due to the intensive nature of the study, the MD-Ph.D. courses take a total of 8 years to complete.

2. Istanbul University Medical School

Istanbul University is a prominent state institution based in the Turkish capital of Istanbul. Established in 1827 (though it has been operating since the 15th century), the Istanbul University Medical Faculty holds the distinction as Turkey’s first-ever medical school.

This medical school in Turkey accepts an average of 310 students for its Turkish medicine track, while only 60 applicants can enroll in the English medical program. These tracks are taught in parallel at the Capa Campus, where the Istanbul Medical Facility hospital is located.

As per US News indicators, its Surgery program ranks 7th when it comes to international collaboration. This is evidenced by the school’s many overseas partnerships, including the M8 Partnership, which is in conjunction with 25 medical schools worldwide. It also offers the Erasmus Programme, where students can study at select universities in Europe.

3. Ankara University School of Medicine

Established in 1946, the Ankara University School of Medicine is famous for being Turkey’s first medical school. Students typically complete their medical education at the Sihhiye campus and their clinicals at the Ibni Saha Hospital.

Ankara University offers both Turkish and English medicine tracks. The latter differs from the former in the sense that it is more supportive of the research culture. Because of this, US News has ranked Ankara University number 27 in terms of regional research reputation.

Ankara University also offers several international programs for its medical students, including that of the Erasmus and Mevlana Programmes.

Ankara University offers scholarships based on certain criteria. Qualified students can also apply for part-time work to pay for their tuition fees and accommodations, to name a few.

4. Ege University Faculty of Medicine

We look at our next candidate in the top medical school in Turkey, which is Ege University Faculty of Medicine. This institution offers an outcome-based education program, which is deemed to be student-centric and community-oriented.

The school was founded in 1955 and was housed in the old campus until it was moved to Bornova in 1971.

Instructions are grouped according to three departments, namely Basic Medical Science, Clinical Medical Science, and Surgical Medical Science.

Presently, Ege University is hailed as one of the best global universities in Asia. According to US News, it ranks number 16 among the different institutions in Turkey. Its Clinical Medicine capacity is considered one of the best in the region, and as such, it is ranked 11th in terms of international collaboration.

5. Marmara University Medical School

Based in Istanbul, Marmara University is one of the well-known state institutions in Turkey. It is also one of the oldest, as it was established back in 1883. However, it had to undergo several name changes before the university was finally settled as Marmara.

Marmara University has 14 campuses spread throughout the Asian and European sides of Turkey.

Like most medical schools in the country, Marmara University offers MD tracks in both Turkish and English.

In terms of health and life sciences, it ranks highly in industry income and research citations according to the World University Rankings. The school is also known for its clinical medicine research, which is ranked 65 in the region.

6. Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine

Dokuz Eylül University is a relatively young institution, having been founded only in 1982. Although this is the case, this Izmir-based school is well-known for its 17 faculties, including the famous School of Medicine.

The medical school is based in the İnciraltı campus, together with other faculties delving in the health sciences. Apart from producing notable alumni, the school became the first faculty to make use of the problem-based learning method in 1997.

Medical students get to enjoy the optimal clinical experience at Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, which is considered one of the best medical centers in Turkey. It also has a world-class research and development facility, where students can explore pressing medical issues, such as cancer biology, molecular biology of genetic disorders, and new-age cellular treatments

7. Koc University School of Medicine

One of the best medical schools in Turkey, Koc University School of Medicine was established in 2008. The Medical School is situated in the Topkapi campus, alongside the University Hospital and research centers.

Admission at Koc University is quite selective, as only 60 students were accepted for AY 2019-2020. Compared to other schools, the curriculum is only taught in English. However, bedside teaching – especially during the 4th year – is delivered in the Turkish language.

As one of the top institutions in Turkey, Koc University holds the distinction of being one of the best global universities in Asia. With its student-friendly environment, US News has recognized Koc University in the field of clinical medicine, especially in terms of international c

8. Gazi University School of Medicine

Gazi University is a public institution located in the city of Ankara. Founded in 1979, the School of Medicine started with only 7 professors and 100 students. Now, the school has grown as one of the finest medical schools in the country, with its 929 academicians and 2775 students.

Medical students are firstly taught with Basic Medical Sciences, which include Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, to name a few. They then progress to Clinical Medical Sciences, before they head onto the Surgical Medical Sciences. Students are also encouraged to perform research, and this has greatly helped boost the school’s regional research reputation, making it one of Turkey’s best medical schools.

Students usually spend their clinical internships at the same-named Gazi University hospital, which was founded in 1986. It is one of the best medical centers in the country, having been the first public hospital to be awarded the ISO Quality Assura

9. Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine

Located in the Antalya province, Akdeniz University is a well-respected educational institution in the Western Mediterranean region of Turkey. Its educational program, developed by Harden, is known to be student-centered as it puts much focus on problem solving and integration.

The Faculty of Medicine, previously a part of Ankara University up until 1981, utilizes various training methods. They include classroom or amphitheater lessons, laboratory applications, skill training, community education, and clinic practice.

Akdeniz University medical students undergo their clinical rotation in the campus hospital, which has a bed capacity of 775. Here, medical students help look after an average of 40,000 inpatient clients – and 800,000 outpatient customers.

10. Erciyes University Medical School

We end our list of best medical schools in Turkey with Erciyes University Medical School. Founded in 1978, Erciyes University is nestled in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri. The medical school dedicates the first three years for integrated courses. This includes compulsory courses including History, Turkish language, and other foreign languages.

Years 4-6 focus on medical clerkships in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, and General Surgery. With this intensive educational program, the university has managed to produce respected leaders not only in hospitals but in community centers as well.

As one of the best global universities in Turkey, the school is known for its clinical medicine prowess. As such, Erciyes University continues to be a leader in medical research in the region.

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