How to Transfer to a Turkish University as an International Student

Yes, you can transfer to a Turkish university as an international student, and it happens more often than many students expect. Turkey lets students who are already enrolled at a university, whether inside the country or abroad, move to another Turkish institution through a formal process known in Turkish as yatay geçiş, or horizontal transfer. This guide explains how to transfer to a Turkish university, who is eligible, which documents you need, how course credits are recognised, and how long it usually takes, all as of the time this article is written.

A transfer keeps you in higher education without starting your degree from scratch, so the credits you have already earned can carry over when the receiving faculty accepts them. The rules are set nationally by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK, Yükseköğretim Kurulu), and each university then applies them. The broad framework is the same across the country, while the exact quotas, deadlines and grade thresholds differ from one institution to the next.

Can You Transfer to a Turkish University as an International Student?

An international student can transfer to a Turkish university if they are currently a registered student somewhere and meet the receiving university's conditions. The move can be from a foreign university into a Turkish one, or between two Turkish universities. What matters is that you are transferring into a comparable programme at the same level, that your current standing is in good order, and that a quota exists in the programme you want to join.

Transfers are usually possible from the second year onward, because most universities do not accept a horizontal transfer during the very first term or into the final graduating stage. If you are moving from abroad, the programme you are leaving normally has to be one that YÖK recognises, and the diploma it leads to should be equivalent to the Turkish degree you are aiming for. In our experience advising international students, the students who transfer most smoothly are those who plan the move one full semester ahead and confirm the receiving faculty's quota before they submit anything.

Types of University Transfer in Turkey

There are two main routes for a horizontal transfer for international students in Turkey, and knowing which one applies to you shapes the whole application. Both are governed by the same YÖK regulation, but they use different eligibility criteria.

Inter-institutional transfer (grade-based)

This route, called kurumlar arası yatay geçiş, is based on your grade point average at your current university. Universities typically ask for a minimum cumulative GPA, often somewhere around 60 to 70 on a 100-point scale or its equivalent on a 4-point scale, though the exact threshold is set by each institution and changes from year to year. You apply within a published quota, and places usually go to the applicants with the strongest academic records.

Central transfer by exam score (Additional Article 1)

The second route, known as merkezi yatay geçiş or Additional Article 1 (Ek Madde 1), is based on the university entrance score you held when you first started your degree. If your original placement score is high enough to have entered the programme you now want, you may transfer even if your GPA is below the grade-based threshold. This route matters for students who entered through the international student exam or an equivalent qualification.

Vertical transfer

Vertical transfer, or dikey geçiş, is a separate path that lets graduates of a two-year associate programme continue into a related four-year bachelor's programme. It is not the same as a horizontal transfer, and for international students it often involves a specific placement exam, so treat it as its own process.

Who Is Eligible to Transfer to a Turkish University

Eligibility to transfer to a Turkish university rests on your academic standing, the programme match, and the availability of a quota. A horizontal transfer for international students is generally open to those who satisfy the following conditions, which we see repeated across most institutions:

• You are an active, registered student in a higher education programme, in Turkey or abroad, with no disciplinary penalty on your record.
• You are moving into a programme at the same level and in the same or a closely related field.
• You meet the receiving university's minimum GPA for the grade-based route, or your original entrance score qualifies you for the central route.
• Your Turkish or English language level meets the requirement of the programme's language of instruction, which many universities check separately.
• You are applying within an open quota and before the published deadline.

Students coming from a university abroad should also confirm that their home institution appears on YÖK's list of recognised universities. If the institution is not recognised, the credits and the eventual degree may not be accepted, which is why this check comes first.

Credit Transfer to Turkish Universities and Course Recognition

Credit transfer to Turkish universities is decided by the receiving faculty's board of adjustment, which compares the courses you have passed with the courses in the target programme. This step, called intibak in Turkish, determines which of your credits count and which year you enter. It is the part of the process that most affects how much time you save.

The board looks at each course's content, credit weight and learning outcomes, not just its title. Courses that match closely are recognised outright; partial matches may be recognised with conditions; and courses with no equivalent are usually not carried over, which can mean repeating some subjects. In our experience advising international students, the most common reason a transfer stalls is an incomplete transcript or a course-content mismatch that the receiving faculty cannot recognise, so a detailed transcript with clear course descriptions is worth preparing early. Because credit transfer to Turkish universities is handled case by case, two students from the same foreign university can end up placed in different years depending on the exact courses they passed.

Documents You Need for a University Transfer in Turkey

A university transfer in Turkey requires a specific set of documents, and missing or untranslated papers are the usual cause of delay. While each university publishes its own checklist, the following items appear in almost every application:

• An official transcript showing all courses taken, credits and grades, with detailed course descriptions or a syllabus where possible.
• A student certificate proving you are currently enrolled and in good standing.
• Proof of your university entrance score or the exam result you were admitted with, needed especially for the central route.
• A passport copy, and for students already in Turkey, a copy of the student residence permit.
• Language proficiency evidence for the programme's language of instruction, such as a Turkish proficiency certificate or an accepted English test score.
• A disciplinary clearance letter from your current university.

Documents issued abroad usually need an official Turkish translation and, in many cases, notarisation or an apostille. Prepare these translations before the application window opens, because the review boards work to tight deadlines and rarely wait for late paperwork.

How to Transfer to a Turkish University, Step by Step

To transfer to a Turkish university, you follow a clear sequence from choosing a programme to enrolling in your new place. Here is how to transfer to a Turkish university in practical stages:

1. Shortlist target programmes. Identify universities offering your field, and check each one's transfer quota, minimum GPA and application calendar on its official academic pages.
2. Confirm eligibility. Match your GPA or entrance score to the route that fits you, and verify that your current institution is recognised by YÖK.
3. Gather and translate documents. Assemble the transcript, student certificate, score proof and language evidence, then have foreign documents translated and certified.
4. Apply within the window. Submit the application to each university, online or in person, before the deadline. Many universities open transfer applications once or twice a year, often around the end of a semester.
5. Wait for the board decision. The receiving faculty reviews applications against the quota and publishes a results list, sometimes with a waiting list.
6. Complete the credit adjustment. If accepted, the board of adjustment recognises your credits and confirms the year you enter.
7. Register and update your permit. Enrol at the new university, pay any fees, and update your residence records so your student status stays valid.

Timeline and Costs to Plan For

A university transfer in Turkey usually takes several weeks from application to enrolment, though the exact timing depends on the university's calendar. As a rough guide, and only as an example as of the time this article is written, the application window may run for a couple of weeks. The board review often takes around two to four weeks, and enrolment follows shortly after the results are published. Because transfers are tied to the academic calendar, missing a deadline generally means waiting for the next intake.

Costs vary widely. Public universities tend to charge lower tuition than private ones, and international-student tuition can differ from the rate for Turkish nationals. On top of tuition, budget for document translation, notarisation or apostille fees, and any language test costs. These figures change often, so confirm the current tuition and fees directly with the university and with an advisor before you commit.

Before choosing a route, it helps to compare the two side by side:

• Main criterion: the grade-based route uses your cumulative GPA, while the central route (Ek Madde 1) uses your original university entrance score.
• Typical timing: the grade-based route usually applies from the second year onward, while the central route is often possible after the first year.
• Best suited to: the grade-based route suits students with strong current grades, while the central route suits those with a high entrance score but a lower GPA.
• Quota: both routes are limited to a quota set for each programme.

Residence Permit and Student Status After Transfer

If you are already studying in Turkey, a transfer affects your student residence permit, so your status has to be kept current. Your residence permit is linked to your enrolment, which means that when you change universities you should update your records with the new institution and, where needed, with the Directorate General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi). Enrol promptly and keep proof of continuous student status, because a gap between leaving one university and registering at the next can complicate a permit renewal. An advisor can help you sequence the enrolment and the permit update so there is no break in your legal stay.

Common Reasons a Transfer Is Refused

Most refused transfer applications fail on eligibility or paperwork rather than on the student's ability. The recurring reasons we see are these:

• A GPA or entrance score below the published threshold.
• Applying to a quota that is already full.
• An unrecognised home institution.
• Missing or untranslated documents.
• A programme mismatch that leaves too many courses unrecognised.
• Applying outside the transfer window.

Each of these is avoidable with early checking. Reading the receiving university's transfer regulation in full, and confirming the quota before you apply, removes most of the risk.

To transfer to a Turkish university as an international student, then, plan one semester ahead, choose the route that matches your GPA or entrance score, prepare a clear translated transcript for credit recognition, and apply within the quota and the deadline. Done in that order, a horizontal transfer is a realistic way to continue your studies in Turkey without losing the progress you have already made.

Planning to Study in Turkey?

Turkish Council is an Istanbul-based education consultancy that has guided international students from over 40 countries through Turkish language course visas, student visas, residence permits and university admission since 2020. To discuss your own plans, reach us by phone or WhatsApp at +90 532 431 80 50, by email at contact@turkishcouncil.org, or visit us at Merkez Mahallesi Hasat Sokak No:12A, 34384 Şişli, İstanbul. Contact us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an international student transfer to a Turkish university from abroad?

Yes, an international student can transfer to a Turkish university from a foreign institution, provided the home university is recognised by YÖK, the programmes are at the same level and in a comparable field, and there is an open quota. The receiving faculty then reviews your transcript to decide which credits carry over and which year you join.

How do I transfer to a Turkish university step by step?

To transfer to a Turkish university, shortlist programmes with an open quota, confirm you meet the GPA or entrance-score route, gather and translate your documents, apply before the deadline, wait for the board decision, complete credit adjustment, then enrol and update your residence records. Following that sequence keeps the process orderly.

What is a horizontal transfer for international students?

A horizontal transfer for international students, or yatay geçiş, is a move between programmes at the same level, either between two Turkish universities or from a foreign university into a Turkish one. It lets you continue your degree at a new institution while carrying over recognised credits, rather than starting again from the first year.

How does credit transfer to Turkish universities work?

Credit transfer to Turkish universities is decided by the receiving faculty's board of adjustment, which compares your completed courses with those in the target programme by content, credit weight and outcomes. Matching courses are recognised, partial matches may carry conditions, and courses with no equivalent are usually not counted, which determines the year you enter.

What GPA do I need for a university transfer in Turkey?

For the grade-based route of a university transfer in Turkey, universities usually ask for a minimum cumulative GPA, often somewhere around 60 to 70 on a 100-point scale, though each institution sets its own threshold and it changes yearly. If your GPA is lower, the central route based on your original entrance score may still qualify you.

When can I apply to transfer to a Turkish university?

You can usually apply to transfer during the university's published transfer window, which many institutions open once or twice a year, often near the end of a semester. Transfers are typically possible from the second year onward and not in the very first term or the final graduating stage, so check each university's calendar early.

Does transferring affect my student residence permit?

Yes, if you are already in Turkey, transferring can affect your student residence permit because the permit is tied to your enrolment. Enrol at the new university promptly, keep proof of continuous student status, and update your records with the Directorate General of Migration Management where needed to avoid complications at renewal.

Do foreign documents need translation for a transfer?

Yes, documents issued abroad usually need an official Turkish translation and, in many cases, notarisation or an apostille before a Turkish university will accept them. Prepare these translations before the application window opens, because review boards work to tight deadlines and rarely accept late paperwork.

About Turkish Council

Turkish Council is an Istanbul-based (Şişli) education consultancy specialising in study-in-Turkey services for international students. Since 2020, our consultants have guided students from over 40 countries through Turkish language course visas, student visas and residence permits, and university admission, working in English, Turkish, French, Russian and Chinese. The firm is led by Burak Ünal, an education consultant who holds a BSc in Business Management from Boğaziçi University and an MSc in Finance from the London School of Economics, and is a Chevening Scholarship holder. We focus on clear, step-by-step guidance.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and you are strongly advised to consult a professional to evaluate your personal situation. No liability is accepted that may arise from the use of the information in this article.