Master's in Türkiye 2027: state vs private universities, ALES/YDS, fees

Short answer: A master's in Türkiye is either thesis-based (4 semesters) or non-thesis (2–3 semesters). The YÖK regulation requires an ALES score of at least 55 for thesis programmes, but each university's senate sets the admission rules for foreign nationals. For 2026/27, METU charges USD 375 per semester, while private universities charge USD 8,000–14,000 for the whole programme.

This guide compares state and private universities, explains ALES and YDS, and lists official 2026/27 fees.

Thesis vs non-thesis

Item	Thesis master's	Non-thesis master's
Length	4 semesters, max 6	2–3 semesters
Workload	At least 7 courses, seminar and thesis; ≥ 120 ECTS	At least 10 courses and a term project; ≥ 60 ECTS
ALES	At least 55 (senate sets the exact threshold)	Optional

Source: mevzuat.gov.tr — Graduate Education Regulation (Art. 5–7, 11–12, 35) — checked 11/2026.

Under Article 35, admission of foreign nationals is decided by each university senate, so some universities do not ask international applicants for ALES. The regulation does not name GRE or GMAT; it refers only to scores YÖK announces as equivalent to ALES.

ALES and YDS in 2026

• ALES: quantitative and verbal sections, 150 minutes; valid for 5 years from the results date; fee 1,200 TL; 2026 sessions on 10 May, 2 August and 29 November.
• YDS: foreign-language test, 180 minutes; fee 1,200 TL; 2026 sessions on 5 April and 22 November. Some universities accept it for master's entry.

Source: ÖSYM ALES 2026 guide and YDS 2026 guide. 2027 dates are not yet in ÖSYM's official calendar — check osym.gov.tr. Checked 11/2026.

Fees 2026/27

University	Type	Fee for international students
METU, Ankara	State	USD 375 per semester (all master's programmes)
İstinye University	Private	USD 8,500 thesis / USD 8,000 non-thesis — whole programme
Bahçeşehir University (BAU)	Private	USD 14,000 thesis / USD 12,000 non-thesis — whole programme
İstanbul Medipol University	Private	USD 10,000–13,500 (the list does not say per year or whole programme)
Bilkent University	Private	USD 18,400 per year (thesis); USD 613 per credit (non-thesis)

Source: official fee pages of METU, İstinye, BAU, Medipol, Bilkent — checked 11/2026.

State universities are far cheaper but have limited international quotas. EDDE Global has an exclusive memorandum with İstinye University; see also our İstinye page.

Scholarship: Türkiye Bursları

The Turkish government scholarship gives master's students 9,500 TL a month plus tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish course and a flight. Applications run from 10 January to 20 February every year. More in our Türkiye Bursları guide.

Source: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr — checked 11/2026.

State or private?

Price is not the only factor. State universities have few international places, so admission depends heavily on your grades and the competition, and deadlines are strict. Private universities run several intakes a year, offer more English-taught programmes and usually decide faster. For a thesis master's, finding a supervisor matters: look at the department's research areas before applying and, if possible, write to a potential supervisor. If you will need the degree recognised in Azerbaijan, plan to study on campus in Türkiye; see our recognition guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is ALES compulsory?

For thesis programmes the regulation sets a minimum of 55; non-thesis programmes may waive it. For foreign nationals, the university senate decides.

How long is a master's in Türkiye?

Thesis: 4 semesters (max 6). Non-thesis: 2–3 semesters.

How much does a state university charge?

METU charges international students USD 375 per semester in 2026/27.

How long is an ALES score valid?

Five years from the results date, according to ÖSYM.

Are there English-taught master's programmes?

Yes, many, especially at private universities; IELTS, TOEFL or YDS is usually accepted.

Plan your master's with us

EDDE Global helps with programme choice and applications to Turkish universities. Book a free consultation.