THE EXAMINATION FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS
( 2 0 0 4 YÖS )
Application Procedures and General Information Concerning the Examination
General Principles
1. This examination, referred to as YÖS, has been designed for foreign students wishing to study in Higher Education Institutions in Turkey and on the results of this examination they can apply to Turkish Institutions of Higher Education. This examination is prepared and administered by the Student Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM).
The results of this examination are applicable only for students wishing to enroll in undergraduate programmes. Students presently enrolled in undergraduate programmes who seek a transfer, and also those who wish to follow postgraduate programmes, should apply directly to the institutions of their choice.
All correspondence between ÖSYM and applicants will be in either English or Turkish.
Conditions of Application
2. Applicants must hold the nationality of a country other than the Republic of Turkey or The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Applications will not be accepted from persons with Dual Nationality rights, one of which is for the countries named above. The applicants must have completed or be in their final year of secondary education in a school in which the education is equivalent to that of a Turkish Lycée.
Procedures for Application
3. Persons wishing to make application should ask for an "Application Form" and the "ÖSYM-YÖS 2004 Guide". Requests for these can be made in writing to: "Öğrenci Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi, ÖSYM-YÖS, 06538, Ankara, TÜRKİYE" or in person to "ÖSYM - YÖS, Karyağdı Sokak No: 28 , Aşağıayrancı, Ankara, TÜRKİYE". From November 2003 onwards these documents will be posted free of charge to those who request them in writing and handed out to those calling for them at the Karyağdı street office.
The guide-booklet covers application procedures and the special characteristics of the examination, and also gives detailed information concerning the evaluation of the examination results. The guide-booklet includes information on the universities which accept foreign students, and on the higher education programmes offered by these universities, and their requirements and quotas.
In order to apply, an application form, to be read by an optical reader, must be filled up and submitted. This form asks for information concerning the applicant's identification, level of education, preference as to the place of the examination, and address.
4. Persons who fulfil the requirements and wish to apply should send (a) the duly completed Application Form and (b) proof of payment of the application and examination fee. These papers should reach ÖSYM no later than 12 March 2004. Persons who fail to submit these two documents according to the regulations set out in the Guide and submit them by the given date will not be accepted as candidates for the examination.
5.The fee for application and the examination is 50 US dollars. Other foreign currency to the equivalent of 50 US dollars, as the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey is authorized to convert it, is also acceptable. The fee must be received by ÖSYM, in accordance with the instructions given in the ÖSYM-YÖS 2004 Guide.
6. Following receipt of the necessary documents, completed in accordance with the regulations, an "Examination Entrance Card" is prepared for each candidate. The ÖSYM-YÖS 2004 Guide explains how this document can be obtained prior to the examination.
7.Candidates wishing to enter the examination at a center in a country in which they are not a resident are responsible for obtaining the necessary papers and permission to enter the examination and also the permission and passport in order to leave the country of residence, according to the prevailing laws of those countries. ÖSYM cannot be used as an intermediary to obtain papers or permission.
Examination Centers
8. Last year the Examination for Foreign Students (YÖS) was held in Ankara (Turkey); and out of Turkey in Tirana (Albania), Baku (Azerbaijan), Dacca (Bangladesh), Cairo (Egypt), Amman (Jordan), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Beirut (Lebanon), Skopje (Macedonia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Ulanbator (Mongolia), Islamabad (Pakistan), Kazan (Russian Federation), Damascus (Syria) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on the same date. The places where the examination will be held in 2004 will be given in the 2004 gude-booklet.
The Examination
9. The examination is comprised of two tests. The "Basic Learning Skills Test" assesses abstract reasoning. The questions have a minimal dependence on language but explanations are given in Turkish and English. The "Turkish Language Proficiency Test" assesses the applicant's comprehension of written Turkish.
The examination (YÖS), will be held on Sunday, 18 April 2004.
In order to enter the examination at the Ankara center, candidates are responsible for obtaining a valid passport; for those entering the examination at centers outside Turkey, who are residents of that country, a valid identification card is necessary; non-residents are required to comply with the requirements of the country concerned.
TheEvaluation and Announcement of the Examination Results
10. The examination is in two parts and the results of each part are calculated separetely. The results of the Basic Learning Skills Test and the Turkish Language Test are given separately on the Examination Results Card. This card is sent by post to the candidates by the Student Selection and Examination Centre.
Application to a University for Acceptance
11.Candidates apply directly to the universities of their choice. The examination results are one of the most imfortant requirements for acceptance. If candidates are using their (YÖS) examination results as part of their application,then they must have received at least 40,000 points in the Basic Learning Skills Test.
12.Candidates can also apply to Turkish universities with some other international examination results. For these to meet a university's requirements of acceptance they must have been recognized as the equivalent of the (YÖS) examination.
13.The Turkish Language Test is not taken into consideration in any programme whatever the language of instruction. The Turkish Language Test is only used to decide whether a candidate who has been accepted into a programme which is conducted in Turkish, can immediately commence that programme or not.
14.In Turkey some universities in all, and some in a few, of their programmes offer instruction through foreign language. Applicants who are placed in higher education programs where the language of instruction is Turkish must also register in the program into which they have been placed but those whose Turkish is considered to be insufficient are given up to one year in which to attain and prove their proficiency. They are then allowed to commence their programs of higher education.
15.The universities will announce the dates of application for foreign students, and their requirements, in Turkish newspapers. These advertisements can also be found on web-sites.
Tuition Fees
16. The tuition fee for the programs of higher education is determined each year. In the 2003-2004 academic year, the tuition fees for foreign students varied depending on the nature of the program. The fees are about 750 - 1 650 US dollars in state universities and 7000 - 16000 US dollars in private foundation universities.
ÖSYM does not offer scholarships for foreign students and cannot be applied to as an intermediary to secure them.
Accommodation
17. There are dormitories on some campuses and also a limited number of state organized hostels. Students are required to pay the dormitory and hostel charges.
Living Expenses
18.The maintenance costs are about 400-500 US dollars per month. Residence Permits are only given to students who can prove that they will be receiving adequate financial support.