The 12-Preference System
You can list up to 12 university-programme combinations in order of preference. But here's the truth: the system rarely gives you your top pick.
The "Big Cities" Quota Trap
Why Your Istanbul Dream is Probably Not Happening
Around 80% of all applicants list Istanbul universities as their top choice. The quotas for Istanbul simply cannot accommodate this demand. The math doesn't work in your favor:
Strategic Selection Tips
Tip 1: Your 5th Choice Might Be Your Best Bet
Universities in cities like Konya, Trabzon, Sakarya, and Eskisehir often have excellent programmes in specific fields but receive far fewer applications. Less competition for placement means a higher chance of getting your preferred programme.
Tip 2: Research Programme Quality, Not City Prestige
Hacettepe (Ankara) is one of Turkey's best medical schools. METU (Ankara) dominates engineering. Sabancı (Istanbul) excels in social sciences. Don't pick a city first and programme second — reverse that order.
Tip 3: Mix Big and Small Cities (2:10 Rule)
List 2 big-city universities max (dream picks) and 10 in mid-size or smaller cities. This maximizes your chances of placement while still giving you a shot at your top choices.
Tip 4: Check Language of Instruction
Some programmes listed are only available in Turkish. Even if you'll do TOMER, starting a Master's thesis in Turkish is much harder than in English. Verify the instruction language before selecting.
Transfer Rules
You Get ONE Transfer
If you're unhappy with your placement, you can request a transfer to another university once during your scholarship. But:
- 1. Transfer requests are not guaranteed to be approved
- 2. You need a valid academic reason (not just "I don't like this city")
- 3. The receiving university must accept you and have available spots
- 4. You may lose a semester during the transfer process
- 5. Once used, there are no more transfers — you're committed
Next: Learn About TOMER
Wherever you're placed, you'll start with a mandatory year of Turkish language training.
Turkish Language Guide →Top Turkish Universities by Field
Knowing which universities excel in your field helps you make informed choices.
Engineering & Technology
- 1METU (Ankara)
- 2Istanbul Technical University
- 3Boğaziçi (Istanbul)
- 4Bilkent (Ankara)
- 5Koç (Istanbul)
Medicine & Health Sciences
- 1Hacettepe (Ankara)
- 2Istanbul University
- 3Ankara University
- 4Ege (Izmir)
- 5Gazi (Ankara)
Social Sciences & Humanities
- 1Sabancı (Istanbul)
- 2Boğaziçi (Istanbul)
- 3Galatasaray (Istanbul)
- 4Bilkent (Ankara)
- 5METU (Ankara)
Hidden Gem Universities
These are universities scholars didn't expect to love — but ended up appreciating more than their big-city alternatives.
Eskişehir — "Student City of Turkey"
Anadolu University and Eskişehir Teknik. Incredibly student-friendly with low costs, great nightlife, and a walkable downtown. Two universities mean 100K+ students in a small city.
Konya — Cultural and Affordable
Selcuk University and KTO Karatay. Very affordable, rich Seljuk history, and surprisingly strong in agriculture, food science, and Islamic studies. Conservative but welcoming.
Trabzon — Black Sea Gem
Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi (KTÜ). Strong in engineering with a beautiful seaside campus. One of the most affordable cities in Turkey with incredible natural scenery.