Everything Turkish students need to know about Studienkolleg. Anabin classification, visa from Turkey, costs in TRY, and step-by-step application process.
Around 18,100 Turkish students are currently enrolled at German universities, making Turkey the third-largest sending country after India and China. Here is the good news: you do not need an APS certificate. That alone saves you months of paperwork. With a Lise Diplomasi (high school diploma) and B1 German, you can apply to a Studienkolleg. The visa process through iDATA takes 4 to 8 weeks. And once you arrive, roughly 3 million people of Turkish heritage already live in Germany — so you will never be far from home.
This guide covers every step specific to Turkey: anabin classification, language prep, application deadlines, the visa process, costs in Turkish Lira, and tips for settling in.
Most Turkish high school graduates cannot enter a German university directly. The anabin database — Germany’s official tool for evaluating foreign diplomas — classifies the Turkish Lise Diplomasi under “Feststellungsprüfung / Studienkolleg”. That means your diploma is recognized, but you need one extra year of preparation before you can enroll at a university.
You need a Studienkolleg if you hold a standard Lise Diplomasi (12-year secondary education) and have no further university study in Turkey. This applies to graduates of both general high schools (Genel Lise) and vocational high schools (Meslek Lisesi), though vocational graduates may face additional conditions depending on their YKS score.
If you completed one or two years at a YÖK-accredited Turkish university, you may qualify for direct admission (direkte Zulassung) to a German university in the same or a related field. Check the DAAD admission database for your specific situation. Graduates of the Deutsche Schule Istanbul (Alman Lisesi) who passed the Abitur exam can apply directly to any German university — no Studienkolleg required.
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) is mandatory for students from China, India, and Vietnam. Turkey is not on the list. You skip that entire process. No interview, no 2,500 RMB fee, no 4-to-8-week wait. You apply directly to Studienkollegs with your Turkish documents.
The YÖS (Yabanci Uyruklu Öğrenci Sinavi) is an entrance exam for international students applying to Turkish universities. It has no relevance for German universities or Studienkollegs. Do not confuse the two. Similarly, your YKS (formerly ÖSS) score from the Turkish national university exam is not used in the German application process. Germany evaluates your Lise Diplomasi and German language level, not your Turkish exam scores.
Example: Ayşe from Ankara graduated with a Lise Diplomasi in 2025. She does not need APS, does not need YÖS, and does not need university study in Turkey. She starts German lessons, reaches B1, and applies to a Studienkolleg. Total prep time before applying: about 12 months.
Turkey has one of the strongest German-language learning traditions outside of Europe. Around 55,000 students per year study German through TÖMER alone. Your options are excellent.
The Goethe-Institut operates three locations in Turkey: Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. They offer courses from A1 to C2, both in-person and online. A Goethe-Zertifikat is the gold standard — accepted by every Studienkolleg in Germany. Expect to pay around 2,500 to 4,000 TRY per course level (8 weeks each).
TÖMER (Türkçe ve Yabanci Dil Uygulama ve Araştirma Merkezi) is Ankara University’s language center, founded in 1984. It has 11 branches across 7 Turkish cities and teaches around 55,000 students per year. TÖMER offers General German, Academic German, and preparation for TestDaF and Goethe exams. Successful graduates at C1 level receive a diploma approved by Ankara University.
Turkey has several German-medium schools. The most prestigious is the Deutsche Schule Istanbul (Alman Lisesi) in Beyoğlu, founded in 1868. Students receive both a Turkish diploma and the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD). Graduates who also pass the Abitur can apply directly to German universities. Other PASCH schools across Turkey offer DSD preparation.
Starting from zero German, reaching B2 takes 12 to 18 months of regular study (roughly 800 to 1,000 hours). If you already had German in school — common in Turkey — you might reach B2 in 8 to 12 months. Many Studienkollegs require B1, some require B2. Start as early as possible.
Example: Mehmet took German as a second language in high school and reached A2. He enrolled in an intensive Goethe-Institut course in Istanbul. Within 7 months, he passed the B2 Goethe-Zertifikat and applied to Studienkolleg Heidelberg.
The application process from Turkey is simpler than from most countries because you skip the APS stage entirely. Here is the full timeline.
Begin German lessons immediately. Target B1 minimum, B2 preferred. Use the Goethe-Institut, TÖMER, or a private language school. Get a recognized certificate (Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, or telc).
Choose your course track based on your intended university program:
| Course | Prepares For | Core Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| T-Kurs | Engineering, IT, natural sciences | German, math, physics, chemistry |
| M-Kurs | Medicine, biology, pharmacy | German, math, physics, chemistry, biology |
| W-Kurs | Business, economics, social sciences | German, math, economics, English |
| G-Kurs | Humanities, arts | German, history, politics, literature |
| S-Kurs | Languages, linguistics | German, second foreign language, history |
The T-Kurs and W-Kurs are the most popular among Turkish students.
Most Studienkollegs have two application deadlines per year:
Some Studienkollegs use uni-assist for applications, which adds a processing fee of around 75 EUR. Others accept direct applications. Check each Studienkolleg’s website.
Documents you need:
No APS certificate. No university entrance exam scores. That is it.
After your application is accepted, you must pass the Studienkolleg entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung). This typically includes a German language test (60 to 90 minutes) and a math test (45 to 60 minutes). Some Studienkollegs let you take the exam from abroad; most require you to be in Germany.
Once you pass, you receive a Zulassungsbescheid (admission letter). This is the key document for your visa application.
Deposit 11,904 EUR into a blocked account (Sperrkonto). This proves to the German embassy that you can support yourself financially. You can withdraw 992 EUR per month after arrival. Providers like Expatrio or Fintiba handle the account opening online.
Book an appointment through iDATA, attend, and wait for processing. Full details in the next section.
Fly to Germany, register at the Bürgeramt (residents’ office), open a German bank account, and start your Studienkolleg program.
Example: Elif from Istanbul started German in September 2025. She reached B1 by June 2026. She applied to Studienkolleg Düsseldorf by July 15, took the entrance exam in August, received her admission letter in September, and started classes in October 2026. Total process: 13 months.
Turkish citizens need a national visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken, Type D) to study in Germany. The process runs through iDATA, the external service provider authorized by the German Embassy.
iDATA also operates service centers in Bursa, Adana, and Gaziantep for document submission.
You do not need to create an account. The booking form is straightforward.
Bring two complete sets of the following:
No APS certificate needed — this simplifies the Turkish document list considerably compared to applicants from China or India.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | 75 EUR (37.50 EUR for minors) |
| iDATA service fee | ~33 EUR |
| Appointment wait | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Processing time | 4 to 8 weeks (can extend to 12 in peak season) |
Submit your visa application at least 3 months before your intended travel date. Summer is peak season, so apply early.
Example: Burak got his admission letter on September 5. He booked an iDATA appointment for September 20. He submitted his documents at the Istanbul consulate. His visa arrived on October 25 — 5 weeks later. He flew to Berlin on November 1.
The Turkish Lira has weakened significantly against the Euro. At the current rate of approximately 1 EUR = 51 TRY (March 2026), studying in Germany requires serious financial planning.
| Item | EUR | TRY (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sperrkonto (blocked account) | 11,904 | ~607,000 |
| Visa fee | 75 | ~3,825 |
| iDATA service fee | 33 | ~1,680 |
| Health insurance (per month) | 120-150 | ~6,100-7,650 |
| Semester fee (public Studienkolleg) | 95-450 | ~4,850-22,950 |
| Language course in Turkey (A1-B2) | 1,500-3,000 | ~76,500-153,000 |
| Flight (one-way, Istanbul to Germany) | 100-250 | ~5,100-12,750 |
| Category | EUR | TRY (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-departure costs (Sperrkonto, visa, insurance, flights) | ~12,500 | ~637,500 |
| Living costs in Germany (12 months at ~992/month) | ~11,904 | ~607,000 |
| Semester fees (2 semesters) | 190-900 | ~9,700-45,900 |
| Total first year | ~14,500-17,500 | ~740,000-890,000 |
Example: Deniz chose Studienkolleg Mittelhessen in Marburg over a private Studienkolleg in Berlin. Her semester fee was 295 EUR instead of 5,000 EUR. Her rent was 320 EUR per month instead of 500 EUR. She saved over 7,000 EUR in her first year.
There is no official ranking for Turkish students specifically, but certain cities and institutions stand out. Check our full Studienkolleg ranking for detailed comparisons.
Having a Turkish community nearby is not just about comfort. It means:
Turkish students tend to choose the T-Kurs (engineering and technology) or W-Kurs (business and economics). Both are widely available at public Studienkollegs across Germany.
Germany is, in many ways, the easiest European country for Turkish students to settle into. The cultural bridge is already built.
Around 3 million people with Turkish heritage live in Germany today. The community dates back to the 1960s guest worker agreements (Gastarbeiter). Turkish culture is woven into German daily life: döner kebab is Germany’s most popular fast food, Turkish bakeries and supermarkets are in every city, and Turkish is the second most-spoken home language in the country.
Example: Yusuf from Izmir was surprised by how many Turkish grocery stores he found in his neighborhood in Dortmund. He joined a Turkish student association (Türkischer Studierendenverein) in his first week. Within a month, he felt at home.
No. The APS requirement applies to students from China, India, and Vietnam. Turkish applicants submit their Lise Diplomasi directly to the Studienkolleg or through uni-assist. This is one of the biggest advantages for Turkish applicants — it saves 2 to 3 months of processing time.
No. The YÖS exam is for international students applying to Turkish universities. German institutions do not recognize or evaluate YÖS scores. The same applies to YKS (formerly ÖSS) scores.
Your YKS score is not used in the Studienkolleg application. Germany evaluates your Lise Diplomasi and your German language certificate. However, in some anabin classifications for vocational school graduates, evidence of university placement through YKS may be a condition for Studienkolleg eligibility.
Berlin leads with the largest Turkish community in Germany. Other major cities include Hamburg, Köln, Dortmund, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and München. The Ruhr area (NRW) has the highest overall concentration.
Yes. The entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung) is entirely in German. It tests your German language skills and, for most courses, basic mathematics. There is no Turkish-language option.
Plan for approximately 14,500 to 17,500 EUR for your first year, including the Sperrkonto, visa fees, insurance, semester fees, and living costs. At current exchange rates, that is roughly 740,000 to 890,000 TRY. The full cost breakdown covers every expense in detail.
Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. At the 2026 minimum wage of 12.82 EUR per hour, a part-time job (10 hours per week) earns you roughly 500 EUR per month. Many Turkish students work in Turkish restaurants, supermarkets, or logistics during semester breaks.
From starting German lessons to your first day at Studienkolleg, expect 12 to 18 months. The breakdown: 10 to 14 months for language learning, 1 to 2 months for application processing, and 1 to 2 months for the visa. Starting early gives you a comfortable buffer for delays.
You now have the full picture of how the Studienkolleg process works from Turkey. Here is what to do today:
The application deadlines come twice a year. Pick your target semester, count back 12 months, and start your preparation today. Turkey’s close relationship with Germany, the large Turkish community, and the simplified application process (no APS!) put you in a strong position. Use it.
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