Foreign National TUS 2026 Quota Guide: Application, Requirements, University Lists, Specialty Path

Related Content: STS Physician Pillar | Foreign National Medicine | Diploma Equivalency | TUS General Guide

TL;DR (Quick Summary)

• TUS: Medical Specialty Education Entrance Exam (Tıpta Uzmanlık Eğitimi Giriş Sınavı) — held twice yearly (March + September) by ÖSYM.
• Foreign national quota: Available; but quota is narrow (~5-15% of total quota) and varies by university + branch.
• Application requirement: Foreign nationals who graduated in Türkiye OR foreign-graduates who completed YÖK equivalency.
• Exam format: Basic Medicine + Clinical Medicine tests (first 200 questions / 150 min; second 200 questions / 150 min — total 400 questions, two sessions).
• Specialty branches: 50+ branches (cardiology, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, neurology, anesthesia, etc.).
• Training duration: 4-6 years (by branch).
• Mandatory service: Generally not required for foreign nationals (required for Turkish citizens).

What is TUS? General Framework for Foreign National Candidates

TUS (Medical Specialty Education Entrance Exam — Tıpta Uzmanlık Eğitimi Giriş Sınavı), is the national exam held by ÖSYM for entry into specialty training for medical school graduates. Foreign national physicians can enter TUS in two ways:

1. Foreign national who graduated from a medical school in Türkiye — enters the exam directly (accepted via TR-YÖS or similar channel + completed 6-year medical education).
2. Foreign-trained medical graduate + completed YÖK equivalency — enters TUS after being recognized as a physician in Türkiye through equivalency decision (direct equivalency or post-STS).

Important distinction: TUS is the exam to become a specialist after becoming a physician. If you are not yet a physician (have not completed foreign medical education), you must first complete medical education + equivalency process.

2026 TUS Calendar (Estimated)

Term	Application	Exam Date	Results	Preference + Placement
2026-1 (March)	December 2025 - January 2026	March 2026	April 2026	May-June 2026
2026-2 (September)	June 2026	September 2026	October 2026	November-December 2026

Exact dates are announced by ÖSYM each December-January on osym.gov.tr.

Exam Format

TUS consists of two sessions:

1. Basic Medicine Session (Morning)

• Questions: 200 (40 anatomy + 35 physiology + 35 biochemistry + 25 microbiology + 30 pathology + 35 pharmacology)
• Duration: 150 minutes
• Wrong answer penalty: None (only correct answers counted)

2. Clinical Medicine Session (Afternoon)

• Questions: 200 (50 internal medicine + 25 pediatrics + 25 surgery + 20 orthopedics + 15 urology + 15 ENT + 15 ophthalmology + 15 dermatology + 20 gynecology)
• Duration: 150 minutes
• Wrong answer penalty: None

Total: 400 questions / 300 minutes (two sessions, same day).

Foreign National Quota

In Türkiye's medical specialty education, quotas are allocated for foreign national candidates. Allocation model:

• Total foreign national quota: Approximately 500-800 annually (~5-15% of total TUS quota)
• University-based: Some universities open separate quotas for foreign nationals; some do not
• Branch-based: Narrow quotas in popular branches (cardiology, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics)
• Official numbers: Published in the ÖSYM guide for each TUS term

Important: Foreign national quota + Turkish citizen quota compete separately; they are not in the same ranking. This may provide an advantage for foreign national candidates (competition may be lower).

Application Requirements

1. Foreign National Graduate from Medical School in Türkiye

• Graduate of a Turkish university medical school (or last-year student)
• Diploma equivalency NOT required (Turkish diploma)
• Turkish proficiency (already exists if education is in Turkish)
• Passport + student residence permit or work permit

2. Foreign-Trained Medical Graduate + Completed YÖK Equivalency

• Foreign medical school graduate
• YÖK equivalency decision: direct equivalency OR passed STS Medicine OR completed complementary education
• Ministry of Health registration (authorized professional practice permit)
• Turkish proficiency (TUS is conducted in Turkish)
• Residence permit / citizenship / work permit

Persona — Dr. Khalid (Saudi, 32): Saudi medical graduate, 5-year internist specialist. To enter TUS in Türkiye: 1) YÖK equivalency (direct or STS) → 2) TTB (Turkish Medical Association) registration → 3) TUS application → 4) Preference + placement.

Persona — Dr. Ivan (Ukrainian, 35): Ukrainian general practitioner, under temporary protection. Can enter TUS after passing STS Medicine; can work as a specialist in Antalya.

TUS Preparation Strategy (Special Notes for Foreign Nationals)

1. Turkish Academic Preparation

TUS is conducted in Turkish. Academic medical Turkish is a critical block for foreign-trained graduates. Recommended:

• TÖMER C1 certificate (academic Turkish)
• Medical Turkish dictionary study — Medical Turkish guide
• Reading habit of Turkish medical textbooks (Cecil Turkish edition, Harrison Turkish, etc.)

2. Subject Preparation (200+200 = 400 questions)

Area	Number of Questions	Preparation Time
Anatomy	40	3-4 months
Physiology	35	2-3 months
Biochemistry	35	2-3 months
Microbiology	25	2 months
Pathology	30	3 months
Pharmacology	35	3 months
Internal Medicine	50	4-5 months
Pediatrics	25	2-3 months
Surgery	25	2-3 months
Other (orthopedics, urology, ENT, ophthalmology, derma, gynecology)	100	5-6 months

Total preparation time: 8-12 months (with intensive study); 6-9 months may be sufficient for experienced physicians.

3. Question Banks + Mock Exams

Turkish TUS question banks (Tusdata, Tusem, etc.) are critical resources. For foreign national candidates:

• Past 10 years' exam questions from ÖSYM archive
• Mock exams (1-2 weekly mocks)
• Subject tests (after completing each section)

Preference + Placement

Candidates make preferences after TUS. Considerations when making preferences:

1. University + Branch combination: 30-40 preferences allowed; order matters
2. Cutoff score analysis: Previous years' cutoff scores are a guide (ÖSYM placement data)
3. City preference: Istanbul/Ankara/Izmir popular but competitive
4. Branch selection: 50+ branches; consider personal interest + salary + job opportunities + training duration

Popular Specialty Branches (For Foreign Nationals)

Branch	Training Duration	Estimated Cutoff Score	Monthly Specialist Salary Range (TL, 2026)
Cardiology	5 years	75+	200K-500K
Internal Medicine	4 years	65+	150K-350K
General Surgery	5 years	60+	180K-400K
Pediatrics	4 years	62+	150K-300K
Anesthesia + Reanimation	5 years	55+	200K-400K
Radiology	5 years	70+	220K-450K
Neurology	4 years	63+	170K-350K
Psychiatry	4 years	55+	150K-300K
Emergency Medicine	4 years	50+	200K-400K
Family Medicine	3 years	40+	120K-250K

Salary range sources: TTB (Turkish Medical Association) surveys, sector observations (as of 2026, public/private/university average). Not a basis for personal career decisions; independent career consultation recommended.

Universities Most Accepting Foreign Nationals (Estimated)

• Istanbul University (Çapa + Cerrahpaşa) — wide quota + international network
• Hacettepe University — academic prestige + foreign quota
• Ankara University (İbn-i Sina) — established medical + international cooperation
• Ege University — Izmir + warm climate + foreigner-friendly
• Akdeniz University — Antalya + internationally dense
• Marmara University — Istanbul + international medicine
• Gazi University — Ankara + academic
• Erciyes University — Kayseri + warm Muslim environment (preferred by Arab candidates)
• KTÜ (Karadeniz Technical) — Trabzon + international quota
• Çukurova University — Adana + dense Arab candidates

Foundation universities (Bahçeşehir, Yeditepe, İstinye, etc.) may open foreign national quotas but with fees; placement at state universities after TUS is free.

Mandatory Service

Mandatory service (state hospital appointment) of 300-600 days is required for Turkish citizen specialist physicians. Mandatory service is GENERALLY NOT REQUIRED for foreign national specialists — this provides a clear advantage for foreign nationals:

• Can work directly in a private hospital or academic institution after graduation
• If wishing to work in a state hospital, applies directly rather than during assignment
• Long-term Turkish citizenship + appointment may be a long-term goal

Persona-Aware Details

Dr. Khalid (Saudi, 32) — Premium Path

Saudi medical graduate + 5-year specialist. Türkiye path: YÖK equivalency (direct or STS) → TUS foreign quota → Istanbul private hospital specialist ($5K-12K monthly). Saudi-Turkish kinship community advantage; Arabic physician network.

Dr. Ivan (Ukrainian, 35) — Refugee Path

Under temporary protection. STS Medicine + TUS foreign quota combination. Medical Turkish learning process 12-18 months. Antalya settlement target with family.

Foreign National Medical Graduate in Türkiye

6-year medicine + TUS entry after coming through TR-YÖS. Advantage of academic Turkish fluency. 5-year residence process for Turkish citizenship in parallel.

Egyptian Graduate (Ahmed when grown up)

Medicine in Türkiye with YTB scholarship + TUS foreign quota + specialist staying in Türkiye or returning to Egypt. Arab-Turkish physician network.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many people are in the foreign national quota?

~5-15% of total TUS quota; estimated 500-800 annually. Official numbers in each ÖSYM term guide.

Is TUS conducted in Turkish?

Yes, TUS is conducted only in Turkish. No foreign language exam option.

I'm a foreign medical graduate, can I enter TUS directly?

No, you must first complete YÖK equivalency (direct equivalency or STS Medicine). Then TUS application.

How much is the TUS exam fee for foreign nationals?

For 2026 estimated 850-1100 TL (same fee as Turkish citizens). For exact see ÖSYM guide.

Is there mandatory service?

Generally not for foreign national specialists; 300-600 days for Turkish citizens.

Which branch is easiest for foreign nationals?

There is no "easy branch" — balance of personal interest + academic background + salary + job opportunity. Family medicine has the lowest cutoff; cardiology-radiology the highest.

Can I go abroad after becoming a specialist in Türkiye?

Yes, Turkish specialist diploma is recognized through EU ENIC-NARIC + WHO list. Details: EU Directive 2005/36 + ECFMG (USA).

How long is TUS preparation time?

8-12 months with intensive study; 12-18 months if medical Turkish is insufficient; 6-9 months for experienced physicians.

What is the foreign national specialist salary?

Varies by branch + sector: state 150K-300K TL, private 200K-500K TL, university 250K-450K TL monthly. Source: TTB benefits + sector observations (not a basis for personal career decisions).

Citizenship after graduation?

Citizenship application possible after 5 years uninterrupted legal residence; additional advantages for foreigners working as specialists.

Rehber Panda TUS Foreign National Coaching Packages

• Bronze TUS Foreign (6,000 TL or $200): Subject preparation plan + medical Turkish basics + 2 months WhatsApp support
• Silver TUS Foreign (10,000 TL or $330): + one-on-one mentoring + preference consulting + 6-month process
• Gold TUS Foreign (14,000 TL or $460): + end-to-end process (equivalency + TUS + preference + specialty start) + specialist physician partner consultancy

NO guarantee promise — TUS success depends on your own study. Coaching guides + sets up the plan.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational + exam preparation + career guidance purposes; does not offer clinical advice, drug dosage, or patient care recommendations. Medical content should be verified through medical reviewer approved sources. For TUS information, ÖSYM official guide (osym.gov.tr); for equivalency, YÖK (yok.gov.tr); for registration, Ministry of Health (saglik.gov.tr) are current sources. Salary ranges are TTB + sector observations; not a basis for personal career decisions, seek independent career consultation. Last updated: 2026-05-09.

More Information

For foreign national physician/specialist process: STS Physician Pillar | YÖK Equivalency | Medical Turkish | Residence Permit | Refugee Physician Guide.