Is the IB Diploma Recognised in Turkey? Preparing for the IB and the YKS Together

Short answer: A student taking the IB Diploma Programme at a high school in Turkey can earn two diplomas: the Turkish national (MEB) high school diploma and the IB Diploma. Turkish citizens enter Turkish universities through the YKS, the national university entrance exam; the IB Diploma alone does not replace it. The IB Diploma is, however, accepted directly by many universities abroad. So for a family choosing the IB, the real question is not "IB or YKS?" but "how do we plan for both?"

Two diplomas for an IB student in Turkey

In Turkey, the IB is added to the national curriculum rather than replacing it:

Grades 9 and 10: The student follows the national curriculum.
Grades 11 and 12: Alongside national curriculum courses, the student completes the six IB Diploma subjects and the core (Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, CAS).
Graduation: Every student receives the MEB high school diploma. The IB Diploma requires at least 24 points in the IB final exams and meeting the other requirements.

For an overview of how the IB works, see our guide to choosing a high school offering the IB Diploma.

University entry in Turkey: the YKS and the OBP

Places at Turkish universities are allocated through the YKS, run by ÖSYM, the national assessment centre. Because IB students also receive the MEB diploma, they sit the YKS like any other high school student.

The YKS score includes the secondary school achievement score (OBP), calculated from the MEB high school diploma grade:

Step	Calculation
Diploma grade (out of 100) × 5	OBP (minimum 250, maximum 500)
OBP × 0.12	Points added to the YKS score

So for IB students too, grades in national curriculum courses directly affect university placement. Focusing on the IB while neglecting national curriculum courses can cost points in the YKS.

Timing: IB exams in May, the YKS in June

In the last months of grade 12, two major exams come back to back:

May: the IB final exams (written exams marked by IB external examiners).
June: the YKS (usually in the second half of the month).

The exams are also very different: the IB is written, open-ended and in English; the YKS is multiple choice and in Turkish. Preparation therefore should not be left to the final year:

Grade 11: While starting IB subjects, the student builds the foundations of the TYT (the first YKS session). The Extended Essay topic is chosen early.
Summer after grade 11: Most of the Extended Essay and CAS is completed, leaving time for exams in grade 12.
Grade 12, autumn term: IB internal assessments are completed and regular TYT-AYT practice exams begin.
Grade 12, spring term: The focus is on the IB final exams; the weeks after May are spent revising for the YKS.

Does the IB help at Turkish universities?

Yes, in some cases:

English preparatory year exemption: Some universities may exempt students from the English preparatory year based on the IB Diploma or the IB English grade.
Scholarships and course exemptions: Some foundation (private) universities may offer additional scholarships or exemption from some first-year courses based on the IB score.
Academic readiness: Experience of research, academic writing and studying in English gives IB students an advantage in English-medium programmes.

These conditions vary by university and are updated every year. Before choosing, check the current regulations on the target university's student affairs or foreign languages page.

The situation is different for foreign nationals: Turkish universities may accept the IB Diploma as an application document for international student admission. Each university sets its own minimum score and conditions.

Universities abroad: the IB's main advantage

The IB Diploma is widely recognised abroad. In the United Kingdom, universities make conditional offers based on the IB's predicted grades; in the Netherlands, Germany and Canada the IB Diploma is a direct application document. For deadlines by country, see our university applications abroad timeline. Recognition by country and university is listed on the IB's official recognition page.

Five questions to ask the school

What support do IB students get for the YKS? Are there practice exams?
How is the weekly workload spread across grades 11 and 12?
How are the Extended Essay and CAS timed around YKS preparation?
Is there counselling for choosing universities in Turkey?
How are students who apply both in Turkey and abroad supported?

The IB and the YKS at TED Üsküdar College

TED Üsküdar College has been an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme since 2025.

Topic	TED Üsküdar College
Diplomas	MEB high school diploma + IB Diploma
IB grades	11 and 12; IB subjects are taught and assessed in English
Preparation	21 hours of English a week in the high school preparatory year; maths and science taught in English from grade 9
YKS preparation	Domestic University Counselling Unit: introduction to the YKS (TYT-AYT), course choice by goal, TYT-AYT practice exams, OBP briefings, university choice counselling after the YKS
Applications abroad	Overseas Education Counselling Office (YEDO): university selection, personal statements and references; SAT, ACT, TOEFL and IELTS preparation; scholarship counselling
Class size	Up to 24 students in high school

For details, see the IB Diploma Programme and Domestic University Preparation pages. To arrange a campus visit, call +90 216 424 44 44.

Frequently asked questions

Is the IB Diploma valid in Turkey?

A student taking the IB at a high school in Turkey also receives the Turkish national (MEB) high school diploma, which is their valid diploma in Turkey. Turkish citizens enter Turkish universities through the national YKS exam; the IB Diploma alone does not replace it. Many universities abroad accept the IB Diploma directly.

Can IB students sit the YKS?

Yes. IB students also complete the national curriculum and receive the MEB high school diploma, so they sit the YKS like any other high school student.

How is an IB student's secondary school score (OBP) calculated?

The secondary school achievement score (OBP) is calculated from the MEB high school diploma grade. The diploma grade out of 100 is multiplied by 5, giving an OBP between 250 and 500, and 12 per cent of the OBP is added to the YKS score.

Do the IB exams and the YKS fall at the same time?

The IB final exams are held in May of grade 12, and the YKS usually in June. Because the two exams come back to back, study plans need to account for both from grade 11.

Does the IB score help at universities in Turkey?

Some universities may grant exemption from the English preparatory year, or a scholarship, based on the IB Diploma or the IB English grade. Conditions differ by university and are updated every year, so check the target university's official page.

How do IB students at TED Üsküdar College prepare for the YKS?

At TED Üsküdar College, students take the IB Diploma Programme in English alongside national curriculum courses in grades 11 and 12, and can earn both the MEB and the IB diploma. The Domestic University Counselling Unit runs TYT-AYT practice exams, explains the OBP and gives university choice counselling after the YKS; the Overseas Education Counselling Office supports applications abroad.