Open University Education (Açıköğretim)

Open Education (Açıköğretim) is university-level education delivered without attending campus, through a virtual learning environment that is easy to combine with everyday life. It is an excellent opportunity for those who cannot pursue university studies in their city, face financial difficulties, or do not have enough time. Physical attendance is required only for a midterm and a final exam each semester, held at centers distributed across most Turkish cities.

Studies take place via the website or mobile app of the university where the student is enrolled. Everything needed is available there: text and audio lectures, books, live broadcasts of some classes (others recorded), and a summary for every lecture, along with past-year exam questions.

The universities also operate offices in most Turkish cities to make registration and student-card issuance easier.

Two Ways to Enroll in the Open Education System:

First option:

Take the university's YÖS exam, score at least 30%, and apply to the desired program.
Apply through the university's regular admissions process.
Note: This route is treated as a regular application. Upon acceptance, all documents will be requested along with a Turkish-language certificate. If you do not have one, you will be placed in the preparatory year (Hazırlık).

Second option:

Through the Second University system (İkinci Üniversitesi), which is the most common route. You enroll in any university in Turkey in any program, on the condition that it is different from the program you wish to study via Open Education.
If the student wants a four-year (faculty) program in Open Education, they must already be enrolled in a four-year program in regular education. If they want an associate-degree program in Open Education, it does not matter whether their regular program is a faculty or associate-degree program.

Open Education is Offered by Three Universities in Turkey:

Anadolu Üniversitesi — The oldest in open education, having launched its system in the 1980s, with more than 60 majors.
İstanbul Üniversitesi — Began open education in 2010 and has progressed rapidly.
Atatürk Üniversitesi — Started in 2010 and offers a wide variety of programs and majors.