English Proficiency through TOEFL® IBT and IELTS Academic Examinations

The language of instruction at Boğaziçi University is English. Students who are placed in or admitted to an undergraduate program may register for their respective program if they document their English language proficiency through an examination recommended by the School of Foreign Languages (YADYOK) and approved by the University Senate. The TOEFL® IBT and IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) examinations are recognized by the Boğaziçi University Senate as equivalent to the BÜYES/BUEPT examination. Students who do not take the BÜYES/BUEPT examination or who fail the examination may certify their English proficiency by having their TOEFL® IBT or IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) examination results approved by YADYOK, provided that they meet the success criteria specified below.

IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered)

Overall Band Score of 6.5, with a Writing score of 6.5. (IELTS Online examinations are not accepted.)

Overall Band Score of 6.5, with TWE Pass. (IELTS Online examinations are not accepted.)

TOEFL® IBT and IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) success criteria effective as of 12 June 2026:

TOEFL® IBT

Overall Score of at least 4.5, with a minimum score of 4.5 in each of the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections. (TOEFL Home Edition examinations are not accepted.)

Overall Score of at least 4.5, with TWE Pass. (TOEFL Home Edition examinations are not accepted.)

Important Notes

a) Only examination results obtained within the last two years are accepted.

b) Institutional TOEFL® (ITP) results are not accepted.

c) TOEFL® Home Edition and IELTS Online examination results are not accepted.

d) Following the announcement of their TOEFL® IBT or IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) examination results, students are required to apply in person to the YADYOK Student Affairs Office to have their results approved.

e) Students who satisfy the overall success requirement in the TOEFL® IBT or IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) examination but do not meet the required minimum performance in the writing component may take the TWE examination administered on the same day as the BÜYES/BUEPT examination. Students who successfully pass the TWE examination become eligible to receive English proficiency approval together with their TOEFL® IBT or IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) examination results.

f) Students who certify their English proficiency through the BÜYES/BUEPT, TOEFL® IBT, or IELTS Academic (Paper-based/Computer-delivered) examination by the end of the Fall semester are required to begin their undergraduate programs in the Spring semester. Students who have documented their English proficiency may not continue in the English Preparatory Program.

Other Exemption Rules

In addition to those who demonstrate English proficiency through the BÜYES/BUEPT or the examinations specified above, the following students are exempt from the proficiency examination:

• Students who apply to an undergraduate or graduate program at Boğaziçi University within two years of graduating from an undergraduate or graduate program at Boğaziçi University.

• Students who are placed at Boğaziçi University again while already enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at Boğaziçi University.

Provided that they are required by the Preparatory Unit to undergo an interview, the following students are exempt from the proficiency examination:

• Citizens of a country whose official language is English who can document that they have completed their secondary, undergraduate, or graduate education at institutions where the language of instruction is English.

Provided that no more than two years have elapsed since graduation, the following students are exempt from the proficiency examination:

• Students who have completed the last three years of their secondary education at an institution where the language of instruction is English in a country whose native or official language is English.

• Students who have completed the last two years of their undergraduate, master's, or doctoral education at a higher education institution where the language of instruction is English in a country whose native or official language is English.

• Students who are currently enrolled at a higher education institution where the language of instruction is English in a country whose native or official language is English, have completed at least two years of study, and are applying for transfer to Boğaziçi University.

Special and visiting students may be exempted from the proficiency examination based on the results of a written examination administered by the Preparatory Unit.