Education and schools for expats in Türkiye | KOCH Moving Logistics

Moving to Türkiye presents families with many challenges, especially when it comes to their children's education. The Turkish education system differs from the German school system in some respects – above all through its 4+4+4 model with twelve years of compulsory schooling, the central university entrance examination YKS, as well as the large number of international and German schools. The Turkish education system is centrally organised: the national Ministry of Education (Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı) prescribes educational standards and curricula nationwide, while local administrations are responsible for implementation. In this article, we take a look at the Turkish education system, the best international schools in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, as well as the various options for younger children, so that you can emigrate to Türkiye well‑informed and prepared.

For families moving to Türkiye, international schools offer an excellent opportunity to provide their children with a familiar education with English‑medium instruction. Türkiye has a wide selection of international schools, especially in the large cities and metropolitan areas. International schools in Türkiye follow either a British (IGCSE, A‑Levels), American (High School Diploma, AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Turkish curriculum (with enhanced English content). In addition, there are German overseas schools that teach according to German curricula and offer a familiar start for German‑speaking families.

German‑speaking families will find an excellent network of recognised German overseas schools in Türkiye. In total, there are several officially recognised German overseas schools funded by the Federal Foreign Office and the Central Agency for Schools Abroad. Here is an overview of the most important German schools:

 

– German School Istanbul (Özel Alman Lisesi) – Founded in 1868, the German School Istanbul is the oldest and most renowned German overseas school in Türkiye and today is one of the most significant Abitur schools among the 117 overseas schools. It offers its students instruction in German in mathematics, physics, biology and chemistry, combined with social science subjects in Turkish, compulsory English lessons, and optional French. The school is one of two schools in Türkiye where the German Abitur can be taken. Annual school fees for lower secondary level are about 13,900 to 14,800 euros (including stationery and e‑books). Upon admission, a deposit of 3,000 euros is due, which is offset against the school fees. German nationals and children of seconded employees are given priority in admission. Required documents for registration are proof of nationality of the child and parents, all certificates of previous school career, and for entry into grade 5, the recommendation of the primary school.

 

– German School Ankara (Ernst-Reuter-Schule) – The German School Ankara was founded in 1952 and is located in the city centre of the capital. It is one of three German schools in Türkiye with branches in Istanbul and Izmir. The school runs from kindergarten to grade 10, after which students can participate in the bilingual (English‑German) IB programme (International Baccalaureate). Special emphasis is placed on languages: Turkish lessons begin in grade 2, English lessons in grade 3. The school is sponsored by the German School Association Ankara.

 

– German School Izmir – The German Embassy School Branch Izmir is the 140th German overseas school. It was founded in 2008 and is located outside the city centre of Izmir in Urla‑Kuşçular. The all‑day school with an attached kindergarten is attended by around 180 children and young people between the ages of two and 20. It is a branch of the German School Ankara, offers instruction according to Thuringian curricula in German, and bears the seal of quality "Excellent German Overseas School". As an all‑day school, it offers comprehensive individual learning support from kindergarten, through German school qualifications, to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

 

– Private School of the German Embassy Ankara – Istanbul Branch– This German overseas school, recognised and funded by the Central Agency for Schools Abroad, comprises grades 1 to 4 in primary school. Attached is a German kindergarten with around 25 children. The school's structure is aligned with the German school system. At the end of grade 4, the school issues a qualified school career recommendation for the transition to secondary schools. The teaching programme is based on the curricula of the state of Thuringia. The lower secondary level (grades 5 to 8) is located in the neighbouring school building of the German School Istanbul.

 

Further German‑language offerings – In Istanbul and Izmir, there are also German kindergartens that ensure the linguistic education of young children. The Istanbul Lisesi (Istanbul High School) also offers a German department as a state Turkish school.

The Turkish education system is known for its centralised control, its twelve years of compulsory schooling and its clear chronological structure. Since 2012, compulsory education in Türkiye has lasted 12 years and is divided into three stages of four years each (the so‑called 4+4+4 model). Teaching takes place either in public schools (devlet okulları), which are under state supervision and free of charge, or in private schools (özel okullar). Public schools are secular (laik) – an important feature of the Turkish education system. The basic structure is divided into several successive levels:

– Pre‑school education (Okul Öncesi Eğitim, 3‑5 years) – This level is not compulsory but widespread. It includes kindergartens (anaokulu) and pre‑schools, which can be attended voluntarily.

– Primary school (İlkokul, 6‑10 years) – Four years of primary education, compulsory for all citizens and free in public schools (grades 1, 2, 3 and 4). It teaches basic cultural skills in reading, writing, mathematics and a foreign language (usually English).

– Middle school (Ortaokul, 10‑14 years) – Four years of lower secondary level, compulsory for all citizens and free in public schools (grades 5, 6, 7 and 8). Towards the end of middle school, students receive information about academic, vocational and technical high schools and the types of professions for which they are prepared.

– Secondary school (Lise, 14‑17 years) – Four years of upper secondary level (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12), compulsory for all citizens and free in public schools. There are various school types: academic high schools (Anadolu Liseleri), vocational and technical schools (Meslek Liseleri), and religious schools (İmam‑Hatip Liseleri). Many of these schools require an entrance examination.

– Higher education (Yükseköğretim) – After completing school, students can enrol in higher education, which is compatible with the Bologna three‑cycle system. Those who wish to study later must pass the central university entrance examination (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı – YKS), conducted by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM). There are 207 universities in Türkiye, including 123 state universities.

– Vocational education (Mesleki Eğitim) – Many young people opt for vocational training after school, which generally lasts between three and four years. During training, young people work in a company and learn a profession – a system that has similarities with the German vocational training system. After a few years, apprentices can become journeymen (Kalfa), and with sufficient experience and a further examination, it is possible to become a master (Usta) themselves.

Compared to Germany, some differences are particularly noticeable:

– ZENTRALISTISCHES SYSTEM MIT EINHEITLICHEN LEHRPLÄNEN: In Türkiye, the national Ministry of Education prescribes educational standards and curricula uniformly nationwide. Unlike in Germany, where the federal states have their own educational sovereignty, the Turkish system is highly centralised.

– 4+4+4 MODEL WITH TWELVE YEARS OF COMPULSORY SCHOOLING: Compulsory schooling was introduced in 2012 and is divided into three four‑year stages. Unlike in Germany, where selection into different school types occurs after the fourth or sixth grade, the Turkish system is integrative for the first eight years.

– CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMINATION: In Türkiye, all prospective students must pass the central YKS examination, which decides admission to universities – comparable to the numerus clausus, but as a standardised examination for everyone.

– SECULAR SYSTEM WITH RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS: While public schools are secular, Türkiye also has İmam‑Hatip schools that offer religious education – a school type that does not exist in Germany in this form.

Pre‑school education is the heart of early childhood education in Türkiye. It is pedagogically designed and prepares children for primary school in a playful way. The stage for three to five‑year‑olds is not compulsory but widespread. For younger children, there are day‑care centres (kreş), the fees of which vary by region. German families will find German‑speaking kindergartens especially in Istanbul and Izmir. The kindergarten of the German School Izmir, with its three groups, offers space for up to 45 children from the age of two until school entry. Based on the quality framework for German kindergartens and pre‑schools abroad of the Central Agency for Schools Abroad, qualified early childhood education professionals trained in Germany provide a loving, culturally sensitive learning environment. In Istanbul, there are several facilities for both school‑age children and kindergarten children.

Moving to Türkiye requires careful planning of the school transition. It is important to find out about the various options early on – depending on the region and the individual needs of your family. The Turkish education system offers many advantages: a centrally controlled structure with uniform educational standards, a statutorily anchored twelve‑year compulsory schooling and a high level of educational quality, especially at the excellent international and German overseas schools. The central organisation of the education system by the national Ministry of Education ensures uniform quality standards nationwide, while private and international schools offer individual pedagogical profiles. Whether public school, private institution or German overseas school – with the right preparation and support, every family will find the right educational path for their children in Türkiye. KOCH Moving Logistics stands by your side as an experienced partner to make your move to Türkiye smooth.