International schools in Turkey

Search for the best international schools in Turkey; you can find a list of selected schools at the bottom of this page. Use the search filters to select only girls' or boys' schools, prep schools, senior schools or sixth forms; or you can search for schools that offer a particular curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate, the UK national curriculum, a US-style model or the International Primary Curriculum. 

A bustling country that straddles Europe and Asia, Turkey has more than 70 international schools that cater to both expatriate and Turkish families. Most are clustered around Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. 

As well as prestigious private foreign schools that were set up during the Ottoman Empire by French, German, Italian and American communities, the country is home to a large number of English-medium schools that typically follow the curriculums of Britain, the US or the International Baccalaureate Office. 

Turkey has 114 IB World Schools, of which 73 offer the Diploma Programme and eight follow all three IB programmes.

Accrediting bodies active in Turkey include the Council of International Schools. 

Education is compulsory for 12 years from age six to 18 and free of charge in state schools. Primary schools educate children for eight years, divided into two four-year stages that lead to a primary education diploma. 

Secondary education comprises three-year academic high schools and vocational schools and four-year technical schools. As well as gaining the high school diploma, students must pass a competitive, two-part exam to enter one of Turkey’s many universities. 

In 2019, net enrolment was 91 per cent in primary schools and 87.5 per cent at secondary schools, while gross secondary enrolment was 115 per cent, according to UNESCO.

If you are looking specifically for International Baccalaureate World Schools in Turkey, you can find selected schools on our sister website: www.ibyb.org.