A record number of students will begin studies in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine this September, following the announcement of entrance exam results by Education Minister Zuhal Demir on Tuesday.
The entry quotas for these courses were increased this year to address the current shortage of doctors, according to Demir. In early July, 5,544 prospective students took the entrance exam for medicine, compared to nearly 5,000 last year. On Monday, 1,740 hopefuls were informed they could commence their studies, filling all spots in the increased quota. For veterinary medicine, 240 students were accepted. Meanwhile, only 252 candidates (13.3%) were successful in the exam for dentistry.
This year’s starting quota rose to 1,740, up from 1,723 students last year. Unsuccessful candidates can reapply next year. Demir explained that the limitation on the number of medical students is not intended to discourage young people but to ensure that those who begin their studies can transition effectively into medical careers.
The quotas are designed to prepare healthcare for the future and address shortages in certain specialisations, such as general practice. In March, Demir announced plans to tighten sub-quotas for specialisations from the 2028-2029 academic year. This would lead to more medical graduates pursuing careers as general practitioners, potentially increasing from 35% to 43%.
Earlier this year, a Terzake report highlighted an oversupply of certain medical specialists, who sometimes remain unemployed for extended periods after completing their training.
