Türk Maarif Koleji (Northern Cyprus): admission, KGS and features of study

Türk Maarif Koleji is a network of public competitive colleges in Northern Cyprus, where students are admitted after finishing primary school through the Kolej Giriş Sınavı (KGS) exam. The colleges are considered among the most prestigious public educational institutions on the island thanks to an enhanced academic program, in-depth English study, and preparation for international exams. Unlike Bülent Ecevit Anadolu Lisesi (BEAL) and 20 Temmuz Fen Lisesi, admission to Türk Maarif Koleji takes place earlier — at around the age of 11–12.

• What is Türk Maarif Koleji
• How the education system is organized
• Which colleges are part of the network
• How admission works
• Which subjects are included in the KGS exam
• Features of study
• Why Türk Maarif Koleji is so popular
• Tuition fees
• Official website
• Frequently asked questions

What is Türk Maarif Koleji

Türk Maarif Koleji (TMK) is a network of public colleges in Northern Cyprus operating under the Ministry of Education. Unlike ordinary public schools, admission here is based only on the results of a competitive entrance exam.

For many families in Northern Cyprus, Türk Maarif Koleji is the most attractive option in public education. The colleges offer strong academic preparation, a high level of English, and the opportunity to continue studies at universities in Northern Cyprus, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

Important: Türk Maarif Koleji should not be confused with Bülent Ecevit Anadolu Lisesi (BEAL) and 20 Temmuz Fen Lisesi. These are different educational routes and different admission stages.

How the education system is organized

After finishing primary school, students in Northern Cyprus have several options for continuing their education.

Admission to Türk Maarif Koleji begins after 5th grade. After successfully passing the KGS exam, the student begins studying from 6th grade and continues within the system until graduation.

Important: this is why the KGS exams take place earlier than the entrance exams for BEAL and 20 Temmuz Fen Lisesi. These are different age groups and different educational levels.

Which colleges are part of the network

As of today, the Türk Maarif Koleji system includes five public colleges.

All colleges operate under a single educational model and admit students through the KGS exam after primary school.

How admission works

To gain admission, applicants must take the Kolej Giriş Sınavı (KGS), a centralized exam of the Ministry of Education of Northern Cyprus.

In 2026, the system consisted of two stages.

After the results are published, a general ranking of students is formed. Depending on the scores and the number of available places, students are assigned to colleges.

In 2026, 695 students were granted the right to admission.

How to do it

1. Finish primary school (5th grade).
2. Apply to take the KGS exam.
3. Pay the registration fee.
4. Take KGS-1 and KGS-2.
5. Receive the final competitive score.
6. Submit documents to the chosen college.

Which subjects are included in the KGS exam

The exam is conducted in a test format and includes the following subjects:

• Turkish language and reading comprehension (Türkçe ve Okuduğunu Anlama)
• Mathematics (Matematik)
• Natural sciences (Fen Bilimleri)
• Social studies (Sosyal Bilgiler)
• English (İngilizce)

In addition to subject knowledge, the exam assesses logical thinking skills, information analysis, and the ability to work with test tasks.

Features of study

The main difference between Türk Maarif Koleji and ordinary public schools is the enhanced academic program.

Special attention is paid to English. Students receive significantly more hours of English than in an ordinary public school, and in the upper grades some subjects may be taught in English.

The colleges use elements of the British education system and prepare students for international qualifications:

• IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education);
• GCE A-Level.

These exams are recognized by universities in the United Kingdom, Europe, and many other countries.

Important: after entering the system, students usually do not need to go through a new competitive selection process when moving to the upper grades. Studies continue within the college until graduation.

Why Türk Maarif Koleji is so popular

The network’s popularity is explained by several factors.

• Competitive admission through KGS.
• High level of English.
• Enhanced program in mathematics and natural sciences.
• Preparation for IGCSE and A-Level.
• High graduate performance when applying to universities.
• Public status with no tuition fee.

For many families in Northern Cyprus, Türk Maarif Koleji is a public alternative to private international schools.

The number of applicants significantly exceeds the number of places every year, so competition remains one of the highest in the public education system.

Tuition fees

Education in the public colleges of Türk Maarif Koleji is funded by the state.

There is also an opportunity to enter the internal classes (Ara Sınıflar) if places are available.

Official website

https://turkmaarifkoleji.org/

Frequently asked questions

Is Türk Maarif Koleji a public school?

Yes. All colleges in the network belong to the public education system of Northern Cyprus.

From which grade can you enroll?

The main intake begins after completing 5th grade. Students enter the system through the KGS exam and start studying from 6th grade.

Is tuition free?

Yes. Only exam fees are published in the official documents. No separate tuition fee is listed.

Why do the KGS exams take place earlier than the exams for BEAL and 20 Temmuz Fen Lisesi?

Because these are different educational levels. Students enter Türk Maarif Koleji after primary school, while BEAL and 20 Temmuz Fen Lisesi admit students after secondary school.

Can a student move from Türk Maarif Koleji to BEAL or 20 Temmuz Fen Lisesi?

In theory, a student can take part in the competitive selection on general terms. However, this is usually not necessary, since the Türk Maarif Koleji system already covers education until graduation.

Do students need to take a new exam when moving to higher grades?

As a rule, no. After admission, students continue studying within the college without a repeated competitive selection.

Are there other schools with the word Maarif in their name?

Yes. Northern Cyprus has schools of the international Türkiye Maarif Vakfı network (Maarif Schools).

Is this the same as Türk Maarif Koleji?

No. Despite the similar names, these are different educational systems. Türk Maarif Koleji is a public network of competitive colleges in Northern Cyprus, while Maarif Schools belong to an international educational network and operate under their own admission and study rules.