Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul vs MEF International School Istanbul
Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul and MEF International School Istanbul are both in Istanbul, about 31 km apart. Both schools offer IB and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge A Levels, and MEF International School Istanbul also offers Cambridge (Secondary). Published annual fees are TRY 21,000 - 52,500 at Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul and TRY 23,610 - 42,915 at MEF International School Istanbul, which puts Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul roughly 10% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul is the larger school, with around 2,000 pupils to MEF International School Istanbul's 400. Typical class sizes are 18 at Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul and 6 at MEF International School Istanbul.
Istanbul, Turkey. Gökkusagi Schools in Istanbul operate across four campuses: Atasehir, Bahcelievler, Bahcesehir, and Beylikduzu. The Atasehir Campus is in the Ataşehir district and has educated students from kindergarten to 12th grade since the 2021-2022 academic year, with international programs delivered entirely in English. The Bahcelievler Campus is in the Bahçelievler district and serves kindergarten through 12th grade with Cambridge Education and IB Primary Years and Diploma Programmes. The Bahcesehir Campus is in Bahçeşehir district, offering education for all levels from kindergarten to 12th with Cambridge and IB programs and 100% English instruction. The Beylikduzu Campus is in Beylikduzu district, delivering kindergarten through 12th grade with 100% English instruction.
Location
Located in Ortaköy, Istanbul, on the European side, MEF International School, Istanbul sits near the city center. The campus spans 9 acres and shares facilities with MEF National School. The address is Ulus Mah. Leylak Sok. No:22, 34340 Ulus, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey.
Stages
Stages
Kindergarten; Primary School; Middle School; High School
Stages
Early Childhood Centre (Preschool through Kindergarten); Primary School (Grades 1–5); Middle School (Grades 6–12); High School (Overview, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, and IB Certificate Programme).
School type
School type
International School
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Guidance and Psychological Counseling
Additional learning support
Guidance Counseling; English Language Learning; Learning Support; Career Counseling; Overseas College Counseling.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Turkey
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
Bus service for the 2025–2026 Academic Year is provided by Transay Transportation & Employee Services Co., a company operating in the transportation sector since 1989. Parents can register via the MEF IS School Bus Sign-Up Form. For inquiries, contact MEF IS bus liaison Ms. Derya Seyitoğlu at T: +90 549 171 75 11 or +90 212 275 30 03, E: mef@transay.com.tr or deryaseyitoglu@transay.com.tr.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration fees - Registration (enrollment) fee: typically charged as a percentage of the annual tuition; published guidance shows a registration fee equal to 5%–10% of the annual tuition.
Tuition fees by year group (Istanbul campuses — published ranges) - Kindergarten (ana sınıfı): 20,000 TL – 100,000 TL per year. - Primary school (ilkokul): 30,000 TL – 50,000 TL per year. - Middle school (ortaokul): 40,000 TL – 60,000 TL per year. - High school (lise): 50,000 TL – 80,000 TL per year.
Tuition fees — per term / per grade detail - The school's public pages provide campus-level guidance and broad ranges for Istanbul campuses but do not publish a single, campus-specific per-grade, per-term fee table for Istanbul that is publicly accessible. Parents are asked to request campus-specific fee schedules via the school's information request form. - For a published example of a campus-specific fee table (Ankara campus, 2025–2026), the school lists annual tuition and separate charges for meals, books/stationery and uniform by grade (figures shown here exactly as published for that campus): - Kindergarten: 500.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 1: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 2: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 3: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 4: 312.541 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 5: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 6: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 7: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 8: 336.612 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 9: 700.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 10: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 11: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 12: 380.653 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL.
Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's published information directs parents to request detailed, campus-specific pricing and payment schedules via the information request form rather than publishing a standard public billing schedule; no single, public Istanbul billing calendar (per-term dates or standard installment plan) is posted. - The public pages reference typical discount types such as early (peşin) payment discounts, sibling discounts and academic-bursary discounts, indicating these discount types are used when applicable.
Boarding (residential) fees - No boarding or student residence (yurt) option or boarding fees are listed for the Istanbul campuses in the publicly available campus materials; campus pages and the pricing overview focus on day-school services (tuition, meals, transport/service).
Other costs and typical additional fees - Meals / cafeteria: published examples and guidance show a separate meal charge; reported meal costs vary (Ankara campus: 104.860 TL per year in the published table; published guidance for kindergartens cites monthly meal ranges of 500 TL–1,500 TL as a general reference). - Books and stationery: shown as a separate annual charge in campus-specific tables (Ankara example: 65.000 TL by grade). - Uniforms: listed as a separate charge in campus-specific tables (Ankara example: 20.000 TL); the school describes uniforms as a standard required item. - Transport / school bus service (servis): described as a chargeable service in campus information; specific Istanbul campus bus fees are not published publicly and are provided on request. - Extracurricular activities, special programmes, external exam fees (Cambridge/IB), school trips and some workshops may generate additional, separate charges; such items are referenced as chargeable extras but detailed fee lines are campus- and activity-specific.
Refunds and cancellation - A public, campus-specific refund or fee-cancellation schedule for Istanbul campuses is not posted in the public fee materials; no explicit, detailed refund table or standard refund percentages/dates was located in the published campus fee materials.
Fee payment options (methods) - The publicly available information does not list standard, campus-wide payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) on a single public page; parents are directed to request the campus fee schedule and associated payment terms via the information request process.
Practical summary (what these items mean for a parent) - For Istanbul campuses the site publishes tuition ranges by level (kindergarten, primary, middle, high) and describes standard additional charges (meals, books, uniform, transport, extracurriculars). - The school's pricing page instructs parents to request campus- and grade-specific fee schedules and payment terms using the school's information request form; a published, campus-specific Istanbul per-grade, per-term fee table for 2026/27 was not publicly available at the time of review.
If you need campus-specific numbers - Campus contact details and campus emails/phone numbers are published for each Istanbul campus (Ataşehir, Bahçelievler, Bahçeşehir, Beylikdüzü). Use the campus contact channel to obtain the precise, campus- and grade-level fee table and the school's official billing schedule and accepted payment methods.
Fee details
Application and Registration Fees
- Application fee (one-time, non-refundable for new applicants): USD 1,250. - Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable for new applicants; for ECC students registration fee is paid when they start Grade 1): USD 4,250.
Placement Fee (annual, secures the place for new and returning students)
- Placement fees by year group (annual): - Early Childhood Centre (Pre‑School / Pre‑Kindergarten): USD 4,500. - Kindergarten: USD 6,000. - Primary School (Grades 1–5): USD 7,500. - Middle School (Grades 6–7): USD 7,500. - Middle School (Grade 8): USD 7,500. - High School (Grades 9–11): USD 7,500. - High School (Grade 12): USD 7,500. - IB Year 1 (IB‑1): USD 8,000. - IB Year 2 (IB‑2): USD 8,000.
Tuition, Food and Annual Totals (Academic Year 2026–2027) — amounts shown in USD
- Each line below shows: Tuition | Food | Total (including 10% VAT) | Total (excluding VAT). - Pre‑School / Pre‑Kindergarten: Tuition USD 20,070 | Food USD 3,540 | Total (including VAT) USD 23,610 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 21,463. - Kindergarten: Tuition USD 29,920 | Food USD 3,540 | Total (including VAT) USD 33,460 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 30,418. - Primary School (Grades 1–5): Tuition USD 37,500 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 41,600 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 37,818. - Middle School (Grades 6–7): Tuition USD 38,815 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 42,915 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 39,014. - Middle School (Grade 8): Tuition USD 39,050 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 43,150 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 39,227. - High School (Grades 9–11): Tuition USD 40,900 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 45,000 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 40,909. - High School (Grade 12): Tuition USD 42,020 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 46,120 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 41,928. - IB‑1: Tuition USD 41,065 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 45,165 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 41,059. - IB‑2: Tuition USD 42,165 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 46,265 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 42,059.
Installment amounts and billing schedule (payment plan)
- The placement fee is due immediately after confirmation of admission for new students; returning students must pay the placement fee by March 31, 2026 to secure re‑enrolment. - Tuition is payable in a 5‑installment plan after payment of the placement fee. The installment due dates for the academic year are: 31 March 2026 (placement or first due by date shown in schedule), then 15 May 2026, 15 July 2026, 15 September 2026, 15 November 2026 and 15 January 2027 (final installment). Specific installment amounts by grade are shown below.
- Amounts are required in US dollars; payments must be made to the school's USD bank account. Transfers are subject to bank charges; ensure the full USD amount is credited to the school. Email a copy of the bank receipt with the child's name and "26‑27 Child's name" to the Admissions email address upon settlement. Separate bank account details exist for IB DP tuition payments. - Bank account details (wire/SWIFT/IBAN for USD payments) are provided for the school's Yapi Kredi Bankasi account; the account holder is MEF Okullari ve Ozel Egitim Hizmetleri A.S. (full wire details and IBAN are provided with the school's payment instructions). - A 2% discount is available for payments made in full before March 6, 2026 (full payment discount deadline as stated). - Invoices: the annual school fee is divided into ten equal amounts (September–June) and e‑invoices are issued monthly by the school's billing system. - Overdue payments: installments not received by the stated due dates are delinquent; a late fee of 3% is added to past‑due accounts. After one month of non‑payment parents will be asked to make payment in full or withdraw the child; accounts not settled within two months may be referred to a legal collection agency.
What tuition includes and excludes / Other chargeable items
- Included in tuition: cooked lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, usage of textbooks, yearbook, one physical education uniform, clubs/sports/music/art offered by MEF IS teachers during school and after school, coverage of Cambridge Checkpoint and up to eight IGCSE exam fees per year (certain exam‑related extra charges excluded), and one session of IB DP final exam fees (excludes re‑marks/re‑takes). - Not included in tuition and charged separately by families as needed: school bus transport (optional, fee‑based), clubs or activities run by outside organisations, IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/ACT fees, computers/laptops/iPads/calculators, personal stationery, extended overnight or out‑of‑city trips, exam late‑entry fees, rechecks and postal charges. Families are responsible for devices required (Grades 4–8 iPad requirement; Grades 9–12 recommended laptop specifications). - Uniforms: one physical education uniform is included in tuition; additional uniform items are an extra cost.
Refunds and withdrawals
- Withdrawal refund rule: a 10% deduction will be made from the full year school fees (placement fee + yearly tuition) when a child's enrolment is withdrawn during the academic year. If the school year has not begun, the remaining amount after the 10% deduction is reimbursed in full. If withdrawal occurs during the school year, the refund is prorated based on the number of days until withdrawal; refunds are returned to the original payer. Late fees (if any) are not refunded. - New registrations during the school year: tuition will be calculated pro rata for the number of days attended in the registration month plus the remaining part of the academic year.
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable. MEF International School, Istanbul operates as a day school; students are expected to remain on campus for the school day and the school offers an optional, fee‑based bus service for transportation.
Fee payment options (accepted methods and practical notes)
- Primary accepted payment method: international bank transfer (wire) in US dollars to the school's USD account (SWIFT/IBAN details are provided in the school's payment instructions). Transfers should cover all bank charges so the school receives the full USD amount. Email a copy of the bank receipt to the Admissions/registration email provided by the school once payment is made. - The school's payment policy notes that different bank accounts are specified for general tuition and IB DP tuition; follow the payment instructions for the correct beneficiary account.
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 10% for two siblings, 15% for three or more siblings applied to total tuition (not to application, registration or placement fees). Corporate group discount: 5% for five or more enrollments from the same company/consulate meeting eligibility requirements. The total discount cannot exceed 25%; multiple discounts are applied in a stepped order starting with the largest.
(End of fees summary.)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school offers Cambridge International School Program; IB Primary Years Program; IB Diploma Program; CAP Innovative Program; and Dual Foreign Language Education. The Education Model is the 'Living School' that aims to educate internationally conscious individuals who research, inquire, think, communicate, are informed, principled, open-minded, caring, risk takers, balanced, and reflective.
Curriculum details
Cambridge IGCSE is offered in Grades 9–10; in Grades 11–12 MEF IS offers either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the IB Certificate Programme (Course Certificate route). The IB Diploma Programme uses six subjects across Groups 1–6 with Core Components: CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service); Extended Essay (EE); and Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Staff to student ratio is 5:2.
Exam results
Exam results
IB Diploma score: 44
Exam results
2024: MEFIS Highest Score 44; MEFIS Average 32; Global Average 30.32. 2023: Highest 40; Average 32; Global Average 30.24. 2022: Highest 44; Average 34; Global Average 31.98. 2021: Highest 43; Average 37; Global Average 32.98. 2020: Highest 42; Average 33; Global Average 31.34.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates have been accepted to universities worldwide, including Istanbul Technical University, Yeditepe University, Istanbul Gelisim University, University of Manchester, University of Sussex, Birmingham University, John Moores University, University of Sheffield, University of London, University of Sydney, Western University, University of Alberta, KU Leuven University, Politecnico di Torino, Pavia University, Lasalle University Barcelona, Campbellsville University, University of Georgia, and Wroclaw University. Cambridge Program and IB Diploma Program support higher education progression.
Higher education progression
Almost 100% of graduates have attended world-class universities. 2022 university acceptances include UK: Imperial College London; Newcastle University; The University of Nottingham; University of Bristol; University of Cambridge; University of Kent; University of Manchester; University of Reading; University of Sheffield; University of Southampton; University of Surrey; University of Warwick. USA: Boston College; Boston University; Drexel University; Fordham University; Georgia Institute of Technology; Hofstra University; Indiana University Bloomington; Michigan State University; North Carolina State University; Pennsylvania State University—University Park; Pepperdine University; Texas A&M University; Texas Christian University; UC campuses (Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara); University of Indianapolis; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; University of Massachusetts Amherst; University of Massachusetts Boston; University of Miami; University of Minnesota; University of Wisconsin. Canada: McGill University; McMaster University; Toronto Metropolitan University; University of British Columbia; University of Toronto. Europe: Trinity College Dublin; Erasmus University College; Jacobs University; Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano; Stenden University of Applied Sciences; TIO University of Applied Sciences; Universidad Carlos III de Madrid; University College Maastricht; University of Amsterdam; University of Twente; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Wageningen University and Research Centre; Yeditepe University.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Foundation Year entry: Turkish min 400 LGS score; English level below B1; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 50% for 400-450 LGS score; 100% for 451-500 score (listed as TEOG in the policy). No failed subjects; GPA of 4 on a 5.0 scale. The admission decision is made by the DP coordinator. An international quota exists for students with accommodation bursaries. 2. Grade 9 (pre-IB): Turkish min 400 LGS score; English level at least B1; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 50%–100% (range). No failed subjects; GPA of 4 on a 5.0 scale. Final admission decision rests with the DP coordinator. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries. 3. Grade 10 (pre-IB): No failed Turkish subjects; GPA of 4.0 on a 5.0 scale in Grade 9; English level at B1+ or above; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 0%–100% (range). End-of-Grade 10 tests or IGCSE/GCSE results may be used in the process; DP coordinator makes the final decision. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries. 4. Grade 11 (IB Diploma Programme): No failed Turkish subjects; GPA of 4.0 on a 5.0 scale in Grades 9–10; English level B2 or above; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 0%–100% (range). End-of-Grade 10 tests or IGCSE/GCSE results may be used; DP coordinator makes the final decision. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries. 5. Grade 12 (IB Diploma Programme) – DP transfer: Turkish or International DP transfer students only; Final decision by the DP coordinator. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries.
Admissions
1. Submit the MEF IS Application Form for new students and pay the application fee. Applications are considered only after the fee is paid, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. For the 2026-2027 school year, grade placement requires successful completion of the previous grade level, and the academic year runs from September to June. A proficient level of English is required for enrolment in Grades 9-12 (at least A2), with an intermediate level (B1-B2) for Grades 10-12; the school may administer a WIDA English assessment at its discretion.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are available as bursaries tied to admission category. Foundation Year scholarships: 50% for 400–450 LGS score; 100% for 451–500 LGS score (maximum 500 points). Rates may change if the national exam scoring system changes; if the exam is repealed, the school will determine rates via its own written and oral exams. For students switching to IB from the Anatolian High School, 100% scholarship is possible if average grades are between 4.50 and 5.00, subject to the final decision of the DP coordinator. The school works with international foundations to provide scholarships and accommodation for international students to form international IB classes. There is an international quota for accepting students with accommodation bursaries. The school reserves the right to change admission criteria and bursary rates to ensure diversity.
Scholarships
Scholarships may be offered; if a student is found eligible for a scholarship, whether full or partial, the tuition fee will be refunded to the parent/guardian within two months after the start of the academic year.
Waitlist
Waitlist
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Waitlist
There is currently no waiting list for entry into MEF IS Istanbul. From time to time, classes can reach maximum capacity, so applying early is advisable.
