High Schools in Turkey

A Comprehensive Guide to Public High School Types in Turkey 2023

  • Post last modified:June 10, 2023
  • Reading time:15 mins read
  • Post category:Cities

A Must-Read Guide to Types Of Public High School Types in Turkey : Discover the Best Options & Unlock Your Child’s Success!

Education is the cornerstone of any society, and Turkey is no exception. The country’s education system is diverse and dynamic, offering a variety of high school types to cater to the different interests, talents, and career aspirations of students. This article will delve into the various types of high schools in Turkey, their unique features, and the opportunities they offer to students.

Public High School Types in Turkey

What is High School in Turkey  

High school is the name given to the secondary education institution that can prepare students between the ages of 14 and 18 who have completed eight years of primary and secondary school for higher education with at least four years of education in the Turkish education system. High school education in Turkey has been accepted as compulsory since the 2012 and 2013 academic years.

Secondary education institution, known as high school, provides at least four years of education to students aged 14 to 18, who have completed eight years of primary and secondary education, and prepares them for higher education in the Turkish education system. It has been mandatory for students to attend high school in Turkey since the academic years of 2012 and 2013.

Public High School Types in Turkey

Science High Schools (Fen Liseleri)

Science high schools are one of the most well regraded and respected high schools in Turkey, it prepare students with high abilities in science and mathematics for higher education in mathematics and science.

It aims to direct students to research, prepares the environment and conditions in which those who are interested in scientific and technological developments and new inventions will work.

  • Science High Schools in Turkey are designed for students who have a keen interest in science and mathematics.
  • These schools offer an intensive curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
  • They aim to nurture the country’s future scientists, engineers, and innovators.
  • The duration of education in these schools is 4 years, and they are boarding and co-educational schools.

The duration of education in science high schools where the first foreign language is English is 4 (four) years.

Fen Liseleri High School in Turkey 1

Social Sciences High Schools (Sosyal Bilimler Liseleri)

  • Social Sciences High Schools in Turkey cater to students who are interested in social sciences, including history, geography, sociology, and psychology.
  • These schools offer a comprehensive curriculum that encourages critical thinking, research skills, and a deep understanding of societal issues.

The duration of education in these schools is 5 years, 1 year of which is preparatory.

Anatolian High Schools (Anadolu Liseleri)

  • Anatolian High Schools are among the most popular types of high schools in Turkey.
  • They offer a balanced curriculum that includes both academic and vocational subjects.
  • These schools aim to produce well-rounded students who are prepared for both university education and the job market.

The duration of education in these schools is 4 years.

Anadolu Liseleri high schools

Vocational High Schools (Meslek Liseleri)

  • Vocational High Schools in Turkey are designed to provide students with practical skills and knowledge in various trades and professions.
  • These schools offer a wide range of programs, including engineering, healthcare, tourism, and agriculture, among others.
  • They aim to produce skilled workers who can contribute to the country’s workforce immediately after graduation.

The duration of education in these schools is 4 years.

Meslek Liseleri Vocational High schools

Anatolian Trade Vocational High Schools

These are vocational high schools with a four-year education period on the primary school that the public and private sectors need in the fields of accounting and finance, marketing and retail, office management and secretarial, information technologies, which train qualified personnel who know foreign languages and prepare students for both profession and higher education.

Graduates can enter vocational school programs in their fields without examination.

Health Vocational High Schools

These are the schools opened to train intermediate staff for public and private inpatient / non-inpatient health institutions and organizations affiliated to the Ministry of Health.

Jobs For Health Vocational High Schools Graduates : The Jobs to be earned by graduates of health vocational high schools can work directly as ‘Nurse Assistant’, ‘Midwife Assistant’, ‘Health Care Technician’.

Anatolian Hotel Management and Tourism Vocational High Schools

These are the schools that train qualified staff who know the foreign language needed by the tourism and the accommodation sector, which constitutes the basic infrastructure of it.

The duration of education is 4 years.

The Following Departments are in this type of school

  • Reception
  • Service, Kitchen, Housekeeping,
  • Travel Agency sections.

Students studying in these schools receive their theoretical and practical education at the school between October and March every year; Between April and September, they conduct their practical training in hotels or other touristic facilities operating in this area.

Graduates will be able to enter vocational school programs in a university in their fields without examination.

Anatolian Fine Arts High Schools

Anatolian Fine Arts High Schools aim to develop the creative, constructive and interpretive abilities of talented students and to direct students to research and development studies in line with their abilities.

The number of students in classes cannot exceed 24 people.

– Anatolian Fine Arts High Schools offer specialized education in various arts departments
– The Phonetics (Music) department focuses on the study and practice of music
– The Plastic Arts (Painting, Sculpture) department focuses on the study and practice of visual arts
– The Drama (Stage and Image) department focuses on the study and practice of theatrical arts
– Students can choose to specialize in one of these departments and receive rigorous training in their chosen field
– Anatolian Fine Arts High Schools aim to cultivate talented artists who can contribute to the cultural landscape of Turkey and beyond.

Students are admitted to these schools through an aptitude test.

Anatolian Sports High Schools

Sports high schools; where there are institutions of higher education related to physical education and sports; These are the schools that have an indoor sports hall, football field and similar sports fields where sports high school programs can be applied and have sufficient sports equipment and have a suitable physical infrastructure.

The number of students in a class cannot exceed 24.

Students are admitted to these schools through an aptitude test.

Students Graduated from this type of high schools, get extra points when applying for relevant fields in universities.

Imam Hatip High Schools (İmam Hatip Liseleri)

  • Imam Hatip High Schools are religious vocational schools in Turkey.
  • They offer a curriculum that combines general education with Islamic studies.
  • These schools aim to produce graduates who can serve as imams, preachers, and religious teachers in the country’s mosques and religious institutions.
  • The duration of education in these schools is 4 years.

Graduates of Anatolian Imam-Hatip High Schools can continue the higher education programs they have gained both in their own fields and in other fields according to the results of the university exam, and they can get additional points for those who prefer the Faculties of Theology.

Imam Hatip High Schools graduants can apply in any other university and they are not only limited to Faculties of Theology

Comparison of High School Types in Turkey

High School TypeDuration of EducationFocus AreaAdditional Information
Science High Schools (Fen Liseleri)4 yearsScience and mathematicsPrepare students for higher education in math and science
Social Sciences High Schools (Sosyal Bilimler Liseleri)5 years (1 year preparatory)Social sciencesDevelop critical thinking and research skills, focus on societal issues
Anatolian High Schools (Anadolu Liseleri)4 yearsBalanced curriculumPrepare students for both university education and the job market
Vocational High Schools (Meslek Liseleri)4 yearsPractical skills in various trades and professionsFocus on specific vocational programs and preparing students for the workforce
Anatolian Trade Vocational High Schools4 yearsAccounting, finance, marketing, office management, ITPrepare students for both profession and higher education
Health Vocational High Schools4 yearsHealth care professionsTrain intermediate staff for health institutions and organizations
Anatolian Hotel Management and Tourism Vocational High Schools4 yearsHotel management and tourismProvide theoretical and practical education in the hospitality and tourism industry
Anatolian Fine Arts High Schools4 yearsSpecialized education in arts departmentsFocus on music, visual arts, or theatrical arts, cultivate talented artists
Anatolian Sports High Schools4 yearsPhysical education and sportsOffer sports programs and facilities, extra points for university applications
Imam Hatip High Schools (İmam Hatip Liseleri)4 yearsIslamic studies combined with general educationPrepare graduates for religious roles and provide opportunities for higher education

Famous And Best High Schools In Turkey

High School Entrance Exam (LGS) In Turkey is an exam taken in the middle school that student placed according to it in different high schools.

We have ranked the best High schools in Turkey according to how high a score in the middle school is required to enter these schools

Best Imam Hatip High Schools In Turkey

  • Istanbul Kartal Anatolian Imam Hatip High School
  • İstanbul Kadıköy AIHL – Anatolian Imam Hatip High School
  • İstanbul Başakşehir M.Emin Saraç Anatolian Imam Hatip High School
  • Konya Mahmut Sami Ramazanoğlu Anatolian Imam Hatip High School
  • İstanbul Kadıköy Ahmet Sani Gezici Kız Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi

Best General High Schools In Turkey

  • Ankara Fen Lisesi, a science high school that offers an intensive curriculum focused on science and mathematics. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive high schools in Turkey.
  • Istanbul Lisesi, also known as Istanbul Boys’ High School or Istanbuler Gymnasium, a public school that was founded in 1884 and is recognized by Germany as a German International school. It offers bilingual education in Turkish and German, and has a rich cultural heritage.
  • Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School, a public school that is affiliated with Bilkent University, one of the leading universities in Turkey. It offers an IB curriculum and boarding facilities, and aims to provide quality education to students from disadvantaged regions.

Choosing the Right High School

Choosing the right high school is a critical decision that can significantly impact a student’s future. It’s important to consider the student’s interests, talents, and career aspirations when making this decision. Parents and students should also consider the school’s curriculum, teaching methods, and post-graduation opportunities.