Turkish Higher Education System

We will cover everything you need to know about Turkish Higher Education System in this article from degrees to types of universities and fees.

We will also include some useful information about schools in Turkey and the Turkish schooling system before higher education.

About Turkish Higher Education System

When Turkey passed a new law called the Higher Education Law in 1981, the administration of higher education was completely reorganized. There is a number 2547.

This led to all higher education institutions becoming part of the Council of Higher Education YÖK, which made the system more centrally-planned (CoHE). All the names of the colleges and universities changed after this reorganization.

A national university exam and placement was set up to make it easier for people to get into higher education all over the country. There was a non-profit foundation college in Turkey at that time.

There have been three stages of Turkey’s 12-year-long compulsory education since 2012. (primary education, elemantary education and secondary education).

Pre-primary School Education: This is the optional education provided to children aged three to five who have not yet reached the compulsory primary school age.

Primary education: focuses on children between the ages of six and ten. Primary school is mandatory for all citizens. A four-year program that is offered free of charge in public schools (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades).

Elemantary education: refers to the education and training of children between the ages of ten and fourteen. Elementary school is compulsory for all students. It is free and lasts four years in public schools (5th, 6th, 7nd, 8th grades). At the conclusion of elementary school, students are given information about general, vocational, and technical high schools, as well as the kind of careers they will be preparing for.

Secondary education: is made up of general, vocational, and/or technical high schools that provide four-year courses to students aged 14 to 17. Grades 9 through 12 (9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th). All persons are expected to complete secondary education, which is given free of charge in public schools.

Higher Education: After graduating from high school, students can enroll in higher education, which is compatible with the Bologna three-cycle system.

Types Of Higher Education in Turkey

Faculty (College): A section responsible for postsecondary instruction, academic research, and publication. It may be associated with a range of different departments and initiatives. Students get a bachelor’s degree at the completion of a four-year educational program.

Graduate School: A university-level institution devoted to graduate education, academic research, and applied research. Graduate schools confer MA, MSc, and PhD degrees.

A four-year school: is a kind of higher education institution that is mainly concerned with providing instruction in a particular field of study. It consists of eight semesters.

Conservatory: An institution of higher learning where artists are educated in music and the performing arts. It consists of eight semesters.

Post-Secondary Vocational School: A higher education institution that focuses on developing human aptitude in certain vocations and provides teaching over a four-semester period.

A research and application center: is a higher education institution that conducts research and applied studies in order to meet the applied study needs of various fields and to provide preparatory and support activities for various professional fields.

Degrees of higher education in Turkey

The degrees of higher education in Turkey are offered by both public and private universities.

Associate’s degree (short cycle): is given to people who finish a two-year program of study. Associate degree programs are available at universities and foundation postsecondary vocational schools. There are also some ways to get an education from home. If you want to get an associate’s degree, you might need to learn on the job.

Bachelor’s degree (first cycle): is given to people who finish a four-year program and 240 ECTS. Five years of education are needed for dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. Six years are needed for medicine. These four certifications are thought to be the same as a Master’s degree.

Master’s degree: A two-year program that leads to an MA or MS (MS). Master’s programs come in two types: those that need a thesis and those that don’t. There are usually 120 ECTS worth of courses in the Master’s with thesis program. Then, students write a thesis and have to defend it in front of an audience. If you want to do a non-thesis program, you have to finish it in one or one and a half years. You need at least 90 credits in graduate courses and a term project.

Doctorate degree program: If you take 180 to 200 courses, you’ll need to take the “competency” test. You’ll also need to write a dissertation proposal, write your dissertation, and defend it in person. Students must submit their dissertation and defend it in front of an examining committee after they have passed the course work and the proficiency test.

Specialization in medicine program: It is done at medical schools, university hospitals, and research and training hospitals. People who graduate from medical schools have to compete in a lot of different areas of medicine if they want to become specialists in that area of medicine. Specialists have to show off their work and defend it in front of an examining committee.

Proficiency in Art: In the visual and performing arts, it is a master’s degree that lasts for six semesters after you finish college. It means that an original piece of art or a more advanced, creative performance will be shown (in music and the performing arts).

Can international students enroll in Turkish Higher Education System

International students who want to go to college in Turkey must have finished secondary school at a high school or equivalent institution that has a similar curriculum to a Turkish high school. In this case, they apply directly to the university they want to go to, which makes the final choice.

Read also: Anadolu University

International students who want to do graduate or postgraduate work in Turkey can also apply directly to the schools. Each school has its own admissions requirements. Some international students may also be able to get a lot of money through scholarships.

Tuition Fees for Higher Education in Turkey

The cost of tuition varies a lot between public and non-profit foundation schools. The Presidency decrees and sets tuition fees at public institutions, taking into account the type and length of education in different fields.

On the other hand, tuition rates at non-profit foundation universities are set by the Board of Trustees of the school.

Students must pay tuition for each semester before they can start taking classes at the start of each semester.

Many awards are given to students who are accepted to public and non-profit foundation universities.

If you get a scholarship, it could cover all or part of your school fees, or it could be a mix of the two. Some scholarships may cover things like academic supplies, housing, food, and drinks, as well as other things.

As well as this help, student assistantships and research grants are two other types of help that may be useful during your time in Turkey.