Turkey Higher Education

  2. Turkey Higher Education

HIGHER EDUCATION IN TURKEY

TURKISH EDUCATION SYSTEM

Higher Education

  • The higher educational system in Turkey contains the universities with associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, faculties, institution, conservatories and vocational schools.
  • In total, 103 of 176 universities are state universities, the rest of them (73) are private ones. According to the data of recent years, the number of university students with the number of the students in formal education and distance education is about 3,5 million.

Admission Requirements For Undergradute Programs in Turkey

  • The applicants who want to study in any undergraduate programs should make an application directly to the university. Universities in Turkey accept international students in accordance with their own requirements which are published on their official websites.

Admission Requirements For Graduate Programs

  • Graduate programs in Turkey contain master, PhD and specialization in medicine programs. which are carried out via institutions.

The Documents Required From the Applicants

  • Universities and programs may have different admission criteria in Turkey. Therefore, those who wants to have graduate education has to apply directly to the universities.
  • During the application procedures of the graduate programs; - Diploma, - Course contents of the previously completed degrees, - Letter of reference and - Statement of purpose are required. 
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  • Students who graduated in Turkey must submit Graduate Entrance Exam’s (ALES) result in addition to the said documents. English-medium universities might ask for additional exam results like TOEFL, GRE or GMAT which have international validity.

Master Programs

  • There are two types of master degrees in Turkey: with thesis and non-thesis. Whereas master’s programs with thesis consist of at least seven courses, one seminar and a thesis study. Non-thesis master programs contain at least ten courses and a semester project. The required period to complete the master degree is 2 years.

Doctorate Programs

  • Doctorate programs have at least seven courses, proficiency exam and a thesis. These courses are completed in four semesters at most and in eight semesters the doctorate program is finished.
  • A master’s degree is pre-requisite to apply for doctorate programs. The applicants can also apply to the joint doctorate programs which consists of both master and doctorate education.

Specialization in Medicine Programs

  • Specialization in medicine programs and doctorate programs are equivalent and is carried out by the faculty of the medicine of universities and by the research hospitals which are subject to the Ministry of Health. The students must succeed in DUS or TUS exams to have an education in medicine and dentistry.

Academic Calendar

  • In Turkey universities run on a two semester arrangements, known as fall and spring semesters. Besides, some universities have summer school programs.

Academic Examination Process

  • Success and attendance are two criteria which determine the academic performances. Students’ academic success is tested with different examinations such as two midterm and one final or one midterm and one final.
  • Some universities practise different systems such as make-up exams or summer schools. In addition to examinations, different homeworks and reports are done in taking grades. In the universities, the passmarks are usually 60/100 (2.00/4.00) (These grades might differ from university to university).

Language of Instruction

  • The applicants must prove their efficiency in the universities’ course language which is usually in Turkish (Also in English, French and German). The students, accepted to university but not able to get the efficiency in the required language, are given language course for a year. Also, Turkish language lessons are given to international students.

WHY TO HAVE HIGHER EDUCATION IN TURKEY?

  • Turkey, which has lands both in Asia and Europe, has diverse cultures and experiences. Turkey’s cultural richness and diversity was shaped by its deep historical roots, cultures and beliefs in Middle East, Anatolia and Balkans.
  • Throughout the history, Anatolia has been the center of several civilizations since ancient times. Turkey has unique social and cultural characteristics such as cuisine, music, arts, literature and architecture.
  • Modern Turkey has a dynamic economy, an open society and an advanced democracy. In the last decade, Türkiye has achieved remarkable economic growth and substantial progress in political and social fields. One of the fastest growing economies the World, Türkiye, is now the 6th largest economy in the Europe and 16th largest economy in world.
  • Turkish universities are opened for international students from all around the world with “Türkiye Scholarships”. With many opportunities and education in qualified Turkish universities the Scholarships help foreign students to attain new perspectives and abilities.
  • Türkiye Scholarship is a non-refundable. Türkiye Scholarship is granted just for international students who is going to have higher education level. Türkiye Scholarships targets improving mutual understanding with other countries and to contribute richness of global information with people oriented approach.

WHAT IS TÜRKİYE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM?

Türkiye Scholarships is a funded (by Government) program only for international students. It is designed for international students wishing to study at universities in Turkey. The program aims at enhancing Turkey’s relations with other countries in the fields of higher education and culture.

The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities is the responsible body for the Türkiye Scholarships. Foreign Ministry also assumes responsibilities during the Türkiye Scholarships process.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TÜRKİYE SCHOLARSHIPS

Candidates graduated or are likely to graduate from an educational institution equivalent to that of Türkiye’s (for instance bachelor’s degree for master’s level) can apply to Türkiye Scholarships.

In order for the students to attend Turkey Scholarships, the following age conditions are to be required to meet.

• For applicants applying to Undergraduate Degree: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1996,
• For applicants applying to Master’s Degree: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1987,
• For applicants applying to Ph.D Degree: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1982,
• For applicants applying to Research Program: Those who were born no earlier than 01.01.1972,
• Applicants shouldn’t have any health problems barrier to education.

POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED:

. A certain academic score from candidates is expected to have for each program and scholarship level. There are specific minimum score of the program that you are applying at “assessment and selection” section.

. Students currently studying in Türkiye cannot apply to the level that they are already studying.

. Turkish citizens and persons who lost Turkish citizenship cannot apply for this scholarship program.

. Türkiye scholarships are open for all country citizens who meet these conditions.

. Short-term scholarship programs may have additional application requirements. Application can only be made on-line via www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr website.

OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED WITH TÜRKİYE SCHOLARSHIPS

I. Allowance

The monthly allowance allocated according to level of study is as follows:

• Undergraduate Students; 700 Turkish Lira
• Master’s Students; 950 Turkish Lira
• Ph.D. Students; 1,400 Turkish Lira
• Research Scholarships; 3,000 Turkish Lira

II. Accommodation

Türkiye Scholarships students have chance to stay in public university dormitories without paying any fees. Students not wishing to stay in these dormitories can look at other housing options on their own expenses.

III. Tuition and Fees

International students with Türkiye Scholarships are not expected to pay any tuition or university fees.

IV. Health Expenses

Türkiye Scholarships students’ health expenses are covered by public health insurance.

V. Turkish Language Course

Türkiye Scholarships Students are expected to attend to the Turkish language course for one year if they do not have proof of Turkish Language proficiency. Turkiye Scholarships students who wish to study in a program in other languages instead of Turkish, are also required to attend to the the Turkish Language Course.

VI. Travel Expenses (One-off Flight Ticket)

Turkish Scholarship students are provided a one-way ticket for their first arrival in Turkey and for their departure after completing their study. If the student purchases the ticket, the amount will be reimbursed in the future.

LEARNING TURKISH LANGUAGE

. Turkish is a modern language that is spoken by around 100 million people around the world. Turkish language is one of the widely spoken languages in the world after Chinese, Arabic, Hindu, English, Spanish, Russian, French and Portuguese.

. The students, not speaking Turkish language are granted free Turkish language training for one year. The Turkish language training is seen as a prerequisite for their university program they are placed with.

. Turkish Language Courses take place in Turkish Education Centers (TÖMER). The period for the language program is 8 months and ends in June.

. At the end of the course, students are expected to get C1 level Turkish competency from Turkish Sufficiency Test . Students who have successfully passed the exam are to continue their education at the university they are registered. Students who fail to get required Turkish score should have additional time until September to re-enter the exam and fulfill the language criteria.

. The student's scholarship is reinstated only if the student receives a C1 level Turkish Language Certificate during that year.

. If the student cannot succeed to get C1 Level Turkish Language Certificate in his/her second year, his/her scholarship and university registration will be cancelled altogether.

. Turkish Language Certificate Levels;

Beginner (A1 and A2)

Intermediate (B1 and B2)

Advanced (C1 and C2)

ACCOMODATION POSSIBILITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN TURKEY

. There are many choices in terms of accomodation possibilities in Turkey. The dormitories are mostly state-run (Yurt-Kur) but there are also private dormitories and some non-profit foundations’ dorms. In addition to these, some universities have their own residences.

. There are other choices ranging from luxurious residents to moderate and smaller apartments. The standards of the state-run dormitories, which serves through the year including semesters and summer holiday, have risen notably in recent years.

. One other choice is to rent a house. To do this, the shortest way is to do some research on internet or knock the door of real estate agency.

. It is possible to find several alternatives for house decorations. It is also possible to visit some stores and markets, where it might be found second-hand furniture, also new ones.

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