Higher Education System of Turkey

The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) is responsible for the higher education system in Turkey. The council plans, coordinates and regulates the higher education system in Turkey as per the Turkish constitution and the laws on higher education. In Turkey, there are mainly three kinds of higher education institutions:

State Universities (Devlet Universiteleri): These universities are managed and established by the state. The state universities in Turkey offer undergraduate, master and doctorate degree programmes.  Generally, undergraduate education lasts for 4 years at universities, but some disciplines such as dentistry, and veterinary science lasts for 5 years; and medicine for 6 years. The state universities do not charge any tuition fees.

Higher Vocational Schools (Meslek Yuksek Okulları): The higher vocational schools in Turkey provide undergraduate programmes that last for 2 years after secondary education.

Private or Foundation Universities (Ozel / Vakif Universiteleri): In 1984 started the establishment of private foundations. These universities are founded by private foundation, but are under the control and administration of the state. Private higher education institutions provide bachelor’s, master’s and PhD studies, as well as associate's degree programmes through their vocational schools.  The language of instruction in most private or foundation universities is English. Students have to pay tuition fee for private universities.

Below are the units/divisions in the universities: 
  • Faculty (College): This is a unit of universities that carries out higher education and research. It conducts educational programmes that require 4 years of full-time study and lead to a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Graduate school: This unit in universities deals with graduate education and scholarly research. These schools award following qualifications: MSc, MA and PhD.
  • Post-secondary school: These are the higher education institution that provides education in a particular profession. The studies at these institutions last for 4 years, i.e. 8 semesters.
  • Conservatory: This higher education institution provides education in performing arts and music. The artistic studies at these institutions are divided into 8 semesters.
  • Post-secondary vocational school: This type of higher education institution prepares students for a specific vocation and the education at these schools lasts for 4 semesters.
  • Research and Application Centre: These higher education institutions conduct research and applied studies. 

Types of Turkish Higher Education

Turkish higher education includes two modes of education:

Face-to-face education: Majority of the higher education institutions in Turkey provide face-to-face education. In this kind of education, pupils are required to attend their programmes or practical sessions.

Distance education: In this kind of education, pupils can complete their courses via television, radio or other training instruments. Since 1982, The Open Education Faculty of Anadolu University since 1982 provides distance education. The university offer 2-year and 4-year undergraduate courses. Also, there are many higher education institutions in Turkey offering distance education through internet.

Admission Requirements

Students must have completed high school studies in order to gain admittance into the higher education undergraduate programme. 

International students are accepted on the basis of the admission criteria set by the institutions. Turkish students are required to pass YGS-LYG exam in order to gain admittance into the higher education institutions in Turkey.

Each higher education institution admission requirements vary. To know more about the admission requirements for Turkish higher education institutions, click here.

Tuition Fees

 The private higher education institutions charge tuition fees higher than the state universities. The tuition fees vary depending on the programme and study level.

Funding to Study in Turkey

The Turkish government provides many scholarships to turkey students and international students to pursue associate, bachelor, master's and doctorate studies in Turkey. Click here to know about Turkish Government Scholarships.
Connect me with the Top Colleges
First Name:
Last Name:
E-Mail ID :
You live in:
Mobile Number:
You want to study in:
Highest Level of Education:
Study Preference:
You want to Study:
Need an education loan?
loading Processing...

Turkey Select a Country

Our Network :