Studying in Turkey. How to get a higher education

Ways to obtain education in Turkey

Universities in the Republic of Turkey use a three-tier education system. The first level of higher education is represented by bachelor's degree programs, which, with the exception of medical and veterinary professions, last 4 years. The second and third levels are represented by master's and doctoral programs. The Republic of Turkey is among the countries of the Bologna Agreement, and many Turkish universities are members of the Erasmus Charter and use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).

The main language of instruction in higher education institutions in the Republic of Turkey is Turkish. However, some public and private universities offer programs in English and other foreign languages. For example, Özyeğin University, located in Istanbul and recognized as the No. 1 higher education institution in the Republic of Turkey in terms of student satisfaction, conducts classes exclusively in English. If applicants do not have the required level of English proficiency, they are enrolled in a preparatory program, which usually lasts one academic year.

The academic year in the Turkish higher education system usually starts in mid-September and continues until mid-June. Some universities also offer summer programs, usually organized in July and August. Winter holidays last from 2 to 4 weeks.

The level of proficiency in the Turkish language is determined by the OSYM organization. Its full name is Öğrenci Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi, i.e., the Center for Student Selection and Placement. The number of places for international students in universities is predetermined, and the competition for these places is quite intense.

Applications to OSYM are submitted either in Turkish or in English. For OSYM to accept documents for consideration, a potential student must be a citizen of any country other than the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Additionally, individuals with dual citizenship, one of which is Turkish or Northern Cypriot, are not allowed to participate in the testing and are not admitted as students.

One of the opportunities to be admitted by OSYM to the exam is to complete a lyceum, the level of which corresponds to the last grade of a Turkish school. Taking the OSYM exam costs between $50 and $100. In addition to the application for admission to the OSYM exam, a proof of payment receipt for the test must be attached.

Upon receiving these documents, OSYM sends an exam admission card (Exam Entrance Card). From this moment, one can consider themselves an applicant.

The Turkish TOEFL consists of two parts.

The first part is a test of general intellectual development and the ability to think abstractly.

The second part is a test of the level of understanding of written Turkish, TLiPT (Turkish Language Proficiency Test).

When all grades are entered into the Examination Results Card, the applicant must decide on the program they will study. There are programs where English predominates, and there are those where everything is in Turkish.

Tuition – both in public and private universities – is relatively inexpensive. A year of study at a public institution will cost from $400 to $650. In private universities – from $5,000 to $12,000.

Residence permits are granted to students who can prove that their financial situation allows them to live in the Republic of Turkey. Accommodation for international students costs an average of $400–$500 per month.

Universities of the Republic of Turkey

The largest number of international students study at the following universities in the country:

1. Anatolian University (Anadolu Universitesi) - 4,040 international students.
2. Istanbul University (Istanbul Universitesi) - 2,611 international students.
3. Middle East Technical University (Ortadogu Teknik Universitesi — ODTU) - 1,487 people.

Scholarship programs at universities in the Republic of Turkey

Applicants for admission to universities in the Republic of Turkey can apply for scholarships. The Republic of Turkey, where students from 50 countries study, provides students with the opportunity to receive education that meets international standards and provides them with scholarships.

As part of the state program "Turkey Scholarships" (Turkiye Burslar), scholarships are provided to international students free of charge. Students who receive this right have the opportunity to receive this scholarship throughout their entire period of study in departments corresponding to their academic background.