Studying at Different Levels in Turkey 2025
Given that international schools in Turkey are supervised by various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries, and are inspired by their educational systems, many immigrants prefer to enroll their children in these schools. The language of instruction in most international schools in Turkey is English, but in some schools, other languages such as German and French are also taught. Also, Turkish is taught as a second language to students in these schools.
Admission to each of the international schools in Turkey for studying in 2024 has its own specific conditions. For example, for admission to some of these schools, it is necessary to obtain a passing score on the entrance exam of these institutions. An important point is that the degrees issued by these schools at the end of the program are internationally recognized. Also, individuals are required to pay tuition fees in Turkey for 2024 to enter these schools. These schools prepare students for future challenges by providing international degrees. Also, the cost of studying in these schools is among the matters that individuals should pay special attention to.
High School Education in Turkey
Studying in secondary or high school in Turkey takes at least 4 years. In this country, there are two types of high schools: state and private. In private schools, there is more focus on teaching foreign languages and special educational programs, while in state high schools, standard and official national subjects are taught so that students can participate in the Turkish national university entrance exam. The average cost of studying in state schools in Turkey for foreign individuals is around 500 to 1000 USD, which unfortunately does not include dormitory and meal costs. For this reason, foreign students and pupils usually choose international schools due to more welfare facilities. To add more information, topics such as opportunities for choosing fields of study, cultural activities, or anything that is useful might be mentioned.
Bachelor’s Degree Education in Turkey
The Bachelor’s degree program is taught for 4 years in all Turkish universities. This level of education is unfortunately less fortunate in terms of receiving financial aid compared to the Master’s level. However, international students can benefit from various scholarships available to them. Also, the Ministry of Science of Iran provides suitable conditions for sending students to Turkey. Applicants should remember that proficiency in the Turkish language increases their chances of admission at the Bachelor’s level. They can also benefit from the academic, cultural, and social experiences they gain during their studies in Turkey.
If individuals do not have sufficient proficiency in the Turkish language, they can receive conditional admission from some universities without needing a language certificate and participate in free Turkish language courses offered by the university. Also, Turkish universities have entrance exams, but with the difference that it is not a national entrance exam but specific to each university. Some private universities in Turkey also accept students based on high school GPA or the results of the Konkur exam in Iran.
If students intend to study at a private university in Turkey, in many cases, they do not need to participate in entrance exams. However, for programs such as medicine and dentistry, there is a GPA requirement, and only students who have achieved a GPA higher than 15 are accepted. If the language of instruction in the chosen university is Turkish, students must participate in the YÖS exam. On the other hand, if the language of instruction in their desired university is English, they must participate in the SAT exam. Also, it is worth mentioning that some private universities in Turkey also consider high school GPA or the results of the Konkur exam in Iran.
Master’s Degree Education in Turkey
A Master’s degree visa in Turkey is an essential step for international students who want to study in a dynamic and culturally unique educational environment. With its special geographical location and important role in cultural exchange, Turkey has always been a popular destination for postgraduate studies in Europe. At the Master’s level, students can study at state or private universities in Turkey. Although costs at private universities may be higher, this is justifiable by the more opportunities these universities offer.
Turkey, with its prominent educational centers and globally ranked universities, is an attractive destination for international students.
To enter Master’s programs in Turkey, individuals do not need to participate in an entrance exam. However, the competition for entry into Master’s programs is very significant. These programs are offered in both English and Turkish. The cost of studying at Turkish universities varies depending on the language of instruction. Studying in Turkish usually comes with lower costs (between 500 and 1000 USD per year), while the cost of studying in English at the Master’s level is between 1500 and 3500 USD.
International Master’s students in Turkey can cover a portion of their study costs by obtaining permission to work 20 hours per week. Having a strong academic resume and high grades can increase the opportunity to receive a scholarship. The duration of study at this level is a maximum of 2 years, depending on the field of study.
PhD Education in Turkey
Studying at the Master’s and PhD levels in Turkey is very competitive. To enter a PhD program, a student must have completed the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels before applying. The duration of PhD study varies between 3 and 5 years, and the cost of studying at this level is offered free of charge with university support. Students must contact professors related to their field of study before starting their studies and choose a supervisor or a co-supervisor to collaborate in the research team. A PhD study visa in Turkey is an attractive option for international students who want to continue their education in this country. For this purpose, the student must receive acceptance from the relevant university and complete the registration steps.
This initial action is under the supervision of the university and the desired professors. Applying for PhD admission in Turkey requires submitting a proposal and a strong resume along with the application to the university. After reviewing these documents by the professors and the university, if approved, the student is notified of the acceptance. Effective communication with the desired professors and universities facilitates increasing the chance of receiving acceptance. Having a strong resume and relevant experience can also be helpful in this process. To receive admission at the PhD level in Turkey, undertaking actions such as authoring or translating reputable articles and books, maintaining a high GPA in previous levels of study, and participating in recognized language tests like TOEFL with a minimum score of 79 (or equivalent IELTS 6.5) are considered essential for obtaining acceptance.
These initial steps are fundamental for applying for a PhD study visa in Turkey. After receiving acceptance from the desired university, the student can proceed with the next steps, including obtaining a visa and other actions related to entering Turkey.
