Between Western Asia and Southeast Europe is where Turkey is situated. A national system that was established by the Ataturk Reforms following the Turkish War of Independence governs education in Turkey. Pre-primary, primary, and secondary education in Turkey is all under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Education. The Council of Higher Education oversees and manages Turkey’s higher education system (CoHE).

Education Profile of Turkey

Turkey’s national education system combines formal and informal learning. Prekindergarten through higher education are all included in formal education. The Turkish government FUNDS both primary and secondary education. Children ages 6 to 18 are entitled to free public school education.
Young adults who were unable to attend school or finish their education should pursue non-formal education.

Higher Education

The higher education council handles the administration of Turkey’s higher education system (YOK). The state PROVIDES FUNDING to public higher education institutions. Higher education is open to those with a secondary education who have also aced the entrance exam. State and private/foundation universities are the two primary categories of higher education institutions in Turkey. Both undergraduate and graduate academic programs are offered by universities. These are the divisions found in Turkish higher education institutions:

Institutes
Faculties
Higher education schools
Conservatories
Application and research centers
Vocational higher education schools

Higher education in Turkey follows the Bologna process in terms of degree structure. The following credentials are offered by Turkish universities:

• Associate’s degree: Vocational high schools in Turkey offer associate degrees.
•  Bachelor’s degree: The duration of this degree is 4 to 6 years, depending upon the field of study. Generally, this degree programme lasts for 4 years. The technical institutions provide an engineering diploma after 4 years of full-time study. While medicine studies require 6 years of study and lead to the qualification of a Medicine Doctor (MD).
• Master’s degree: This degree requires 2 years of full-time study.
• Doctorate or Ph.D. degree: This degree requires 2 to 4 years of study and students who have completed a master’s degree programme are eligible for this level. Students must submit a doctoral thesis at the end of the Ph.D. programme.
• A proficiency in art degree is the equivalent of a doctorate in fine arts, and a specialist degree is equivalent to a doctorate in medical science.

International Students

Admission requisite: International pupils must have finished their secondary education in a secondary/high school which is equal to a Turkish lycee.

Student Visa: International students must apply for a student visa at their nearest Turkish embassy/consulate to enter Turkey.

For a Turkish student visa, students must submit the following documents along with the student’s visa application form:

• An acceptance letter from a Turkish higher education institution
• A valid passport and a passport photo
• A processing fee

Cost of Study and Living

The following are the costs of living and studying in Turkey:

Tuition: Public colleges and universities have cheap tuition costs, while private colleges and universities have high costs. The cost varies according to the level and course of study. The cost of living in Turkey varies according to lifestyle, geography, and services. For housing, transportation, food, and other necessities like utilities, international students should budget between $400 and $500 per month.

Health Insurance

The healthcare system in Turkey is established and well-maintained. In Turkey, all institutes of higher learning offer free medical services at their on-site hospitals.