Understanding the Turkey Education System

Gain insights into the Turkey higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.

Turkey's university degrees

Bachelor's (Lisans)

4 years

A first degree. Some students first take a year of English preparatory class (a year of English classes before your degree).

Master's (Yüksek Lisans)

Usually 2 years

After a bachelor's. Many are research degrees with a long research paper (a thesis).

PhD (Doktora)

Usually 4 years

After a master's, or after a bachelor's in some direct programmes.

Universities in Türkiye (Turkey) use European credits (ECTS, points for each course), so many countries accept their degrees, especially in the European Union.

Higher Education Framework

Degrees and institutions

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) sets the rules for universities, including the rules for admitting international students.

Types of Higher Education Institutions

Public universities

Lower fees for international students. Examples: Middle East Technical University (METU) and Istanbul Technical University (ITU).

•METU: USD 800 to USD 1,200 (US dollars) a semester (half a year) for a bachelor's in 2026-27.

Private, not-for-profit universities

Bilkent University was Türkiye's first private, not-for-profit university. Others include Koç University and Sabancı University.

•Higher fees.

•Many give scholarships for good marks to international students.

Academic Degree Structure

Bachelor's

4 years

Most bachelor's degrees are 4-year programmes.

Key Characteristics:

You enter with your school marks or an exam score. Each university sets which one.
English-taught programmes may start with a preparatory year.

Master's

Usually 2 years

Apply to the graduate school of your university, which runs master's and PhD programmes.

Key Characteristics:

Often needs GRE (a graduate admission test) or ALES (a Turkish graduate exam) and an English score.

PhD

Usually 4 years

After a master's degree.

Key Characteristics:

At some universities, many PhD students pay no fees or get a monthly payment from the university.

Academic Calendar

How the year works

Two semesters, fall and spring, plus an optional summer school.

Key Academic Dates

Major Academic Events

•Fall classes began (METU, 2026-27): 28 September 2026
•Fall final exams (METU): 4 to 16 January 2027
•Spring classes begin (METU): 15 February 2027
•Spring final exams (METU): 7 to 19 June 2027

Credits

Turkish universities have used the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) since 2001. This helps you move between universities in Europe.

Check your university's calendar

Each university sets its own dates each year. The dates below are from Middle East Technical University (METU).

Institutional Quality

Recognition

Türkiye is part of the European Higher Education Area, a group of countries with matching degree rules. So many countries accept Turkish degrees, especially in the European Union.