Market report Turkey

Turkish Education System

Secondary education

General secondary education covers education between the age of 15 to 18 for four years after primary education. Secondary education includes all of the general, vocational and technical education institutions. Secondary education is often referred as high school education, since the schools are called lyceum (in Turkish: lise).

There are 6 types of secondary schools in Turkey:

1. Public High Schools (“Normal Liseler” or “Duz Liseler”). Any student who successfully completes 8 years of basic education can go onto these schools. Graduates of public high schools, if successful in the nationwide University Entrance Examination (ÖSS), can go onto higher education institutions. Graduates are awarded with the Lise Diploması.
2. Vocational High Schools (Meslek Liseleri): Some of these schools may take an additional year to complete. Graduates can automatically go on to higher vocational schools (Meslek Yüksek Okulları – 2 Year Vocational Colleges) in their respective fields of study if they wish. Alternatively, if successful in the university entrance examination, they can go onto 4-year schools in their respective fields.
3. Anatolian High Schools (Anadolu Liseleri): One year of English study followed by 3 years of regular high school education, additional hours for English. Math and Science lessons at these schools are sometimes taught in English. Lessons at some Anatolian high schools are taught in either German or French.
4. Super High Schools (Super Liseler): The difference between these and normal high schools is one extra year of English study. They differ from Anatolian high schools in that the language of instruction for math and science courses is always Turkish and less hours are given to English lessons.
5. Science High Schools (Fen Liseleri): These are special public schools for students who have exceptional aptitude in the sciences. These very competitive high schools train students specifically for higher education in the sciences, technical and medical fields. There is also Anatolian Science High Schools (Anadolu Fen Liseleri), where the medium of instruction for math and sciences is sometimes in English.
6. Private High Schools (Ozel Liseler): Most private high schools charge very high tuition fees and are very competitive.
   (Source: studyinturkey.com)

Admission to Higher Education

Students graduating from secondary education obtain the Lise Diplomasi. This diploma is a prerequisite for admission to higher education. Admission to university is centralized and based on the Student Selection Examination (ÖSS). Candidates have to obtain a minimum score at the ÖSS of 160 points to be eligible to enroll in two-year vocational higher education and open/distance education programs and a minimum of 185 points for all four-year bachelor/University programs. The maximum ÖSS score that can be obtained is 300 points.

Source: UNESCO

Higher Education

The academic system in Turkey is largely modelled after of the American / Anglo-Saxon system, with two-year Associate’s Degree programs, followed by 4-year Bachelor’s degree programs, and a 3-4 year Doctorate. Higher Education in Turkey is under the authority of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), which is a fully autonomous national board of trustees without any political or government affiliation.

University level studies:

• University level first stage: Önlisans Diplomasi/Lisans
  Diplomasi: An Önlisans Derecesi or Diplomasi (Associate Degree) is awarded after the successful completion of two-year university studies. Courses leading to the Lisans Diplomasi require a minimum of four years’ university study. Courses last for five years in Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine and for six years in Medicine. The qualifications in these three fields of study are considered to be the equivalent of a Yuksek Lisans Diplomasi (Master’s degree).
• University level second stage: Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi/Bilim Uzmanligi
  Diplomasi: The Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi (Master’s Degree) lasts for two years with thesis and for one-and-a-half years without thesis.
• University level third stage: Doktora Diplomasi/Bilim Doktorlugu Diplomasi/Tipta Uzmanlik Belgesi/Sanatta Yeterlik
  Diplomasi: Candidates must hold the Yüksek Lisans Diplomasi and sit for an examination. The Doktora Diplomasi is conferred after two years’ study and on completion of a doctoral thesis (a total of four years). The Tipta Uzmanlik Belgesi (specialist degree) in Medicine is conferred to recognize a physician’s advanced skills and expertise. It is considered to be the equivalent of a Doktora Diplomasi.
  (Source: euroeducation.net)