[STARTING UP IN TURKEY]
Higher education in Turkey

“Turkey, like no other country, has a big comparative advantage in research and development,” points out Tahir Uysal, chairman of the International Investors Association (YASED), which represents around 85 percent of the foreign investors in Turkey.

So why not study in Turkey? Today’s Zaman helps you with some information about the Turkish education system and the application procedures for foreign students hoping to study at Turkish universities.

Higher education in Turkey includes all levels of education past secondary school for a period of at least two years. The supreme authority for the regulation of higher education is the Higher Education Board (YÖK).

According to YÖK, there are currently 76 universities in Turkey, 53 of which belong to the state and 23 to private foundations. Due to the fact that education in private institutions can by extremely extensive, 95.5 percent of Turkey’s university students are enrolled in state universities. Higher education is also available at non-university institutions, such as police and military academies and vocational colleges.

The universities offer bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. programs. Ph.D.s are conferred after two years of doctorate-level study and the completion of a doctoral thesis -- which usually takes three or four years. The tip uzmanlik belgesi (specialist degree) in medicine is conferred to attest to a physician’s advanced skills and expertise. It is considered to be the equivalent of the Ph.D. degree.

The medium of instruction in most universities is Turkish. Some universities, in particular the private ones, use English, French and German as the language of instruction, sometimes with one preparatory year.

More details about the Turkish education system can be found in the Turkey section of the Web site www.euroeducation.net. YÖK offers a list of universities with which you can find the right institution for your chosen academic field on their Web site at www.yok.gov.tr. The site also features an abbreviated English version.

Admission requirements and recognition of qualifications

The first general precondition for attending a university in Turkey is a high school diploma. Foreigners who wish to pursue their undergraduate studies in Turkey must have completed their secondary education in a high school or a similar institution in which the education level is equivalent to that of a Turkish “lise.” The body responsible for questions relating to the recognition of foreign diplomas and degrees is YÖK, which also sets the criteria for transferability. You will need to send them a copy of all your diplomas translated into Turkish and certified by a notary public.

Second, prospective university students must pass the Student Selection Examination (ÖSS), Turkey’s country-wide university entrance and placement exam, which is held annually in June.

Foreigners planning undergraduate studies in Turkey have additionally to take the Entrance Examination for Foreign Students (YÖS), which consists of two tests. The online expatriate forum www.mymerhaba.com explains: “The first is the ‘Basic Learning Skills Test,’ which assesses abstract reasoning. The questions have a minimal dependence on language, but explanations are given in English and Turkish. The second test is the ‘Turkish Language Proficiency Test,’ which assesses the candidate’s comprehension of written Turkish.”

The YÖS is administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). The ÖSYM can be reached through its Web site at www.osym.gov.tr. This site also contains detailed information in English about requirements that apply to foreign students wishing to attend a university in Turkey.

Meanwhile, foreign students who want to pursue their graduate or post-graduate studies in Turkey can apply directly to universities, though they usually first have to get their foreign diplomas and degrees certified by YÖK.

To give you a first idea about what kind of skills are required, you can compare your foreign grades with the main grading system commonly used by Turkish institutions of higher learning. Degrees in Turkey are given on a 0-100 scale: 85-100 (very good), 65-84 (good), 50-64 (average), 50 (passing) and 0-49 (not passing). The general guidelines concerning the recognition of foreign studies are formed by the multilateral agreements of the Bologna Declaration and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention of Recognition of Studies and Qualifications in Higher Education in Europe.

How to get a scholarship?

That is a summary of the official regulations. But the crucial question remains: How can you get a scholarship? Usually there will be many institutions, organizations and foundations in your home country that provide funds to well-qualified young scientists and students. It is best to study these in detail before you begin your studies. You can also have a look at the Web site of the German Academy Exchange Service (DAAD), which also provides scholarships to foreign nationals. It can be reached at http://eu.daad.de.

The European Science Foundation (ESF), which can be reached through its Web site at www.esf.org is an association of 77 member organizations devoted to scientific research in 30 European countries. In Turkey, its cooperative partner is the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK). On the TÜBITAK Web site at www.tubitak.gov.tr you may find several potential scholarships specifically for foreign students.

Last but not least, after all this is arranged, you will need to obtain a “student visa” for your time studying in Turkey. You can get this through the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in you home country, but not when you have already arrived in Turkey. Required documents include a copy of your “letter of acceptance” from the school you are going to attend in Turkey -- or your YÖS card, if you have taken the Turkish entrance exam -- and a completed visa application form. Medical insurance for foreign students, though not obligatory, is also a good idea. You should obtain insurance in your home country.

Information on EduTURK  

For those seeking more detailed information on the Turkish education system, including undergraduate and graduate studies, summer schools, scholarships, exchange programs and internships, here is another hint: The EduTurk international education fair will open its doors soon. It will be held in İstanbul, at the Marmara Hotel, on March 22 and in Ankara, at the Dedeman Hotel, on March 23. It is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and entrance is free. Further information can be reached through the fair's Web site at www.eduturkfair.com.