Many Arab and international students at various levels are seeking a
safe, low-cost, yet high-quality educational haven. Turkey has recently become
a destination for students, as some have called it. The Turkish education
system boasts several advantages, which we will discuss in detail in this
article.
About Education in Turkey and Its Advantages
Turkey has a large number of private and public schools and numerous
educational institutions regulated by the Ministry of National Education. The
number of public schools in Turkey is estimated at 56,200, 14,179 private
schools, and four private schools that adopt the open education system.
Arab schools have also recently proliferated due to the strong demand from Arabs to settle and educate their children in Turkey. Turkey offers many advantages, most notably its combination of traditional Arab and Islamic culture and customs with European progress in all fields.
It is worth noting that education in Turkey is open and free to Arab students, whether in Turkish schools or universities.
Advantages of Studying in Turkey
The quality of education in Turkey enables you to obtain the most prestigious degrees in the world, which will enhance your future.
The diversity of universities and their programs.
The emphasis on student social and cultural activities motivates students to study and work with an active spirit.
The Turkish language is easy to learn, so it won't be an obstacle for international students wishing to enroll in Turkish schools or universities.
The Ministry of National Education in Turkey offers many facilities for students, including reduced transportation costs and a lower cost of living compared to European countries.
Comparing the Turkish education system to the education system in the Middle East
In Turkey, significant developments in curricula are evident at all levels of education, as the Ministry of National Education provides them free of charge.
Compared to education in the Middle East, there is a significant difference in the strength and development of curricula and the educational services provided by the Ministry of National Education to students in Turkey.
Educational Stages in Turkey and Certificates
The education system in Turkey consists of three compulsory stages:
Primary, middle, and secondary, each of which lasts four years, for a total of 12 years of compulsory education. There is a kindergarten stage before primary school, but it is not mandatory.
4 university years are extended in some colleges. Master's studies take two years, and doctoral studies take from three to six years.
Primary School
Primary school extends from first to fourth grade. If a student is enrolled in kindergarten in primary school, they will automatically be registered electronically to advance to first grade.
If they have not previously attended kindergarten in Turkey and are old enough to enter primary school, they must have their certificates from their home country recognized by the educational administration in their region in Turkey and request an appointment for the recognition certificate. At the end of the article, we will list the necessary documents for applying to Turkish public schools.
Primary school begins at the age of 6, where children learn the basics of reading and writing. They begin learning English from the second grade, progressing to social studies, traffic rules, mathematics, and the Turkish language.
Middle School
Middle school, also known as preparatory education in some Arab countries, extends from fifth to ninth grade, meaning it also lasts four years.
Students are transferred electronically through their primary school. Students are assigned based on their school choices. There are two types of schools at this stage: public or private schools, and Imam and Khatib schools. In the primary stage, parents are given a form to choose which middle school their children will attend, along with the elective subjects the student chooses to develop specific skills. Some subjects are also compulsory, such as mathematics, Turkish language, social studies, and others.
Secondary Stage
This stage is the most important stage in the educational journey in Turkey. There are multiple educational paths at this stage, divided into several types of schools, which we will discuss in some detail in this article.
Types of High Schools in Turkey
Science High School Fen Lisesi
It is one of the best high schools in Turkey, as it uses English as its teaching language. It qualifies students for admission to various medical and engineering colleges, accepting students with high abilities in science and mathematics.
General High School Düz Lise
General high school begins from ninth grade to twelfth grade, lasting four years.
Subjects studied in general high school in Turkey:
Philosophy
Mathematics
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
History
Geography
Turkish Language
English
Literature
History of the Coup and Atatürk
Note:
To enroll in general high school in Turkey, you must pass the LGS exam after the preparatory certificate. This is the Turkish high school exam, which has been in effect since 2017-2018. After passing this exam, you can determine the type of school you will enroll in at the secondary level based on your score. You can also select the school closest to your residential address based on your score. Vocational High Schools (meslek lisesi)
In Turkish vocational schools, students study a wide range of specializations, including art, health, tourism, media, and hotel management.
It is worth noting that these schools do not require a high score or entry into the LGS exam; any student can enroll in these schools.
One of the advantages of vocational high schools in Turkey is that they provide students with the opportunity to learn their profession from a young age and practice it. They then obtain a diploma and a business start-up certificate in the profession they studied, which qualifies them for the job market more quickly.
Outstanding students in these schools can enroll in Turkish universities and institutes, each according to their specialization.
Anatolian High Schools anadolu lisesi
Among the best types of schools in Turkey, they aim to raise students' academic level to achieve the greatest success in the YKS university entrance exams. Anatolian high schools are considered training centers for students, producing students with high abilities in all academic subjects. Imam and Hatib High Schools (ımam ve hattib lisesi)
Many Arabs turn to these schools, as they largely preserve Islamic traditions. They teach various Islamic studies, qualifying them for the positions of imam, muezzin, and Quran memorization teachers. These schools are supervised by the Ministry of National Education, and include middle and high schools.
Fine Arts High Schools güzel sanatlar lisesi
As their name suggests, they aim to develop the skills of talented students in various fields, such as fashion design, sculpture, graphics, and others. Students entering fine arts schools must pass an aptitude test, as is the case in most Arab countries.
Fine arts schools qualify students to enroll in art colleges at Turkish universities.
Private High Schools (özel lise)
In private schools, students who do not speak Turkish or have difficulty learning it can study in foreign languages, but their costs are relatively high. University Education in Turkey
The number of international students coming to Turkish universities, both private and public, has increased recently. This is due to the strength of Turkish universities' curricula, their strong educational research, and the state's strong interest in students, universities, and education in general. The cost of education in Turkey is also significantly lower than its European counterparts.
Note: To apply to Turkish universities, you must first have your high school diploma recognized by its Turkish counterpart.
There are 138 public universities and approximately 65 private universities in Turkey, all of which are subject to the laws of the Turkish Ministry of Higher Education. Turkish universities are highly ranked worldwide, making them a preferred destination for education for many Arabs.
University education is divided into:
Diploma
Students receive a diploma upon completion of secondary education and admission to various Turkish institutes in various specializations. Study at these institutes lasts only two years, divided into four semesters.
These institutes offer a wide range of specializations, from medicine and engineering to languages, literature, technology, and many other diverse specializations. It's worth noting that some institutes add a preparatory year, bringing the total number of years of study to three.
Vocational high schools also offer their students some places in Turkish institutes and universities without the need to take any exams.
A bachelor's degree lisan derecesi
is the basic stage students aim for after completing high school and passing the YKS, a test similar to the aptitude test in some Arab countries.
The bachelor's degree in most colleges lasts four years, in addition to the preparatory year, except for medical colleges, which last six years, and engineering colleges, which last five years.
A master's degree yüksek lisan derecesi
Successful and ambitious students don't stop at a bachelor's degree. Many of them apply for a master's degree to further strengthen their qualifications. Students can complete a master's degree in most specializations in just two years, and there are master's degrees with or without a thesis, depending on the student's choice. Doctorate Degree (Doktora derecesi)
The doctorate degree is the final stage of university education. Students who have obtained a master's degree continue their studies and research to obtain a doctorate degree. Students also learn research skills and develop their academic abilities.
It is a high-level degree that lasts between 3 and 5 years of intensive study. Students complete theoretical studies, then conduct scientific research and write their thesis. They then take an examination that qualifies them to obtain a doctorate degree. You can also study for a doctorate in English at some Turkish universities.
Finally, as we reach the end of our educational journey in Turkey, we have a comprehensive overview of the Turkish education system at all levels.
How can StudyFans help students who are considering studying in Turkey?
Our company provides you with all the necessary facilities to apply to Turkish private universities.
We have several educational consultants with over 8 years of experience in the field of education in Turkey to provide you with free advice regarding education in Turkey.
We will receive you from the airport and transfer you to the hotel until we provide you with suitable accommodation, both financially and morally.
You will never feel like a stranger, as we are here for you.
We act as the student's guardian, for example, in drafting the rental contract to avoid any legal issues that may arise.