Many international students are keen to study philosophy in Turkey because this specialization offers distinct advantages over European and American universities. In this article, we will discuss the most important details regarding the study of philosophy in Turkey, including an overview of the field, admission requirements, the best universities that offer this program, and additional relevant information.
Skyline Education wishes you an enjoyable reading experience.
Read also:
- The Best University Disciplines with a Future in Turkey
- Studying Visual Communication Design in Turkey
Overview of Studying Philosophy in Turkey
Most universities around the world consider the study of philosophy as one of the most important social and human sciences. This has led both public and private Turkish universities to provide everything related to this field for their students, offering affordable tuition fees and high-quality education.
Turkish universities are committed to teaching all the major developments and historical stages of philosophy, instructing students in modern techniques and the expected answers to philosophical questions, as well as in critical and interpretive skills. This ensures that graduates from these universities in Turkey are able to engage with the most advanced philosophical arguments.
Furthermore, students are able to apply what they have learned in philosophy to various other fields, as the discipline influences many topics and aspects of life, and many of its methods can be applied across a range of areas.
Curriculum
The courses that students must study within the philosophy specialization in Turkish universities are diverse and include:
- History of Philosophy
- Critical Thinking
- Metaphysics
- Islamic Philosophy
- Philosophy of Science
- Philosophy of Art
- Philosophy of History
Throughout their years of study, students in the philosophy program at Turkish universities acquire a variety of skills, including critical thinking, the ability to analyze complex and difficult problems and express them clearly, as well as creative thinking and expressive writing skills that encompass self-expression.
In addition, studying this field requires that the student possesses a high level of proficiency in conducting dialogue in an appropriate manner, respects the opinions of others even when they differ, is a good listener, remains neutral and non-dogmatic, and develops logical thinking skills.
Language and Duration of Study
International students can study philosophy in Turkey in either Turkish or English. The duration of the program is 4 years if the student is proficient in the language of instruction; otherwise, the student must undergo a preparatory year during which they study the language in which they will pursue the philosophy specialization.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
Upon graduation from a philosophy program, students have access to a wide range of career opportunities, including:
- Working in government institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Education, or Social Services.
- Working in private educational institutions.
- Working as an editor at a publishing house.
- Working in psychological assessment centers.
- Working as a guidance counselor in private schools, particularly in secondary and primary educational institutions.
- Working in the field of journalism.
- Working as a consultant in private companies, in human resources, public relations, and non-governmental organizations.
- Working as a teacher in secondary schools.
Admission Requirements for Studying Philosophy in Turkey
The admission requirements for studying philosophy in Turkey vary depending on the type of university—public or private—with each having its own specific conditions. Public universities typically require:
- Passing the Turkish (YÖS) or American (SAT) aptitude tests.
- A high school certificate with a GPA that may differ from one university to another; you can contact Skyline Education for details on the required averages.
- A certificate proving the student's proficiency in the language of instruction, whether Turkish or English, or the willingness to undergo a preparatory language year.
For private universities in Turkey, the requirements are less stringent; they generally require a high school certificate with a minimum GPA of 50%, in addition to proficiency in the language of instruction.
Note: Public universities typically require a higher high school GPA than private universities.
Required Documents
Once the above requirements are met, the student must submit the following official documents to the university they wish to attend:
- A copy of the passport.
- A passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
- A copy of the high school certificate, translated and certified by a notary.
- A copy of the high school transcript.
- A certificate proving proficiency in English or Turkish, if available.
What Are the Advantages of Studying Philosophy in Turkey?
Studying philosophy at Turkish universities is considered a prestigious specialization for several reasons, including:
- The strong emphasis Turkish universities place on analytical thinking, which involves presenting groups of questions and seeking logical answers, in addition to analyzing problems and finding appropriate solutions.
- Turkish universities have distinguished faculty with extensive experience in teaching and developing curricula—both theoretical and practical—in accordance with international standards.
- Joint cooperation with educational institutions in Europe to enrich the educational content and exchange expertise and skills.
- The Erasmus student exchange program, which allows students to complete their studies at European universities.
Top Turkish Universities Offering Philosophy Programs
International students can study philosophy at most Turkish universities, whether public or private. Below is a list of universities that offer this specialization in English:
- Yeditepe University
- Koç University
- Istanbul Şehir University
- Bilkent University
- Ibn Khaldun University
- Ankara University
- Boğaziçi University.
As for the universities that teach philosophy in Turkish, they include:
- Afyon Kocatepe University
- Akdeniz University
- Aksaray University
- Anadolu University
- Atatürk University
- Bartın University
- Bingöl University
- Bursa University
- Istanbul University
- Maltepe University
- Kilis University
- Mardin University
As for the universities known for their high-tech facilities and excellent skills, they are:
- Yeditepe University
- Istanbul Şehir University
- Bilkent University.
Tuition Fees for Studying Philosophy in Turkey and Graduate Salaries
Tuition fees for philosophy programs vary from one university to another depending on factors such as the region in which the university is located and its ranking among Turkish universities. However, overall, tuition fees remain low compared to their European counterparts, ranging between $3,000 and $13,000, while scholarships are generally even lower.
Regarding the salaries that graduates earn when entering the workforce, they range between 5,500 Turkish Lira and 8,000 Turkish Lira, while a philosophy teacher earns approximately 5,500 Turkish Lira per year.
Master’s and PhD in Philosophy in Turkey
Graduate programs in philosophy are an important specialization that many students, both Turkish and international, seek to join. Their primary goal is to prepare students who wish to delve deeper into the study of philosophy and to develop their research skills, enabling them to participate in philosophical research. Students benefit from the expertise and experience of distinguished faculty members. The available graduate fields in this specialization include:
- Anthropology
- Educational Administration and Foundations
- Sociology
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Measurement and Evaluation
- Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Social Work
- Curriculum and Instruction
This concludes our article on studying philosophy in Turkey, in which we have detailed the specialization, its duration, requirements, and the advantages of studying it at Turkish universities, along with the tuition fees and the top universities that offer philosophy programs. For more information, please contact Skyline Education.