Skyline Education will present in this article detailed information about completing high school education in Turkey, along with all the information any student wishing to complete their high school studies in one of the Turkish schools might need, the required documents, how to register, and information about the open education system for those who do not wish to attend schools. We hope you enjoy reading this article, so stay with us.
Completing High School Education in Turkey for Foreigners
There is no provision in Turkish law that prohibits foreign students who do not hold Turkish citizenship from studying in Turkish public schools, as all residents in Turkey holding temporary or permanent residence permits and work permits can register their children in these schools and benefit from free education services without paying any additional fees. Additionally, there are private schools that offer more professional services, though they are fee-based, and their tuition fees vary from one region to another and from one school to another depending on the services provided and their reputation in the community. If a student does not wish to enroll in either public or private schools, there is another option: free study. In this option, a student can obtain the official Turkish textbooks and curricula and study them independently, then apply for the high school diploma exam without enrolling in a school. The treatment of foreign students in the university admission process does not differ from that of Turkish students, as applicants for higher education are subjected to national examinations that are considered alongside the grades they obtained in their high school diploma.
Information about High School Education in Turkey
The high school stage is the final stage before higher education and spans four academic years, ending with the high school diploma exam. This stage is overseen by the Turkish Ministry of National Education and is taught in various public and private schools that follow the curricula approved by the Turkish government. There are also foreign schools that teach the curricula of their respective countries, in addition to the possibility of studying high school through the open or free education system and applying for the high school diploma exam without the need to attend a school. The high school stage in schools is designated for young people of both genders whose ages range between 15 and 18 years.
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Required Documents for Completing High School Education
The Turkish government guarantees the right to study in its schools for all residents within its territory, whether they are Turkish citizens or hold permanent or temporary residence permits. However, to enter the high school stage in Turkish schools, the student must possess the documents and certificates specified by the Turkish Ministry of National Education, which are:
- Submission of any type of official residence permit in Turkey, such as a tourist visa, work permit, temporary protection permit, or others.
- Submission of documents indicating the place of residence, such as a rental contract or gas bill, to determine the schools that the student can attend and the one closest to their residence.
- Submission of an academic transcript showing the educational stages the student has completed outside Turkey and the level of education reached.
- In the absence of an academic transcript, the student must undergo a placement test that enables them to enroll in the appropriate grade as determined by the exam result. This step is acceptable only for students who have migrated to Turkey from countries experiencing war, such as Syria, Yemen, and Palestine, where they could not obtain complete documents.
- Visiting one of the educational administrations and obtaining a modified certificate according to the grade level reached.
- Submitting an application for enrollment in Turkish schools, filling out the electronic form, and specifying three schools in order of priority.
- The documents are reviewed by the educational administration, and the school that the student will attend is selected within only 10 days.
- Afterwards, the student can begin studying at the school determined by the educational administration.
The Open High School Education System in Turkey
This is a modern system in Turkey that relies on an open and virtual education model—i.e., distance learning—without restricting the student with attendance and commitment requirements. The Turkish Ministry of National Education has approved the adoption of this type of education. The open education system for the high school stage spans four academic years divided into 8 terms according to the regulations set for this system, and students receive information and curricula through audio, printed, and visual media. For students over 18 years old, the duration of study can be shortened to two and a half years through 5 academic terms starting from the fourth term. After completing this stage, students can apply for university placement examinations and study at Turkish universities like any other student.
Types of High Schools in Turkey
There are several types of schools through which one can study the high school stage in Turkey, including:
- Public Schools: These provide free education services in Turkish and adhere to the curricula set by the Turkish Ministry of National Education.
- Private Schools: These are fee-based but also teach in Turkish and adhere to the curricula set by the Turkish Ministry of National Education.
- Private Minority Schools: These are specifically for Jewish, Greek, and Armenian minorities who hold Turkish citizenship.
- Foreign Private Schools: These have their own curricula associated with the countries they represent.
- Technical and Vocational Schools: These are specialized schools offering technical education. They are divided into vocational technical high schools, informational technical high schools, free technical high schools, as well as schools specializing in health, tourism, hotel management, and others.
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Pre-University Education System in Turkey
In recent years, Turkey has become a destination for students from around the world seeking to pursue undergraduate and advanced degrees, such as master's and doctoral studies, as well as a destination for many families looking for a country with a strong educational system to educate their children. The Turkish government makes concerted efforts to improve the quality of teaching in its universities and schools, from the primary level to higher education. Since the high school stage is the most important and sensitive phase in any student's life, finding a suitable country to complete high school education is extremely important for both the student and their family. Turkey is considered the best choice for many students to pursue high school education as well as for continuing university and advanced studies in its universities.
The basic education system (pre-university) in Turkish schools spans 12 years and is divided into three consecutive educational stages, each lasting 4 years: the primary stage, the secondary stage, and the high school stage. In the primary stage, the student studies first, second, third, and fourth grades; in the secondary stage, the student studies fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades; and in the high school stage, which is the final stage before higher education, the student studies ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades, culminating in the high school diploma exam that qualifies the holder for university studies and determines the field of specialization they may pursue based on the total score obtained.
Education for children aged 6 to 14 is compulsory in Turkey, and the Turkish government provides free educational services for these stages. The academic year in Turkey begins in mid-September or early October and continues until the end of May or early June. The educational process is managed by the Ministry of National Education, and the Turkish government allocates 10% of the costs for national education.
Thus, we have reached the end of our article presented to you about Completing High School Education in Turkey, in which we explained information about studying in Turkey, details about the high school stage, and the possibility for foreign residents in Turkey to study in public schools for free. We also explained how to register, the required documents for enrollment in Turkish schools, and information about the open high school education system in Turkey.