Studying History in Turkey is considered one of the most enjoyable and fascinating university majors of all time, thanks to the country’s rich history filled with transformative shifts and decisive historical changes. In light of this, it is essential to focus on this field and enhance the expertise of its graduate historians. If you wish to learn more about the History major at Turkish universities, here is an article in which we will explore the most important information about this specialty, its advantages, disadvantages, and study requirements, along with the tuition fees for an academic year, and finally answer the most frequently asked questions regarding this university major.
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An Overview of Studying History in Turkey
The study of history provides a comprehensive and complete understanding of the history of civilizations and cultures from around the world, and it deals with research focused on past events and their impacts on the present and near future. As for the most important details about studying this major at Turkish universities, we will explore them below:
What is the History Major?
It is an academic major that relies on the pillars of scientific research, analysis, and the logical narration of written historical documents, as well as the prominent methodological relationships of past eras. It involves studying developments in economic, social, scientific, military, technological, cultural, intellectual, and even religious aspects, making it comprehensive of all facets of human society. Often, a student’s study focuses on a specific historical approach, a particular era, or even the history of a single geographical region.
Number of Years of Study
The History major falls under the Social Sciences department, and the duration of studying History in Turkey is 4 years. A graduate from the History faculty is referred to as "the historian".
Languages of Instruction
The History major at Turkish universities can be studied in either Turkish or English, provided that the language of instruction is mastered and a certificate confirming proficiency is submitted.
Qualifications Required for Studying this Major
There are several traits that History students must possess to equip them with strength and steadfast determination until graduation. These include:
- A love for travel and exploration.
- The ability to adapt to harsh conditions and perform arduous fieldwork.
- A rich cultural background and strong communication skills.
- Willingness to accept opinions and constructive criticism.
- Patience, a strong constitution, and openness.
- A team spirit.
Career Opportunities Available for History Graduates
Some might think that the career prospects after studying History in Turkey are limited; however, the reality is quite the opposite, as they include:
- Academic positions in the History faculty.
- Tour guiding.
- Participation in excavation projects.
- Administrative and technical work in museums.
- Managing heritage and manuscript preservation institutions.
- Working in research centers and libraries.
- Entering the diplomatic corps and working in ministries and embassies.
Studying History at Turkish Universities
Studying History is particularly distinguished in Turkey because the country has been the cradle of prominent cultures and civilizations throughout its historical trajectory. Additionally, Turkish universities give special attention to this field as they consider it a fundamental pillar of the nation’s cultural and intellectual heritage. The advantages and disadvantages of studying History in Turkey will be explained in the following paragraphs..
Advantages of Studying the History Major in Turkey
The positive aspects and advantages that attract thousands of students each year to study History in Turkey include the following points:
- Turkish universities provide an outstanding educational environment with strong curricula and advanced courses.
- The cost of studying in Turkey is low compared to other countries that offer a similar educational environment and overall quality.
- The integration of practical training with theoretical courses reinforces knowledge and prepares the student to enter professional life immediately after graduation.
- Students have the opportunity to learn from a select group of faculty members who hold international qualifications and distinctions and possess extensive teaching experience.
- Students can choose the language in which they wish to study the History major, provided they are proficient in it.
- Students are provided with official historical sources and references to aid them in their research.
Disadvantages of Studying the History Major in Turkey
The nature of studying historical courses and their continuous nature may entail some drawbacks and disadvantages, which include:
- The high number of History graduates each year creates a gap between high expectations and the disappointing reality for many students.
- There is a limited number of government jobs for historians, and the demand for them in the private sector is low.
- Fieldwork, which is a requirement in many courses, can be challenging due to its demanding nature and the near-daily attendance requirement.
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Courses in the History Department at Turkish Universities
The future historian must pass a wide array of courses covering various scientific and historical fields, including the following key subjects:
- Historical curricula and theories.
- Psychology and human philosophy.
- Modern world phenomena and their reflections.
- The history of the civilization of Islamic countries.
- The military history of Turkey.
- Ottoman economic history.
- Turkish-Ottoman history.
- Techniques and principles of scientific research.
- The history of the Seljuks and their beliefs.
- Atatürk’s principles and their impact on the present reality.
Duties of a History Graduate in Turkey
Whether you are a student in the History faculty or a graduate, you are entrusted with numerous responsibilities as you deal with the history of an entire nation and civilization. Among these duties are:
- Ensuring the protection and proper classification of archaeological sources and written materials according to the specified historical chronology.
- Clearly and transparently conveying the findings, while adhering strictly to facts and maintaining objectivity.
- Evaluating and verifying information to establish causal relationships among various historical events.
- Striving to gather information from primary sources to avoid misunderstandings.
Tuition Costs for Studying the History Major in Turkish Universities 2023 - 2024
We have previously mentioned that the tuition fees for studying the History major at Turkish universities are relatively affordable compared to the costs of studying the same major in European countries. In fact, the fees vary from one university to another within the country, depending on several factors, including:
- The location of the university (whether in a province or the capital).
- The university’s ranking both locally and internationally.
- Special discounts and fee reductions.
Overall, the annual tuition fees in the History department do not exceed $4500 at private universities, while at Turkish public universities they do not exceed $200 per year!
This refers to the costs of studying for a Bachelor’s in History. As for the tuition fees for a Master’s in History in Turkey, they range approximately between $3500 and $9000 per year. These mid-range fees are subject to change at any time, so you can contact Skyline Education to inquire about the cost of studying at your chosen university in Turkey.
Requirements for Studying History at Turkish Universities
The requirements for studying this major are reasonable and accessible to everyone. They are limited to successfully completing high school with an acceptable average (no less than 50% for private universities and 80% for public universities) and being proficient in the language of instruction, with a certificate to prove it. The required documents will be mentioned in the following paragraph..
Required Documents
The required documents for enrollment in the History faculty include the following:
- A copy of the high school certificate.
- A transcript of high school grades.
- A copy of the national ID or passport for international students.
- A copy of the English or Turkish language proficiency certificate, if available.
- Four recent passport-sized photographs.
Registration Steps
After selecting the university at which the student wishes to study, he must contact it and send his documents and personal information, then wait for the acceptance letter, which serves as provisional acceptance. Following that, he proceeds with the registration process by applying for a student visa and paying the first installment and registration fees to secure a university seat and complete the enrollment process.
Advantages of Applying Through Skyline Education
When Skyline Education acts as your intermediary in the university enrollment process for studying History in Turkey, your chances of receiving genuine discounts increase, and you benefit from academic advisory consultations. Additionally, you will receive numerous facilities and assistance with various matters such as enrollment confirmation, certificate modification, securing student residence, and other details that often worry students and consume their time and effort.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Studying History in Turkey
In addition to the above, there are some in-depth details and pieces of information that students seek, which include:
What are the Essential Tools and Equipment for a History Student?
A historian does not require an abundance of supplies during his academic journey, but there are some indispensable tools, including:
- Standard office supplies.
- Dictionaries and encyclopedias in various languages.
- Recordings, newspapers, and both published and unpublished interviews.
- Information resources that include letters, memos, inscriptions, court records, and others.
Is the Work Environment in the Historian Profession Suitable for All Graduates?
It is essential to consider the personal and health situation of a student wishing to study History in Turkey, as the profession requires sitting for very long periods in offices—either alone or with colleagues—and fieldwork necessitates long periods of standing and considerable effort, with the possibility of handling dusty archives and documents from time to time.
What is the Estimated Monthly Salary for a History Graduate?
The monthly salary for a recent graduate from the History department is estimated to be approximately between 5500 and 7500 Turkish Lira, and the salary increases with the number of years of actual experience.
In the end, this article has served as a comprehensive guide that gathers all the information every student wishing to study History in Turkey should know. We began with a brief overview of this university major, followed by its advantages, costs, and details of studying it in the country, and finally discussed the admission requirements for this field and the frequently asked questions about it. For more details, you can contact Skyline Education for academic consultations and various services via the communication channels listed on our website.
This article was prepared by the editorial team at Skyline Holding, which is affiliated with Skyline Education.