Studying Law in Turkey is a field of study with historical roots dating back to 1839, when the Office of Justice was established in Istanbul. Approximately ten years later, in 1924, Turkey saw the founding of its first Faculty of Law. Subsequently, law faculties were opened in all cities and provinces of Turkey, and this field has since gained great importance. In this article, we will explore all the information related to studying law at Turkish universities.
Information about the Law Major in Turkey
Studying law holds great significance in Turkish universities, as this major is concerned with examining the general rules and laws that regulate individuals’ lives, guarantee their rights, impose obligations, and set controls, rulings, and penalties. The primary responsibility of law graduates is to defend people’s rights and those of the accused, and to prove their innocence using legal methods, legitimate means, and credible evidence. The legal profession is among the most esteemed careers and is in high demand both within Turkey and abroad.
How Many Years Does It Take to Study Law at Turkish Universities?
Like other undergraduate programs, the duration of studying law at Turkish universities is a minimum of four academic years, provided the student does not fail any subject. An additional preparatory year for the language of instruction is added if the student does not possess a language certificate.
What Is the Admission Rate for Studying Law?
For Turkish public universities, high admission scores are required to study law. Similarly, for scholarships offered by these institutions, the acceptance criteria are generally relatively high and require proof of proficiency in the language of instruction. In contrast, Turkish private universities typically require only a minimum score of 50% on the high school certificate and do not demand any additional requirements.
What Is the Language of Instruction for Law?
Since the law major in Turkey examines legal systems and statutes in general—with a particular focus on the systems and laws followed in Turkey—it is essential that Turkish be the dominant language in this field. Most Turkish universities that offer law teach the subject in Turkish. However, some private universities offer the law major in English, albeit in a mixed mode with Turkish, with Turkish constituting 70% of the total curriculum.
The Competitive Selection and Registration Process for Studying Law
Registration for the competitive selection process to study law at Turkish universities begins according to the schedules set by each university. To apply for the selection, the applicant must meet the admission requirements in terms of academic scores, tests, and language certificates, and must prepare the required documents and proofs, as outlined in the following list:
- High school certificate translated and certified by a notary.
- National ID or passport translated and certified by a notary.
- The application form for the competitive selection.
- Certificates proving proficiency in Turkish, if required.
- Certificates proving proficiency in English, if required.
- Receipt of payment for the tuition fees.
University Admission Requirements for Studying Law
The admission requirements for the law major at Turkish universities depend on the acceptance criteria, which vary from one institution to another, and include conditions such as passing the Turkish YÖS aptitude exams or the American SAT, as well as providing a certificate proving proficiency in the language of instruction (which may be substituted by a preparatory year in language studies). The requirements differ between public and private universities:
- Public Universities: They require high scores on the high school certificate, which vary from one university to another, and require passing the Turkish YÖS aptitude exams or the American SAT, in addition to a certificate proving proficiency in Turkish.
- Private Universities: They do not impose many conditions, typically accepting a minimum of 50% on the high school certificate without additional requirements or entrance exams, although they also require proof of language proficiency similar to public universities.
Costs of Studying Law
Turkish universities are not among those that demand high tuition fees, even though they offer high-quality education and a unique, distinguished experience in teaching, curricula, and modern methodologies. For studying law at Turkish universities, the annual cost in public institutions ranges between 300 and 800 USD, while in private universities the fees range between 500 and 1500 USD per year. Additionally, some universities offer a Master’s degree in law with annual costs ranging between 500 and 1500 USD.
Top Universities Offering Law
Turkish universities are renowned for their modern and advanced curricula and unique teaching methods. Many universities in Turkey offer law programs entirely in Turkish, while some offer them in both English and Turkish, with Turkish comprising 70% of the total coursework:
Universities that Teach Law in English
There are several universities that integrate both English and Turkish in teaching the law major, including:
- Istanbul Şehir University
- Bahçeşehir University
- Başkent University
- Altınbaş University
- Istanbul Bilgi University
- Maltepe University
- Kadir Has University.
Universities that Teach Law in Turkish
However, most Turkish universities offer the law major in Turkish, as this field focuses heavily on the legal systems in force in Turkey. Among these universities are:
- Yeditepe University
- Medipol University
- Aydın University
- Atılım University
- Okan University
- Kültür University
- Özyeğin University
- Beykent University.
What’s Next After Studying Law?
Studying law in Turkey is not the end of the journey, and many students wonder what comes next after obtaining a law degree. There are numerous options available for law graduates: they can either pursue further studies by continuing on to a Master’s and then a Doctorate in Law, or they can enter the job market to work in a government or private company, a court, or even open their own legal practice after graduation.
Postgraduate Studies in Law
Law graduates can advance to postgraduate studies to acquire additional knowledge in the field of law. Many Turkish universities offer the opportunity to continue studying law at the Master’s level, where the courses are more specialized and focused compared to the undergraduate program. Among the Master’s programs available for law graduates are:
- Master’s in Public Policy from Strathclyde University.
- Master’s in Forensic Sciences.
- Master’s in the Private Law Postgraduate Program.
- Master’s in the Private Law Postgraduate Program.
Are There Job Opportunities After Completing a Law Degree?
Certainly, there are many opportunities awaiting law graduates after graduation. Law graduates can work in courts, public and private institutions, banks, insurance companies, and telecommunications companies, as every company today needs a legal department to manage its legal affairs and to organize its relationships with government bodies and other private companies.
Is Studying Law in Turkey Difficult?
Studying law generally relies heavily on memorization skills, as a law student must have extensive knowledge of the legal systems, statutes, and the constitution in order to always be ready to defend their clients and uphold their rights in court.
This brings us to the end of our article on Studying Law in Turkey. In this article, we have provided comprehensive information about the law major, including admission rates in public and private universities, the duration of study, top universities offering this program, study costs, and an explanation of the future prospects for law graduates.
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