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Master's Studies in Turkey

If you are interested in learning about studying Master's degree in Turkey and application procedures to Turkish universities for Master's studies, we are glad to tell you that this article.

Studying for a Master's Degree in Turkey

If you wish to know how to pursue a Master's degree in Turkey and the application procedures at Turkish universities for it, we are pleased to inform you that this article is everything you are looking for. We will provide you with a brief overview of Master's studies in Turkey, including information about its tracks, and we will detail the ways to secure a place in Turkish universities for a Master's degree.

We wish you a beneficial and enjoyable reading experience....

 

An Overview of Master's Studies in Turkey

Many international students aspire to continue their postgraduate studies in Turkish universities due to the advantages these institutions have over European universities. The first level of postgraduate study after a bachelor's degree is the Master's degree in Turkey, which is divided into two tracks:

 

Master's Degree with a Final Thesis

This track is designed to have the student conduct scientific research to obtain the information they seek, while also equipping them with the ability to evaluate and critique their own research. It consists of 4 academic semesters, two of which are dedicated to the project, and the student is entitled to extend the study period by a maximum of two additional semesters.

 

Master's Degree without a Thesis

Through this track, the student gains extensive knowledge and delves deeper into the subject, while also acquiring the ability to apply this knowledge. It consists of 3 academic semesters.

Furthermore, both Turkish and international students can enroll in Turkish universities to pursue a Master's degree through three methods:

  • Turkish Scholarship
  • Public Universities
  • Private Universities

The explanation of these methods will be covered in the following paragraphs of the article, with each method discussed separately.

 

First: The Turkish Scholarship

The Turkish government offers free Turkish Scholarships to foreign students from all over the world. It is one of the most famous scholarship programs globally, as it covers nearly all disciplines and all levels of study, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The Turkish government provides a minimum of approximately 4,000 scholarships annually.

It is worth noting that many Turkish universities are ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, making them a popular destination for international students. The scholarship programs offer numerous benefits to students, such as:

  • Free accommodation in student housing that includes all facilities and services, along with daily meals.
  • Government health insurance that enables students to receive treatment in public hospitals for free, and at reduced rates in private hospitals.
  • A full year of Turkish language courses to help them better understand their university curriculum.
  • An airplane ticket for entry into Turkey and a return ticket to their home country after completing their studies.
  • Benefits such as a student residence permit, a discounted transportation card, and a free card for visiting museums and historical sites.
  • Exemption from tuition fees for scholarship recipients.
  • A monthly stipend that varies according to the level of study, as follows:
  1. Bachelor's degree: 1000 Turkish Lira
  2. Master's degree: 1400 Turkish Lira
  3. Doctoral degree: up to 1800 Turkish Lira

 

Admission Requirements for Turkish Master's Scholarships

There are several conditions that must be met by anyone wishing to apply for the free scholarships for a Master's degree:

  1. The applicant must be no older than 30 years.
  2. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum average of 75%.
  3. Submission of the required documents, which are:
  • A copy of the bachelor's degree certificate along with the transcript.
  • A copy of the high school certificate along with the transcript.
  • A motivation letter: a report of one or two pages in English explaining the reason for choosing Turkey.
  • A copy of the passport, which must be valid.
  • A passport-sized photograph of the student with a white or blue background.
  • A letter of recommendation, preferably issued by professors from the student's alma mater.

 

Second: Enrollment in Public Universities

It should be noted that public universities impose various rules and conditions for admission that differ from one university to another. However, the selection criteria prioritize students with the highest academic scores and international test results, as each university sets its own required scores for these tests.

 

Admission Requirements for Master's Studies in Turkey

Here is a list of the conditions imposed by public universities for admitting students who wish to pursue a Master's degree:

  • The student must pass the postgraduate aptitude test known as ALES, which is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. This test is not required for enrollment in Fine Arts faculties or at the Music Conservatory.
  • The student must sometimes provide the result of the University Foreign Language Test (ÜDS) or the result of the Public Personnel Selection Examination's foreign language test (KPDS).

Note: If students have obtained their bachelor's degree from outside Turkey, they are required to submit international aptitude test scores such as the GMAT or GRE.

 

Duration of Master's Studies in Turkey

The duration of a Master's degree in Turkey is two academic years with a thesis, although there are some departments that offer Master's programs without the requirement of a thesis, lasting one and a half years.

 

Required Documents for Application

  1. A copy of the passport translated into Turkish and certified by a notary.
  2. A personal photograph of the student.
  3. A copy of the high school certificate along with the transcript.
  4. A copy of the bachelor's degree certificate along with the transcript.
  5. Two letters of recommendation.
  6. A curriculum vitae.
  7. A motivation letter.
  8. A certificate of language proficiency, if available.
  9. The result of the ALES for those who completed their bachelor's degree in Turkey. If the student obtained the bachelor's degree from an institution outside Turkey, they must submit the results of the GMAT and GRE tests instead of ALES.
  10. The receipt for the registration fee paid to the university.
  11. A copy of the certificate of completion for Turkish language studies (TÖMER), certified by a notary.
  12. A copy of the student visa obtained from the Turkish embassies, translated into Turkish and certified by a notary.
  13. A document proving the student's physical health and that they are free from any diseases, issued by an official authority in the student's country, translated into Turkish and certified by a notary.

 

Third: Enrollment in Private Universities

Enrolling in private universities in Turkey for a Master's degree does not require complex procedures to ensure admission and secure your university seat. They do not require any certificates or aptitude tests—whether local or international, such as the GMAT or GRE—except in very few private universities.

It is worth mentioning that private universities in Turkey offer all the disciplines sought by Master's students, and the language of instruction is either English or Turkish for all specializations. The only exception is some disciplines such as Pharmacy, which is taught in Turkish in most universities and in English in a few. As for the field of Law, it is available only in Turkish.

 

With this, we have reached the end of our article on Master's studies in Turkey, after explaining the various tracks of this stage along with the approved methods for securing a place in Turkish public and private universities for a Master's degree.

 

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