What is the best language to study in Turkey?

In our article "What is the best language to study in Turkey", in which we identified the languages available to study different disciplines in Turkey, and we highlighted the English and Turkish languages.

This is the question we will answer in this article—a question that preoccupies the minds of many students residing in Turkey or foreigners planning to continue their studies in Turkey, and who wish to know which language is best for studying in Turkey. In Turkish universities, instruction is primarily conducted in Turkish alongside some other languages. In this article, Skyline Education will introduce you to the available languages of instruction in Turkey and explain which of these languages is best in terms of both academic study and future employment.

Learn Which Language is Best for Studying in Turkey

It is not possible to determine a single best language for studying in Turkey, as the answer to this question depends on the student’s personal preferences, inclinations, and desires, as well as their future plans and the place where they intend to spend the rest of their life after graduation:

For Turkish students, those holding Turkish citizenship, or residents who wish to remain in Turkey for the rest of their lives, studying in Turkish will be the most suitable option. This choice will allow them to mingle with people from various segments of the Turkish population, build strong local social relationships, and gain a deep understanding of the Turkish language and its colloquial dialects. Consequently, they will be ready to embark on a job search in Turkey immediately after graduation.

As for students who intend to spend their study period in Turkey and then travel to Europe, the Gulf countries, English-speaking countries, or any other country, the option of studying in English will be the most appropriate. English is the most widely spoken language in the world, and mastering it will open up many travel and employment opportunities in the future.

Regarding other disciplines—such as literary fields focused on a specific culture or language, like translation studies, which include several languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, Chinese, and others—these fields require that the student study in the language of the discipline. Similarly, for programs in Arabic language or Islamic religious and legal studies, the student must have a strong command and deep understanding of the Arabic language and its literature.

Languages of Instruction in Turkish Universities

Turkish universities have achieved advanced rankings among institutions worldwide and have become a distinguished destination for many students globally. This is due to their high academic standards, the low cost of study and living, and the availability of numerous free scholarships, as well as the Turkish social environment that suits most cultures and to which anyone can quickly and easily adapt.

In general, Turkish dominates most undergraduate programs, with a reasonable percentage of courses taught in English, while only a very small number of literary and translation programs are offered in other languages such as Spanish, French, etc. There are also some religious, legal, and translation programs taught in Arabic.

Advantages of Studying in Turkish

The Turkish language is the primary language for studying most disciplines in Turkey, and it is also the spoken language of the country. Therefore, studying in Turkish offers several advantages, including:

Ease of learning, as the duration required to learn it typically ranges between 9 months and one year. This is why Turkish scholarships often include a preparatory year for students who wish to study in Turkish.
The Turkish language is similar to Arabic, sharing more than 6000 common words, which makes it easier for Arab students to learn.
A wide variety of disciplines are available in Turkish, with more than 70% of the programs at public universities being taught in Turkish.
Ease of communication with professors and fellow students—most of whom are Turkish citizens—as well as the ease of integrating into the local community and building social relationships.
The cost of studying in Turkish is significantly lower than that of studying in English.
It assists those who wish to remain in Turkey by making it easier to find job opportunities after graduation.

Also read: Child Development in Turkey – What Do You Know About It?

Also read: Turkish Scholarship 2023 – A Comprehensive Guide from Skyline Education

Disadvantages of Studying in Turkish

As for the disadvantages of studying in Turkish, they are as follows:

Turkish is not one of the globally widespread languages, which limits the scope of job opportunities outside Turkey.
There is a scarcity of approved scientific research and reference materials written in or translated into Turkish compared to global studies and references.
The requirement of a preparatory year to study Turkish, which provides the student with basic communication skills, may be considered a waste of time for those who are proficient in English.

Advantages of Studying in English in Turkey

There is no doubt that English is the foremost global language for communication, learning, work, and more. Most academic studies, research, and approved reference materials are written in English, which is why studying a discipline in this language provides the student with many advantages, the most important of which are:

It opens up opportunities for the student to travel and work in any country in the world, as job opportunities in English are available in most nations—even in those where English is not the native language.
Most students already have a basic knowledge and understanding of English, since it is a core subject in compulsory education.
It provides greater potential for pursuing postgraduate studies in European universities or other advanced institutions around the world.

Disadvantages of Studying in English

Despite the many advantages that students gain from studying in English, there are some drawbacks, including:

Students must learn the basics of Turkish, as most members of Turkish society do not speak English. Therefore, learning Turkish is necessary for social communication during the study period.
Even in programs taught in English, most students and lecturers are Turkish and will undoubtedly use Turkish, even if the entire academic content is in English.
Tuition fees for English-taught programs are significantly higher than those for Turkish-taught programs, especially since most English-taught disciplines are offered in private universities, leading to increased overall expenses for the student.
There are a limited number of seats allocated for foreigners in English-taught programs at public universities, making competition for these spots very intense.

Language Requirements for Studying in Turkey

The language requirements for studying in Turkey vary from one discipline to another and from one university to another, but generally:

Requirements for Studying in English: The student must obtain an international certificate demonstrating proficiency in English, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
Requirements for Studying in Turkish: The student must pass the Turkish language proficiency exam "TÖMER" or complete a preparatory year in Turkish before starting the university program.
Requirements for Studying in Arabic: Although there are a considerable number of programs taught in Arabic, the student is required to complete a preparatory year in Arabic before beginning the specialization.
Requirements for Studying in Other Languages: For other languages, such as French or others offered by some Turkish universities, each has its own specific requirement—such as passing an entrance exam with a certain score, completing a preparatory year, or other conditions.

Also read: Criteria for Selecting a University Major