Turkiye Education

An Associate’s degree is a qualification awarded upon completion of a two-year study program. Such programs are offered by universities, foundation postsecondary vocational schools, and some distance education programs. On-the-job training may be required for some associate degree programs.

Upon the completion of a four-year course and 240 ECTS of study, individuals are awarded a Bachelor’s degree. However, the study duration for dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy is extended to five years, and for medicine, it is six years. These four fields are considered equivalent to a Master’s degree.

A Master’s degree program is a program that typically lasts for two years and results in the awarding of a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS) degree. Two types of Master’s programs are available: those with or without a thesis. A Master’s program with a thesis generally requires the completion of courses totaling a minimum of 120 ECTS, followed by the submission of a thesis. Non-thesis programs are typically completed in either one or one and a half years. These non-thesis programs require the completion of graduate courses totaling a minimum of 90 credits, as well as a term project.

A Doctoral degree program is usually an eight-semester program leading to a Ph.D. degree. It consists of courses with 180-240 ECTS, a proficiency exam, a dissertation proposal, a dissertation, and an oral defense. After successfully completing the coursework and the proficiency exam, students must submit and defend the dissertation orally before an examining committee.

Specialization in Medicine Programs is equivalent to doctoral degree programs and is carried out in the faculties of medicine, university hospitals, and research and training hospitals. For specialization in medicine, a competitive selection examination is held in various branches of medicine for those graduating from the faculties of medicine. Specialist candidates must submit a dissertation and defend it before an examining committee.

Proficiency in art is at least a six-semester post-Master’s program in the visual and performing art branches, making it equivalent to a Doctorate. It requires the presentation of an original work of art or, in the case of music and the performing arts, a superior creative performance.