Higher Education

Higher education is the time for a student to decide for their lives. After their graduation from high school, the students are generally expected to enroll in a higher education institution. Higher education grants the students degrees in their capabilities once they graduate from the program they have chosen before attending university. In addition to universities, there is always the option of vocational schools of higher education for the students. In vocational schools of higher education, the students are instructed in various professions of daily life. They consist of four semesters, lasting for 2 years. Other than vocational schools of higher education, students can apply to programs that offer degrees in universities. There are four types of higher education programs, they are associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. While the associate’s degree is optional and it also lasts for 2 years, the rest of the programs can be applied successively as they depend on each other. In a bachelor’s degree program, the students are lectured on the subject of their own choosing for 8 semesters.

published: 13 July 2022 / updated: 7 March 2024

This program is also known as the undergraduate program, and the student is awarded a bachelor’s degree when they graduate. Pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and dentistry programs require five years of study, whereas medical school requires six years. After the undergraduate period, students can apply to the next step, the master’s degree. It’s a program that generally lasts 2 years and the program may require a thesis, according to the field of study and the university. Graduating from the master’s degree program grants the student the title of MA or MSc, based on their program. Finally, the student can apply for Ph.D. for the title of doctor in their studies. Ph.D. degrees require writing and defending a dissertation. The program generally lasts for 8 semesters and ends with the defending of the dissertation. As it is understood from above, Turkey is a part of the Bologna three-cycle system with the degrees it offers.

Highlights

Four types of degrees.
Study periods depending on the student, varying from 2 years to four years.
Bologna three-cycle system.
Universities that offer Ph.D. degrees.
Vocational school opportunities for higher education.

After high school graduation, the main way to go is generally a university. For higher education, Istanbul is a very good city as it offers many types of higher education with its 57 universities. The city not only offers universities but there are also vocational schools of higher education. Many universities in Istanbul offer associate’s degrees, and as a part of the Bologna three-cycle system, you can apply for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees as well. You can begin your journey of higher education with the four years of the bachelor’s degree; continue up to the master’s degree, write a thesis if your program requires it; and apply for Ph.D. for a doctorate title. Istanbul is filled with universities that are willing to guide you in your journey to higher education

Frequently Asked Question

What is higher education?

Higher education is the continuation of school life after graduating high school. It gives the students proficiency in the field they choose to study.

Are universities the only option for higher education?

No, there are many vocational schools of higher education that offer 2-year programs.

What is the bologna three-cycle system?

Bologna's three-cycle system is the type of education the universities offer across Europe and associate countries. It begins with the bachelor’s degree, continues with the master’s degree, and ends with the Ph.D. degree, completing a three-cycle education in roughly 10 years.