WENR

Bologna Country Update: Turkey

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The Higher Education Law (1981) is the main law governing higher education in Turkey. The country’s system of higher education is highly centralized, making all universities subject to the same laws. Private universities were legalized in 1984 and currently operate under the supervision of the Council of Higher Education (Yök).

The council is the supreme educational authority. There are three other administrative bodies in the field of higher education: the Interuniversity Council, which acts as an academic advisory in some matters and a decision-making body in others; the Turkish University Rectors Committee; and the Higher Education Supervisory Board, which on behalf of the Council of Higher Education, supervises the universities, the units attached to them, the teaching staff, and their activities.

In December 2002, Turkey began a requisite 18 month preparatory period for its inclusion in the various European Union (EU) education programs. National Agency Turkey is responsible for the promotion, evaluation, management and monitoring of EU programs.

1. Easily Readable and Comparable Degrees

2. Degree Structure

Stage 1: The Lisans Diplomasi (bachelor’s degree) is awarded after completing four years of study. Dentistry, architecture and veterinary medicine require five years of study. Medicine takes six years, leading to the qualification of Doktor, which is awarded concurrently with the diploma. The Muhendis Diplomasi (engineering diploma) is awarded by technical universities and higher technical institutions after four to five years of study.

Stage 2: The Yuksek Lisans Diplomasi and the Yuksek Muhendi Diplomasi (higher engineering diploma) are awarded after two years of study beyond the undergraduate level, and require the preparation and defense of a thesis. Both qualifications are considered to be the equivalent of a master’s degree.

Stage 3: The Doktora (doctorate) requires two to four years of study beyond the master’s and the preparation of a doctoral thesis. The Sanatta Yeterlik (proficiency in art) is the equivalent of a doctorate in fine arts. The Uzmanlik (specialist degree) is equivalent to a doctorate in medical science.

3. Credit Transfer

4. Mobility

5. Quality Assurance

6. Promotion of European Dimensions in Higher Education


References