Doctorate (PhD)

In the Turkish Republic, doctoral programs at university’s have been available since 1937. Doctoral programs are carried out by institutes affiliated with universities in our country. Turkey has plenty to offer adventurous international students looking for unique PhD opportunities. Turkish universities have a long tradition of international exchange, relatively low fees and offer a high quality of doctoral training. The basic principles of doctoral programs, since they were created, aim to raise qualified people who can produce and use the information, solve problems with a critical and productive way of thinking. In the list of the 400 most respected universities in the world, 4 universities are from Turkish. Some international universities are still trying to be placed on this list.

In the age of Information and technology, it is important that people specialize themselves professionally. At such a time, at the peak of the education system, the universities gain reputation. Doctoral programs provide the opportunity of going deeper into the knowledge acquired in the undergraduate program. The guide proves an introduction to everything you’ll need to know if you’re interested in studying your PhD in Turkey, including information about Turkish universities, their PhD structure, fees, application requirements and student visas. Bridging between Europe and Asia, Turkey has played a pivotal role in Western and Eastern history. The country abounds with historical sites and monuments and is home to a rich and diverse range of cultures. Whether you’re making these the focus of your research or just enjoying them alongside it, you’ll have plenty to explore during a Turkish Ph.D. This is featured among the universities, when you complete the degree program in these institutes you can receive further studies within the programs, this will therefore give you the opportunity to become specialized in your field.

Reasons to study your PhD in Turkey right now include:

  • Crossroads between East and West – Turkey is a meeting point for arts, cultures and people, with no shortage of iconic attractions, vibrant festivals and inspirational research ideas
  • Unique academic opportunities – Postgraduates are attracted to Turkey by modern advanced research facilities and archives of historical material unavailable elsewhere in the western world.
  • Fast-growing economy – being one of the fastest growing economies in the world and developing markets and political influence, now could be a great time to study in Turkey
  • Study in English – the allure for international students to Turkish universities is that many doctoral programmes are taught in English
  • Affordable – low living costs and tuition fees make Turkey a good value destination for PhD study

A Turkish Ph.D. is an internationally recognized degree and an impressive achievement. The demanding admissions and assessments of a Turkish doctorate will make you stand out from the crowd. The unique geolocation of Turkey being at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the metacultures’ that it provides, will prepare you for an academic or professional career on the global stage.

This opportunity allows you to do research independently and allows the students to make his/her own conclusions on the subject. 

PhD-Structure

Partly due to Turkey’s candidacy for EU membership, Turkish degrees follow the Bologna Process. Therefore, doctoral programmes in Turkey are similar to other European Ph.D. programmes.

The academic year in Turkey takes place across two semesters, from October to January and from February to July. A two-week holiday period usually separates these teaching sessions, with a long summer vacation between July and October. Most Ph.D. programmes commence in October, but other options may be available for part-time students or on courses that allow entry in the second semester.

A Ph.D. in Turkey (Doktora Programı) usually takes around four years to complete. However, Turkish PhDs typically follow a very structured process with well-defined stages and assessments. You will enroll in a series of modules delivered in specific semesters, with the assessment of these individual components contributing to your final grade. This includes several courses, seminars, and exams to a total of 240 ECTS credits. There may also be a preparatory class at the beginning of your programme. Specific content will vary between universities and programmes, but all taught components must be completed for you to be awarded your Ph.D.

Supervision

In Turkey, your doctoral development and thesis will be overseen by various supervision committees. Your main thesis supervisor will be a member of most of these committees. The supervisor will be an academic lecturer with expertise in your research area and will be appointed within the first year of your Ph.D. You may have a second supervisor, who can also be a member of these committees.

Admission Requirements

Turkish Ph.D. programmes require you to hold relevant Bachelors’s and Masters’s degrees to be eligible. Most degrees from within Europe will be recognized, but different foreign degrees may require additional recognition to be accepted as equivalent qualifications.