05 - Turkey - Types of institution
According to Yükseköğretim Kanunu, No. 2547 whole education that is
based on secondary education and every stage that lasts at least four
semi years or more is accepted as higher education (Article 3/a).
Higher education institutions consist of universities and high
technology institutes and faculties, institutes, academies,
conservatories, research and application centers within these
institutions and higher vocational schools that are affiliated to a
university or high technology institute or higher vocational schools
that are founded by non-profit making private organizations and without
being affiliated to university or a high technology institute (Article
3/b).
Excluding higher educational institutions that are
affiliated to Armed Forces and Police Organization in Turkey and some
of the higher vocational schools that are founded by private
foundations, all the higher education institutions leading to bachelor
and graduate degrees (master and doctorate) are gathered under the
university (and high technology institute) roof. Therefore directly
vocational schools and academic higher education institutions take
place under the same roof to a large extent. Generally, apart from few
exceptions there are not any independent higher education institutions
outside the universities (or higher technology institutes). In this
context “university” is defined as “ a higher education institution that holds
scientific freedom and has legal personality, that conducts
education-instruction, research, publishing and consultation; that
consists of faculties, higher schools and similar institutions and units”
(Item 3/d) within the Yükseköğretim Kanunu. Within this frame,
universities are said to be housing various higher education
institutions within their constitution. According to the current act
and actual practices faculties intended for bachelor’s degree,
institutes (graduate schools) intended for graduate education, four
year high schools intended for a specific profession, conservatories
that raise artists for performing arts, higher vocational schools that
train intermediate manpower for specific professions can take place
within a university. Because of this diversity, all the universities of
the country have the authorization to grant diplomas for all academic
and vocational degrees. In addition to traditional universities
(universities consisting of faculties and higher schools in different
fields) there are universities that are intended for specific fields
such as science, engineering, and fine arts (for example, Mimar Sinan
Fine Arts University).
Higher education institutions, if discussed according
to their status and financing are divided into two as public and
private (foundation) universities. The finance of public universities
is provided by public resources including student contributions
(student contributions’ share generally remains under 10%). Private
(foundations) universities basically charge tuition fees. In case of
fulfilling some conditions public contributions can be provided to
these universities as well. As there is not any higher education
institution that derives over 50% of their revenues from the government
in Turkey there is not any government-dependent private higher
education institution. These universities are subjected to the same
legal legislation as state universities excluding some administrative
and financial issues.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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