09 - Turkey - Organisation of the academic year
In higher education institutions academic year is arranged on a school
term (semester) basis. One academic year consists of three semesters.
Fall, Spring and Summer. Courses are structured according to fall and
spring terms. In department programs, courses that are compulsory and
optional, the terms that the courses are given are predetermined as per
the normal period of the program and courses are opened successively
according to the program. There is not any lesson determined for the
summer period. Departments and teaching staff can open the courses
among the ones opened at fall or spring periods by declaring
beforehand. Summer period is an arrangement mostly to provide an
opportunity for students who accomplish the courses in which they are
unsuccessful thus preventing loss of a school term and for students who
would like to accomplish school earlier. As students take less courses
in summer terms by raising the number of course hour of courses weekly
and without changing total course hour time for taking courses can be
reduced.
One half terms consists of 14-16 weeks and two weeks
general examination period. Though beginning times of the terms differ
from university to university, generally fall half term begins at the
last week of September ends at the end of January, spring term begins
at the second week of the February and ends at the second week of June,
summer term begins at the first week of July and ends at the end of
August. Two week term vacations are in between fall and spring terms.
In summer term for students who do not take lessons summer vacations
last three months, for the ones who take lessons it lasts for about a
month. Also in some religious and national days there are short term
vacations.
Lessons are conducted in day-time and in the evenings
in accordance with the second education. Day time programs are in
between 8.30–18.00 and evening lessons are generally 16.00–22.00. In
mandatory cases lessons and examinations can be done in weekends
(Saturday – Sunday). Universities and other higher education
institutions are entitled to determine their own working hours and
academic calendars.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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