Studying in Turkey offers great advantages for international students with its well-established universities, multilingual education options and affordable living conditions.
In this article, we take a look at the best language and literature programs in Turkey, the application process and career opportunities after graduation.
Why You Should Study Language and Literature in Turkey
Rich Literary and Cultural Heritage
Turkey has a great accumulation of language and literature as it is the intersection point of different civilizations. While studying language and literature in Turkey, you can find the opportunity to study both classical and contemporary works of literature.
Turkey, with its thousands of years of history, multicultural character and strong literary tradition, offers a unique academic environment for students who wish to study language and literature. Language and literature education in Turkey offers a broad perspective that covers not only Turkish literature, but also Ottoman, Persian, Arabic and Western literature.
1. Turkey is the Intersection of Different Civilizations
Turkey is located in a strategic location where Europe, Asia and the Middle East converge. For this reason, Turkish literature has been influenced by Eastern and Western cultures throughout history and has a multifaceted structure.
- A literary heritage intertwining Arabic, Persian and Turkish was formed during the Ottoman Empire.
- Modern Turkish literature, which developed under Western influence, has interacted with French, English and Russian literatures since the Tanzimat Period.
- Republican and contemporary Turkish literature has gained a global identity by blending both traditional and contemporary narratives.
This multi-layered structure allows you to gain a broad perspective on both Eastern and Western literatures while studying language and literature in Turkey.
Example: While studying Ottoman court poetry, a student in Istanbul can also analyze the relationship of modern Turkish novels with Western literature.
2. Turkey has produced world-famous literary figures
Turkey has been home to many world-renowned writers and poets in classical and contemporary literature. When you study language and literature in Turkey, you will have the opportunity to study the works of these literary figures in their own context.
📌 Famous Writers and Poets:
- Yunus Emre (13th century): One of the most important figures of Turkish Sufi literature.
- Nazım Hikmet (20th century): A pioneer of modernism in Turkish poetry, a poet recognized worldwide.
- Orhan Pamuk (21st century): 2006 Nobel Prize winner for Literature, his works have been translated into more than 60 languages.
- Elif Şafak: One of the leading names in contemporary Turkish literature, her works are internationally acclaimed.
While studying language and literature in Turkey, you will have the chance to analyze the works of these authors within an academic framework. You will also gain a better understanding of the historical, cultural and sociological contexts of literary works.
Example: A student studying at Boğaziçi University can analyze Orhan Pamuk’s novels in terms of postmodern narrative techniques.
3. You Can Access Works Written in Different Languages in Turkey
Language and literature education in Turkey is not limited to Turkish. You can access many works from the Ottoman period written in Arabic, Persian and Ottoman Turkish as academic resources.
📌 Diversity of Languages and Sources:
- In Ottoman Divan Literature, Arabic and Persian words were used extensively.
- In the Tanzimat and Servet-i Fünun Periods, French literature was greatly influenced and translated works were produced.
- In the modern period, contemporary Turkish literature developed, influenced by English, Russian and French works.
Example: A student studying at Ankara University can access the Ottoman archives and analyze historical documents directly in Ottoman Turkish.
4. Turkey Makes Literature More Meaningful with Its Historical and Cultural Atmosphere
When studying language and literature in Turkey, you don’t just learn from books. You can meet directly with literary circles through cultural events, book fairs, literary festivals and poetry nights organized in big cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
📌 Cultural and Academic Activities:
- Istanbul International Book Fair: Brings together authors and publishers from around the world.
- Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center: Poetry readings and literary panels are organized.
- Turkish Language Association Workshops: Events are organized with the participation of academics who are experts in linguistics and literature.
Example: A student studying at Istanbul University can gain new perspectives on their academic studies by meeting authors one-on-one at the Istanbul Book Fair.
📍 Recommended Universities:
- Istanbul University – Turkish Language and Literature, Eastern Languages and Literatures
- Ankara University – Ottoman Turkish and Turkish Literature Studies
- Boğaziçi University – English Language and Literature
Economic and Quality Education
University education in Europe and the US can be quite expensive. However, studying language and literature in Turkey offers an affordable and high-quality academic experience.
- State Universities: Annual tuition fees range from 300 – 1500 USD.
- Private Universities: Although the prices of private schools vary between 5000 – 20,000 USD, scholarship opportunities are quite high.
- Turkey Scholarships: For successful international students, it offers full scholarships, accommodation and health insurance.
📍 Example: A student who wins a full scholarship under Turkey Scholarships can easily cover accommodation and basic living expenses with the monthly scholarship fee.
👉 Click for detailed information about Turkey Scholarships!
Universities Open to International Students
Turkey has a large number of programs for international students in languages such as English, French, Arabic and Russian. This is a great advantage for international students who want to study language and literature in Turkey.
Advantages:
- English education option: You can study in English at schools such as Boğaziçi University, Orta East Technical University (METU) and Koç University.
- Erasmus and Mevlana Programs: You can participate in exchange programs at universities in Europe and Asia.
- Cultural Diversity on Campuses: You can interact with students from more than 150 countries studying at universities in Turkey.
📍 Recommended Universities:
- Hacettepe University – English Translation and Interpreting
- Ege University – French and Spanish Literature
- Istanbul University – Russian Language and Literature
Language Learning Opportunity
Studying in Turkey is a great opportunity to learn Turkish on the spot. You can also specialize in linguistics or translation by doing academic studies in languages such as Ottoman Turkish, Arabic and Persian.
- TÖMER Language Courses: One of the best institutions to learn Turkish before or during university studies in Turkey.
- Language Practice in Daily Life: You can quickly learn Turkish by practicing while shopping, in restaurants and on public transportation.
- Bilingual Education: You can learn a second or third language by studying English, French or Arabic in Turkey.
📍 Example: While studying at a university in Istanbul, you can quickly practice speaking Turkish by attending Turkish courses at TÖMER on weekends.
The Best Universities for Language and Literature Programs in Turkey
If you want to study language and literature in Turkey, you can choose universities that stand out with their academic achievements and opportunities. Here are the best:
1. Bogazici University (Istanbul)
- Departments: English Language and Literature, American Culture and Literature
- Signature: Full English language education, strong Erasmus program
2. Hacettepe University (Ankara)
- Departments: Linguistics, Contemporary Turkish Dialects, English Translation and Interpreting
- Feature: Academics specialized in language research
3. Istanbul University
- Departments: Turkish Language and Literature, French Language and Literature, German Language and Literature
- Striking Feature: One of the oldest literature faculties in Turkey
4. Ankara University
- Departments: Arabic Language and Literature, Persian Language and Literature, Russian Language and Literature
- Striking Feature: Wide choice of languages, translation-oriented education
5. Ege University (Izmir)
- Sciences: Spanish, Russian, Translation Studies
- Strong Feature: Multilingual academic research opportunities
Visit roadtostudy.com to check out our detailed university guide!
Application Process and Admission Requirements
To apply to a language and literature program in Turkey, you must meet the following requirements:
- High School Diploma and GPA
Most universities require a minimum GPA (usually 70/100 or equivalent). - Language Proficiency Exam
- Turkish departments may require TÖMER certificate.
- For English programs, TOEFL or IELTS may be required.
- University Entrance Exam (YÖS or SAT)
Some universities may require a Foreign National Student Exam (YÖS) or SAT score. - Motivation Letter and References
The motivation letter and academic reference are of great importance, especially in literature departments.
Career Opportunities of Studying Language and Literature in Turkey
Studying language and literature in Turkey offers not only academic knowledge but also a wide range of career opportunities. After graduation, you may have the opportunity to work in different fields from academics to translators, from publishing to teaching. So, In which job fields can language and literature graduates make a career in Turkey? Here are the details!
1. Academics: Academic Career in Universities
If you have studied language and literature in Turkey and want to advance in the academic world, you can pursue a career as a lecturer at universities. Academics is a profession that requires conducting research, publishing articles and mentoring students.
📌 How to Become an Academic?
- Get a Master’s and PhD: To become an academic, you usually need a Master’s and PhD.
- Start as a Research Assistant: Many universities in Turkey accept new graduates as research assistants.
- Participate in International Conferences: To be recognized in the academic world, you should publish international articles and participate in conferences.
Example: A student with a master’s degree at Istanbul University can start his academic career by doing a PhD on Ottoman literature.
2: Global Business Opportunities
If you have studied languages and literature in Turkey and are fluent in more than one language, a career as a translator may be for you. Translation ranges from books to official documents, subtitles to technical texts.
📌 Where you can work as a translator:
- Literary Translation: You can translate novels, stories, poetry and academic works.
- Film and TV Series Translation: You can translate subtitles and dubbing for platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
- Official Documents and Legal Translation: You can translate passports, contracts and diplomatic documents.
Example: A student graduating in English Language and Literature in Turkey can work with international publishing houses to translate world-famous novels into Turkish.
3. Publishing and Editing: Work in the Book and Media World
If you studied language and literature in Turkey and love writing, publishing and editing is for you!
- Book Editing: You can edit novels and academic books.
- Journalism and Column Writing: You can write for digital media or print newspapers.
- Content Production: You can do blogging, website content writing or social media management.
Example: A graduate working in the publishing industry in Turkey can work as an editor in a publishing house, checking the grammar and content of books.
4th Language Teaching: Become a Turkish or Foreign Language Teacher
If you enjoy teaching people languages, you can work as a teacher after graduation. You can teach Turkish language to foreign students in Turkey, or you can teach languages such as English, French, Russian in international schools.
📌 Where You Can Work as a Language Teacher:
- Public and Private Schools: You can work as a language teacher in primary schools, high schools and universities.
- Language Courses: You can teach Turkish at language centers like TÖMER.
- Private Lessons and Online Education: As a freelance teacher, you can earn income by giving private lessons.
Example: A student studying French in Turkey can work as a French teacher in an international school after graduation.
Is it reasonable to study language and literature in Turkey?
Absolutely yes! Turkey is a great option for international students due to its academic quality, affordable cost of living, and cultural diversity. You can also study economically thanks to Turkey Scholarships and other scholarship opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which university is the best department of Turkish Language and Literature?
According to the rankings and academic staff, the most prominent universities are Boğaziçi University (English), TOBB ETÜ (Scholarship) and the well-established state universities of Istanbul, Hacettepe, Ankara and Marmara Universities.
Best universities for language department in Turkey?
In general, language, translation and interpreting and teaching departments of universities such as METU, Yeditepe, Bahçeşehir, Hacettepe, TED are at the top with their academic quality and high base scores.
Where to study Turkish Language and Literature?
Established universities (e.g. Istanbul, Boğaziçi, Ankara, Ege) in major cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) are often recommended for their extensive library facilities, expert academic staff, and social environment.
Which university to go to with YDT?
YDT (Foreign Language Test) score type is used to enter undergraduate departments in the field of Languages such as English, German, French Language and Literature, Translator-Translation, Linguistics, Teaching (English etc.) and Tourism Guidance.