If you dream of a career in healthcare and are considering studying abroad, nursing and midwifery programs in Turkey can offer you a great start. Turkey is rapidly becoming one of the most preferred countries for health education thanks to its high quality education opportunities and wide range of practice areas. These programs offer great opportunities for international students who want to specialize in areas such as women’s health, maternity services and clinical nursing.
Let’s look at the details of these programs together.
Nursing Education in Turkey: First Step to a Healthcare Career
In Turkey, nursing and midwifery education is offered as a four-year undergraduate program that balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. While students learn basic health sciences such as anatomy, physiology and pharmacology from the first year, they also find opportunities for observation and practice in clinical settings. By the time they reach their senior year, thanks to internship and practice-oriented courses, students gain serious experience in the field before graduating.
Most universities offer modern simulation laboratories, hospital collaborations and international accreditations. For example, some universities also work with international organizations such as the European Nursing Education Association (ENNE) Info about ENNE.
How are Midwifery Programs?
Midwifery is a multifaceted health profession that is not limited to support during childbirth. Midwifery programs in Turkey last four years and provide students with a comprehensive education in pregnancy follow-up, prenatal care, birth process management and postnatal support. It offers a very fulfilling and meaningful career path for students interested in women’s health.
Midwifery education is carried out theoretically and practically, just like nursing. Many state and foundation universities in Turkey have opened midwifery programs. Since clinical practices are carried out directly in hospitals, students can take an active role in the field before graduation.
Midwifery education is provided in accordance with the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This allows you to graduate with an internationally recognized diploma. You can also find a lot of detailed information about campus and city life in Turkey at Road to Study.
Which Universities Have Health Sciences Departments?
There are many universities across Turkey that offer nursing and midwifery education. These departments are usually gathered under the umbrella of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Well-established institutions such as Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Hacettepe University and Ege University stand out in particular. At the same time, younger universities with modern infrastructure, such as Özyeğin University, are also making serious investments in healthcare.
State universities as well as foundation universities allocate quotas for foreign students. There are also departments that offer English education. The opportunities offered by universities, internship opportunities and scholarship programs can also be effective in the preference process.
According to the official YÖK Atlas data, thousands of local and foreign students prefer these departments every year. You can check university-based quotas and rankings on YÖK Atlas.
Career Opportunities for Nursing and Midwifery Graduates
Students graduating from nursing and midwifery programs in Turkey have the opportunity to work in a wide range of fields both in Turkey and abroad. Nurses can work in public hospitals, private hospitals, clinics, elderly care centers, schools and health units of companies. Midwifery graduates can work in obstetrics clinics, gynecology services, family health centers and prenatal counseling centers.
As an international student, you can apply for a job in Turkey or use your diploma in countries that are eligible for equivalency. Especially in European countries and the Middle East, the demand for health diplomas from Turkey is quite high.
It is also possible to pursue academic careers, health management or public health outside of clinical roles. In short, after completing health education, the path does not only have to pass through a hospital corridor.
Application and Admission Process for International Students
Applying to universities in Turkey is easier than you think. First, you need to visit the international office page of the university you are applying to. Most universities recruit foreign students once or twice a year. The following documents are usually required for the application: high school diploma, transcript, copy of passport, language proficiency certificate (if English program) and motivation letter.
Some universities require a YÖS (Foreign Student Examination) score, while others consider a high school grade point average sufficient. TOEFL or IELTS scores may also be required for English-language programs.
It is important to follow the international student offices pages of the universities for up-to-date application dates and documents: the official page of Study in Turkey can also be very helpful here.
The Quality of Health Education in Turkey and Accreditations
Health education in Turkey has made a serious breakthrough in recent years. Nursing and midwifery departments emphasize not only theoretical but also practical training. Modern simulation laboratories, digital patient tracking systems and technology-supported course content are the most striking elements in these areas.
Education programs are generally supervised by the Higher Education Council (YÖK). At the same time, many departments are accredited in accordance with international standards. For example, organizations such as FEDEK and Pharmacy Faculties Accreditation Board (ECZAK) monitor quality in this field.
Thanks to this, the health diploma you receive in Turkey is recognized in many countries from Europe to the Middle East. Clinical practice with public and private hospitals also ensures that education is directly integrated into the field.
You can browse accredited programs on the FEDEK website.
Social Life and Campus Life While Studying Nursing and Midwifery
It is possible to enjoy campus life while studying for a degree in health despite a busy class schedule. Universities in Turkey often have large campus spaces, student clubs and social activities. For nursing and midwifery students, there are activities such as specialized scientific societies, seminars and volunteer health services.
In addition, on-campus housing, international exchange programs (Erasmus, Mevlana) and Turkish language courses are also provided for international students. While studying in Turkey, you can get to know new cultures and have very different experiences from Turkish cuisine to street life.
For example, as a student in Istanbul, exploring the historical peninsula or going on a Black Sea tour on the weekends is a very accessible luxury. A socially rich life contributes significantly to keeping your motivation high.