How Many Years is a PhD Program in Turkey?
The PhD program lasts 4 years and consists of two semesters of 16 weeks each year.
This program, with a total of 240 ECTS credits, consists of at least 7 courses (21-30 credits), a specialization course, thesis proposal, proficiency exam and thesis study.
What is a Doctoral Program?
Doctoral program is the highest level academic program after undergraduate and graduate education at a university, aiming to develop specialization and the ability to conduct independent research in a specific field.
Doctoral Program Application Requirements
The PhD program application requirements for international students are mainly academic qualification, language skills and financial qualification.
Here are the most frequently requested items:
- Master’s Degree Diploma: Graduation in the related field.
- Foreign Language Exam: Getting enough points from internationally recognized exams such as TOEFL, PTE.
- Academic Qualifying Exam: International exam score such as GRE or GMAT.
- Statement of Purpose: A letter explaining your purpose for doing a PhD.
- Reference Letters: Letters of recommendation from academics.
- Passport: Photocopy of a valid passport.
Each university may have its own special requirements, so be sure to check the website of the school you are applying to.
In order for a university in Turkey to open a PhD program, it must meet certain critical criteria set by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). These criteria aim to ensure the academic quality and sustainability of the program.
What are the Criteria for Opening a Doctoral Program?
Faculty Member Qualifications
- Minimum Number and Title: In order to open a doctoral program, there must be at least 6 faculty members in the university staff. Two of these faculty members must have the title of professor, or if there is one professor, at least two associate professors.
- Academic Publications and Works: Faculty members must have an average of at least 1 qualified publication/work per person, taking into account the calendar year preceding the year of application. Qualified publications are considered to be articles in journals included in international and national indexes such as Web of Science, Scopus or TR Index.
- Thesis Directing Experience: In order for faculty members to direct doctoral theses, they must have directed at least one master’s thesis before.
Program and Institutional Competencies
- Accreditation: In order to open a new doctoral program, the university is expected to have at least one program accreditation in the relevant field. This requirement indicates that the program offers an education of international standards.
- Infrastructure: The physical infrastructure of the university, such as library, laboratory and technological equipment, must be sufficient to meet the requirements of the program.
- Interdisciplinary Fields: For some doctoral programs, YÖK may require faculty members from different disciplines to work together. This strengthens the multidisciplinary nature of the program.
These criteria are the basic principles of YÖK, which evaluates universities’ requests to open doctoral programs, and may be updated from time to time. Therefore, it is important to follow the official announcements of YÖK and the relevant regulations to get the most up-to-date information.
PhD Programs at State Universities
Public universities offer doctoral programs with a wide range of well-established academic staff. These programs are distinguished by their strong research capabilities and extensive infrastructure.
The basic requirements for application are ALES, foreign language exam and master’s degree. Each university may have its own special application requirements. Therefore, it is important to follow the announcements of the relevant institutes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the PhD program
Doctorate in 2 years?
Doctoral programs last at least 3-4 years with courses and thesis phase. It is not possible to finish in 2 years, but the time can be shortened if the thesis phase progresses quickly.
Is it compulsory to go to school for a PhD?
Yes, attendance is compulsory during the PhD course phase. In the thesis stage, attendance is not compulsory, but regular communication and meetings with the advisor are required.
What are the conditions for doing a doctorate?
The main requirements: Master’s degree diploma, getting enough points from ALES and foreign language exams, being successful in the science exam and interview.
What should be the GPA for a PhD?
Generally, a master’s degree GPA of at least 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale is expected. However, this requirement may vary by university and program.
Number of faculty members required to open a PhD program?
To open a doctoral program, there must be at least 6 faculty members, at least two of whom must be professors or one professor and two associate professors.
How long can doctoral training be extended?
Doctoral education is normally 6 years, including the course and thesis phase. A maximum of 2 additional years may be granted. In total, the maximum completion period is 8 years.