What is Health Management? Is This Major Right for You?

Health management is a field that combines medical science with business skills. It involves planning, management, and organization to ensure hospitals, clinics, and healthcare institutions operate more efficiently.

What Does a Health Management Graduate Do?

They can find job opportunities in many different institutions within the healthcare sector. These graduates can work in departments such as:

  • Management
  • Operations
  • Planning

Additionally, they can work in:

  • Hospital administration,
  • Healthcare services organizations,
  • Health financing and insurance sectors,
  • The use and development of health technologies,
  • The pharmaceutical industry,
  • Companies specializing in supply chain management,
  • Training programs for healthcare personnel,
  • R&D in the healthcare field,
  • Organizations providing financial analysis and resource management services

This list shows the wide range of job opportunities available to health management graduates. After graduation, you’re not limited to just hospitals; you can also pursue different fields like management consulting or entrepreneurship.

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What Can You Do with a 4-Year Health Management Degree?

  • Public and private hospitals
  • University and foundation hospitals
  • Family health centers
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Health insurance companies
  • Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing companies
  • Public institutions providing healthcare services
  • Health research centers
  • Health management and consulting firms
  • Social security institutions

In these areas, they can take on roles in health management, planning, organization, and supervision, contributing to the more effective and efficient delivery of healthcare services.

The Future of the Healthcare Sector in Turkey and Around the World

The healthcare sector is rapidly growing due to an aging population and increasing health needs. According to data from the World Health Organization, the demand for health managers is increasing every year. 

Especially with the growth of health tourism in Turkey, career opportunities in this field are also expanding.


Health Management 2024 Base Scores and Rankings

University Department/Program 2024 Base Score
Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi Health Management (Scholarship) 356,07609
İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Health Management (English, Scholarship) 335,24104
İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Health Management (Scholarship) 316,58680
Yeditepe Üniversitesi Health Management (English, Scholarship) 326,08084
İstanbul 29 Mayıs Üniversitesi Health Management (Scholarship) 305,40500
Özyeğin Üniversitesi Health Management (English, Scholarship) 322,28427
Bezm-i Alem Vakıf Üniversitesi Health Management (Scholarship) 324,91249
Trakya Üniversitesi Health Management 211,88648

What is Health Management Education Like in Turkey?

In Turkey, the health management department is typically offered as a 4-year undergraduate program. While the language of instruction is often Turkish, some universities also offer programs in English. The curriculum consists of both theoretical and practical courses, and many schools provide internship opportunities in hospitals.

Program Duration and Course Content

Semester Sample Courses
1st Semester Introduction to Health Systems, General Business Administration, Medical Terminology, Basic Information Technologies
2nd Semester Communication in Healthcare Institutions, Introduction to Law, Economics, Medical Documentation
3rd Semester Health Law, Human Resources Management, Financial Management, Organizational Structure in Healthcare
4th Semester Hospital Management, Quality Management in Healthcare, Statistics, Principles of Marketing
5th Semester Health Policies, Cost Analysis, Health Economics, Project Management
6th Semester Health Insurance, Research Methods, Ethics, Crisis and Risk Management
7th Semester Health Informatics, Leadership and Management, Health Tourism, Elective Courses
8th Semester Applied Internship, Term Project, Career Planning, Graduation Seminar

What Courses are in the Health Management Program in Turkey?

Courses may vary by university, but they generally cover the following topics:

  • Healthcare services management
  • Business and economics fundamentals
  • Health systems and policies
  • Human resources management
  • Epidemiology and health statistics

What is Required to Study Health Management in Turkey?

As an international student who wants to study health management in Turkey, you need to meet some basic requirements. The application process is usually conducted online, with documents submitted digitally. However, the admission process can vary from one university to another.

Application Process and Requirements for International Students

International students who want to study health management in Turkey generally need to follow these steps: application form, transcript, letter of intent, portfolio, and language proficiency.

Some universities offer education in English but require a TOEFL or IELTS score. If you’re applying to Turkish-language programs, language certificates like TÖMER may be necessary. If you are considering studying with a scholarship, I also recommend you take a look at the article Key Points for Scholarship Applications in Turkey.


The Best Universities for Health Management in Turkey

Universities offering health management education in Turkey are divided into two categories: public (devlet) and foundation (özel/private). Both groups have high-quality departments open to international students. At some universities, the language of instruction is English, while at others it is Turkish. You should definitely consider this distinction when making your choice.

Many international students prefer to study at private universities on scholarships because these schools generally offer more English-language programs and have more active international student offices. However, public universities also have significant prestige, and their graduates can often find jobs in the public sector more quickly.

İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi and the Opportunities It Offers

İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi is one of the most important foundation universities specializing in the field of health. The health management department is offered in both Turkish and English. It stands out with its modern campuses, hospital internship opportunities, and strong academic staff. The support services they offer to international students (counseling, orientation, language support programs) are particularly successful.

Besides Medipol, you can also review the department details and quotas of other universities through YÖK Atlas.

Comparison of Public and Foundation Universities

Here are a few popular options:

Public Universities:

  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi (Ankara)
  • Ege Üniversitesi (İzmir)
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa (İstanbul)

Foundation Universities:

Public universities have lower tuition fees, but admission requirements can be more competitive. At foundation universities, you can find more scholarship and English-language education opportunities. When making your decision, it’s very important to consider the language of instruction, location, scholarship opportunities, and campus life.


What is the Salary for Health Management?

Years of Experience Average Monthly Salary (TRY)
Less than 1 year of experience 30,800
4-6 years of experience 37,900
15+ years of experience 79,100

Master’s and Specialization Options in Health Management

After completing their undergraduate education, master’s and doctoral programs offer very attractive options for students who want to specialize further.

Especially if you want to advance to managerial positions in the healthcare sector, pursuing a master’s degree is becoming almost a necessity.

Postgraduate Education Opportunities in Turkey

Master’s programs usually last for 2 years and are offered in two formats: with a thesis or without a thesis. Thesis-based programs are more suited for those considering an academic career, while non-thesis programs cater to those who want to advance in the industry.

The most preferred universities are:

  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi (Master’s with Thesis)
  • İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi (Non-Thesis Master’s in English)
  • Marmara Üniversitesi
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi

You can access past projects and program details of universities through YÖK’s National Thesis Center page.


Advice for Those Who Want to Pursue an Academic Career

If your goal is to become an academic, you will need to complete a master’s with a thesis and then a doctorate after your undergraduate degree. Doctoral programs in Turkey generally last for 4 years. Additionally, you should pay attention to the following points for your academic journey:

  • Follow international publications
  • Improve your academic English
  • Stay in contact with expert professors in your field
  • Attend conferences and symposiums

An academic career can be a long journey, but in a dynamic field like health management, applying theoretical knowledge to real-life situations is a very satisfying experience.


Start Your Health Management Education in Turkey

Turkey offers great opportunities for international students with its affordable living costs, high-quality universities, and a growing healthcare sector.
If you also want to build your future in this field, don’t hesitate to take this step.

Your Application Process is Much Easier with Road to Study

Visas, documents, application deadlines… Yes, it can be a bit confusing. But Road to Study makes this process easier for you. Finding the most suitable university, applying for scholarships, and completing all the official paperwork is now much simpler.

Choose the Right University, Build Your Future Today

Remember, the healthcare sector is one of the most important fields of the future. For those who want to shape this sector with their management skills, Turkey is a great starting point.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone who studies health management work in a hospital?

Yes, graduates can work in managerial positions in healthcare institutions such as hospitals, clinics, and health insurance companies.

Where can health management graduates work?

There are job opportunities in public and private healthcare institutions, nursing homes, health centers, ministries, international organizations, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and non-governmental organizations.

Can health management graduates work abroad?

Yes, there are also opportunities to work in international institutions and organizations within the healthcare sector.