Do you dream of a life full of animals?
Do you love animals and want to help them? Then veterinary medicine is for you! So, where will you study? Turkey is a great option with affordable education, strong universities and ample career opportunities. In this guide, I tell you everything you need to know about veterinary and animal sciences education in Turkey. If you are ready, let’s embark on a journey full of animals!
Training Duration and Content
Veterinary education in Turkey lasts 5 years and consists of the following components:
- Theoretical Courses: Basic courses such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, internal diseases, surgery are taught.
- Laboratory Studies: Microscope studies, clinical tests and diagnostic methods are taught.
- Farm Internships: Students practice in dairy farms, poultry facilities and cattle production centers.
- Clinical Practices: In recent years, internships in animal hospitals and clinics are compulsory.
Suggestion: In Turkey, some universities offer English-medium veterinary education. However, most programs are in Turkish. Students who do not speak Turkish may need to take the TÖMER exam and obtain a proficiency certificate.
Admission Requirements for Foreign Students
Foreign students who wish to study veterinary medicine in Turkey must fulfill the following requirements:
İşte verdiğiniz bilgilerin İngilizce tabloya çevrilmiş hâli:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | You should have graduated from a science or equivalent field. |
| Entrance Exam | Most universities require scores from international exams such as YÖS (Foreign Student Exam) or SAT. |
| Language Proficiency | TÖMER is required for Turkish programs; IELTS/TOEFL is required for English programs. |
| Application Documents | Passport, transcript, motivation letter, and reference letters are required. |
| Fees and Scholarships | Public universities charge annual tuition fees between 300–1,500 USD. Private universities have higher fees. Some institutions offer scholarships. |
💡 Admission requirements may vary from university to university. You can contact roadtostudy.com for guidance on the application process!
Advantages of Veterinary Education for Foreign Students in Turkey
- Cost-effective Education and Living: There are more affordable tuition fees and living costs compared to Europe and the US.
- Wide Clinical and Internship Opportunities: The developed agriculture and animal husbandry sector in Turkey offers students the opportunity to gain experience in farms, animal hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.
- Internationally Recognized Diploma: Some veterinary faculties in Turkey are accredited by EAEVE (European Association of Veterinary Educational Institutions).
- Cultural Diversity: Turkey is a hospitable and student-friendly country for students from different cultures.
2. Best Veterinary Faculties in Turkey
There are many universities in Turkey that offer veterinary education, but some stand out for their academic achievements, international accreditations and facilities. Here are the best veterinary faculties in Turkey:
İşte verdiğiniz üniversite bilgilerini İngilizce tabloya çevrilmiş hâli:
| University | City | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Ankara | One of Turkey’s oldest veterinary faculties, strong academic staff |
| Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Istanbul | European accreditation, opportunity for clinical practice within the city |
| Selçuk University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Konya | Extensive research projects and strong connections to the agricultural sector |
| Uludağ University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Bursa | Faculty offering modern laboratories and farm practice opportunities |
| Fırat University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Elazığ | One of the first accredited veterinary faculties in Turkey, advanced research centers |
| Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Samsun | Located in the Black Sea region, known for its animal hospital |
| Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | Burdur | Strong regional collaborations in agriculture and animal husbandry |
Which University Should You Choose?
The choice of university is very important for students who want to study veterinary medicine. You should pay attention to the following when choosing:
1. Clinical and Laboratory Facilities
Veterinary education includes theoretical knowledge as well as practical courses and fieldwork. Therefore, the university you choose should have strong clinical and laboratory infrastructure.
- University should have its own animal hospital or clinic
- Modern laboratories and diagnostic centers should be available
- Surgery and imaging (X-ray, ultrasound) applications should be available
- Offer opportunities to work with cattle, sheep and exotic animals
Suggestion:Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa and Ankara University are two of the best equipped faculties in Turkey in terms of clinical practice.
2. Accreditation and International Recognition
If you intend to work in Europe, the USA or Canada after graduation, you should pay attention to whether your chosen faculty has international accreditation.
EAEVE (European Association of Veterinary Educational Institutions) Accreditation
In order to work as a veterinarian in Europe, it is advantageous to graduate from a school accredited by EAEVE. Faculties in Turkey currently accredited by EAEVE:
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Fırat University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
If you want to study in Turkey and work abroad, you can choose one of these universities.
3. Location: Big Cities Offer More Opportunities
The location of the university is also very important during veterinary education in terms of internships, clinical experiences and employment opportunities.
Universities in big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara offer more internship and job opportunities.
Faculties in cities such as Konya, Bursa, Elazığ attract attention with more affordable living costs.
Cities where livestock farming is common (Konya, Burdur, Erzurum) are advantageous for farm internships.
Suggestion: Universities in Istanbul and Ankara give you the chance to make more business contacts as they offer the opportunity to work in private veterinary clinics and animal hospitals!
High school diploma: You must have a degree in science or equivalent.
Exams for foreign students: To study in Turkey, you may need a valid score from international exams such as YÖS (Foreign Student Exam) or SAT.
Language proficiency: Turkish-language faculties may require TÖMER, while English-language faculties may require IELTS or TOEFL.
Motivational letters and references: Some universities may require these at the time of application.
The most up-to-date information about the application process can be found on YÖK’s official website.
4. Career Opportunities for Veterinary Graduates in Turkey
A wide range of careers awaits you after studying veterinary medicine! Graduates can work not only as clinical veterinarians, but also in the pharmaceutical industry, agricultural companies and even wildlife conservation projects.
Here are the most popular career options for veterinary graduates:
İşte verdiğiniz kariyer bilgilerini İngilizce tabloya çevrilmiş hâli:
| Career Field | Work Areas | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Veterinary Medicine | Private veterinary clinics, animal hospitals | Treatment of small and large animals, surgeries, vaccination applications |
| Agriculture and Animal Husbandry | Farms, dairy production facilities, agricultural companies | Improving animal health and productivity, nutrition, and reproduction management |
| Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Industry | Veterinary pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms | Developing new drugs and vaccines for animal health |
| Wildlife and Conservation | Wildlife parks, zoos, rehabilitation centers | Protecting endangered species, conducting ecosystem research |
| Academic Career | Universities, research centers | Opportunities to become an academic or scientist through master’s and doctoral studies |
| Food Safety and Inspection | Ministry of Agriculture, food production facilities | Ensuring animal-based foods meet hygiene and health standards |
| Veterinary Public Health | Municipalities, public institutions | Controlling diseases transmissible from animals to humans, such as rabies and zoonotic diseases |
Job Opportunities in Turkey and Abroad
Work Opportunities in Turkey:
In Turkey, veterinary graduates can find jobs in many different fields such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, private clinics and animal hospitals. You also have the right to open your own veterinary clinic after graduation.
Opportunities to Work Abroad:
Since some veterinary faculties in Turkey are accredited by EAEVE (European Association of Veterinary Educational Institutions), there is a chance to work in Europe with equivalence. You may also need to take additional exams to work as a veterinarian in countries such as USA, Canada and Australia.
Does it make sense to study veterinary medicine in Turkey?
Veterinary education offers a prestigious career in animal health and medicine. Studying in Turkey allows you to get a quality education at affordable prices and have ample job opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although veterinary faculties in Turkey are ranked differently according to their academic achievements and practice opportunities, well-established faculties such as Ankara, Istanbul-Cerrahpaşa, Bursa Uludağ and Ondokuz Mayıs Universities usually stand out.
Turkey’s best veterinary faculties?
The most prominent ones according to academic achievement and base scores are Ankara University, Istanbul University – Cerrahpaşa, Bursa Uludağ University and Ondokuz Mayıs University.
How many veterinary faculties are there in Turkey?
There are approximately 31 veterinary faculties in Turkey and abroad (TRNC and Kyrgyzstan), which are affiliated to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
How much does a veterinarian earn?
According to data for 2025, the average monthly salary of a veterinarian in the private sector is around 57,000 TL to 90,000 TL, depending on experience and location. Minimum wages for new graduates and non-public sector employees may vary.
What are the university departments related to animals?
Veterinary Medicine is one of the most popular departments directly related to animals. There are also departments such as Animal Science, Animal Science and Aquaculture Engineering/Technology.