Turkey - types of higher education institutions

Higher education institutions consist of universities and high technology institutes and faculties, institutes, academies, conservatories, research and application centers within these institutions and higher vocational schools that are affiliated to a university or high technology institute or higher vocational schools that are founded by non-profit making private organizations and without being affiliated to university or a high technology institute.

Excluding higher educational institutions that are affiliated to Armed Forces and Police Organization in Turkey and some of the higher vocational schools that are founded by private foundations, all the higher education institutions leading to bachelor and graduate degrees (master and doctorate) are gathered under the university (and high technology institute) roof. Therefore directly vocational schools and academic higher education institutions take place under the same roof to a large extent. Generally, apart from few exceptions (four private vocational higher schools) there are not any independent higher education institutions outside the universities (or higher technology institutes). In this context “university” is defined as “a higher education institution that holds scientific freedom and has legal personality, that conducts education-instruction, research, publishing and consultation; that consists of faculties, higher schools and similar institutions and units” (Item 3/d) within the Yükseköğretim Kanunu. Within this frame, universities are said to be housing various higher education institutions within their constitution. According to the current act and actual practices faculties intended for bachelor’s degree, institutes (graduate schools) intended for graduate education, four year high schools intended for a specific profession, conservatories that raise artists for performing arts, higher vocational schools that train intermediate manpower for specific professions can take place within a university. Because of this diversity, all the universities of the country have the authorization to grant diplomas for all academic and vocational degrees. In addition to traditional universities (universities consisting of faculties and higher schools in different fields) there are universities that are intended for specific fields such as science, engineering, and fine arts (for example, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University).

Higher education institutions, if discussed according to their status and financing are divided into two as public and private (foundation) universities. The finance of public universities is provided by public resources including student contributions (student contributions’ share generally remains under 10%). Private (foundations) universities basically charge tuition fees. In case of fulfilling some conditions public contributions can be provided to these universities as well. As there is not any higher education institution that derives over 50% of their revenues from the government in Turkey there is not any government-dependent private higher education institutions. These universities are subjected to the same legal legislation as state universities excluding some administrative and financial issues.

source:
Eurypedia - The European Encyclopedia on National Education Systems
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/eurypedia_en.php