Study in Medicine in Turkey: 8 Things to Know

Being a doctor is one of the most professional, most respected, and most honorable jobs that there is around the world. In some sense, they can be our heroes, our role models, and our saviors because usually, they are the ones who save our lives and cure our illnesses. With that said, having a job that takes care of the lives of people and maintains their bodies should not be taken lightly and should be studied and practiced carefully and occasionally to master the skills for practical applications and wisdom for giving diagnoses.

That is why good and high-quality education is very important for students, international or local, who are taking or planning to take the path of a medical practitioner or physician. More years of studying, relative to other professions, are spent and used before these aspiring medical students get their degrees in medicine. In some sense, the studying period of doctors does not end when they got their degrees in medicine. Instead, it is continuous and unending for the betterment of the medical field. In this article, we will be looking at things to consider when you consider studying medicine in Turkey.

1. Is Turkey a good place for medical studies?

Yes, it is! There are many countries to get into if you want to study medicine. Some have their specializations, some are known for the numbers of doctors produced, and some are known for having the best facilities and equipment for studying. One country that has these kinds of traits is Turkey.

In terms of advanced technology in medicine and funding for medical research, Turkey is second to no one. They have the resources and the facilities to become among the leading countries in the field of medicine. So, if you are an international student who plans to study in the country, here are some things and information to know about studying medicine in Turkey.

2. What are the requirements to study medicine in this country?

Requirements to study medicine in Turkey is just the same as other admission requirements of other programs if you will be applying as an undergraduate student. The usual requirements like proof of identity and nationality such as a birth certificate or passport, documents supporting your good education background such as report card from the previous institution and certificate of good moral, and lastly, the necessary documents for application such as enrollment forms, the certificate that you pass the entrance exams, student visa, and admission fees.

However, if you are a transferee or a student continuing his or her studies, you are required to take the SAT. Other than this, if you are from a non-English speaking institution or country, you will be required to submit a passing certificate of any English proficiency exam.

3. In what language do you study medicine in Turkey?

In any degree programs in Turkey, studying is convenient for most of the international students because the medium of instruction in Turkey is in English. This is because the English language is also one of the major languages in Turkey that is well-spoken by many locals and natives. There are no other restrictions or requirements for students who do not know the native language of the country because it is not needed in studying medicine in Turkey. For example, a university whose courses are taught in the English language is the Ankara University in which medicine courses are included. Furthermore, the university also requires a TOEFL average IBT score of 55/100.

4. Can you study medicine in Turkey as an international student?

Absolutely! In fact, as a center of education, excellence, and tourism in the continent, Turkey has always been good at receiving international students to spend their academic years in the country. They think of this as an investment in the future development of their country because more students mean more studies that will be conducted for the betterment of the country. Here are some of the universities that, aside from admitting international students, have organized international offices for the students: Ankara University, Istanbul University, etc.

5. What are the components of the medical curriculum in Turkey?

Turkey’s medical curriculum is similar to most medical curriculums that are offered in other countries around the world. In total, the number of years of studying medicine in Turkey is 6 years, in which every year has a designated schedule or courses to take. For example, at Istanbul University, the first three years of their curriculum will mostly be composed of theoretical studies and modules for the basics of Medicine. This period of the curriculum includes theories in Medical Studies, Structure and Function, and Pathological Structures. The next two years of the curriculum are solely for clerkship years while the last year of the curriculum is for internship years.

6. How many medical schools are in Turkey?

As of the moment, Turkey has a total of 47 medical schools known to the public in which three of those now utilize non-traditional systems of medical teaching: Ankara University, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, and Pamukkale University Medical School. More medical schools will soon follow the non-traditional curriculum of these modern medical schools. Moreover, the establishment of more medical schools will be expected due to the demand increase in the course.

7. How difficult is it to study medicine in this country?

The dropout rate in Turkey is relatively high compared to other advanced countries because of several reasons including the academic capacity of students, changes in life circumstances for international students, and lastly, wrong assessment of the students’ academic preparedness. In percentage, according to the country’s statistics on the number of students that are becoming doctors, 15% of the students out of all the enrollees will become doctors on time. Most of the students extend a year or two in the program but they always catch up and become doctors eventually. Thus, it can be said that it is really difficult to study medicine in Turkey because of these reasons.

8. What do you need to become a doctor after in Turkey?

If you want to become a doctor in Turkey, although the Turkish language is not a requirement for your undergraduate degree in medicine, it is a requirement to become a doctor in the country. After confirming your proficiency in the language, you must take and pass the STS exam required for those who have finished their degrees. You will be considered as a licensed doctor once you passed the exam but you will have to complete a two-year mandatory training after getting your license.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page.