Choosing a study destination abroad can be quite challenging because of many factors. For one, the availability of universities with preferred programs may be limited. Another challenge international students may face is a language barrier. In Turkey, however, students can find graduate public health programs at several universities, including programs taught in Turkish and English.
Another reason to study in Turkey is its multicultural society, which provides an ideal place to learn about people and the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures. Its natural beauty is also stunning, making it appealing for those who enjoy the outdoors. Being in Turkey can also feel like a vacation.
Here are some of the top schools offering Public Health programs in Turkey!
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Turkey
1. Hacettepe University
Hacettepe University is a public university in Ankara and one of the country’s major institutions for health sciences. Established in 1967, the university currently lists 15 faculties and has campuses in Sıhhiye and Beytepe. Its Graduate School of Health Sciences lists Public Health programs at the master’s and Ph.D. levels.
The thesis master’s degree program requires two years, or four semesters, of full-time study and is taught in Turkish. It includes compulsory and elective courses during the first two semesters, while the second year is reserved for thesis work. To join the program, students must be graduates of Medicine or related science or social science fields connected to public health. Applicants must also meet the graduate school’s current admission requirements, including the required exam and language conditions.
The university started offering the Ph.D. program in Public Health in 1966 through the Institute of Community Medicine. Currently, the doctoral program is offered through the Graduate School of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Public Health. The program takes four years, or eight semesters, to complete. Doctoral candidates complete required and elective courses during the first three semesters. During the fourth semester, students take a preparatory course and the qualifying examination. The remaining semesters are dedicated to thesis work.
2. Yeditepe University
Established in 1996, Yeditepe University is a foundation university located in Istanbul. It offers a graduate program in Public Health through its graduate education structure.
The university started offering the Master’s Program in Public Health in October 2016. The program is available with thesis and non-thesis options and is taught in English. It provides professional training in public health through an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to study public health through biological, sociological, cultural, and economic perspectives.
3. Ege University
Ege University, also known as Aegean University, was established in 1955 in Izmir, Turkey. Its first two faculties were Medicine and Agriculture. The university has since grown into a large public institution that currently lists 19 faculties, nine institutes, three graduate schools, and several other academic and research units. The Institute of Health Sciences offers thesis master’s and Ph.D. programs in Public Health.
The thesis master’s program in Public Health was established in 2013 and takes two years, or four semesters, to complete. It is a full-time program taught mainly in Turkish and carries 120 ECTS credits in total. Students complete coursework, a seminar, and a thesis. The curriculum includes required and elective courses during the course phase, followed by thesis work and specialization-area studies.
The university started offering the doctorate in Public Health program in 1992. The study duration is four years, or eight semesters, and the program carries 240 ECTS credits. Applicants must have at least a master’s degree and meet the university’s current admission requirements, including exam, language, and interview conditions. Students complete coursework, a qualifying process, and thesis work.
4. Cukurova University
Cukurova University is another institution in Turkey where you can study Public Health. Established in 1973, the university’s roots include the Adana Faculty of Agriculture, which was founded under Ankara University in 1969, and the Cukurova Faculty of Medicine, which was founded under Ataturk University in 1972. Its Balcali Campus is located in Adana, and the university currently lists 19 faculties, four institutes, 38 research and application centers, and 11 vocational schools, among other units.
The Institute of Medical Sciences at Cukurova University lists master’s and Ph.D. programs in Public Health. The master’s program is a full-time, two-year program carrying 120 ECTS credits. It aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work in public health and is taught by the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine. Students who successfully complete the master’s program may apply for doctoral studies in Public Health.
5. Dokuz Eylül University
Dokuz Eylül University was established in 1982 in Izmir. Its name refers to September 9, the date associated with the liberation of Izmir. The university is also known for its School of Medicine, which introduced problem-based learning in 1997 and is cited as the first medical school in Turkey to implement this approach systematically.
Dokuz Eylül University offers the Master of Science in Public Health as a two-year program through its Institute of Health Sciences. The program is taught in Turkish. The first year is focused on coursework, while the second year is directed toward thesis study. Students complete at least 60 ECTS credits of courses and 60 ECTS credits of thesis work, for a total of 120 ECTS credits.
For the doctorate program at Dokuz Eylül University, students are expected to take full-time studies, which take four years to complete. The first two years are for required courses, while the next two years are for thesis study. The doctoral program is taught in Turkish and requires coursework, field study, and thesis work totaling 240 ECTS credits. After completing the program, Ph.D. graduates are prepared to conduct research in the public health field and provide academic teaching and hands-on training to future public health professionals.
If you are an aspiring public health professional considering Turkey as your study destination, we hope this article has answered most of your questions. Explore the universities’ websites to find a program that best suits your preferences. All the best!
We hope this article on the best universities for Public Health in Turkey was helpful. For more information on studying abroad, check out the Study in Turkey and Available Programs for International Students pages for more informative articles.
