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Turkey

Study Law in Turkey 2024

Study in Turkey

Obtaining a Law Degree in Turkey

Students earning a Turkish law degree can expect to spend four years in undergraduate studies (Bachelor of Law or LLB) and two years in graduate school (LLM). Following successful completion of studies and one year of training at a law firm or other entity involved in legal work, students can be admitted to the bar without passing an examination.

The Turkish word for lawyer or solicitor is "hukukçu" or "avukat". Prosecuting and defense lawyers present cases solely to civil, administrative or criminal judges, who base decisions on personal convictions tempered by Turkish law. Judges are generally law school graduates who have practiced law for many years and have been elected to preside over general, judicial and criminal courts. There are no separate states in Turkey so it does not have a federal court system. Instead, all Turkish cities are guided by the same system of laws that is based predominantly on civil law.

Tuition Fees

State-run universities have lower tuition fees than private universities. Universities that offer undergraduate courses in English charge between $500 and $1500 USD for international students. Non-Turkish students opting for courses taught in Turkish will pay less--between $300 and $800 USD. As with all graduate programs in most countries where tuition fees are mandatory, Turkish and non-Turkish students can expect to pay at least $500+ more to take master's and doctorate courses. Students from Turkic countries or republics such as Bosnia, Macedonia, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are considered to be Turkish nationals and pay fees according to their citizenship. Once again, fees may vary from one institution to the other.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    264
  • Share of utilities

    18
  • Internet subscription

    9
  • Local transportation

    25

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    5
  • Cinema ticket

    4
  • Pint of local beer

    2

About Turkey

A member of NATO, the United Nations and the Council of Europe, Turkey is a constitutional democratic republic that has recently been experiencing the benefits of a growing economy and strong initiatives in diplomatic reform. Now considered a notable regional power in Europe, Turkey's traditional secularism and consistent emphasis on progressively developing as a peaceful country neighboring less stabilized areas of Europe has made it a popular destination for students seeking a degree in law.

Turkey's President is considered the Head of State and is elected by parliament every seven years. However, it is the Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister who exercise executive power. Alternately, legislative power is given to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, a unicameral parliament playing a vital role in Turkey's government.

Turkey's Legal System

Completely integrated with the legal system followed by continental Europe, Turkey's law system is a combination of the German Commercial Code, the Swiss Civil Code and the Code of Obligations. In addition, Turkey's administrative law is comparable to that of France while its penal code resembles Italy's criminal law codes. However, one major difference between Turkey and other countries regards the development of jury trials. In Turkey, trial outcomes are not decided by juries but are decided by one, two or three judges presiding over the trial.

Visa Requirements

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Visa

Price and currency

The visa processing fee varies depending upon your nationality.

Who can apply for the visa?

All international students need to get a student visa in order to study in Turkey. Exceptions are those people who are legal dependents associated with someone in Turkey on a diplomatic visa.

Where can you make the application?

Turkish embassy or consulate

All international students must apply for the student visa at their nearest Turkish embassy or consulate.

Website:

How to make the application?

To get a student visa for Turkey, you need first to enroll in a Turkish university, school, or a language course certified by the Ministry of Education.

You must fill out a visa application form and submit it to the Turkish embassy with the required documents that usually include the following:

  • Passport: Valid for a period longer than 90 days
  • 2 passport-size photos
  • Letter of acceptance from the Turkish higher education institution
  • Health insurance proof
  • Return ticket proof
  • Evidence of sufficient financial means to support your study and living in Turkey
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Medical certificate

Students must further apply for a residence permit with the local authorities (if the student is in Turkey) within 1 month of their arrival in Turkey. The following documents must be submitted to the Foreign Relations Department at the Local Police Headquarters:

  • Application form and fees
  • Travel document: 2 copies along with the student visa
  • 4 passport-size photographs
  • Letter or document from the institution: It must be issued by the host university, declaring the start and the end dates of the study in Turkey

To renew your residence permit, you need to visit the local authorities 60 days before your residence permit expires.

When should you apply?

It generally takes around eight weeks from the day you submit your application until you receive your visa.

The student visa is generally valid for one year for a single entry. Although a time limit will be indicated on your visa, your student visa remains valid as long as you are enrolled at the school.

Processing time

8 Weeks

Work opportunities

Usually, international students have no legal right to work while studying in turkey. Students can do research work in Turkish universities as international researchers.

Hours per week

0

Why do you need this type of visa?

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.