Tertiary education system in Turkey covers all institutions implementing at least two year programs after secondary education. Higher education system consists of universities, high technology institutes, higher vocational schools and other off-university higher education institutions (higher police and military schools and academies) (ISCED 2011; 5, 6, 7 and 8 levels). Most of the higher education institutions are public institutions and rest of them are foundation institutions. Universities consist of full time four-five-six-year faculties that lead to bachelor's degree and vocational education based four year higher schools, two-year higher vocational schools with completely vocationally oriented education leading to associate degrees and institutes (graduate schools) that execute graduate programs. Furthermore, higher vocational schools can be founded under the auspice of foundations independent of universities. Besides, Anadolu University and Atatürk University have associate degree programs and bachelor’s degree programs that conduct education via distant education.
As of 2016 April, there are 193 universities 109 of which are public and 76 of which are private (run by non-profit foundations) and 8 private independent higher vocational school (run by non-profit foundations). There are universities in every city of Turkey.
Universities at all levels of vocational and academic degrees are institutions authorized to provide public legal entity. Universities as corporate bodies are entitled to award any vocational and academic degrees at every level. Not any school types or stages exist between secondary education and higher education (ISCED 2014). State universities are directly funded by the state and do not have any connection with either a foundation or a private institution. Foundation universities, on the other hand, are founded under the state’s observation and examination without any financial focus.http://mevzuat.basbakanlik.gov.tr/Metin.AspxevzuatKod=7.5.9768&sourceXmlSearch=VAKIF%20Y%C3%9CKSEK%C3%96%C4%9ERET%C4%B0M%20KURUMLARI&MevzuatIliski=0
Refer to detailed information on the higher education institutions.http://www.yok.gov.tr/web/guest/universitelerimiz