Areas of Study

According to the Law on Higher Education, associate degree is a higher education that aims to train qualified labour covering at least 4 semesters (2 years, 120 ECTS) program based on secondary education qualifications. The general fields related to associate degree programmes have been determined based on the ISCED-F 2013 classification, and these fields are presented in figure below. 

Figure: General Fields of Associate Degree Programs

Admission Requirements

Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) is conducted by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) in order to select students to be admitted to associate degree programs and to place them according to their preferences. Detailed information about HEIE is given under undergraduate admission requirements. Candidates with a calculated Basic Proficiency Test (YKS) score can choose associate degree programs.

According to the Law on Higher Education, in the placement of graduates of high schools that apply a vocational program to an associate degree program in the same field to be determined by CoHE, the secondary education achievement score and the score to be found by multiplying this score by the coefficient to be determined by CoHE are added to the scores obtained from the central exams.

Curriculum

According to the Law on Higher Education, universities have academic autonomy to establish their own education programs in vocational and academic fields, and to prepare, deliver and evaluate education and research services. The minimum and maximum number of credits to be taken in each semester; the knowledge, skills and competencies that each diploma program will provide to the person who deserves to receive the diploma; and the registration, attendance, application, thesis and theoretical course contents are determined by the senates of higher education institutions in accordance with the basic principles determined by CoHE. According to the Higher Education Law, The History of (Turkish) Revolution and Atatürk’s Principles, Turkish Language and foreign language are compulsory courses in higher education institutions. In addition, one of the courses in physical education or fine arts branches is taught, provided that it is not compulsory. All these courses are programmed and applied for at least two semesters.

Teaching Methods

There are no national or institutional regulations on the choice of teaching methods. Higher education institutions may also use different materials/methods to deliver courses.

Students’ Progress (Education Process)

Although the progression of students studying in the associate degree program is the same as the explanations in the undergraduate (Student Progression) section, students must complete their associate degree programs with a two-year education period in a maximum of four years, except for the one-year foreign language preparatory class (the preparatory education period is maximum two years). In addition, for associate degree graduates, vertical transfer quota can be allocated each year with the decision of CoHE, not exceeding ten percent of the quota determined in the related undergraduate programs. Students who are successful according to the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS) conducted by ÖSYM every year are placed in undergraduate programs related to the fields they graduated from.

Employability

You can access information on employability in associate degree under the Bachelor heading.

Student Evaluation

You can access detailed information on student assessment in associate degree in the Bachelor section.

Certification

Students who fulfill the associate degree program’s graduation requirements are eligible to receive an associate degree diploma. In addition, in accordance with the provisions of the “Regulation on the Associate Degree Diploma of Those Who Do Not or Cannot Complete Their Undergraduate Education or Their Adjustment to Vocational Schools”, those who are successful in all courses of at least the first four semesters of an undergraduate program can be awarded an associate degree diploma without defining the field of vocational education. Double majors can be done in associate degree programs and there is no minor application.