According to the Law on Higher Education, all education at all levels based on secondary education of at least four semesters within higher education institutions is considered higher education. Higher education institutions are composed of universities and institutes of higher technology along with their faculties, institutes, colleges, conservatories, research and application centers, vocational colleges affiliated to a university or institute of higher technology, and vocational colleges established by foundations without being affiliated to a university or institute of higher technology and provided that they are not for profit. Universities are composed of full-time two-year vocational colleges with vocational education leading to associate degree, four-year faculties leading to bachelor’s degree, four-year colleges with vocational education, five and six-year faculties leading to master’s degree, and institutes implementing postgraduate (master’s and doctorate) programs.
Vocational schools of higher education can be established independently within foundations without being affiliated to universities. In addition, Anadolu University Open Education Faculty, Ankara University Open and Distance Education Faculty, Istanbul University Open and Distance Education Faculty and Atatürk University Open Education Faculty have associate, undergraduate and graduate programs that provide education through open and distance education. Open and distance education programs can also be carried out within other institutes, faculties, colleges or vocational schools of higher education institutions.
According to the Law on Higher Education, the number of semesters in a year, with a maximum of three semesters per year for teaching activities in higher education institutions is determined by the senates of higher education institutions in accordance with the principles set by the Council of Higher Education.
According to CoHE Information Management System, as of January 2025, there are a total of 208 higher education institutions, including 129 public universities, 75 foundation universities and 4 foundation vocational schools. Each province in Türkiye has at least one state university.
A public university is a type of university that is not administratively affiliated with any foundation or private institution and whose budget is covered by the state. Foundation universities, on the other hand, are established on the condition that they are not for profit and subject to the supervision and control of the state.