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- 01What is a master's degree?
- 02Thesis vs. non-thesis
- 03How long does it take?
- 04Admission requirements
- 05Applying in 6 steps
- 06Programs open for application
- 07Master's degrees in numbers
- 08Programs by field
- 09Distance and open education
- 10Fees and scholarships
- 11Career and public sector rights
- 12What to know along the way
- 13Doctorate
- 14Frequently asked questions
What is a master's degree?
The master's degree is the first tier of graduate education built on undergraduate study. In Turkish it is called "yüksek lisans". Its purpose is to deepen the knowledge acquired at the bachelor's level within a single field, to train students in research, and to prepare graduates either for academia or for a more specialized role in professional life.
In Türkiye, these programs are administered by university graduate schools (enstitü). The best known are the graduate schools of Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Health Sciences and Educational Sciences; in recent years many universities have merged them into a single Graduate School. Unlike undergraduate admission, there is no centralized placement system. Applications are submitted directly to the relevant graduate school, and each university conducts its own evaluation. As a result, requirements, quotas and deadlines vary from one university to another, even within the same field.
The levels of higher education are as follows:
- 01Associate degree: two-year programs
- 02Bachelor's degree: four-year programs (longer in some fields, such as medicine and dentistry)
- 03Master's degree: two years for thesis-based programs, one year for non-thesis programs
- 04Doctorate: at least four years after the master's degree
In the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF), the master's degree is placed at Level 7 and the doctorate at Level 8.
"Graduate education" and "master's degree" are often confused. Graduate education is the umbrella term for all study beyond the bachelor's degree, and the doctorate also falls within this category. Whether it is possible to proceed directly from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate is discussed in our article Can you pursue a doctorate without a master's degree?
What is the difference between thesis-based and non-thesis master's programs?
In a thesis-based program, after completing your coursework you conduct research, write a thesis and defend it before a committee. In a non-thesis program, you prepare a term project instead of a thesis. The thesis-based master's is oriented toward an academic career and doctoral study, while the non-thesis master's is geared more toward professional life.
Thesis4 semesters
Non-thesis2 semesters
| Thesis | Non-thesis | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard duration | 4 semesters (2 years) | 2 semesters (1 year) |
| Maximum duration | 6 semesters | 3 semesters |
| Course load | At least 7 courses and 1 seminar | At least 10 courses |
| Capstone requirement | Thesis and thesis defense | Term project |
| ALES | A minimum score of 55 | Not mandatory under the regulation; universities may require it |
| Fees at public universities | Usually tuition-free within the standard duration | Fee-paying |
| Progression to a doctorate | Accepted for doctoral applications | Generally not accepted for doctoral applications |
| Best suited for | Those planning an academic career, research or a doctorate | Working professionals and those seeking specialization in their careers |
Which one suits you? If you are considering a doctorate, a research assistantship or in-depth study of a particular subject, a thesis-based program is the right choice. The thesis process demands effort, but it teaches you how to conduct scholarly work and opens the door to academia.
If you are working, or if you wish to gain expertise quickly or obtain an entitlement such as step advancement in the public sector, a non-thesis program may be more practical. If you do not have an ALES score, or if your score is low, take a look at our guide A master's degree without ALES and our list of programs that do not require ALES. If you start a non-thesis program and later change your mind, transferring from a non-thesis to a thesis-based program is also possible.
Which one suits me?
A thesis-based master's appears to suit you. A thesis-based program is the pathway to an academic career and a doctorate; it requires an ALES score and a thesis.
A non-thesis master's appears to suit you. It is coursework-based, is completed in one year, and many universities do not require ALES.
A distance-learning master's appears to suit you. Courses are delivered online; when choosing a program, also check where the examinations are held.
To see how this distinction works within a single field, our articles on thesis-based and non-thesis options in clinical psychology and, for prospective teachers, a non-thesis program as an alternative to the pedagogical formation certificate offer good examples.
How long does a master's degree take?
A thesis-based master's normally takes 2 years (4 semesters) and must be completed within a maximum of 3 years (6 semesters). A non-thesis master's normally takes 1 year (2 semesters) and must be completed within a maximum of 3 semesters.
In a thesis-based program, the first two semesters are usually devoted to coursework and the last two to thesis research. In a non-thesis program, coursework and the term project run concurrently. For an explanation of how credits are calculated, see our article on what ECTS is.
If your undergraduate field differs from the program you are applying to, the university may require you to complete a scientific preparatory program. The preparatory program lasts at most two semesters and does not count toward the program duration. These periods may be extended in certain cases: for health or personal reasons, suspension of enrollment is possible, and graduate students who give birth are granted additional time.
Who can pursue a master's degree? What are the admission requirements?
Anyone who has graduated from a four-year bachelor's program, or who is in the final year and expected to graduate before final registration, may apply. Thesis-based programs require a minimum ALES score of 55; all other requirements are set by each university.
ALES score
The Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) is administered by ÖSYM, Türkiye's Measuring, Selection and Placement Center, several times a year. It has three score types (quantitative, verbal and equally weighted), and each program requires the score type relevant to its field. Thesis-based programs require a minimum score of 55, although this may not be sufficient for highly competitive programs. Some universities also accept international examinations such as the GRE or GMAT in place of ALES.
For questions about the exam:
Undergraduate GPA
The regulation does not set a fixed minimum GPA. Evaluation combines the ALES score, the undergraduate GPA and, where applicable, a written examination or interview; each university determines the weighting of these components. A high GPA is a significant advantage, particularly for programs with limited quotas.
Foreign language
The regulation does not require a foreign language score at the master's level. However, many universities, particularly for English-medium programs, require a certain score on an examination such as YDS, YÖKDİL or TOEFL. To decide which exam to prepare for, see our article YDS or YÖKDİL? For preparation, our pages on past YDS questions, past YÖKDİL questions and e-YDS registration will be useful.
Applying from another field, open education and age
- Applying from another field: Even if your undergraduate major is different, you can apply to many programs. The university may require you to complete a scientific preparatory program.
- Open education graduates: If you have graduated from a four-year open education bachelor's program, you are eligible to apply. For details, see our article Can open education graduates pursue a master's degree?
- Age: There is no age limit. The most frequently asked question on this topic is answered in our article Can you pursue a master's degree after 30?
- International students: Different admission conditions apply. See our application guide for international students and options that do not require ALES.
How do you apply for a master's program? Applying in 6 steps
The application process begins with choosing a program and ends with final registration. If you follow the six steps below in order, you will not miss a single deadline or document.
Choose your program. Mezun Kampüsü Atlas lets you filter and compare programs in Türkiye by field, university, city, language of instruction and thesis option. By adding the programs you are interested in to your list, you can follow them on a single screen.
Open AtlasKeep track of application dates. At most universities, applications for the fall term open during the summer months and applications for the spring term open in December and January. Application windows are usually short, between one and three weeks, so it is important to see the call early. You can find current calls on our academic announcements page and the general calendar in our article on application dates.
View announcementsPrepare your documents. Programs generally require a diploma or certificate of graduation, a transcript, an ALES result document, a foreign language certificate where applicable, an identity document and a photograph. Some programs also require letters of reference and a CV. You can obtain your certificate of graduation via e-Devlet within a few minutes.
Certificate of graduation guideWrite your statement of purpose. Many programs ask for a statement of purpose explaining why you have chosen the field and what you intend to do in the future. A good statement is concise, concrete and personal. Sample statement of purpose provides a framework.
Sample statement of purposePrepare for the interview or the subject examination. Most thesis-based programs hold a written examination or an interview. Interviews usually address your subject knowledge, your research interests and your reasons for choosing the program. Interview questions brings together the most frequently asked ones.
Interview questions Scientific assessment exam guideComplete your final registration. When the results are announced, if you are on the principal list, register within the specified dates; if the deadline passes, your place goes to a reserve candidate. To have courses you have previously taken recognized, see our article on graduate course exemption.
Course exemption guide
You're at the start
As you tick items, we show your next step.
Next step: Choose your program
Master's programs currently open for application
The list below shows the university announcements tracked by Mezun Kampüsü with the nearest application deadlines and is updated daily.
Fall term applications open in the summer months, and spring term applications open in December and January. Calls usually remain open for one to three weeks; follow the announcements to see them from day one.
Fall term applications open in the summer months. Prepare your program choices and documents during the spring; calls usually remain open for one to three weeks.
Spring term applications open in December and January. Prepare your program choices and documents during the fall; calls usually remain open for one to three weeks.
Calls opening soon
View in Announcements OngoingCalls currently accepting applications
View in Announcements Closes todayCalls closing today
View in AnnouncementsFor all calls, visit the academic announcements page.
All announcementsNever miss an application deadline. Sign up for free and add the programs you're interested in to your list; we'll remind you as the application deadline approaches.
Sign upMaster's degrees in Türkiye in numbers
According to Mezun Kampüsü data (October 2026):
There are more than 25,000 master's programs in Türkiye. Of these, 15,540 are thesis-based and 9,460 are non-thesis.
395 programs are delivered through distance learning.
Universities offering the most programs:
Cities with the most programs:
- Istanbul,
- Ankara,
- İzmir,
- Konya,
- Eskişehir
Application dates change every week. Follow newly published calls in Announcements and application deadlines on the Dates page.
Master's programs by field
For the most searched fields, we have compiled the programs, the universities that offer them and their admission requirements.
Great, your search is ready. On Atlas you can filter the programs that match these criteria and add them to your watchlist, and you can apply to the private university of your choice free of charge through Mezun Kampüsü.
If the field you're looking for is not listed here, go to the complete list of master's programs or use the Atlas search. If you are researching a specific university, start from the universities page; as an example, see our Gazi University guide.
Distance, online and open education master's programs
A master's degree can be completed through distance learning; most of these programs are non-thesis and courses are delivered online. It is the most flexible option for working professionals and for those living outside major cities.
Distance programs are opened with the approval of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Admission requirements are similar to those of on-campus non-thesis programs, and most do not require ALES. Examinations, however, are often held in person or at centers designated by the university, so the examination location should also be considered when choosing a program.
We explain which universities offer these programs in our article on universities offering distance programs and how they work in our distance and online learning guide. For the options offered by open education faculties, see our article on open education faculty programs.
Master's tuition fees and scholarships
At public universities, thesis-based programs are usually tuition-free within the standard duration, whereas non-thesis and evening programs charge fees. At foundation (private) universities all programs charge tuition, but scholarship and discount options are extensive.
At public universities, students who exceed the standard duration pay a contribution fee. At foundation universities, fees vary considerably by program, and many universities offer discounts based on the ALES score or undergraduate GPA. Since fees are updated every year, we recommend checking the exact amount on the university's own website before applying. You can access universities' graduate information on our universities page.
The main scholarships you can apply for:
KYK scholarship:A non-repayable scholarship awarded to students in financial need. Its requirements and application steps are covered in our article on the KYK master's scholarship.
TÜBİTAK 2210:A scholarship program for students in thesis-based programs. Details are in our article on the TÜBİTAK 2210 scholarship.
University and foundation scholarships:For full and partial scholarship options, see our 2026 scholarship application guide.
International students:Türkiye Scholarships guide
What is a master's degree good for? Career and public sector rights
A master's degree enables you to specialize in a field, opens the door to an academic career and grants public sector employees entitlements such as step and grade advancement. In the private sector, its impact varies by field and position.
Academic career. For those who wish to become research assistants or lecturers, this degree is usually the first requirement. Our articles How to become a research assistant, What ALES score is needed to become an academic and the difference between a lecturer and a research assistant explain this path step by step. We also answer a frequently asked question in our article can you become an academic without a master's degree?
Public sector employees. For civil servants, this degree provides step and grade advancement. We explain how it is calculated in our article on grade and step for civil servants. Our articles on the expert teacher and head teacher exemption for teachers, the foreign language allowance for public employees with a language score, and the graduate study leave entitlement of public personnel for those wishing to study abroad may also be helpful.
Military service. Graduate students may defer their military service under certain conditions. The difference between thesis-based and non-thesis programs in this respect is covered in our article on military service deferment.
Private sector. In fields such as engineering, healthcare management and occupational health and safety, a graduate degree can make a difference in hiring and promotion. Post-graduation options are discussed in our article what happens after a master's degree, and current job listings can be found on our careers page.
Should I do it? There is no single answer to this question that applies to everyone. Asking yourself the following questions will help: Do I genuinely want to deepen my knowledge in this field? Can I dedicate one or two years to this? Does the job or academic position I am aiming for require this degree? If your answers are "yes", there is no need to wait for the right moment; you can start following the application calendar today.
What you need to know during your master's studies
We have covered the topics you will encounter after enrollment in individual articles:
- Seminar course: how does this compulsory course in thesis-based programs work?
- Suspension of enrollment: in which cases and how is it done?
- YÖK National Thesis Center: searching for theses and uploading your own
- Creating a thesis table of contents in Word
- The difference between visiting students and special students
After the master's degree: the doctorate
Graduates of thesis-based programs may apply for a doctorate. Doctoral applications require an ALES score and a foreign language score; we have compiled the requirements in our article on doctoral admission requirements. For those wishing to proceed directly from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate, see our guides on the integrated doctoral program and, for doctorates in priority fields, the Priority Fields Doctoral Examination. The whole journey, from requirements and applications to the qualifying exam and the thesis, is covered in our PhD Guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a master's degree difficult?
The level of difficulty depends on the program and the field. In thesis-based programs, the most demanding part is the thesis process; with consistent work and a good advisor, it can comfortably be completed in two years. Non-thesis programs are coursework-based and shorter.
Can you pursue a master's degree while working?
Yes. Non-thesis and distance programs are designed with working professionals in mind and are held in the evenings, at weekends or online. Since attendance is compulsory in thesis-based programs, work and class schedules need to be planned in advance.
Can you pursue a master's degree without ALES?
Yes. The regulation does not make ALES mandatory for non-thesis programs, and many universities do not require it for these programs. Thesis-based programs, however, require a minimum ALES score of 55.
Does a master's degree increase your salary?
For public sector employees, yes; it provides step and grade advancement. In the private sector, its effect varies by field, position and company.
Is there an age limit?
No. There is no age limit for graduate applications.
Can open education graduates apply?
Yes. Graduates of a four-year open education bachelor's program are eligible to apply.
Can associate degree (two-year) graduates pursue a master's degree?
No. A bachelor's degree is required to apply. Associate degree graduates must first complete a bachelor's program through vertical transfer.
Can you be enrolled in two programs at the same time?
No. You cannot be enrolled in more than one graduate program at the same time.
Can you transfer from a non-thesis to a thesis-based program?
Yes, under certain conditions. For details, see our article on transferring from a non-thesis to a thesis-based program.
Is a master's degree obtained abroad valid in Türkiye?
Yes, provided that recognition (equivalence) is obtained from YÖK. For the recognition process, see our diploma recognition guide.
Never miss an application deadline. Sign up for free and add the programs you're interested in to your list; we'll remind you as the application deadline approaches.
Sign upAll master's programs: For an alphabetical list of programs, go to the program list page.
Program list