If you're looking to study the mind, behavior, and treat psychological and mental challenges, then studying psychiatry in Turkey is an exceptional opportunity. Mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent all over the world, and Turkey is no exception. In this article, you'll find all the information you need to know about studying psychiatry in Turkey, including available options and opportunities, enrollment conditions, tuition fees, and the best universities to study it.
What is the specialty of Psychiatry?
Psychiatry (Turkish: Ruh Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları) is a medical specialty that focuses on mental health, such as addictive behaviors, personality disorders, and depression. A psychiatry degree provides students with the medical expertise to diagnose and treat mental health disorders or emotional problems. This includes topics such as applied, biological, organizational, and social psychology, as well as the identification and treatment of mental disorders.
Psychiatrists are also responsible for diagnosing and treating emotional and behavioral disorders, prescribing medications, and helping to prevent them, such as anxiety attacks, depression, and hallucinations. To do this, they use a variety of treatment modalities including psychotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and medications. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication to their patients and focus primarily on the biological and neurological basis of mental health disorders. However, psychiatrists can also provide talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Advantages of Studying Psychiatry in Turkey
The educational and academic level in Turkey has seen great development in recent times, and the specialty of medicine has had its share of this development and distinction. The health and medical sector in Turkey has also witnessed tremendous growth, making it one of the top destinations for medical tourism. Therefore, some of the most important advantages of studying psychiatry in Turkey are:
- Studying and working in the mental health sector means that you will meet patients from a variety of countries, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Therefore, studying abroad and more specifically in Turkey—where people of different nationalities reside—in new surroundings is a great opportunity to develop the cultural awareness and sensitivity needed to be an effective professional in the field of mental health.
- Departments of psychiatry in faculties of medicine in Turkish universities hold partnerships with many international bodies and organizations in the field of psychiatry, for example, the Department of Psychiatry at Hacı Teppe University has a partnership with the World Health Organization.
- Turkish universities are witnessing remarkable progress and development in the teaching of psychiatry.
- Turkish universities rely on internationally accredited curricula and courses in psychology.
- Turkish universities provide opportunities for training and practical application in psychiatric hospitals and clinics.
- Turkish universities ranked twelfth in the world in teaching medical specializations.
- A group of professors and academics who are scientifically and theoretically qualified and have the highest level of experience and competence.
- Laboratories and labs equipped at the highest level, which include the latest technological devices and equipment.
- The opportunity to obtain strong training and practical experience in hospitals and medical centers affiliated with the university, and in psychiatric clinics equipped with the latest technologies.
- Increasing interest and awareness of the specialty of psychiatry, especially with the increasing pressures faced by modern man.
- Increasing the need for modern research in the field of psychiatry to provide insights on how to treat the complications of mental disorders.
- Possibility of studying in English or Turkish.
- Reasonable tuition fees compared to European and American universities.
- Reasonable living costs in Turkey.
- Certificates from Turkish universities are recognized in the Arab countries and in all countries of the world.
- Graduates of the psychiatry specialty in Turkey are able to work in all countries of the world, as the medicine specialty in Turkey enjoys a good international reputation, and many patients from all over the world come to Turkey for treatment.
- Job opportunities after graduation in research centers, hospitals, academic work in universities, and opportunities to establish private clinics.
- Turkish universities offer postgraduate programs for various medical specialties.
Duration of studying Psychiatry in Turkey
The duration of studying psychiatry in Turkey begins after completing a 6-year medical study at one of the medical schools in the country. After passing the TUS exam, international students with medical degrees from other countries can study psychiatry in Turkey by taking the STS Equivalency Exam.
What is STS exam?
The STS test is the equivalent of a medical degree obtained from a non-Turkish university, making it similar to a medical degree issued by Turkish universities. The exam is held twice a year in February and August and consists of 120 questions in the clinical medicine departments. To pass the exam and obtain an equivalence certificate, you must obtain 35 percent. The test uses a system where every 4 wrong answers cancel out one correct answer, so it is best to leave the answers that you do not know during the exam.
The distribution of questions in the exam is as follows: 40 questions in medicine, 30 questions in pediatrics, 30 questions in general surgery, and 20 questions in obstetrics and gynecology.
What is medical specialty training in Turkey?
For students who have obtained a medical degree from a university outside of Turkey and wish to pursue medical specialization in one of the Turkish universities, they must obtain compulsory training in a Turkish governmental university hospital after passing the STS exam. During this process, students choose three public universities to spend their training period in, and the Ministry then distributes them to one of these three hospitals. The training period ranges from six to nine months in various departments of medicine, such as internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and emergency medicine.
What is the TUS exam?
The TUS exam is the Turkish medical specialty exam for foreign and Turkish physicians who wish to complete postgraduate studies in human medicine in Turkey. The Ministry of Higher Education in Ankara holds the TUS test twice a year, in April and September, and registration for the test is done by the student personally. The TUS exam includes questions on topics such as surgery, anatomy, biochemistry, and internal medicine. The exam aims to determine the medical specialty in which the doctor excels through the total score obtained by the applicant. This means that the Turkish Ministry of Higher Education determines the appropriate medical specialization for the applicant, after which they can start the path of specialization in one of the medical specialties in Turkey. The lowest score for passing the exam is 45 out of a hundred, and the specialization in which they can continue their studies varies according to the degree and the university in which they will be distributed, whether it is in a large city or peripheral states. For example, the general surgery specialization requires a total score between 51 and 60, while the diagnostic radiology specialization requires a total score between 58 and 65.
The exam consists of two parts: the first part, Basic, which consists of 120 MCQs and has a duration of 150 minutes. The questions are distributed as follows: 14 questions in anatomy, 18 questions in physiology, histology, and embryology, 22 questions in pathological chemistry, 22 questions in microbiology, 22 questions in pathology and pathological anatomy, and 22 questions on pharmacology. The second part of the clinical exam consists of 120 MCQs and has a duration of 150 minutes. The questions are distributed as follows: 40 questions in medicine, 30 questions in pediatrics, 30 questions in general surgery, and 20 questions in obstetrics and gynecology. The weighting process takes place one month after the exam, and distribution takes place within a maximum of two months after the exam.
Psychiatry courses in Turkey
Psychiatry courses in Turkey combine theoretical lectures, seminars, and tutorials with practical laboratory sessions and workshops focusing on anatomy and fieldwork. The exact program content will depend on the university you choose to study at, but some of the most common topics covered during a postgraduate course in psychiatry in Turkey include: foundations of mental health, contemporary issues in mental health, principles of psychology and educational counseling, mental health in children and youth, theories of growth and learning difficulties, psychotherapy theories, mental status checks, the biological basis of behavior, depressive disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity and disturbances of consciousness, phobia disorders, research and development in elderly care, psychiatry for the elderly, cognitive disorders (dementia, delirium, etc.), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, sleep disorders, eating disorders, mental disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual disorders, psychosomatic disorders, bipolar disorder, personal fluctuations, dissociative disorders, psychological interventions, addiction and intoxication (alcohol, substances and drugs), the psychology of crimes, and principles of prescribing medications. Students also receive intensive practical exercises and applications in the university's hospitals and laboratories.
Conditions for Studying Psychiatry in Turkey
To study psychiatry in Turkey, a student must first have completed the study of human medicine at a Turkish university and obtained a Bachelor of Medicine. They must then pass the TUS specialty exam. For international students with a Bachelor's degree in medicine from a university outside of Turkey, they must first obtain equivalency for their certificate by passing the STS equivalency exam, followed by the TUS specialty exam.
Some universities may require proficiency in the Turkish language or an introductory year of study to master it, due to the need to interact with patients when receiving training in the university's hospitals.
The most prominent Turkish universities to study Psychiatry
Turkey has about 90 medical universities, most of which offer programs in English as well as Turkish. Studying psychiatry in Turkey follows the European model since Turkey agreed to the terms of the Bologna Agreement in 2001 and became a member of the European Higher Education Organization. The following is a list of the most prominent Turkish universities that offer psychiatry programs:
Public universities
Hacettepe University (Hacettepe)
Ankara University
Gaziantep University
Eskişehir University
May 19th University
Marmara University
Selçuk University
Atatürk University
Kocaeli University
Adnan Menderes University
Uskudar University is one of the best Turkish universities, and its local and international rankings are rising rapidly. It was founded in 2011 by the Endowment for Human Values and Mental Health, affiliated to the NPISTANBUL Brain Foundation. The university is affiliated with a pioneering institution in the fields of treatment, psychological rehabilitation, mental health, and the use of magnetic resonance imaging techniques in Turkey. The laboratory of the group - which is considered one of the most important scientific research laboratories - has also become affiliated with the university, allowing students and researchers opportunities for education and application using the latest scientific technologies. The university aims to be an academic educational institution that produces knowledge through scientific research.
Baskent University is among the top 50 universities in Turkey, and the university has also achieved advanced ranks at the global level. Studying at Baskent University in Turkey provides an opportunity to obtain a global academic education based on scientific production in all fields. It is one of the oldest private universities in Turkey, established in 1993 in the Turkish capital, Ankara. The university continues its services that focus mainly on teaching and research that meet international standards and competition requirements. It is one of the leading universities in Turkey regarding the number of international scientific publications per faculty.
“A world-class university in the heart of Istanbul” is an apt slogan that reflects what Bahçeşehir University is. The first thing that catches your eye when you enter Bahçe University is the presence of a large number of international students, in addition to the university’s programs that provide students with the opportunity to receive education and study abroad and attend summer schools in Berlin, Toronto and Washington, DC. Founded in 1998, Bahçeşehir University is a private, non-profit university, and was inaugurated by the Bahçeşehir Education Foundation. It is a member of the global education network, where students can study in cities such as Berlin, Toronto, Washington, Batumi, Cyprus, Hanoi, Kiev, Pueblo and Brockwell. The number of international partner universities is more than 200 spread across 36 different countries. Sehir University is home to more than 5,000 international students from around 120 different countries.
Yeditepe University
Yeditepe University is one of the most prestigious Turkish universities at the local and international levels, and it is among the most distinguished universities in the medical fields. It was founded in 1994 by the Istanbul Educational and Cultural Foundation. The university, with its pioneering and distinguished academic and administrative staff, aims to raise young people equipped with all the qualifications required in the business world and all the necessary technological skills, and well-versed in different cultures. The university provides an education compatible with the expectations of the information age.
Istanbul Okan University is one of the most dynamic among Turkish universities, effectively combining theory and practice. It was established in 1999 by the Okan Foundation for Culture, Education and Sports. True to its motto "The University Closer to Practical Life", the university effectively combines theory and practice by employing academic faculty members who are experts in their fields. The university also adopts a contemporary approach to education, focusing on practical studies that prepare students for practical life.
Atılım University
Atılım University ranked advanced in many international rankings for university classification and educational level, most notably the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking and the Top Universities: QS World University Rankings. It is one of the oldest universities (private and non-profit), established in 1996 in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The university provides high-quality education in accordance with European standards (the Bologna Agreement). The group has set a number of goals and plans that it seeks to achieve in order to maintain the provision of a high-quality educational level that competes with the most prestigious international universities, and keeps pace with technological developments. The university also seeks to contribute to various fields of scientific research in all scientific disciplines by supporting research and practical applications for students and faculty members.
Aydın University was established in 2003, by the Anadolu Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV). It is a private university that takes "Towards a Bright Future" as its motto, and the university adopts the principle of excellence in education. The university seeks to serve society through education that offers world-class basic, applied and interdisciplinary research, and mastery in professions that accelerate the conversion of information into a product, with an infrastructure that keeps up with the technological development required for education, training and research at the highest level.
Skills needed for Psychiatry
Skills required by the specialty of psychiatry include patience, compassion and sympathy for others, a wide horizon and cultural background, self-learning and continuous learning, time management and scheduling, the ability to deal with others, good communication skills, good listening skills, the ability to solve problems and disputes, the ability to deal with disturbances, and logical thinking skills. Psychiatrists must be able to show genuine empathy and compassion towards their patients while maintaining a professional demeanor and objectivity. They must also be able to create a non-threatening physical and emotional space that elicits trust and openness from their patients. Psychiatrists need well-developed critical and analytical thinking skills to help patients through their mental, emotional, and sometimes physical struggles.
Fields of Working for Graduates of the Specialty of Psychiatry
Opportunities are greater than ever for graduates looking to embark on a rewarding and successful career in the field of mental health. With your degree, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to work in roles that support the mental and emotional capacities of others. The most important jobs that open their horizons for you after completing the study of psychiatry in Turkey are:
Psychologist
Counseling Psychologist
Psychology Specialist
Art Therapist
Clinical or Counseling Psychologist
Marriage and Family Consultant
Clinical Social Worker
Mental Health Counselor
Drama Therapist
Finally, if the field of medicine is your passion, you have a great opportunity to study psychiatry in Turkey. And because your future matters to us, contact us to reserve your academic seat and the major you want. Be confident that Turkish Campus is the perfect place for educational consulting and services in Turkey. It provides you with information with all honesty and professionalism, and it will help you step by step from the beginning of your application until ensuring your university admission, arrival, and stability.
