Credit System
Turkish higher education institutions follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), a standardized, learner-centered system designed to ensure the transparency and recognition of qualifications across Europe and support student mobility.
The ALES exam, or the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination, is a standardized test required for admission to international master’s programs and doctoral studies at universities in Turkey for international students. As an essential educational entrance examination, it evaluates candidates’ analytical and quantitative reasoning skills through various structured ALES exam questions, including sections on mathematics and verbal reasoning, offered exclusively in Turkish. Although the test is not available in English, ALES exam sample questions and preparation resources can help non-native speakers become familiar with the format. This entrance exam is a significant step for those aspiring to pursue advanced academic programs in Turkey’s prestigious universities.
What is ECTS?
The ECTS is based on the total student workload required to achieve specific learning outcomes. These outcomes reflect what a student is expected to know, understand, and be able to do upon successful completion of a course or program. ECTS promotes consistency across national and European qualification frameworks and applies to both formal education and lifelong learning.
1 ECTS credit = typically 25–30 hours of student workload, including lectures, projects, self-study, and exams.
A full academic year typically equals 60 ECTS credits.
The ALES exam, or Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination, is a critical test for anyone looking to pursue graduate-level studies in Turkey. It plays a central role in admissions to international master’s programs and doctoral studies, making it particularly relevant for students applying to Turkish universities offering programs for international students. The exam focuses on analytical thinking, mathematics, and verbal reasoning, with a variety of ALES exam questions designed to assess academic aptitude. Although the ALES exam for foreigners is conducted only in Turkish, many resources, including ALES exam sample materials, are available to help non-native speakers prepare. As a comprehensive educational entrance examination, the ALES is a gateway to some of the most competitive graduate programs in Turkey, providing international students with the opportunity to excel in their chosen fields.
Credit Allocation in Turkish Higher Education
In Türkiye, the credit system traditionally relied on weekly contact hours, but most universities have transitioned to the ECTS model in order to align with European Union education standards and participate in programs such as Erasmus+.
Credit requirements by program level:
Associate degree (2 years): 120 ECTS
Bachelor’s degree (4 years): 240 ECTS
Master’s degree with thesis: 120 ECTS (7 courses + seminar + thesis)
Master’s degree without thesis: 90 ECTS (10 courses + project)
PhD programs: 240 ECTS (7 courses + qualification exam + dissertation)
Note: Seminar courses, thesis work, and project components are typically non-credit but graded on a pass/fail basis.
For Erasmus+ Exchange Students
Erasmus+ students should focus exclusively on ECTS credits when selecting courses. The standard workload per semester is 30 ECTS credits.
International exchange students are not subject to local prerequisites or course restrictions, but they must receive approval from their Department Erasmus Coordinator. Prior consultation is essential to ensure proper course selection and credit recognition by their home institution.
