Psychology
Studying Psychology in Turkey
Turkey is a good place to learn the science of mind and behavior. You study evidence, then test ideas in labs and clinics. In 2026, demand for mental-health skills is rising. For studying psychology in Turkey, students like the mix of modern campuses, city life, and tuition still fair compared to many countries. If you are studying in Turkey as an international student, you get support offices, residence permit guidance, and language help, so the start is not too hard.
Pathways & Language
Most schools offer flexible entry: SAT or school transcript, sometimes interview. You can study psychology in Turkey in english, or choose Turkish tracks; some go bilingual. Core psychology courses in Turkey include statistics, cognitive science, developmental, social, neuro, research methods, and internships; real practice, not only theory. You learn how to read behavior, design experiments, and use data to help people, families, organizations.
Bachelor & Transfers
Four-year programs often allow credit transfer from your previous study. Many campuses host research labs and counseling centers; students assist faculty on studies. Erasmus and exchange are common; you can spend a semester abroad.
Postgraduate Route
If you aim higher, master psychology in Turkey gives specialization: clinical, organizational, health, sports, cognitive neuroscience, or educational. You build a thesis, publish papers maybe, and start supervised practice hours, so your CV grows steady.
Universities & Cities
In Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other hubs, you will find strong psychology universities in Turkey with updated curricula and partner hospitals or clinics. Campus life is active: student clubs, volunteering, conferences, and mentoring too. Admissions for 2026 usually open early spring, but some rolling intake happens. Fees vary by school and language; scholarships and partial waivers exist.
Advantages of studying psychology in Turkey:
The specialization of psychology is one of the sub- majors of the fields of social sciences that raise the level of mental abilities and positive interactions with society and individuals, and the study of this specialization in Turkey in particular is a high-quality experience where a lot of practical application, practical projects and modern curricula that qualify students to work inside and outside Turkey, and it falls in Turkey under the Faculty of Education.
Among the most prominent features of studying psychology in Turkish universities in particular:
Obtaining a blue diploma during graduation, which is diploma that authenticate the equivalence of the diploma of psychology specialization in the European Union.
Adaptation of psychiatric schools in Turkey to European and American diagnostic systems
It provides many job opportunities in different institutions.
The possibility of working independently in opening a private clinic
Average salaries are generally high
Training and practical application during the study
Appropriate tuition fees in Turkish universities compared to other universities
The low cost of living in Turkey compared to other countries
Providing many scholarship opportunities and discounts in Turkish universities
The specialized and qualified educational staff provided by universities in Turkey
If you are thinking and interested in knowing the mysteries of the human soul and explaining the behaviors of living beings in general and humans in particular, you will be very happy to study psychology, especially in Turkey, which is known for the quality of its education within its internationally recognized universities.
Duration of studying psychology in Turkey:
The number of years of studying psychology in Turkey is 4 years, divided into 8 semesters, and the applicant can finish the study within 3 years or 3 and a half years, depending on the number of hours and classes that the student registers and passes, and the duration of the study may increase by one year in the case of that the student must study a language a preparatory year.
This major can be studied in English or Turkish depending on the university and what it offers.
Lessons and contents of the psychology major in Turkey:
These subjects and their names may vary from one university to another, but we will mention to you many of subjects taught in this specialization in the four academic years:
Principles of the specialty of psychology.
Introduction to Behavioral Science.
Learning and knowledge.
General psychology.
Sports Psychology major.
Experimental Psychology major.
Specialization in linguistic psychology.
Social Psychology major.
Specialization in linguistic and social psychology.
Industrial Psychology major.
The psychology of crimes.
Introduction to psychology.
Motives and emotions.
Developmental psychology.
Research methods in the specialty of psychology.
Psychological foundations of social behavior.
Cognitive development, perception and attention.
Philosophy.
Psychological counseling.
Field studies of psychology.
Psychotherapy.
The best Turkish universities that teach psychology:
The best private universities to study psychology in Turkey:
Istanbul Bilgi University - 7200 USD yearly
Istanbul Okan University - 4200 USD yearly
Bahçeşehir University - 9000 USD yearly
Istinye University - 7000 USD yearly
Altinbaş University - 4500 USD yearly
Medipol University - 7200 USD yearly
The best public universities to study psychology in Turkey:
Haci Tepe University
Mersin University
Boğaziçi University
Mersin University
Selcuk University
İnönü University
Istanbul University
Costs of studying psychology in Turkey:
Although the costs may vary from one university to another and according to the type of university, private universities are higher fees than public universities in Turkey, although both have a strong infrastructure and modern and advanced equipment.
Costs of studying psychology in public universities in Turkey:
The fees for studying psychology in Turkey in public universities range between (850 to 1000) USD annually, and they are taught in some universities in English.
Costs of studying psychology in private universities in Turkey:
The fees for studying psychology in Turkey in private universities range between (3000 to 10.000) USD approximately, and they are taught in some universities in English.
Master of Psychology Specialization:
The fees for a master's degree in psychology in Turkish universities are about (4.700 to 22.000) dollars annually, it is from two to three academic years.
Postgraduate studies in psychology include :
General psychology.
Philosophical psychology.
Sports psychology.
Developmental psychology.
Social psychology.
Counseling psychology.
Physiological Psychology
Cognitive psychology.
Criminal psychology.
Family psychology.
Experimental psychology.
Biological psychology.
Pharmacological psychology.
The psychology of addiction.
Clinical psychology.
Political psychology.
Industrial psychology.
Salaries of psychology graduates in Turkey:
The salaries of graduates and students of this specialization vary according to the sector in which they work and the number of years of experience, and salaries range is between (4500 to 8000) Turkish liras
Areas of work of the Psychology major:
Psychology graduates can work in many of centers and jobs that are available to them in both public and private institutions, and from the places and job opportunities where they can work:
Work in academic and teaching field
Work in hospitals
Work in psychiatric institutions and centers
Work in schools and centers for people with special needs
Work in opening a private clinic
Work as a psychiatrist
Work as an educational consultant
Work as a scientific researcher
Work as a Human Resources Manager
Work in the field of professional psychology
Work in the field of organizational psychology
Work in the specialty of forensic psychology
Skills required and developed in the field of psychology:
There are many skills, qualifications and qualities that must be available in the student who wants to study the specialization of psychology, which are qualities that will be refined by studying the specialization later, but their availability in the student is necessary so that he can achieve success in his academic and professional life, and these qualifications and qualities include:
Critical thinking skills
Skills of examining search results
Ability to influence others
Caution and patience
Teamwork skills
Love of learning and continuous development
Planning & Organizing
High expressiveness
Taking Responsibility
Love to help people
Interpersonal skills
Q1: What does a Psychology BA cover in Türkiye?
A: Research methods & statistics, cognitive psychology, developmental, social, personality, physiological/biopsych, abnormal/clinical, assessment, and an elective pool (e.g., counseling skills, health psych, neuropsych). You’ll usually complete a senior project or thesis.
Q2: Is there English-medium Psychology?
A: Yes. Many Istanbul programs run English-medium tracks; Turkish tracks are also common. If you don’t meet language proof (TOEFL/IELTS or TÖMER), a prep year may apply.
Q3: What practical exposure should I expect?
A: Research participation, lab work, observation hours, volunteering/internships in schools, hospitals, NGOs, or company HR; some programs host counseling labs and testing workshops.
Q4: Can I specialize as an undergrad?
A: You won’t “major inside the major,” but you can steer via electives (e.g., clinical, organizational/HR, cognitive/neuro, health). Minors in fields like Sociology, Management, or Computer Science (for data/UX) are common.
Q5: Careers after graduation?
A: Entry roles in HR/talent, education support, research assistance, UX/research, NGO/community programs, and mental-health support roles (non-licensed). Clinical psychologist or counselor typically requires a Master’s plus supervised practice.
Q: Why Okan? A: City-campus experience with practical projects and internship channels across Istanbul’s clinics, schools, and NGOs. Yearly tuition (2025–26) $4,200 per year.
Q: What stands out at BAU? A: Strong international ecosystem (BAU Global), research-active faculty, and plentiful urban placements; good path for students targeting graduate study later. Yearly tuition (2025–26)? $9,000 per year.
Q: What’s the edge at Istinye? A: Tech-forward campus with health-sector ties handy if you’re into health psychology, neuro, or data-informed research. Yearly tuition (2025–26) $7,000 per year.
Q: Why Altınbaş? A: Central Istanbul location, applied projects, and access to internships; competitive tuition with scholarship windows common. Yearly tuition (2025–26) $4,500 per year.
Q: Who is Medipol best for? A: Students who want proximity to a large health network good for research and exposure to clinical environments. Yearly tuition (2025–26) $7,200 per year.