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A Guide to the Course Passing and ECTS System in Turkey

Learn about the course passing and ECTS credit system in Turkey. Discover the key details that will make your academic journey smoother!

The Education System in Turkey: What are Passing Grades and ECTS?

The higher education system in Turkey determines success in a course and graduation through two main mechanisms: Passing Grades and ECTS credits.

1. The Grading System (Letter Grades)

  • Purpose: To measure a student’s success in a course and their Grade Point Average (GPA).

  • Unconditional Pass: Students who receive a grade of AA, BA, BB, CB, or CC definitively pass the course.

  • Conditional Pass: Students who receive a DC or DD are considered to have passed if their final Grade Point Average (GPA) is 2.00 or higher upon graduation. If it is lower, they must retake those courses.

  • Fail: Students who receive an FF (fail), FD, or NA (non-attendance) must retake the course.

2. ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)

  • Definition: An international credit unit that represents the total student workload (lectures, assignments, exams, individual study) required to complete a course, measured in hours.

  • Purpose: To facilitate student exchanges (Erasmus+) and the mutual recognition of courses among European universities.

  • Credit Value: One academic year (two semesters) is equivalent to 60 ECTS. To graduate from a four-year bachelor’s program, a total of 240 ECTS must be completed.

  • Importance: A good grade in a course with a high ECTS value will raise a student’s GPA more significantly.

In summary, Letter Grades determine whether you pass a course, while ECTS indicates how much that course contributes to your graduation and its international recognition.

Quality and Diversity of Education

Turkey is home to many world-renowned universities. For example, long-established institutions like İstanbul Üniversitesi, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi, and Koç Üniversitesi provide education at international standards. The diverse bachelor’s and master’s programs offered at these schools give students the opportunity to choose according to their interests.

Global Accreditations

Many universities in Turkey have undergone accreditation processes in Europe and America. This increases the international validity of your diploma. For example, students who want to study in fields like engineering or business can compete with the best schools in Europe.

For more on this topic, you can also read our article on Career Counseling in Turkey.

Calculating Course Credits with ECTS: A Guide for International Students

ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a system that facilitates credit transfer between universities. Universities in Turkey use this system to determine the credit values of their courses. For international students, this system offers a significant advantage, allowing them to continue their education at universities in other countries.

ECTS Credit Calculation

A course’s ECTS credit is determined by considering its content, duration, and the learning outcomes it provides to the student. Generally, 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a student workload of 25-30 hours. For example, if a course is worth 5 ECTS credits, it means that the course requires a total of 125-150 hours of work.

Course Passing Criteria in Turkey: What Grades Do You Need to Succeed?

In Turkish universities, course passing criteria are generally based on a 100-point scale. A score of at least 60 is usually required to pass. However, at some universities, this threshold can be as low as 50.

The Grading System

  • AA (90-100): Very Successful
  • BA (85-89): Successful
  • BB (80-84): Good
  • CB (75-79): Pass
  • CC (70-74): Pass
  • DC (60-69): Pass
  • DD (50-59): Pass
  • FF (0-49): Fail

To pass their courses, students are generally required to achieve a certain percentage on their final exams and midterms.

The ECTS System and Duration of Study: Advantages of Studying in Turkey

The ECTS system makes the duration of study more flexible for students. Thanks to this system, students can take courses from different universities and transfer the credits to their own programs. The advantages of studying in Turkey include the potential for a shorter study period and a wider range of educational opportunities.

Duration of Study

Bachelor’s programs in Turkey generally last 4 years, while master’s programs vary between 1-2 years. However, thanks to the ECTS system, students can shorten their study duration by completing some courses more quickly.

How to Study in Turkey: ECTS and Course Passing Strategies

There are several strategies for international students planning to study in Turkey:

  • Course Selection: Students should consider ECTS credits when choosing courses according to their areas of interest.
  • Scholarship Opportunities: Many universities in Turkey offer scholarship opportunities for international students.
  • Language Options: It can be advantageous for students who do not know Turkish to choose universities that offer education in English.

Course Selection: Based on Credits or ECTS?

When selecting courses, it is important for students to consider both local credit values and the ECTS system. Some courses may have a higher credit value but may require more time and effort in terms of duration and content. Therefore, it is important to carefully evaluate the content and requirements of the courses.

What Does “2 Courses for 30 ECTS” Mean?

Two courses totaling 30 ECTS usually represent a very high workload within a single university semester:

  • Total Workload: The standard full-time academic load for one semester is 30 ECTS. This phrase means that the student’s entire semester workload is concentrated in just these two courses.

  • Course Intensity: While a normal course is worth 5-6 ECTS, these courses have a very high credit value (e.g., 15 ECTS each). This indicates that the courses require significant effort beyond theoretical participation, such as intensive individual study, a project, a thesis, or an internship.

  • Common Context: This is most often seen in the thesis stages of master’s/doctoral programs or for major final year projects in bachelor’s programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many ECTS credits can you take?

A student normally takes 30 ECTS credits in one semester. Depending on the student’s academic performance, universities generally allow them to take up to a maximum of 45 ECTS (or 50 ECTS under certain rules).

Is course selection based on credits or ECTS?

In Turkish universities, course selection is based on ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. ECTS represents the total student workload for a course according to international standards and is the primary basis for course selection.

How many ECTS are required to pass a year?

To be considered successful and advance to the next academic year, a student must complete all courses for that year, meaning a total of 60 ECTS credits must be earned. For graduation from a 4-year bachelor’s program, a total of 240 ECTS is required.