Psychology is one of the fastest-growing fields among international students in Turkey. It is affordable, widely available in English, and opens doors to clinical, educational, organisational and research careers. This guide explains how to study psychology in Turkey in 2027: programmes, universities, fees, admission and what you can do after graduation.
What You Will Study
Turkish psychology programmes follow a broad scientific curriculum. The first two years cover foundations, and the last two years let you specialise and gain practical experience.
- Foundations: introduction to psychology, statistics, research methods, biological psychology, developmental psychology.
- Core areas: social, cognitive, clinical and personality psychology, psychopathology, psychological testing.
- Applied courses: counselling skills, industrial and organisational psychology, educational psychology, neuropsychology.
- Practice: internships in hospitals, counselling centres, schools or companies, plus a final research project.
Universities Offering Psychology
Strong state psychology departments include Boğaziçi, Middle East Technical University (METU), Hacettepe and Ankara University; admission is competitive and usually needs YÖS or SAT. Popular private options for international students include Koç, Bilkent, Özyeğin, Bahçeşehir, Üsküdar (known for neuroscience and psychology), Istinye, Istanbul Medipol and Yeditepe. Compare universities in our best universities in Turkey guide.
Psychology Tuition Fees in Turkey
| University (2026–27) | Language | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Üsküdar University | Turkish | $4,200 |
| Üsküdar University | English | $5,600 |
| Istinye University | Turkish or English | $8,000 |
Published list prices for new international students before scholarships. Üsküdar offers about 10% off for advance payment. Fees change every year.
With a 25%–50% merit scholarship, psychology at a private university can cost only a few thousand dollars a year. See our tuition fees in Turkey and 100% scholarship in Turkey guides.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma with good overall grades (biology and maths help).
- Private universities: mainly GPA, usually without YÖS. See study in Turkey without YÖS.
- State universities: YÖS, SAT or other accepted scores.
- English proof for English-taught programmes (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, the university’s own exam) or a preparatory year.
Interested in psychology?
Saya Group compares psychology programmes by language, focus (clinical, neuroscience, organisational) and price, and applies for the highest scholarship your grades allow.
English-Taught or Turkish-Taught?
English-taught psychology makes it easier to continue to a master’s abroad and to read international research. Turkish-taught programmes are cheaper and help if you plan to work with clients in Turkey, because counselling depends on language and culture. Many students choose English-taught programmes and learn Turkish alongside; see our guide to learning Turkish (TÖMER).
Careers After a Psychology Degree
- Clinical and counselling psychology: usually requires a master’s degree and supervised practice; licensing rules differ by country.
- Human resources and organisational roles: recruitment, training, employee wellbeing.
- Education: school counselling (with additional qualifications), special education support.
- Research and data: user research, market research, academic research assistant roles.
Planning to continue your studies? Read our master’s degree in Turkey guide.
Choosing a Focus Within Psychology
A bachelor’s degree in psychology is broad by design, but the electives you choose in your third and fourth years shape what you can do next. If you study psychology in Turkey, you will usually be able to lean towards one of these areas:
- Clinical and counselling psychology: mental health, assessment and therapy approaches. This is the most popular route, and it almost always requires a master’s degree before professional practice.
- Developmental and educational psychology: how people learn and grow, useful for work with children, schools and families.
- Industrial and organisational psychology: recruitment, workplace wellbeing and team performance, a good fit for careers in human resources.
- Social psychology: attitudes, group behaviour and communication, often combined with research or marketing roles.
- Cognitive psychology and neuroscience: memory, attention and the brain, suited to students interested in research.
You do not have to decide on day one. Use your first two years to find the subjects you enjoy, then choose electives and a graduation project that support the master’s programme you are aiming for.
Practical Experience: Internships and Research
Employers and master’s admissions committees look closely at practical experience, so plan for it early. Many psychology programmes in Turkey include an internship, often in a hospital, counselling centre, school, rehabilitation centre or company HR department. Universities with their own hospitals or clinical centres can make it easier to find a placement, which is worth asking about when you compare options.
Research experience is just as valuable. Volunteering as a research assistant in a faculty laboratory, helping with data collection or presenting a poster at a student conference all strengthen your CV. For clinical internships, basic Turkish is very helpful, because most clients and patients will speak Turkish even if your programme is taught in English.
Is a Psychology Degree in Turkey Right for You?
Psychology in Turkey suits you if you are curious about people, comfortable with statistics and research methods, and prepared for further study after your bachelor’s. It is also a strong choice if you want an internationally structured degree at a moderate cost: for 2026–27, Üsküdar University lists psychology at $4,200 (Turkish) or $5,600 (English) per year, and Istinye University at $8,000.
It may not be the right choice if you expect to work as a therapist immediately after four years, or if you dislike statistics, which is a core part of every programme. Remember to budget for living costs as well as tuition; our guide to the cost of living in Turkey helps you plan.
Planning a Career as a Psychologist Abroad
If you plan to practise in another country, check that country’s rules before you choose your programme. In many countries the title “psychologist” is protected and requires a recognised master’s or doctorate, supervised practice and registration with a professional body. Turkey follows the Bologna Process and uses ECTS credits and the Diploma Supplement, which helps when your degree is assessed, but recognition decisions are always made by the authority in the destination country. Read our guide on whether Turkish degrees are recognised abroad, and confirm the current requirements with the relevant official body.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a psychology degree in Turkey?
Four years, plus a one-year preparatory programme if your English or Turkish is not yet at the required level.
Can I study psychology in English in Turkey?
Yes. Many private universities and several leading state universities offer English-taught psychology.
Can I work as a psychologist after the bachelor’s degree?
In most countries, practising as a clinical psychologist requires a master’s degree and licensing. A bachelor’s degree leads to assistant, HR, research and educational roles.
Is there a scholarship for psychology?
Yes. Private universities award 25%–100% merit scholarships, and Türkiye Bursları also covers psychology.
Do I need biology or maths to study psychology in Turkey?
You do not usually need a specific subject background, but you will study statistics, research methods and the biological basis of behaviour. A reasonable level of school maths makes these courses much easier.
Is it hard to get into a psychology programme in Turkey?
At most private universities, admission for international students is based on your high school grades and language level, so it is accessible for students with solid results. Competition is higher at leading state universities and for English-taught places.
Can I transfer my psychology credits to a university in another country?
Because Turkish universities use ECTS credits, a transfer is often possible within Europe and beyond, but the receiving university decides which courses it accepts. Keep your course descriptions and transcripts for every semester.
