Primary and secondary education

Primary education (ilköğretim) takes 8 years to complete and is for pupils aged 5½-14. Pupils follow their education at a primary school (ilkögretim okulu). After primary education, students can choose one of the following types of secondary education:

• general secondary education, concluded with exams for a Lise Diploması;
• technical secondary education, concluded with exams for a Teknik Lisesi Diploması;
• vocational secondary education, concluded with exams for a Meslek Lisesi Diploması.

There are separate schools for each type of secondary education.

Students conclude general secondary education with exams for a Lise Diploması.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Content: there are 6 subject clusters:
  • fen bilimleri (natural sciences);
  • yabancı dil (foreign language);
  • sanat (art);
  • sosyal bilimler (social sciences);
  • spor (physical education); and
  • Türkçe-matematik (Turkish-mathematics).
    It is also possible not to choose a subject cluster. In that case, alanı/dalı states: alan(ı) yok on the diploma.
• Function of the diploma: grants the right to take university entrance exams.
• Diploma: Lise Diploması.

Please note: 'at least a HAVO diploma' means that the diploma has a higher level than a HAVO diploma, but a lower level than a VWO diploma. The level of the diploma lies between a HAVO diploma and a VWO diploma.

Students conclude technical secondary education with exams for a Teknik Lisesi Diploması.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Content: general education subjects, with an extra focus on sciences. In addition, students develop skills for a specific profession.
• Function of the diploma: this diploma grants admission to university entrance exams for all specialisations.
• Diploma: Teknik Lisesi Diploması.

Students conclude vocational secondary education with exams for a Meslek Lisesi Diploması.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Content: students receive general education in Year 1 and choose a vocational specialisation from Year 2. This specialisation is usually mentioned on the diploma in front of the word Meslek.
• Function of the diploma: this diploma grants admission to university entrance exams following a compulsory additional year at a teknik lise.
• Diploma: Meslek Lisesi Diploması.