There are close to fourteen universities to study pharmacy in Turkey in English. And more and more universities are opening up to international students. With English programs available, Turkey is being seen as a favorable country for medical studies.
Pharmacy courses in Turkey are available as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. There are more universities offering bachelor’s courses than the other two. A bachelor’s degree in pharmacy has a duration of five years. Pharmacy programs tend to be rigorous, with a focus on several projects and mandatory internships. They are at par with those offered in popular countries like the US, UK, and Canada. Education in Turkey is also advantageous to students as the cost of fees for pharmacy is below USD 20,000.
Overview of Pharmacy courses in Turkey
| Program offered | Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D. |
| Program duration | 2-5 years |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Average Cost | USD 12,700 |
| English proficiency | Required |
| Turkish proficiency | Required by some universities |
Pharmacy in Turkey: courses in English for international students
Bachelor’s in Pharmacy (BPharm) is a five-year course in Turkey. The curriculum is research and analysis focused. They are designed to shape students into competent professionals.
Typically, the subjects included in Pharmacy are
- Mathematics
- Physics and Biophysics
- Chemistry
- Biology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Biostatistics
- Public Health
- Pharmaceutical and Clinical Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Botany
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Pharmacognosy
- And more
Pharmacy students can expect their coursework to include several practical projects. Toward the end of semesters, students have to complete an internship.
A master’s in pharmacy is not as widely available as a bachelor’s. There are only three universities currently offering master’s degrees in English. The same is true for doctoral degrees. Graduate-level courses in pharmacy may also include a research thesis.
Pursuing a graduate degree in pharmacy is a great way to specialize in an area of interest. Master’s courses are available in the following disciplines/specializations:
- Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology (Thesis)
- Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology (Non-Thesis)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Cosmetology
- Drug and Cosmetic Production Technologies
Turkish medical universities also offer doctoral degrees in pharmacy. There are very few universities offering these Ph.D. courses in English. These courses are four years in length. Students can choose to do research in:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Pharmacognosy
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutic Toxicology
- Pharmaceutic Chemistry
Education in Pharmacy is as rigorous as other major medical fields such as General Medicine, Dentistry, or Nursing. Therefore, students must possess specific skills and qualities to be successful graduates.
- Mathematical and Scientific aptitude
- Research and Analysis Skills
- Attention to detail
- Accuracy
- Ability to prioritize and multitask
Best universities for Pharmacy in Turkey
The official website for studying in Turkey lists the following universities as offering bachelor’s degrees in pharmacy. These universities are ranked per the 2022 rankings by UniRank. Many of these medical universities rank high for other medical degrees in Turkey.
| UniRank 2022 | University | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| 3 | Istanbul Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 6 | Ankara Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 33 | Kocaeli Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 38 | Bahçesehir Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 35 | Yeditepe Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 70 | Istanbul Medipol Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 124 | Acibadem Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 138 | Biruni Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| 114 | Istinye Üniversitesi | Click here | Click here |
| – | Ankara Medipol University | Click here | Click here |
| – | Lokman Hekim University | Click here | Click here |
| – | Istanbul University Cerrahpasa | Click here | Click here |
| 111 | Altinbas University | Click here | Click here |
Universities offering master’s and doctoral programs
- Ankara University
- Yeditepe University
- Marmara University
Admission requirements for Pharmacy in Turkey
For undergraduate courses, the essential requirement is a high school certificate. Students must have completed their twelve years of schooling. Some universities may need students to prove their Turkish proficiency. Knowledge of Turkish is essential for practical lessons during the last few years of the degree program.
Admission requirements and documentation may differ for each university. The below list is a general guideline only. It covers most of the criteria stated by universities.
- Online application form
- High school certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (equivalent to TOEFL iBT 66-75)
- Turkish language proficiency (equivalent to TOMER C1 71)
- Passport copy
- Passport-sized photographs
- Exam scores of SAT/ACT/YOS etc.
The YOS test is administered by state-funded universities such as Ankara Üniversitesi. While most private universities accept international exam results such as the SAT/ACT/IB.
Master’s courses have similar criteria. Many universities state the following for admissions into graduate-level programs.
- Online application form
- Relevant bachelor’s degree
- Academic transcripts
- Exam scores from ALES/GRE
- English and Turkish proficiency scores
- Letter of intent
- Passport copy and photographs
Pharmacy in Turkey: fees for international students
The cost of pharmacy courses is comparatively less than other medical programs’ costs in Turkey. The average annual tuition of pharmacy programs is USD 12,700.
The below table features the yearly tuition for bachelor’s programs at a few select universities. Ankara University offers the most affordable program at USD 6,036 per year. The most expensive one is at Yeditepe University for USD 18,500.
Another public university not mentioned on the list is Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU). EMU offers an English-language pharmacy bachelor’s program at yearly tuition of USD 8,682.
| University | Annual Tuition Fees in USD |
| Ankara Üniversitesi | 6,036 (112,500 TL) |
| Bahçesehir Üniversitesi | 15,000 |
| Yeditepe Üniversitesi | 18,500 |
| Istanbul Medipol Üniversitesi | 9,500 |
| Acibadem Üniversitesi | 15,000 |
| Istinye Üniversitesi | 11,000 |
| Lokman Hekim University | 11,500 |
| Altinbas University | 15,000 |
Annual tuition fees for master’s and doctoral courses range between USD 8,000 and USD 14,000.
Scholarships for international students
One of the best things about studying in Turkey is the availability of scholarships from the government. This is not true for other popular countries like the US, as international students do not receive state-funded scholarships.
The most popular scholarship program for international students in Turkey is Turkiye Burslari or Türkiye scholarships.
Turkiye Burslari is a program open to students of all nationalities. Any students who want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s in Turkey can consider this program. There are just a few things to keep in mind.
- Students at the undergraduate level must score at least 70%
- Students at the graduate level must achieve at least 75%
- Candidates for health sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy) should score at least 90%
Besides academic records, students are assessed on their motivation and extracurricular activities.
There are other scholarships besides Turkiye Burslari, like Türkiye scholarships. This program is funded by the Council of Higher Education in Turkey and aims to help international students.
Some universities also provide scholarships to their international students. Independent organizations also aid students in supporting higher education. Read more about scholarships for studying in Turkey.
Career scope of Pharmacy in Turkey
Pharmacy programs in Turkey are intensive. They train students to take up several clinical and non-clinical roles. The internships and projects introduced during the program provide the necessary practical education.
Graduates of pharmacy have several exciting and diverse offers. They can be employed in
- Pharmacies
- Public and private hospitals
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Research and development centers
- Clinical laboratories
Turkey offers cosmetology specialization in pharmacy. This specialization can help students get jobs in crucial positions in the cosmetics industry.
The national average salary of pharmacists in Turkey is 123,000 TRY yearly (Salary explorer). Experience can lead to higher salaries.
Some popular job positions in pharmacy are
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Medical Representative
- Nuclear Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Quality Auditor
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Lead
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
- Pharmaceutical Research Associate
- Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing Manager
- Pharmacy Manager
- Biological Scientist
Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) is a five-year program in Turkey that is identical to those offered in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Surprisingly, several Turkish colleges provide BPharm programs in English. The program can range in price from USD 6,036 to USD 18,500 each year.
A high school diploma is required for admission to a BPharm program. If you apply to a state-funded university, you must pass the YOS exam as part of the admissions process, which private universities do not require. They accept international exam results from several countries. Although English language fluency is essential, Turkish language proficiency is optional. Graduate-level pharmacy courses are also available like master’s and doctoral but only a few universities offer these courses. If you are planning to study pharmacy in Turkey, contact Gyanberry for expert admission services.
