Universities in Turkey provide either two or four years of education for undergraduate studies, while graduate programs last a minimum of two years. There are around 820 higher education institutions in Turkey including 76 universities with a total student enrollment of over 1 million. The quality of education at the Turkish universities varies greatly, some providing education and facilities on par with internationally renowned schools.

A Doctorate of Philosophy, or PhD, may require eight years or more to complete, as well as a dissertation. In most fields, the possession of a PhD qualifies the holder to become a professor of a chosen subject. There are many different programs available.