Economics in Turkey
Economics examines how people, firms and governments make decisions about resources, markets and policy. Check the mathematics, statistics and econometrics requirements before choosing between programmes focused on policy, financial markets or development.
Economics at a glance
Compare microeconomics and macroeconomics with mathematics, statistics and econometrics. Review the use of data and written argument in assignments to understand the analytical depth of the course.
Use the curriculum and university options below to build a shortlist. Confirm the exact degree level, teaching language, course sequence and practical requirements with each university; similar programme names do not make the courses interchangeable.
Interested in the discount available to you?
A personal strategy, requirement checks, selection of agreed options, document preparation, applications, and support are provided under an agreement with StudyU.
Study to Become an Economist in Turkey
Turkish universities teach economics in English and Turkish. You need a high-school diploma and a language certificate; YÖS is not required everywhere. The degree usually takes 4 years. Under an agreement with StudyU, we select agreed university options within budget, prepare documents, and support scholarship applications. The university makes the final decision on admission, and the university or funding body decides scholarship awards.
Curriculum
The degree takes four years. The list below shows a typical sequence from foundation courses to electives and a graduation project; course titles, order and credits differ by university, so compare it with the published curriculum of each programme you shortlist.
- Principles of microeconomics
- Principles of macroeconomics
- Mathematics for economists
- Introduction to statistics
- Intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics
- Econometrics with real datasets
- Public finance and economic policy
- Money, banking and monetary policy
- International economics and exchange rates
- Development or labour economics electives
- Financial economics and investments
- Research methods and a graduation paper
- Internship (staj); its length and who finds the placement are set by each university
Careers after Economics
The diploma does not lead straight to a senior post; first jobs are usually analytical. Typical starting roles:
Junior economic or financial analysts prepare reports, forecasts and data summaries for banks, companies and consultancies.
Research assistants clean data and run econometric models at universities and think tanks.
Risk and treasury assistants monitor interest-rate and currency exposure at a bank or large company.
Market analysts track prices, demand and competitors for trading and industrial firms.
Policy analysts write briefs on taxes, prices or trade for NGOs and international organisations; public-sector posts in Turkey require Turkish citizenship.
Graduates aiming at research, policy or investment banking usually continue to a master’s in economics or finance.
Is this program right for you?
Choose it if you…
- like mathematics and can handle statistics and econometrics every semester;
- want to explain prices, inflation or growth with data, not only describe them;
- are ready to compare curricula by the number of compulsory quantitative courses.
Take a moment if you…
- avoid statistics and formulas;
- want a narrow banking or insurance specialisation (look at Banking and Finance);
- want a general management degree (Business Administration fits better);
- expect a well-paid job to follow from the diploma alone.
Everyday student experience
What happens outside lectures depends on the university, so ask the department what it actually runs: economics and finance clubs, case and investment competitions, and research-assistant roles with faculty members.
Ask whether the curriculum includes a compulsory internship (staj), how long it is, whether the university helps find a placement and whether a placement in your home country counts. For a semester abroad, ask which Erasmus+ partner universities the department has and whether international degree students can apply; a visa for the host country is a separate step.
Salaries and demand: Turkey and abroad
The Turkish market. Banks, insurers, fintech companies and audit firms are the usual first employers, and most local roles need working Turkish. Salary figures date quickly because Turkish pay scales move each year with the minimum-wage revision, so use current-year data.
What raises income: step-by-step CFA/ACCA certification, English, bank internships in the senior years. A personalised comparison of current salary ranges by city and employer is provided under an agreement with StudyU.
Additional guide to programme language
For Economics, students should compare the programme language used for theory, statistics, finance cases and academic writing. Bahcesehir lists Economics and Finance in English, while Topkapi lists Economics in English and Turkish.
Examples to check with StudyU: Bahcesehir University: Economics and Finance (Bachelor, English); Topkapi University: Economics (Bachelor, English, Turkish); Bahcesehir University: Capital Markets and Finance (Master, English).
Universities offering Economics
Compare listed universities by degree, teaching language and annual tuition shown below.
| University | Degree | Language | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isik University | Bachelor | English | $3 600/yr |
| Altinbas University | Bachelor | English | $5 000/yr |
| Topkapi University | Bachelor | English | $5 000/yr |
| Topkapi University | Bachelor | Turkish | $5 000/yr |
| Istinye University | Bachelor | English | $8 000/yr |
| Yasar University | Bachelor | English | $8 000/yr |
| Antalya Bilim University | Bachelor | English | $8 300/yr |
| Bahcesehir University | Bachelor | English | $8 500/yr |
| TED University | Bachelor | English | $11 800/yr |
| Bilgi University | Bachelor | English | $12 000/yr |
| TOBB University of Economics and Technology | Bachelor | Turkish | $12 000/yr |
| Kadir Has University | Bachelor | English | $20 000/yr |
| Ozyegin University | Bachelor | English | $25 000/yr |
| Sabanci University | Bachelor | English | $36 500/yr |
| Yasar University | Master | English | $7 200/yr |
| Yasar University | Master | Turkish | $7 200/yr |
| Istinye University | Master | English | $8 500/yr |
| Kadir Has University | Master | English | $20 000/yr |
| Sabanci University | Master | English | $36 500/yr |
| Istinye University | PhD | English | $15 000/yr |
| Yasar University | PhD | English | $16 000/yr |
| Kadir Has University | PhD | English | $20 000/yr |
| Sabanci University | PhD | English | $36 500/yr |
Ready to study economics in Turkey?
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Get a consultationQuestions and answers
To become an economist in Turkey you need a high-school diploma, a language certificate and denklik (recognition of your previous education). Some universities ask for the YÖS or SAT exam. Under an agreement with StudyU, a consultant can compare universities within budget, help prepare documents and check published scholarship terms. Each university decides admission and confirms individual scholarship terms; funding bodies decide their awards.
Many Turkish universities offer programs in English. Programs in Turkish require a TÖMER certificate. Exact requirements depend on the university.
Compare current vacancies or published pay scales for the exact role, seniority and location you are considering. Check the required language, work authorisation and professional registration alongside compensation. A degree alone does not establish a salary or job offer. Personalised salary research is provided under an agreement with StudyU.