Veterinary Medicine in Turkey
There are 28 veterinary medicine colleges at Turkish universities. This is due to the importance of veterinary medicine in Turkey, which plays a strong role in educating and training veterinarians. Graduates are able to care for animal life and, consequently, contribute to the development of livestock resources, protect human and animal health,
and promote the responsible use of natural resources to improve the well-being of populations around the world.
History of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, prevention, and treatment of animal diseases.
It is known that the first veterinary book was created around 500 AD. However, the history of this field dates back much further, as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics depict skilled workers providing medical care to livestock, demonstrating that veterinary medicine is much older.
In Turkey, the first veterinary training began in Istanbul in 1842 with the Prussian veterinarian Podolski. While training continued at military training centers, the first civilian veterinary school was established in 1889. In 1928, the school was renamed “Wyższa Szkoła Weterynaryjna.”
In 1948, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was incorporated into Ankara University.
In the 1970s, after Ankara, veterinary medicine universities were also established in Elazig, Istanbul, and Bursa.
In the following years, the number of universities increased to meet the growing need for veterinarians and to expand university-level studies in this field.
Since the beginning of veterinary medicine specialization in Turkey, significant changes and advances have taken place in the roles of those studying veterinary sciences. Today, most veterinarians prefer to focus on treating pets such as dogs and cats. However, this is not the only career path available to veterinary medicine graduates. Many graduates specialize in all types of animals, providing numerous opportunities to work abroad.
Hallak EDU Everything you need to study in Turkey – Study in Turkey requirements for Moroccans
What Is Veterinary Medicine?
Veterinary medicine is a general term that primarily refers to the practices of maintaining and treating animal health, as well as scientific research in the field of animal health. This includes traditional treatment methods, drug development, and animal sciences.
If you care about animals, veterinary medicine gives you the tools you need to improve their lives. Whether you are helping care for an animal or researching ways to prevent disease, you can also contribute to animal welfare.
Universities Offering Veterinary Medicine in Turkey
Cyprus University of Health Sciences – Near East University – Cyprus
KSTU
The Relationship Between Veterinary Medicine and Human Health
It would be incorrect to limit the role of veterinary sciences to protecting animal health alone. Veterinary science is directly connected to human health, which is why it is impossible to separate human health from animal health. One of the most important functions of veterinarians is protecting people from diseases transmitted to humans by animals or animal products. We saw this most recently during the COVID-19 crisis.
Check the study in Turkey requirements for Tunisians with Hallak EDU — educational opportunities designed for Tunisian students.
Veterinary Medicine in Turkey
A veterinary student in Turkey takes responsibility for the healthcare of wild and domestic animals after completing their studies and obtaining their degree.
In some cases, veterinarians may also have opportunities to work in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and food.
Duration and Language of Veterinary Studies in Turkey
Veterinary education in Turkey takes 5 years instead of 4 years, as is common with regular undergraduate education. In addition, students receive a master’s degree.
Students complete one year of preparatory language courses and then study for five years to complete the core program. After completing theoretical and practical training, which lasts nine semesters, students work for one semester in university veterinary clinics and animal breeding facilities or complete an internship in Kyrgyzstan or Turkey. There, they learn the practical methods and skills they need in their professional careers.
Regarding the language of veterinary studies in Turkey, English is considered the predominant language in this field. Therefore, Turkish universities offer this subject exclusively in English.
Structure of Veterinary Medicine Studies in Turkey
Veterinary studies in Turkey can be divided into three sections:
In the Early Years
Students learn the fundamentals of veterinary medicine, animal anatomy, and physiology, in addition to the basics of animal husbandry. Many fields of biology, zoology, botany, genetics, and cell biology, as well as chemistry, biophysics, microbiology, virology, and parasitology, can also be considered foundations of veterinary studies. During the spring semester of the second year, students discover
the characteristics of animal diseases and study pathology and physiology, providing an introduction to the second part of the veterinary medicine program.
Preclinical studies also provide students with detailed information about what happens in the body of a sick animal and allow them to learn the basic skills needed to identify diseases.
In addition, the second stage focuses on the relationship between human and animal health and also includes an introduction to public health issues.
A veterinarian provides students with in-depth knowledge of the most common diseases affecting different animal species, including birds and fish, as well as detailed information about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Training takes place at the university’s veterinary clinic, where students also gain in-depth knowledge in veterinary medicine, veterinary law, and public veterinary medicine.
Welcome to your educational future — study in Turkey requirements for Iraqis with Hallak EDU.
Can Veterinarians from Turkey Work Abroad?
A graduate of a veterinary medicine college in Turkey can continue their professional career abroad if they meet the academic equivalency requirements and fulfill the necessary conditions.
Most importantly, diploma equivalency must be guaranteed. If the university from which the student graduated does not have an equivalent qualification in the country they wish to move to, they cannot work in that country because they will not be considered a graduate.
In this case, you must resume your studies in the destination country or obtain an equivalent university degree in Turkey.
If you have a qualification that is valid abroad, you can work abroad.
You may also be required to take additional exams or attend an interview in the destination country. Let’s explain this issue with a quick example. For example, if you want to work in Canada, you must first study at a veterinary university whose degree is recognized in Canada.
Therefore, upon arriving in Canada, you will need to pass several exams, including:
Passing a general knowledge examination followed by a professional skills examination.
After these exams, you will be interviewed, and if you pass all the exams, you will be required to take the bar examination in the province where you wish to work.
If you pass all these exams, you can become a veterinarian. However, it should be noted that this process varies from one country to another and may take more than a year.
How Can I Obtain International Equivalency for a Veterinary Medicine Degree in Turkey?
If you want to work abroad after graduating from a veterinary medicine university in Turkey, the degree awarded by the university where you studied in Turkey must, as mentioned previously, be recognized as equivalent abroad. There are two organizations that provide equivalency for veterinary schools.
The first organization is EAEV (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education): This organization is the official equivalent body for veterinary education institutions in Europe.
The second organization is AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association): This organization is the official equivalent body for veterinary education institutions in the United States.
Study Veterinary Medicine Abroad and Benefit from Career Opportunities After Graduation
It is well known that there are many career opportunities for veterinarians abroad. Veterinary medicine is considered one of the professions with the most diverse career opportunities worldwide.
These opportunities are not limited to students who complete their veterinary education abroad. It is also possible to study veterinary medicine in Turkey and work abroad if certain requirements are met, as explained above.
For example, a
veterinarian can work with pets or farm animals, but they can also pursue an academic career and participate in research and development.
Job Opportunities for Veterinary Medicine Graduates in Turkey
Veterinarians have the opportunity to find employment in many different workplaces.
The main duties of veterinarians include animal care, animal production, monitoring animal reproduction, and monitoring animal health. You can also conduct research in the field of animal biology.
Regarding the main workplaces for veterinarians, the following should be noted:
Livestock farm.
-Veterinary clinic. Veterinary clinics.
-Mill.
-Private company.
-Pharmaceutical company.
-Food inspection center. Public facilities.
-Scientific research.
-Scientific work in research units and educational institutions.
Study in Turkey requirements for Syrians with Hallak EDU — opportunities available for Syrian students
Admission Requirements for Veterinary Schools in Turkey
As with many colleges, different admission requirements apply to veterinary medicine studies, the most important of which include:
-GPA as a valid requirement. However, GPA and a high school diploma are often not sufficient to demonstrate academic achievement.
-Passing the AP exam significantly increases the admission rate.
-Of course, language skills are another important requirement. When it comes to English-language instruction, language tests such as TOEFL play an important role. A TOEFL score is generally accepted.
-Moreover, letters of recommendation are an important part of the college admission process.
-The required documents include a statement of purpose and a resume.
-Internships and research projects are important factors in the application and admission process.
Because universities do not want to graduate only successful students, but also students who can make a noticeable difference.
Support and Preparation Programs We Offer at Hallak EDU:
TOEFL Program:
We offer intensive and effective courses to prepare students to take the TOEFL exam, helping improve their English language skills and ensuring success on the test.
IELTS Program:
We offer training courses to prepare students for the IELTS exam, with a particular focus on developing the four English language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
SAT Program:
We offer specialized courses to prepare students for the SAT exam, focusing on key subjects and exam strategies.
Tr YÖS Program:
The Tr YÖS is a local exam that is not internationally recognized and is administered by most Turkish universities. It is an abbreviation of “Yabancı Uyruklu Öğrenci Sınavı,” which translates into “Foreign Student Examination” in Turkish. The YÖS exam is an essential requirement for admission to Turkish public universities.
Students’ scores on the YÖS exam play an important role in improving their overall admission scores and contribute to their chances of being accepted into highly competitive colleges such as medicine and pharmacy. In general, the YÖS exam consists of several sections:
Mathematics questions.
Logic and intelligence questions
Geometry topics
Turkish and English Language Proficiency Exam Program:
We offer intensive programs to assess students’ proficiency in both Turkish and English, ensuring significant progress in their language levels.
Interactive ICDL Mathematics Program:
We offer interactive courses to strengthen students’ mathematics skills, helping them prepare effectively for academic achievement.
At Hallak EDU, we are committed to providing specialized programs that contribute to students’ success in their exams and prepare them to study with confidence.