Higher education in Mersin: a wide range of choices and international recognition. Mersin is a dynamically developing city in the southeast of Turkey, offering a wide range of higher education, successfully competing with European universities and taking a worthy place in international rankings.
Four universities of the city – Mersin University, Tarsus University, Cag University and Toros University – offer various undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, attracting both local and foreign students.
Mersin University
The university stands out for its wide range of training areas:
- Faculty of Medicine: one of the most prestigious in the country, trains highly qualified doctors and researchers.
- Faculty of Engineering: offers programs in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, construction, and other engineering specialties.
- Faculty of Economics and Administration: focused on training specialists in the field of business, management, and economics.
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences: covers a wide range of humanities and natural sciences, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, literature, and history.
- Faculty of Education: trains teachers for different levels of education, including programs in English.
- Faculty of Architecture: combines creative approach with technical knowledge.
- Specialized faculties: include faculties of fisheries, marine sciences and technology, fine arts, healthcare, and communications.
- Vocational schools: offer training in the field of tourism and hotel management, applied technologies and foreign languages.
Tarsus University, founded in 2018, although relatively young, is rapidly gaining popularity. This public university, with around 3,000 students, includes 7 faculties and 3 vocational schools, offering programs in aeronautics and astronautics, economics, humanities, engineering, medicine, technology, and applied sciences.
Cag University – a private university, the first in the Mediterranean region, founded in 1997. It is distinguished by a more intimate atmosphere with approximately 2000 students. The university offers law, humanities, and economics majors, as well as a professional school with a wide range of programs, English language preparatory courses, and an institute of social sciences.
Toros University
- Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences: provides in-depth knowledge in the field of economics, business, finance and sociology.
- Faculty of Engineering: trains specialists in various fields of engineering, using modern technologies and practical skills.
- Faculty of Fine Arts, Design, and Architecture: develops students' creative potential in the field of design, architecture, and art.
- Faculty of Medical Sciences: provides training for highly qualified specialists in the medical field. In addition to faculties, the university has two professional schools:
- Vocational School of Higher Education: offers practice-oriented programs in construction technologies, cooking, food technologies, graphic design, jurisprudence, and mechatronics.
- Health Vocational School: provides specialized programs in the field of anesthesiology, biomedical technologies, child psychology, dialysis, first aid, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, optometry, dentistry, physiotherapy and surgical services.
Education and admission: For admission to universities in Mersin, foreign students need:
- Prepare a package of documents: including a diploma (with an apostille and translation into Turkish, done in the Consulate of Turkey), biometric photographs, and other necessary documents.
- Pass entrance exams: usually YÖS (less often SAT). Exams are conducted in the applicant's native language.
- Provide language certificate: TOEFL (for studying in English) or TÖMER (for studying in Turkish), at least B2 level.
- Possibility of studying without knowledge of Turkish: the first year of study will be devoted to studying Turkish within the framework of the university program.
Türkiye Bursları Scholarship provides an opportunity to receive a full scholarship covering tuition and living expenses. The competition is quite high (about 5% chance), but successful participation allows for significant financial support.
Diplomas issued by the universities of Mersin, both public and private, are recognized internationally, opening up opportunities for graduates to continue their education and employment abroad. A high level of teaching, modern infrastructure, and active participation in international programs contribute to the successful career of graduates in the global labor market. The choice of university depends on individual preferences and academic goals, but they all offer quality education that meets international standards.
