Galatasaray University

Students admitted through the central examination (ÖSYM) can start the undergraduate law program directly if they present a French language proficiency certificate recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) or if they prove their French proficiency through the placement test administered by our University. Students who do not meet the French language proficiency requirement must attend and successfully complete a one-year preparatory program before beginning their undergraduate law studies.

Students admitted through the GSÜÖSYS from French-medium high schools are exempt from the preparatory class and can directly proceed to their undergraduate education.

The Galatasaray University Faculty of Law Undergraduate Program consists of four academic years, each comprising two semesters. While our courses are primarily based on theoretical education, significant emphasis is also placed on practical and applied training, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practical exercises. The limited student quota of our Faculty allows for interactive participation, fostering an environment of presentations, discussions, and close dialogue. Accordingly, legal education is delivered through a modern, innovative, discussion-based, and inquiry-oriented method that encourages analytical thinking and research.

All courses in the first four semesters are mandatory. Starting from the fifth semester, students are offered the opportunity to choose two elective courses per semester. With our extensive academic staff, we offer a wide range of courses covering substantive law—such as Constitutional Law, Civil Law, General Public Law, Philosophy of Law, Sociology of Law, Roman Law, Legal History, Human Rights Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, Law of Obligations, Public International Law, Commercial Law, Tax Law, Inheritance Law, Property Law, Private International Law, Insurance and Maritime Law, Labor Law, Social Security Law, and European Union Law—as well as procedural law courses like Civil Procedure Law, Administrative Procedure Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law.

Furthermore, students can select from a diverse array of elective courses tailored to their interests, including Intellectual Property Law, Industrial Property Law, Consumer Law, Sports Law, Competition Law, Banking Law, Capital Markets Law, International Commercial Law, International Arbitration, International Tax Law, International Labor Law, International Investment Law and Arbitration, Freedom of Expression, Constitutional Adjudication, Individual Application to the Constitutional Court, Gender and Law, Nature and Law, 20th Century Political History, Turkish Foreign Policy, International Moot Court, Law Clinic, Attorneyship Law, Appellate Procedure, Notification Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Extrajudicial Resolution of Administrative Disputes and Ombudsman, Zoning Law, Health Law, IT Law, Economic Crimes, Crimes Against Persons and Property, Penal Execution Law, Criminology, and Legal German.

Moreover, mandatory Professional French courses, continuing throughout the four years of study, ensure that students attain an academic level of French in the field of law and master French legal terminology across all legal domains.

While courses are predominantly conducted in Turkish; courses taught in English and French by Turkish, French, and Swiss faculty members provide our students with comprehensive content, particularly in comparative and international law. This approach aims to enhance our students' knowledge from a comparative perspective regarding Swiss, German, and French law—which have significantly influenced Turkish private law—as well as French law, which has heavily shaped Turkish public law.

In addition to the regular curriculum, Turkish and foreign academics who are experts in their fields are frequently invited to give lectures, seminars, or round-table discussions at our Faculty, maximizing our students' knowledge in both national and comparative law. Likewise, extracurricular practical studies and working groups organized by our faculty members help reinforce the knowledge acquired in classes and prepare students for national or international academic competitions.

Attendance is mandatory at the Galatasaray University Faculty of Law, and a course-passing system is applied. To complete the undergraduate law program, students must attend and successfully pass a total of 240 ECTS credits—comprising 30 ECTS in the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th semesters; 28 ECTS in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th semesters; and 8 ECTS of language courses—in accordance with the Galatasaray University Education and Examination Regulations. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded the Galatasaray University Faculty of Law Bachelor's Degree (LL.B.) and a diploma supplement.

According to the Galatasaray University Education and Examination Regulations, the final grade for each course is calculated based on the weighted average of midterm exams, other intra-semester evaluations (if any), and the final or make-up exam grades. The maximum score for all evaluations is 100 (one hundred). To be considered successful in a course, the end-of-semester passing grade must be at least 50 (fifty), in addition to the final or make-up exam grade.

Given the intensity and scope of our curriculum, as well as the high number and variety of courses, double major or minor programs with other departments are not offered for our students.

Another fundamental mission of the Galatasaray University Faculty of Law is to ensure that our students not only possess an advanced level of legal knowledge but also support this knowledge with strong foreign language skills. Our Faculty aims to raise highly competent legal professionals, recognized both nationally and internationally, who are proficient in at least two foreign languages at an academic level.

In addition to French and English, law students are provided with the opportunity to graduate with proficiency in German or Spanish. Accordingly, during their studies, students who come from Galatasaray High School or other French high schools, or who are exempt from French by passing the placement test, must successfully complete 12 ECTS credits of foreign language courses; whereas students who complete the preparatory class must pass 8 ECTS credits of foreign language courses.

It is mandatory for our students to have English language proficiency alongside French. Students who demonstrate sufficient English proficiency in the placement test can take advanced oral or written English courses. Conversely, students identified as lacking sufficient proficiency are required to take mandatory English courses.

Students who already possess English proficiency but choose not to take advanced English courses are offered the opportunity to learn a third foreign language, such as German or Spanish.

At Galatasaray University Faculty of Law, the comprehensive undergraduate education of our students is enriched with various events and organizations. Through extracurricular activities, we aim for our students to thoroughly understand the legal profession they will soon join and to gain the necessary insights to make the right career choices. Through these events, students also get the chance to closely observe the institutions and organizations they have learned about theoretically during their undergraduate studies.

During our annual visits with our fourth-year students to the Constitutional Court, the Council of State, and the Court of Cassation—the highest authorities of the Turkish judicial system—we bring our students together with high court judges. During these visits, students can tour the courthouse buildings, ask direct questions to the judges in a conversational setting, and gain detailed knowledge about the judicial profession, case law, and its development.

In our annual visits to the Council of Forensic Medicine with our fourth-year students, they interact with forensic experts and staff, obtaining detailed information about autopsies, forensic examinations, and other activities conducted by the Council.

Additionally, through visits to the Istanbul offices of administrative bodies such as the Ombudsman Institution and the Directorate for European Union Affairs, we aim to enhance our students' knowledge regarding the structure, operations, and activities of these institutions, bringing them together with institutional staff.

Our Faculty, aiming to ensure that students are well-informed about post-graduation career opportunities, organizes numerous events every year under the Career Development Center (KAGEM). These events include workshops on essential skills such as resume writing for the professional world. Furthermore, professionals from various legal fields are invited to share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These KAGEM activities also aim to enhance students' professional competencies and keep them updated on new developments in their fields.

We intend for our students to learn about different professions from these guests and receive advice for their career planning. Representatives from almost all professional fields that law graduates enter are invited to these events, providing our students with the opportunity to explore a wide range of legal careers.

Moreover, as is known, for law graduates in Turkey to practice as attorneys, they must first pass the Legal Professions Entrance Examination (pursuant to Additional Article 41 of Law No. 2547) and then complete a one-year legal internship in accordance with the Attorneys' Act No. 1136, the second six months of which must be completed at a law firm. During the career days organized by KAGEM in collaboration with the Galatasaray University Law Club, students are provided with networking opportunities with institutions and organizations where they can complete their internships. Due to our limited number of students, we provide a democratic, pluralistic, and student-oriented environment in determining the law firms they wish to meet during career days, showing utmost respect for our students' preferences.