Comparison of curriculum and entrance exams of physical education and sport teaching departments in Turkey and Finland

The purpose of this study is to identify the similarities and differences between the syllabus and exams at universities in both Turkey and Finland where the programs of Physical education and sports are delivered. The sub aims of the study are to investigate the similarities and differences in following constructs for the two countries: the exams held to be enrolled in the Physical Education and Sports program, syllabus. In Turkey, because the syllabus of Physical Education and Sports Program is determined by Higher Education Council (YÖK) as a central decision maker institution (based on 2018), formulation of student selection at the university enrollment exam is also conducted by YÖK; yet, the content, methods, conditions and grades of the exam are determined by the universities themselves. In this regard, this study examines all universities in Turkey, hence only one university among 14 universities and 22 applied science universities in Finland, course syllabi and entrance exam of the Physical Education and Sports Program at Jyvaskyla University was examined, conducting comparison and contrasts between the countries. Among the qualitative research methods, this study adopts a documentation design, reviewing the documents of related dissertation, book, journal, article, printed scientific research and data released through internet. The data gathered were tabulated and discussed after identifying and listing the constructs to compare and contrast. Results of the study showed that there are similarities between the universities in Turkey and Finland in relation the syllabus utilized. However, the results also yielded that there are differences between the two countries in that there is obligatory education of MA degree to pursue for the Finnish instructors to enable the teaching position at the university. Furthermore, it is identified that in both countries Physical aptitude test is delivered as student selection method, yet, it is significantly identifying factor that in Finland, the grades of practicum are also incorporated into the grades of student selection