Regulations Governing Equivalency of Higher Education Diplomas Awarded Abroad

Aim

Article 1. The aim of these regulations is to specify the rules and the principles to be applied for the procedures concerning equivalency of Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees awarded by institutions of higher education abroad.

Basis

Article 2. These regulations have been prepared in accordance with Article 7 (p) of Law No. 2547.

Required Documents for Determination of Diploma Equivalency

Article 3. Applicants for determination of diploma equivalency must include the following documents with their petitions:

a) the original or certified copy of the previous diploma,

b) the original of the diploma or certificate of graduation presented for determination of equivalency,

c) a complete transcript, indicating courses taken, grades received and credit hours, certified by a university,

d) a notarized Turkish translation of the documents written in a foreign language,

e) the applicant's passport.

Equivalency Commision and Determination of Equivalency

Article 4. The preliminary examination of diplomas is carried out by the Equivalency Commission. Proposals submitted by the Commission become definite upon the decision of the Executive Board of Higher Education.

The Equivalency Commision, under the chairmanship of one of the members of the Executive Board of Higher Education assigned by the President of the Council of Higher Education, consists of at least 2 teaching staff members selected by the General Assembly of Higher Education among the members proposed by the Board of National Committees. The Commission may establish as many sub-commissions as necessary.

Examination

Article 5. Equivalency Commision examines:

a) whether the submitted documents are authentic or not; whether there are any erasures, additions, or similar alterations on the documents,

b) whether the submitted documents belong to the applicant or not,

c) whether the university or the institution of higher education which awards the diploma and the educational program concerned is recognized and held in esteem or not,

d) at which level the educational program concerned is educationally equivalent that offered at Turkish universities.

Despite the fact that the diploma is awarded by a university which is internationally recognized or within the framework of bilateral agreements, if there is any doubt about the type, the quality and the level of the educational program, the applicant is required to document the dates of his/her stay in the country where he/she received education with the formal catalogue of the university and additional documents as well as his/her passport and other relevant documents. In case of necessity, a council of higher education will examine these documents and state its opinion.

Results of the Examination

Article 6. If it is determined that the academic documents have been altered, are not authentic, or do not belong to the applicant, the equivalency procedure will not be carried out and the public prosecutor will be informed on the offence to initiate legal proceedings against the persons involved.

Following these examinations:

a) The equivalency procedures for associate’s degrees are concluded with acceptance or rejection. A certificate of equivalency is issued to those whose formal request is accepted.

b) The certificate of equivalency for bachelor’s degree, is issued under the following conditions:

· The institution that awards the diploma is recognised internationally or within the framework of bilateral agreements;

· The educational program is equivalent to the similar educational program in Turkey;

· The level and field of education are clearly defined.

If there is any doubt about the level and content of the applicant's undergraduate education, the student may be given a proficiency examination the rules and the principles of which will be determined by the Council of Higher Education. This is not a class-passing or course-passing examination. It aims at determining the content of the courses taken by the student and the levels of knowledge he/she is expected to have attained. After the evaluation of the examination, along with the documents, one of the following is settled upon:

1) A certificate of equivalency is issued to those whose undergraduate degree is accepted as equivalent.

2) A certificate of equivalency to an associate’s degree is issued to those whose educational level is determined to be equivalent to an associate’s degree. Those who wish to complete their education for the bachelor’s degree programs may continue their education in Turkey.

3) The formal request for equivalency by those whose education is not equivalent to a university is turned down and a certificate of equivalency is not issued.

a) Equivalency procedures for postgraduate degrees are concluded with acceptance or rejection. The certificate of equivalency is issued to those whose formal request is accepted.

b) Whatever name they might bear, equivalency is not given to certificates or diplomas received abroad after education or training in which attendance is not compulsory, such as those awarded by open, external or non-attendance institutions.

The equivalency of “distance education” programs that are carried out through modern education technologies will be evaluated and decided upon separately by the Council of Higher Education.

Completing Education for Bachelor’s Degree Equivalency

Article 7. Those who have graduated a higher education program with a minimum duration of four years, excluding the preparatory year, with their diploma equivalencies already determined as an associate’s degree, or those who have been determined to have some deficiencies in the comprehensive proficiency examination referred to in Article 6 (b), second paragraph, may apply to a university in Turkey to complete their education toward a bachelor’s degree.

The Executive Board of Higher Education determines which universities and faculties are suitable for those students who wish to complete their education for the bachelor’s degree equivalency. With regard to the tuition fees of the students concerned, the provisions of Article 7 of Law No. 3843 on receiving Double-Education at the institutions of higher education, amending some articles of Law No. 2547 on Higher Education and amending an additional article to this law will be applied.

The universities are authorised to decide the duration of the education and the courses the student has to take for the bachelor’s degree.

The person who has been accepted to the university to complete his/her education becomes a regular student of that university and continues his/her education and training according to Law No 2547, Article 44 and the educational and examination regulations of that university.

Entry into force of the Regulations

Article 8. These regulations enter into force upon the date of publication.

Implementation of the Regulations

Article 9. The provisions of these regulations are implemented by the President of the Council of Higher Education.