- Recognition and Equivalence Procedures of Diplomas Obtained from Universities Abroad…
- CoHE evaluated 7,013 equivalence applications in the first eight months of 2022
- Out of 7,013 applications, 3,291 were accepted as "equivalent" and 368 were "rejected"
September 13, 2022
The Council of Higher Education (CoHE), which carries out the recognition and equivalence procedures of diplomas received from universities abroad, evaluated 11,089 equivalence applications in 2020, 11,535 in 2021, and 7,013 in the first eight months of 2022. Out of the evaluations completed in the first eight months of 2022, 3,291 resulted in equivalence, 3,214 in Level and Competence Evaluation System (SYBS), 368 in rejection, 140 in return and others.
How does the Process Work?
Pre-applications for equivalence are made online through the e-Government Gateway or the official website of CoHE. Then, the application documents prepared by applicants or their representatives holding the power of attorney are submitted to the Department of Recognition and Equivalence Services. The application process is finalized after the documents are checked one by one through the system. Applicants can follow the application process via the e-Government Gateway.
During the preliminary evaluation process, the Department exchanges correspondence with the relevant institutions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the verification of diplomas. The length of stay abroad during the period of study in the country where the applicant studied abroad is calculated based on the data obtained from the Turkish National Police.
Then, the application document is examined individually in terms of procedures and principles. During the review phase, academic opinions are requested from universities, and the Scientific Advisory Board conducts its evaluation. The final decision is made by the Recognition and Equivalence Commission in line with the opinions received.
The CoHE Executive Board makes the final decision for the application. These decisions are “equivalence”, “rejection” and “SBYS”.
What is SYBS?
In case there is a deficiency or doubt in the diplomas regarding the education, applicants are required to complete some requirements. These requirements include taking an exam called “Level and Competence Evaluation System”, doing internship, completing courses, doing clinical practice, and creating projects in order to be sure whether the applicant earned the compulsory gains of the diploma and the department carries the minimum quality standards.
Distribution of Applications by Nationality
When we look at the distribution of applications for equivalence by nationality, it is observed that the citizens of the Republic of Türkiye are given equivalence certificates the most. Apart from the citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, Azerbaijani, Iranian and Syrian nationals mostly apply for recognition and equivalence. Equivalency certificates are mostly requested for medicine, architecture, law and theology programs.
Distribution of Rejected Applications by Country
When we look at the distribution of rejected applications by country, it is observed that Syria, Azerbaijan and North Macedonia ranked first in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The rejection decisions are mostly seen in the fields of law and architecture.
Grounds for Refusal and Return
Incoming equivalence requests can be rejected for reasons such as lack of academic degree, education being open education rather than formal education, insufficient duration of stay abroad during education, insufficiency of education level, receiving distance education, non-confirmed information, having graduated from an educational institution not recognized by the Council of Higher Education, not having received at least 70 percent of the education from a recognized institution as per the regulation, the affiliation of the higher education institution abroad with FETO, and being transferred without meeting the requirements for transfer.
