With the 2026 Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) process underway, many candidates are planning to pursue higher education not only at higher education institutions in Türkiye but also at institutions abroad.

Candidates wishing to pursue higher education abroad should take into consideration not only the admission requirements of the university but also the recognition status of the higher education institution they plan to attend, the equivalence procedures that will apply in Türkiye after graduation, and the specific requirements set out in the relevant legislation. In this context, the most frequently asked questions regarding recognition and equivalence procedures, as well as the key points that candidates planning to pursue higher education abroad should be aware of, are explained below in a question-and-answer format.

QUESTION 1: WHAT ARE RECOGNITION AND EQUIVALENCE?

ANSWER: Recognition refers to the recognition by CoHE of the higher education institution and program abroad in which an individual intends to study. Equivalence refers to determining the academic level and field in Türkiye to which a diploma obtained upon completion of a higher education program abroad corresponds.

The fact that a higher education institution is recognized does not mean that the diploma will automatically be granted equivalence after graduation.

QUESTION 2: HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHETHER THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION I PLAN TO ATTEND IS RECOGNIZED BY CoHE?

ANSWER: Candidates can first use the “HEI Recognition Certificate Inquiry” service available through the e-Government Gateway to obtain information about the recognition status of the higher education institution they plan to attend.

If the relevant higher education institution cannot be found through the e-Government system:

• A petition requesting recognition of the institution should be prepared;
• The required information and documents specified in the petition should be attached;
• An application can be submitted to the Department of Recognition and Equivalence Services by post or in person.

HEI Recognition Petition Template

Candidates are advised to check the recognition status of the institution before beginning their education in order to prevent any potential difficulties or grievances in the future.

QUESTION 3: IN WHAT SITUATIONS CAN AN HEI RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE BE USED?

ANSWER: The HEI Recognition Certificate may be used for the following purposes:

• Finding out whether the higher education institution abroad at which a candidate plans to study is recognized;
• Applications for transfer from higher education institutions abroad to higher education institutions in Türkiye and applications for graduate education;
• Military service deferment procedures;
• Providing information to public institutions and organizations, particularly for purposes related to healthcare payments through the Social Security Institution (SGK);
• Applying to the Interuniversity Board Presidents for equivalence of a doctoral degree obtained from a higher education institution abroad;
• Procedures enabling foreign nationals who have graduated from higher education institutions in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to use their diplomas outside Türkiye; and
• Other official procedures requested under the relevant legislation.

QUESTION 4: DOES OBTAINING An HEI RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE MEAN THAT I WILL BE GRANTED EQUIVALENCE?

ANSWER: No.

An HEI Recognition Certificate is merely a document indicating whether the higher education institution where an individual intends to study is recognized by the Council of Higher Education.

Having an HEI Recognition Certificate does not mean that equivalence will automatically be granted after graduation.

Equivalence procedures are separately assessed after graduation based on information and documents concerning the diploma and the education undertaken, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation.

QUESTION 5: CAN I FIND OUT IN ADVANCE WHETHER I WILL BE GRANTED EQUIVALENCE?

ANSWER: Since diploma equivalence applications are assessed on an individual basis by the relevant Commissions and Boards, it is not possible to provide an advance opinion as to whether associate degree, undergraduate, and graduate diplomas obtained from higher education institutions abroad will be considered equivalent to diplomas awarded in Türkiye.

QUESTION 6: I AM PLANNING TO STUDY MEDICINE, DENTISTRY, PHARMACY, OR LAW ABROAD. DO I NEED TO TAKE THE YKS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR DIPLOMA EQUIVALENCE?

ANSWER:

For candidates planning to study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or law abroad, the requirements applicable to diploma equivalence applications vary depending on the position of the university in global university rankings in the year in which the candidate begins their studies.

If you study at a higher education institution that is ranked among the top 1,000 in at least two of the global university rankings recognized by the Council of Higher Education in the year you begin your studies, you are not required to take the YKS in order to apply for diploma equivalence.

However, candidates who completed their secondary education in Türkiye and who study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or law at a higher education institution that is not ranked among the top 1,000 in at least two of the recognized global university rankings in the year they begin their studies must, in order for their diploma equivalence applications to be assessed, have met the minimum ranking requirement for the relevant program in the YKS held in the year they began their studies.

According to the 2026-YKS Guide, candidates must be ranked among the top 50,000 in the SAY score type to choose medicine programs, among the top 80,000 for dentistry programs, among the top 100,000 for pharmacy programs, and among the top 100,000 in the EA score type for law programs.

QUESTION 7: WHICH WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKING ORGANIZATIONS ARE RECOGNIZED BY CoHE?

ANSWER: In its equivalence assessments, the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) takes into account the overall university rankings published, for the year in which the candidate began their studies, by the following world university ranking organizations:

• Shanghai Ranking (ARWU/Academic Ranking of World Universities)
• CWTS Leiden Ranking
• QS World University Rankings (QS)
• Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE)

QUESTION 8: I WILL BE STUDYING AT A UNIVERSITY AND IN A PROGRAM THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE RANKING REQUIREMENT. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO?

ANSWER: Candidates should pay attention not only to the university's ranking, but also to the quality of the program, the language of instruction, the recognition status of the university, and whether they have completed their studies in accordance with the procedures applicable in the relevant country.

The language of instruction being a foreign language and the requirement to document foreign-language proficiency are two different matters. Candidates are advised to review in advance the language of the program they plan to attend, the foreign-language certificates accepted by the university, and the requirements set out in the relevant legislation.

QUESTION 9: I AM PLANNING TO STUDY ABROAD IN A PROGRAM OTHER THAN MEDICINE, DENTISTRY, PHARMACY, OR LAW. DO I NEED TO TAKE THE YKS FOR EQUIVALENCE?

ANSWER: There is no YKS ranking requirement for equivalence applications in fields other than the four fields listed above (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and law). The absence of a YKS ranking requirement does not mean that diploma equivalence will be granted automatically.

QUESTION 10: WHICH FOREIGN-LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES ARE ACCEPTED FOR EQUIVALENCE APPLICATIONS?

ANSWER: As part of diploma equivalence assessments, the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) may require applicants to provide proof of foreign language proficiency in the language of instruction of the program in which they studied.

In this regard:

• Results of the Foreign Language Proficiency Test (YDS) administered by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), formerly known as the KPDS and ÜDS, are accepted.
• International foreign language examinations recognized as equivalent to the YDS in the International Foreign Language Examinations Equivalency Document published by ÖSYM are also accepted.

However, the following points should be taken into consideration regarding international foreign language examinations:

• International foreign language examinations administered in Türkiye must be held in buildings belonging to state universities.
• Results from Home Edition, Online Home Edition, At Home, or similar remotely administered examinations are not accepted.
• All foreign language certificates submitted must be verifiable. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the results of the verification of their documents can be confirmed.

Certificates or documents of successful completion issued at the end of preparatory classes (preparatory education) by higher education institutions abroad are not accepted as proof of foreign-language proficiency for diploma equivalence procedures.

If the language of instruction of the program in which the applicant studied is the same as the applicant's native language, proof of foreign-language proficiency is not required.

If the program was taught in a language for which the YDS is not administered, applicants should follow the announcements published on the official website of the Council of Higher Education.

QUESTION 11: WHAT SCORE IS REQUIRED ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS?

ANSWER: For YDS certificates submitted as proof of general language proficiency pursuant to subparagraph (ğ) of the first paragraph of Article 4 of the Regulation on the Recognition and Equivalence of Higher Education Diplomas from Abroad, the minimum accepted score is 60 (sixty), or the equivalent score specified in the International Foreign Language Examinations Equivalency Document. The provisions of the relevant legislation stipulating specific score requirements for YDS examinations to be taken as part of the equivalence of distance education diplomas and the SYBS procedures remain reserved.

QUESTION 12: DOES THE MODE OF EDUCATION (ON-CAMPUS, DISTANCE, OPEN EDUCATION, ETC.) OF THE PROGRAM I PLAN TO STUDY ABROAD MATTER FOR DIPLOMA EQUIVALENCE?

ANSWER: The Council of Higher Education conducts equivalence assessments only for diplomas obtained through on-campus education and for diplomas obtained through distance education that meet the criteria specified in Article 10 of the Regulation on the Recognition and Equivalence of Higher Education Diplomas from Abroad. Equivalence applications for diplomas obtained through other modes of education are rejected. For on-campus programs, it is also extremely important that students actually and regularly attend their studies throughout all periods of education and training.

QUESTION 13: IS THERE ANY OTHER PROCEDURE I NEED TO COMPLETE BEFORE STARTING MY STUDIES ABROAD?

Students who are planning to begin higher education abroad are advised, before starting their studies, to apply to the Education Counselor's Office or Education Attaché's Office serving under the Embassy or Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in the country where they will study and have a “Special Student File” opened.

Throughout their studies, it is also important to report any changes in the university, program, contact information, or educational status to the relevant Education Counselor's Office or Education Attaché's Office and ensure that the records are kept up to date.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Candidates planning to pursue higher education abroad should pay attention to the following points to avoid any loss of rights:

• Before starting your studies, be sure to check whether the higher education institution is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE).
• Remember that an HEI Recognition Certificate does not serve as a diploma equivalence certificate.
• Keep in mind that diploma equivalence applications are assessed only after graduation and in accordance with the provisions of the legislation in force.
• If you plan to study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or law, review the world university ranking and YKS ranking requirements before starting your studies.
• Check in advance whether the language of instruction, foreign language proficiency requirements, and mode of education of the program you plan to attend comply with the relevant legislation.
• Before leaving Türkiye, make sure to have a Special Student File opened at the Education Counselor's Office or Education Attaché's Office in the country where you will study.
• Regularly follow the official website of the Council of Higher Education for the latest legislation and announcements.