- The guide answers the most frequently asked questions about university recognition and diploma equivalency procedures.

- Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar: "Before beginning your studies, you must verify that your chosen university is recognized by the Council of Higher Education."

July 29, 2026

The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) has published a comprehensive information guide for students planning to pursue higher education abroad during the 2026 Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) selection period.

The guide, prepared in a question-and-answer format, provides detailed explanations of the recognition and diploma equivalency procedures and emphasizes that applicants should verify whether their chosen university is officially recognized by the Council before enrolling.

Prepared by the Department of Recognition and Equivalency Services, the guide addresses the questions most frequently raised by prospective students.

It also makes clear that recognition and equivalency are two distinct processes. A university's recognition by the Council of Higher Education does not automatically mean that its diploma will be granted equivalency in Türkiye after graduation.

- Recognition and Diploma Equivalency Explained

The guide explains that applicants can verify whether a higher education institution is recognized by the Council of Higher Education through the "HEI Recognition Certificate Inquiry" service available on Türkiye's e-Government Gateway. For institutions not listed in the system, applicants may submit an inquiry directly to the Department of Recognition and Equivalency Services.

It further emphasizes that a HEI Recognition Certificate merely confirms that a higher education institution is recognized by the Council. The certificate does not constitute diploma equivalency and does not guarantee automatic recognition of a degree after graduation.

The guide also notes that applications for diploma equivalency are assessed individually after graduation in accordance with the relevant legislation and reiterates that no diploma can be guaranteed equivalency in advance.

- Special Guidance for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Law

The guide provides additional information for students intending to study Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, or Law abroad. It explains that the diploma equivalency requirements for these disciplines vary according to the international ranking of the university attended.

Students enrolled at universities ranked within the top 1,000 worldwide—according to at least two of the international university ranking organizations recognized by the Council of Higher Education in the year they begin their studies—will not be required to meet the YKS admission ranking requirement when applying for diploma equivalency.

However, students who completed their secondary education in Türkiye and enroll in these programs at universities outside the top 1,000 must have achieved the minimum YKS success ranking required for the relevant program in the year they commenced their studies.

According to the 2026 YKS Guide, the minimum ranking requirements are Top 50,000 for Medicine, Top 80,000 for Dentistry, Top 100,000 for Pharmacy, and Top 100,000 in the Equal Weight score category for Law.

- Foreign Language Proficiency and Mode of Study

The guide also notes that applicants for diploma equivalency may be required to provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction of their academic program.

In addition, only diplomas earned through full-time, on-campus education, together with distance education programs that satisfy the conditions specified in the relevant regulations, are eligible for diploma equivalency evaluation. Diplomas obtained through other forms of education are not eligible for equivalency assessment.

- Erol Özvar: "Be Sure to Verify Recognition Before You Begin"

Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar stressed that students planning to study abroad should verify before starting their studies whether their chosen university is officially recognized by the Council of Higher Education.

He reminded applicants that diplomas awarded by institutions not recognized by the Council cannot be granted diploma equivalency in Türkiye and reiterated that no university or academic program can be guaranteed equivalency in advance.

The Question-and-Answer Guide prepared by the Department of Recognition and Equivalency Services, together with up-to-date information on recognition and diploma equivalency procedures, is available at https://denklik.yok.gov.tr/tr/announcements-detail/347.