Educational Credential Equivalency in Turkey | What is Denklik?
Educational credential equivalency in Turkey is one of the most important steps for individuals who intend to continue their studies, work, or plan for academic or professional migration in this country. Without completing this process, many universities, educational institutions, and official government offices in Turkey will not recognize your educational degree as valid. Therefore, being familiar with the steps, required documents, and responsible authorities in this field is highly important.
In the following, stay with Negin Group to get a complete understanding of the concept of Denklik, how to obtain it, potential challenges, and important tips for successful equivalency of educational credentials in Turkey.
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What is Educational Credential Equivalency in Turkey?
Educational credential equivalency in Turkey, known as “Denklik,” is an official process to recognize academic degrees obtained outside of Turkey. Those who want to continue their studies or work in a formal job position in Turkey must first validate their educational documents within the country’s education system.
Since this process can be time-consuming and complex, full familiarity with the procedures, requirements, and regulations related to it can play a significant role in speeding up the process.
Denklik: Official Recognition of Foreign Credentials
Denklik in Turkey means the equivalency of educational degrees earned in another country. This process is mandatory for students, university applicants, and even individuals seeking employment in Turkey. Simply put, if you received your degree in Iran or any other country, in order to continue your education or work in a related job in Turkey, you must first have your degree officially equivalated.
For example, if someone wants to enroll in a Turkish university or even work in a private or governmental company, without completing the educational credential equivalency process, they may face restrictions.
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Is Equivalency Required in Iran as Well?
Yes, this law is not exclusive to Turkey. In Iran, if a person has studied abroad and wants to continue their education or work within the country, they must also have their academic credentials equivalized. Usually, transcripts, course syllabi, and previous certificates need to be submitted in specific forms for evaluation by the Ministry of Science or the Ministry of Health.
If you plan to immigrate, study, or work in Turkey, one of the first steps you should take is to obtain equivalency (Denklik) of your academic degree in Turkey. By understanding the laws and procedures related to Denklik, you can navigate this process more calmly and confidently. Whether you are planning to study or have already purchased an apartment in Alanya with intentions for long-term residence, being familiar with the educational and administrative structure of the destination country is always an advantage.
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Steps to Obtain Denklik in Istanbul
To start the equivalency process of your academic degree in Turkey, you need to follow these steps:
Online Application (Randevu):
First, you must schedule an appointment online through the Turkish Ministry of National Education’s system.Receive Confirmation Email:
After registering, you will receive an email from the relevant office containing the date and location for your in-person visit.In-Person Visit and Document Submission:
Documents must be submitted in person by the applicant to the relevant office.Document Review:
Education experts will review the documents and may request additional paperwork if needed.Payment of Fees:
After preliminary approval, you must pay the fee for the Denklik process.Receive Result:
The result will be sent via email. Your Denklik can be approved, rejected, or conditional (subject to passing an exam).
Documents Required for Denklik
To complete the equivalency process in Turkey, you need the following documents:
Valid passport along with a copy
Original or certified copy of the academic degree
Official Turkish translation of the documents (notarized)
Turkish residence card or Randevu confirmation paper
Recent color official photo
Completed Denklik application form
Payment receipt for the document review fee
When Should You Submit Denklik to the University?
If your Denklik is not yet issued at the time of university registration, you must commit to providing it within 90 to 180 days. Failure to submit on time may result in cancellation of your enrollment. It is recommended to ask the university’s international office for the exact deadline for submitting Denklik during registration.
Equivalency of School Educational Certificates in Turkey
For educational levels from primary school to high school, the Denklik process is carried out by the Turkish Ministry of National Education and is free of charge. It is important to note that the Turkish education system consists of 12 years. If you studied under the old Iranian system, you need to provide your diploma and pre-university certificate; if you studied under the new system, the 12th-grade certificate and your transcript are sufficient.
The duration of this process varies depending on the volume of applications but usually takes between one day and one month.
Equivalency of University Degrees in Turkey
If you intend to continue your education at university level or work with a university degree in Turkey, you must apply for equivalency through the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). The current fee for this process is approximately 500 Turkish Lira.
The time required for this type of equivalency depends on your field of study. For example, medical sciences and its subfields (such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing) may take up to one year to receive Denklik. For other fields, usually 3 to 6 months is sufficient.
Which Fields Require Denklik?
In fact, most fields—especially engineering and medical sciences—require equivalency for continuing education or employment in Turkey. The main reason for this requirement is the importance of these fields in the country’s professional structure and the sensitivity related to expertise and skills. Therefore, the Turkish education system carefully reviews the applicants’ certificates, transcripts, and educational background.
The table below shows the equivalency of Iranian degrees in the Turkish education system:
| Iranian Degree | Equivalent in Turkey |
|---|---|
| Pre-University Diploma | Diploma |
| Associate Degree | Associate’s Degree |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Master’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
| PhD / General Physician | PhD |
| Medical Specialist | Postdoctoral Degree |
Equivalency of Academic Degrees in Turkey for Different Education Levels
In Turkey, equivalency of primary, middle, and high school diplomas is handled by the Ministry of National Education. However, university degrees are evaluated by the Council of Higher Education of Turkey, known as YÖK. Those who studied under the old education system must also submit their pre-university certificate, while graduates of the new system can provide their 12th-grade transcripts.
For University Degrees:
Schedule an appointment via the Randevu system.
If required, participate in STS exams and achieve a passing score.
Required Exams for Denklik:
Medicine: STS exam – TUS section (minimum score: 40)
Dentistry: STS exam – DUS section (minimum score: 40)
Engineering and Architecture: STS-2 exam (minimum score: 40)
Teaching in Public Schools: KPSS exam (Denklik not required, but passing score is mandatory)
These exams are conducted in Turkish and are held twice a year.
Is a Language Certificate Required for Degree Equivalency in Turkey?
Yes. Presenting a Turkish language certificate (TOMER) is essential for degree equivalency in Turkey, especially for those who intend to work or continue their education in the country. If you do not have a language certificate when starting the process, you will have sufficient time to attend Turkish language courses and pass the TOMER exam.
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Duration of Degree Equivalency Process in Turkey
The time required for document evaluation varies by field of study. For general fields such as management, arts, or humanities, the process usually takes between 3 to 6 months. However, for fields like medicine or engineering, it can take up to one year, since passing specialized exams is also a requirement for obtaining equivalency (Denklik).
Important Notes for Degree Equivalency in Turkey
All equivalency procedures must be completed within Turkey; applying through the embassy is not accepted.
It is recommended to translate and notarize your documents before traveling to Turkey to save time.
Always bring both the original and copies of all documents when attending in person.
Administrative processes can be time-consuming, so patience is necessary.
Degree Equivalency in Turkey and Career Prospects
Having Denklik is a gateway to entering Turkish universities or starting work in the country. Additionally, obtaining Denklik can be an effective step in investing in Turkey. Many people first get their degrees equivalized and then pursue residency options through purchasing property or company registration in Turkey to improve their career prospects.
Summary
Degree equivalency in Turkey is one of the essential steps for continuing education, working, or even employment in both public and private sectors of the country. Applicants should first be aware of the differences between the education system of their home country and that of Turkey. By preparing the necessary documents, they can start the equivalency process through the Randevu (appointment) system. Attention to details such as official translation of documents, submission of transcripts, proof of completing 12 years of education, and participation in specialized exams like STS or KPSS for certain fields is crucial.
Having a Turkish language certificate (such as TOMER) is also very important, as it affects both the exams and the acceptance of documents. Additionally, keep in mind that degree equivalency in Turkey can only be done through official institutions within the country and is not accepted through embassies.
If you plan to migrate to Turkey for education or work, it is recommended to seek specialized consultation to avoid wasting time and money. Besides educational paths, some individuals enter Turkey for investment purposes and to buy property, and having degree equivalency can open up more educational and career opportunities for them.
Finally, remember that degree equivalency in Turkey is a time-consuming but valuable process. If you follow this path consciously and with proper guidance, you can successfully enter a new phase of your academic or professional life in Turkey.
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