PROCESS
The high school equivalency certificate
Denklik assesses how an overseas school qualification corresponds to the Turkish school system. It is separate from the university’s admission decision. Requirements and exemptions depend on your educational documents and applicant category, so identify the required procedure and submission deadline early.
In this guide
What it is and who issues it
Start with MEB’s e-denklik system and its current FAQ. Applications are handled by authorised education offices in Türkiye or overseas education representatives. This is not the same as recognition of a university degree. Some school documents are exempt; check your exact diploma rather than assuming every foreign applicant follows an identical procedure.
Check the procedure before registration
As soon as your shortlist is clear, ask what is needed at application and what is needed at registration. Gather the records needed for the applicable MEB or authentication procedure. Do not wait for the last week to discover that an original, certification or attendance record must be obtained from abroad.
What you normally need
Requirements are set by the issuing authority and vary with the country your diploma comes from, so confirm the current list with the counsellorship or directorate that will handle your case. The shape is consistent even where the detail is not.
- Diploma, transcript and any school-attendance records requested for your educational history
- Identity and passport records required by the application centre
- Authentication and translation only in the form required for your documents
- Additional evidence listed in MEB’s current guidance for your circumstances
How it interacts with your application
Application and registration requirements can differ. Ask the university to identify the rule for your citizenship and school qualification. Some institutions provide a formal undertaking route when a required certificate is pending; others require it by registration. Get any permitted later deadline in writing and comply with it. Do not assume an offer or a signed undertaking permanently waives the requirement.
Common reasons a file is returned
Before submission, compare names and dates across records, include all required pages and check the requested authentication. If a document is unavailable, ask what substitute evidence is accepted rather than creating or altering a record. Keep copies of the submitted file and the authority’s requests.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
Can I register without the equivalency certificate?
It depends on your applicant category and the university’s written registration rules. Obtain confirmation of any exemption or permitted undertaking and its deadline; do not rely on another student’s experience.
How long does it take?
Ask the responsible application centre for its current processing information and allow time for missing-document requests. There is no single duration suitable for every country, qualification or file.
I studied in a third country, not my own. Where do I apply?
Describe where you studied, where the documents were issued and where you now reside to an authorised MEB equivalency centre. Confirm its jurisdiction and document list before arranging an appointment or translations.
Sources & references
Use the linked source for current requirements. The dates below record when each source was checked.
- MEB — secondary-school equivalency FAQ (opens in a new tab)edenklik.meb.gov.tr ·
- Özyeğin — undergraduate registration procedures and exceptions (opens in a new tab)ozyegin.edu.tr ·
Plan your next step.
Bring your questions about programs, documents or settling in to a MEC Education advisor.