Glossary of Turkish university terms
The Turkish words and abbreviations you will meet on forms, emails and university websites, explained in plain English.
A
- Acceptance letterKabul mektubu
- The letter a Turkish university issues when it admits you. It is the document you take to a Turkish consulate to apply for a student visa; some universities first issue a conditional acceptance that becomes final once you meet the stated conditions, such as paying a deposit or sending missing documents.How to get an acceptance letter
- AKTS (ECTS)Avrupa Kredi Transfer Sistemi
- The Turkish name for the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. Turkey takes part in the Bologna Process, so Turkish degrees are measured in ECTS credits, which makes courses and qualifications easier to compare and transfer across Europe.
- ApostilleApostil
- A single certificate, added by a designated authority in the country that issued a document, that confirms the document is genuine for use in every country of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, which includes Turkey. Documents from countries outside the convention need consular legalisation through a Turkish embassy or consulate instead.Apostille or consular legalisation
- Associate degreeÖn lisans
- A two-year higher education program, usually vocational, offered by vocational schools within universities.
B
- Bachelor's degreeLisans
- An undergraduate degree, normally four years in Turkey, and longer for programs such as dentistry and pharmacy (five years) and medicine (six years). A preparatory language year, if you need one, comes on top.Bachelor's programs in Turkey
C
- Consular legalisationKonsolosluk tasdiki
- The chain of authentications (typically a notary, the issuing country's foreign ministry and then a Turkish embassy or consulate) that a document needs when the country that issued it is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention.Apostille or consular legalisation
D
- Denklik (equivalence)Denklik belgesi
- Official confirmation that a diploma earned abroad is equivalent to a Turkish one. University degrees are recognised by the Council of Higher Education (YOK), through its online e-Denklik system; secondary school diplomas are handled by the Ministry of National Education. Universities often ask for the high school equivalence certificate at registration.Denklik certificate guide
- Doctorate (PhD)Doktora
- The highest academic degree, typically involving coursework, a qualifying examination and a dissertation.PhD programs in Turkey
E
- e-Devlete-Devlet Kapısı
- Turkey's official online portal for government services. Foreign residents can use it with their foreign identification number and an e-Devlet password, for example to see their residence permit, health insurance or address records.Using e-Devlet
- e-İkamete-İkamet
- The online system of the Presidency of Migration Management where foreigners apply for, renew and track a residence permit, including the student residence permit.Also written: e-IkametApplying for a student residence permit
F
- Foreign identification numberYabancı kimlik numarası
- The personal identification number given to foreigners in Turkey, shown on the residence permit card. You need it for e-Devlet, banks, health insurance and most official procedures.ID and tax number registration
- Foundation (private) universityVakıf üniversitesi
- A non-profit university established by a foundation and regulated by YOK, often called a private university. Foundation universities set their own tuition fees and frequently offer scholarships and discounts.State vs private universities
G
- General Health InsuranceGenel Sağlık Sigortası (GSS)
- Turkey's public health insurance scheme, run by the Social Security Institution (SGK). International students can usually register within a set period after enrolling; otherwise they need private health insurance, which a residence permit application requires.Health insurance for students
M
- Master's degreeYüksek lisans
- A postgraduate degree, usually two years, offered with a thesis (tezli) or without a thesis (tezsiz).Master's programs in Turkey
O
- ÖSYMÖlçme, Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi
- The Measuring, Selection and Placement Centre, the state body that runs Turkey's national exams. It administers the centralised TR-YOS exam for international applicants as well as exams such as YKS, ALES and YDS.Also written: OSYMUniversity YOS exams vs TR-YOS
P
- Preparatory yearHazırlık
- A one-year language program (English or Turkish) that students take before their degree if their language level is below what the program requires. Passing the university's proficiency exam or showing an accepted certificate usually lets you skip it.Foundation and preparatory programs
- Presidency of Migration ManagementGöç İdaresi Başkanlığı
- The government body responsible for foreigners in Turkey, including residence permits for students. Applications are made online through e-Ikamet and completed at the provincial migration office.Residence permit support
S
- State universityDevlet üniversitesi
- A public university funded by the state and regulated by YOK. State universities generally charge international students lower tuition than foundation universities.State vs private universities
- Student certificateÖğrenci belgesi
- An official document from your university confirming that you are enrolled. It is one of the main documents for a student residence permit application.
- Student residence permitÖğrenci ikamet izni
- The permit that lets an international student live in Turkey for the duration of their studies. You apply after arriving and enrolling, and renew it as required while you study.Residence permit support
- Student visaÖğrenim vizesi
- The visa issued by a Turkish embassy or consulate that allows you to enter Turkey to study. You apply with your acceptance letter; a tourist visa or e-Visa is not a substitute for it.Turkish student visa support
- Sworn translationYeminli tercüme
- A translation made by a translator registered with a Turkish notary, who certifies that it matches the original. Universities and public offices in Turkey usually ask for sworn translations of diplomas and transcripts, often with notary approval.Translation and notary services
T
- TÖMERTürkçe Öğretim Merkezi
- A university Turkish language centre. A TOMER certificate at the level a university requires (often B2 or C1) is the usual proof of Turkish for Turkish-taught programs.Also written: TOMERWhy the TOMER certificate matters
- TR-YÖSTürkiye Yabancı Öğrenci Sınavı
- The centralised foreign student exam administered by OSYM. One TR-YOS score can be used at the many Turkish universities that accept it, unlike a university's own YOS, which normally counts only at that university.Also written: TR-YOSUniversity YOS exams vs TR-YOS
- TranscriptTranskript (not dökümü)
- The official list of the courses you took and the grades you received. Turkish universities ask for it, usually with a sworn translation, when they assess your application.Getting your transcripts
- Turkiye ScholarshipsTürkiye Bursları
- The Turkish government's fully funded scholarship program for international students, administered by YTB. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance and a Turkish language course, with one online application each year.Scholarships to study in Turkey
Y
- YÖKYükseköğretim Kurulu
- The Council of Higher Education, the state body that plans, coordinates and supervises higher education in Turkey. It authorises universities and programs and recognises degrees earned abroad (denklik).Also written: YOK
- YÖK AtlasYÖK Atlas
- YOK's official online database of Turkish universities and their programs, including language of instruction and placement statistics. A reliable place to check that a program exists and how it is taught.Also written: YOK AtlasEnglish-taught programs in Turkey
- YÖSYabancı Öğrenci Sınavı
- The Foreign Student Examination that Turkish universities use to admit international students. Many universities run their own YOS; others accept TR-YOS or alternatives such as SAT, ACT, A levels or the IB Diploma, depending on the program.Also written: YOSUniversity YOS exams vs TR-YOS
- YTBYurtdışı Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar Başkanlığı
- The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, the government body that runs the Turkiye Scholarships program.Scholarships to study in Turkey
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