How to Equate a University Degree in Turkey Step by Step?

Are you wondering how to Equate a University Degree in Turkey and make your qualifications officially recognized?
For thousands of students and professionals, getting degree equivalency — or “Denklik” — is the gateway to unlocking academic and career opportunities in Turkey. Whether you’re planning to continue your education or pursue a professional career, understanding the steps, requirements, and official process is essential.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about equating your degree in Turkey with ease and confidence!

What is Denklik in Turkey?

This document certifying degree equivalency, or (Denklik Belgesi), confirms that academic degrees obtained from universities outside Turkey are recognized within the Turkish education system and indicates the equivalent academic standards and fields in Turkey. When international students need to prove that their university degree meets Turkish higher education standards, they must obtain this certification.

To apply for your university degree equivalency, you will need to apply here.

You will need to fill out your personal and educational information, and then you will select the equivalency center where you will continue your procedures.

Note:

For graduate students who have completed their previous bachelor’s or master’s degrees outside Turkey, they must obtain recognition of their degrees from the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK), so you will not need to obtain a “Denklik” document.

Read More: Equivalency of Secondary School Certificates in Turkey

The Importance of University Degree Equivalency in Turkey

Equating your university degree in Turkey is more than a legal requirement — it’s a strategic step that opens the door to new academic and professional opportunities.
Whether you plan to work or study, degree recognition ensures your qualifications are respected and valid within the Turkish system.

Key reasons why equivalency is essential:

• Enables access to postgraduate programs
• Required for professional licensing and employment
• Ensures legal recognition of your academic achievements
• Facilitates government procedures and visa processes
• Increases your chances in both public and private sectors

Tips for Speeding Up University Degree Equivalency in Turkey

Looking to fast-track your degree recognition in Turkey? Follow these smart strategies to avoid delays and ensure a smoother process.

• Make sure all documents are complete and up-to-date
• Use certified translations from accredited notaries
• Submit your application through the official E-Denklik system
• Schedule your appointment as early as possible
• Track your application status regularly
• Stay in touch with the YÖK office for updates
• Avoid common mistakes like missing signatures or unclear scans
• Work with a professional advisor for guidance

How to Equate a University Degree in Turkey?

The Higher Education Institution carries out the process of equating university degrees in Turkey in Ankara. This procedure is conducted to verify the authenticity of university degrees obtained outside of Turkey. The institution communicates with the universities that issued the degrees to ensure their validity, after which the degree holder is subjected to a comprehensive exam in their field. Based on the result of this exam, the individual is granted an equivalency document known as “Denklik.” This exam is held twice a year in the capital, Ankara.

Read More: Certificate Equivalency in Turkey

How to equivalence the Bachelor of Human Medicine and Master’s Degrees in Turkey?

Equating a Bachelor of Medicine or a Master’s degree in medical fields in Turkey involves a multi-step process handled by the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) and the Ministry of Health. Here’s how it works:

Stage 1: Document Submission

• Applicants must send all required documents by mail to the Ministry of Higher Education in Ankara. This includes notarized translations and certified copies.
• The verification process can take 7 to 12 months, during which the Ministry contacts your university to confirm the validity of your academic credentials.
• Applicants can monitor the status of their application through the official Higher Education Council website.

Stage 2: Required Exams

To obtain full degree equivalency, medical graduates must pass the following exams:

• STS (Seviye Tespit Sınavı) – Standard equivalency test
• OSCE Exam – Objective Structured Clinical Examination
• TUS Exam – Medical Specialization Exam in Turkey

For Specialists

Doctors holding specializations and wishing to practice in Turkey must submit an additional request to the Ministry of Health. This request is then evaluated by a university or a government hospital through a practical examination in the applicant’s specialization.

Next Steps

After passing the exams and receiving the equivalency certificate, applicants are advised to improve their Turkish language skills. The final step is to search for job opportunities in hospitals across Turkey.

How to Equate the Bachelor of Dentistry and Master’s Degrees in Turkey?

The equivalency process for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Dentistry in Turkey involves two main phases:

Phase 1: Application and Document Review

• Applicants must send their official documents to the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) in Ankara.
• The Ministry will verify the documents by contacting the issuing university, a process that may take 7 to 12 months.

Phase 2: Required Exams

To complete the equivalency process, applicants must successfully pass two key exams:

• STS (Equivalency Exam)
• DUS (Dentistry Specialization Exam)

Note: These two steps (document submission and exam success) can be carried out in parallel.

Read More: Benefits and methods of equivalency of university degrees in Türkiye 2025

How to Equalize a Diploma and a Bachelor’s Degree in Turkey

For degrees outside the medical and dental fields, the process for degree equivalency in Turkey is similar, with some standard documentation requirements. Applicants must prepare and submit the following:

• A copy of a valid passport
• The completed registration form (filled by hand)
• A notarized equivalency certificate for the high school diploma, with an additional copy
• The original diploma or bachelor’s degree
• A notarized Turkish translation of the diploma
• An official transcript (original and Turkish-translated, notarized)
• Additional photocopies of all the above documents

Submission Instructions:

You can deliver the documents in person or send them via mail to the following address:

Yükseköğretim Kurulu Başkanlığı Denklik Başvuru Ofisi
Bilkent, Ankara 06539 – TURKEY

How long does it take to equate a university degree in Turkey?

After sending copies of the required documents by mail to the Ministry of Higher Education, one must wait a period ranging from 7 months to a year for the ministry to contact the university in your home country to verify the submitted documents. After that, the ministry will reach out to inform you of the result.

What are the Conditions for Equating a University Degree in Turkey?

The conditions for equating a university degree in Turkey may vary depending on specific circumstances, such as the country where the degree was issued and the university attended. However, you must adhere to the following:

1. Documents: The documents must be original and free from any alterations, wear, or similar forgery.
2. Applicant: The documents must belong to the applicant.
3. University: The university or higher education council and the program from which the education was obtained must be reputable institutions and programs.
4. Program: The educational program in which the degree was obtained must be equivalent to the educational program offered at universities in Turkey.
5. Application: Applications for degree equivalency in Turkey are submitted by holders of university degrees who have completed at least 4 years of study in any field.

Note: It should be noted that the Higher Education Council in Ankara does not accept equivalency for degrees from institutes that take only two years. Specific exams are available for all university majors, whether scientific or literary, to obtain equivalency for the university degree.

Read More: How long is the duration of a Master’s degree in Turkey? A guide for international students

Requirements for University Degree Equivalency in Turkey

Submitting an application for degree equivalency in Turkey requires providing a set of necessary documents. Among these documents are typically the original diploma and a copy of it, along with a set of other documents. This also requires submitting certified translations of documents if they are in a language other than Turkish, in addition to paying certain fees for the equivalency process.

Documents required to apply for university degree equivalency in Turkey are:

1. Passport: A copy of a valid passport.
2. Registration Form: This must be filled out by hand and attached with the other documents.
3. High School Certificate: An equivalency document for the high school certificate certified by a notary, along with an additional copy. You can refer to how to equate a high school certificate.
4. Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree: The original diploma or bachelor’s degree obtained in your home country.
5. Translation: A Turkish translation of the diploma or bachelor’s degree certified by a notary.
6. Transcript: An original copy of the transcript for all years of higher education, along with a translated version in Turkish, certified by a notary.
7. Additional Copies: An additional copy of all mentioned documents.

Steps for University Degree equivalence in Turkey

The stages of equating a university degree in Turkey include:

1. Application: Submitting a degree equivalency application form to YOK (Turkish Higher Education Council) and paying the fees, along with the required documents, such as a copy of the degree and other documents proving the validity of the studies and the grades obtained.
2. Evaluation: The Higher Education Council evaluates these documents and then determines the equivalency of the foreign university degree with a recognized Turkish university degree.
3. Equivalency: Upon approval of the equivalency application, a certificate of equivalency will be issued by YOK.

• This certificate can be used for employment purposes in Turkey or for pursuing further education. It should be noted that the cost of the equivalency process varies depending on the university and the type of degree, and there is a specific timeframe to complete the equivalency procedures.
• We always recommend directly contacting the equivalency office of YOK or the Turkish Higher Education Council for accurate and updated information regarding the procedures and requirements for equating a university degree.

Read More: How to Prepare for a Master’s Degree in 2025?

How Directly Helps You Equate a University Degree in Turkey

Navigating the process of degree equivalency in Turkey can be overwhelming — from document preparation to dealing with official institutions. Directly simplifies this journey by offering expert assistance at every stage. Here’s how we support you:

• Personalized consultation to assess your eligibility
• Full preparation and review of required documents
• Certified translation and notarization services
• Application submission through the official platform
• Appointment scheduling with equivalency centers
• Ongoing follow-up with Turkish authorities
• Guidance for required exams and evaluations
• Fast-track options (where applicable)
• Dedicated WhatsApp support throughout the process
• Up to 80% discounts on selected services and free consultations to help you get started with confidence

In Conclusion, Successfully completing the process to Equate a University Degree in Turkey can open the door to countless opportunities in both education and employment. With the right guidance, documents, and preparation, the procedure becomes much easier and faster.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward official recognition of your degree, contact Directly now via WhatsApp — our expert team is ready to support you through every stage of the application!