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Equating the Saudi certificate in Turkey is a concern for many Saudi students wishing to study in Turkey or secure a job there. The growing interest of Saudi students in studying in Turkey is mainly due to the cost-effectiveness compared to European or American universities, while still enjoying similar benefits.
Turkey is home to many prestigious universities that are ranked among the best globally, thanks to the excellent education system and strong emphasis on scientific research development.
This article aims to help Saudi students navigate the necessary requirements and conditions for successfully equating their Saudi certificates in Turkey.
We will provide a detailed explanation of the process.
Requirements for Equating the Saudi High School Certificate in Turkey
Equating a certificate is an official document issued by a government authority in Turkey (the Higher Education Council in Turkey, YÖK). Through obtaining this document, individuals can continue their university studies at a Turkish university or apply for job opportunities in Turkey.
The requirements for equating the high school certificate in Turkey vary based on the certificate type and the institution it was issued from. Therefore, the Saudi student needs to present their high school certificate for comparison with the secondary education level in Turkey to complete the process of equating the Saudi high school certificate.
This document has become essential for completing the registration process at Turkish universities, and it ensures that the certificate is entered into the Turkish Ministry of Education’s database, along with an assigned serial number.
Read More: How to Equate a University Degree in Turkey Step by Step?
How is the Saudi High School Certificate Equated in Turkey?
To equate the Saudi high school certificate in Turkey, the Saudi student must request an equivalency certificate from the Turkish Ministry of National Education. The Turkish Ministry of Education evaluates the student’s certificates and academic record, determining how their grades correspond to the Turkish education system.
Generally, the equivalency of subjects differs depending on the country of origin of the certificate. Basic subjects like mathematics, sciences, and foreign languages in the Saudi certificate may be equated differently than other subjects such as history, arts, or music.
Therefore, the student must request the equivalency from the relevant authorities to continue their studies in a regulated and official manner, recognized by the official bodies.
Where is the Saudi High School Certificate Equated in Turkey?
The Saudi high school certificate can be equated in Turkey at the following centers:
- Before the student arrives in Turkey: The Turkish embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia, specifically at the cultural attaché of the embassy.
- While in Turkey: The Directorate of National Education in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, or any of the Directorate’s offices in other Turkish provinces and cities.
What Documents are Required for Equating the Saudi High School Certificate in Turkey?
The Saudi student or graduates from Saudi Arabia must provide some documents to complete the equivalency process successfully, which are as follows:
- Original High School Certificate: Translated into Turkish and authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Transcript: Translated and authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including grades from the last three years of high school (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year).
- Passport: Valid with a copy of the personal data page.
- Final University Acceptance Letter: A document confirming the student’s final university acceptance and confirming their reserved place in a Turkish university (enrollment confirmation), dated recently.
- Student Visa or Residence Permit: A copy of the student visa, residence permit, or any document proving the application for it from the Turkish Immigration Office.
- Equivalency Application Form: Filled out with the required information. The form can be accessed through the official equivalency website.
Important Notes:
- If the Saudi student is already in Turkey and has not yet received the student residence permit, they must provide:
- A copy of the visa (student visa).
- A copy of the page with the Turkish entry stamp.
- A copy of the final university acceptance from the Turkish university the student is enrolled in.
Read More: Recommended Universities in Turkey for Saudis
How to Equate the Saudi High School Certificate in Turkey
As previously mentioned, the Saudi student can request the equivalency of the Saudi high school certificate in Turkey via the online platform of the Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) at
and follow these steps:
- Upload the aforementioned documents.
- Wait for the approval of the equivalency request.
- Pay the required fees upon submitting the documents.
Important Note:
The translated copies of the equivalency request must be notarized either by a notary in Turkey or by Turkish embassies in the country where the certificate was obtained.
After submitting the equivalency request via the online platform, the original documents must be submitted to the Recognition and Equivalency Department at the Higher Education Council in Ankara on the assigned date.

Requirements for Equating the Saudi University Degree in Turkey
To complete the process of equating a Saudi university degree in Turkey, the student must follow a series of steps to ensure the success of the degree equivalency process. The following documents and papers are required:
- Equivalency Document for the Saudi High School Certificate in Turkey: Certified and translated by approved centers, such as a notary or Turkish embassies, into Turkish.
- Certified Copy of Valid Passport
- Copy of the Equivalency Application Form: Containing all the required information.
- Certified Copy of the University Degree: Translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and certified by a notary.
- Original Certified Transcript: For all years of higher education, translated into Turkish by an accredited center.
- Additional Certified Copies: Of all required documents.
Read More: Studying in Turkey: A Guide for Saudi Students in turkey
How to Equate the Saudi University Degree in Turkey
After gathering all the required documents, the student must book an appointment to have the university degree equated in Turkey by following these steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the official website of the Higher Education Council through the designated link to start the appointment booking process via the following link: gov.tr.
- Submit the Application Online: Click on the “Online Application” option to begin the application process.
- Select Nationality: On the “Nationality” page, choose your nationality from the available list to ensure the appropriate service is provided.
- Enter Personal Information: Fill in the required details accurately, such as full name, date of birth, the country where you studied (Saudi Arabia), language of instruction, degree type, phone number, and email address.
- Choose an Appointment: After completing the information, click “Next” to proceed to the available appointment dates.
- Select a Suitable Appointment: Choose the most convenient appointment time and click “Next” to confirm the booking.

Conditions for Equating the Saudi Engineering Degree in Turkey
Equating the Saudi engineering degree in Turkey typically requires several procedures and conditions, as follows:
- Recognized Educational Institution: The Saudi student must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited educational institution in Saudi Arabia recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education.
- Duration of Study: The duration of the engineering program should not be less than 4 academic years.
- Translated Copy: A translated copy of the degree into Turkish must be provided by a certified translator and certified by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the notary in the Saudi cultural attaché at Turkish embassies.
- Language Proficiency: The student must prove proficiency in Turkish or English by passing an accepted language proficiency test. The required level is determined based on the type of degree and purpose of the equivalency.
- Additional Requirements: The student may be asked to undergo a personal interview and additional tests to assess their knowledge in the engineering field.
Conditions for Equating Medical Degrees in Turkey (Saudi Certificate)
A Saudi citizen holding a medical degree needs to meet specific conditions for their degree to be equated in Turkey:
Equating the Medical Degree (Saudi Certificate)
- Documents Submission:
- The required documents should be submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education in Ankara by mail.
- The processing time to get the medical degree equivalency is between 7 months to a year.
- During this period, communication with the Saudi student’s university is necessary to ensure the authenticity of the submitted documents.
- The documents should include certified copies of the medical degree, translated into Turkish, and notarized by an accredited Turkish notary.
- A detailed transcript of the student’s grades during their academic years, certified by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translated into Turkish, and notarized.
- A copy of the student’s identification documents.
- The equivalency application form. Students can follow up on their application through the Turkish Higher Education website.
- Passing the Examinations
Saudi students wishing to equate their medical degree in Turkey must pass the following three exams:
- STS Equivalency Exam: This exam is required for Saudi students seeking to equate their medical degrees in Turkey to assess their skills against Turkish medical education standards. Doctors cannot practice in Turkey without passing this exam, which helps determine their academic level.
- OSCE Exam: The OSCE exam is essential for measuring a doctor’s practical competence in medical practice. The exam evaluates the doctor’s ability to perform clinical examinations, diagnose diseases correctly, and prescribe appropriate treatment. The goal is to ensure that the Saudi doctor has the necessary clinical skills to practice medicine safely in Turkey and obtain a professional license.
- TUS Exam: Saudi students wishing to specialize and pursue postgraduate studies in medicine in Turkey must take this exam to ensure they have the essential knowledge and skills to excel and successfully continue their studies in the chosen specialty.
Important Note:
If the doctor requesting the equivalency has a specialization and wants to work as a specialist, they must submit the equivalency request to the Ministry of Health for evaluation. The ministry will then forward the request to a government or university hospital for a theoretical and practical exam in the doctor’s specialty before approving the contract.
Read More: Study Costs in Turkey for Saudi Students

Second – Equating the Dental Medicine Degree in Turkey (Saudi Certificate)
If a Saudi dentist is requesting the equivalency of their dental medicine degree, they must submit the documents mentioned earlier for medical degree equivalency, along with passing the following two exams:
- STS Equivalency Exam: This has been explained above.
- DUS Specialization Exam:
The DUS exam is a national test for dental professionals seeking to specialize in dental medicine in Turkey. It assesses students’ skills and their ability to successfully pursue the specialization they want.
Once the required exams are completed and the equivalency document is awarded, the dentist will search for a suitable hospital to work with and sign a contract.
How to Equate a Saudi Graduate Degree in Turkey
To equate a Saudi postgraduate degree, the student must gather and provide the following documents:
- Passport: A copy of a valid passport.
- Equivalency Application: The application form for degree equivalency.
- Saudi Secondary School Certificate: The equivalency certificate for the Saudi secondary school diploma in Turkey, authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translated into Turkish, and notarized.
- Postgraduate Degree: The postgraduate degree obtained in Saudi Arabia, authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translated into Turkish, and notarized.
- Translation of Documents: All documents must be translated into Turkish and certified by a notary in the Saudi cultural attaché at the Turkish embassy or other authorized centers.
- Transcript: An original, certified transcript of the student’s grades obtained in the Saudi university, translated into Turkish and notarized.
- Additional Copies: Copies of all the above-mentioned documents.
After gathering these documents, they must be submitted to the Turkish Higher Education Ministry via mail, and the student should schedule an appointment for equivalency through the ministry’s website.
Steps for Scheduling the Equivalency Appointment via the Ministry’s Website:
- Submit the application online.
- Fill in the required information, such as nationality and personal details (full name, date of birth, country where studies took place, language of instruction, type of degree, phone number).
- Provide the student’s email address.
- Choose a suitable appointment time.
In Conclusion: The DENKLİK BELGESİ (Equivalency Certificate) is essential for Saudi students to prove that their degrees meet Turkish higher education standards.
This certificate serves as the official proof that the academic degree obtained by the student from Saudi universities is recognized within the Turkish education system, and it clarifies the student’s academic level and equivalent specialization in Turkey.
Read More: Studying in Turkey for Saudis in Detail

How Directly Educational Services Helps You in Equating the Saudi Certificate in Turkey
Directly Educational Services offers assistance to students from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who wish to equate their certificates in order to facilitate the university registration process at the required educational levels and complete all necessary steps, including:
- Certificate Translation: Directly Educational Services provides a certificate translation service into Turkish and notarization by a certified Turkish notary.
- Appointment Scheduling for Equivalency: We help students schedule an appointment for their certificate equivalency (DENKLİK).
- Verification of Required Documents: We assist students in meeting the necessary conditions and gathering the required documents to ensure a successful equivalency process.
Additionally, Directly Educational Services offers a package of free services to help students settle into their studies in Turkey, including:
- Securing free university acceptance with no additional costs.
- Free airport pickup and transportation to the student’s accommodation.
- Opening a bank account for free, without any fees.
- Issuing a free transportation card for public transport use.
- Securing accommodation, either in university dormitories or private housing, at affordable prices.
- Assisting with the student residence permit application process.
- Free enrollment confirmation and completing the registration process at the university with no costs.
- Providing and scheduling the certificate equivalency appointment for free.
- Completing all university admission procedures for free.
In conclusion, this is our comprehensive article that answers most Saudi citizens’ questions about the possibility of equating their certificates in Turkey.
We hope we have been helpful.. Feel free to contact us via WhatsApp for more information or to ask any questions. We are here to help you move confidently towards achieving your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the equivalency certificate in Turkey?
The equivalency certificate in Turkey, known as Denklik Belgesi, is an official document issued by the Turkish Ministry of National Education or the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). It confirms that a foreign academic certificate (such as high school, university, or postgraduate degree) is recognized and meets the standards of the Turkish education system.
Tab TitlWhat is a level equivalent in Turkey?e
A level equivalent in Turkey refers to the official recognition and comparison of an academic degree or certificate from another country with the corresponding level in the Turkish education system. This process determines how a foreign qualification matches the levels of education in Turkey, such as high school, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
What are the benefits of equivalency certificate?
The benefits of the equivalency certificate include eligibility to enroll in Turkish universities, the ability to apply for postgraduate programs, legal recognition of qualifications for employment in Turkey, and a smoother integration into the Turkish academic or professional environment.


