All You Need to Know About High School Equivalency (Denklik)

High school equivalency (Denklik Belgesi) is an essential and mandatory step for international students wishing to pursue their university education in Türkiye, whether at public or private universities.

 This process ensures that the high school diploma obtained by a student from outside Türkiye meets the Turkish educational standards, making it officially accepted by all Turkish educational institutions.

Who Needs High School Equivalency?

High school equivalency is primarily required for:

• International Students: Those who wish to enroll in Turkish universities (public or private) after obtaining their high school diploma from outside Türkiye.

• International Students under 18 years old: Some specific cases for minors might require additional documents such as parental consent or a guardianship document.

Important Note: Some private universities may not require high school equivalency during the initial application, but it becomes a fundamental requirement upon final registration at the university. Therefore, it's advisable to start the equivalency procedures early.

Required Documents for High School Equivalency in Türkiye

The accuracy and completeness of the required documents are crucial for the speedy processing of the equivalency application. Generally, the essential documents include:

• Original High School Diploma: This must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country where the diploma was issued. In some cases, additional attestations from the Turkish Embassy in your country might be required.

• High School Transcript (Statement of Grades): For the last three academic years (typically 10th, 11th, and 12th grades). It must be original and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country.

• Official Translation of Documents (Diploma and Transcript): Both the high school diploma and the transcript must be translated into Turkish by a sworn (certified) translator, and the translation must be authenticated by a Turkish Notary Public (Noter).

• Copy of a Valid Passport: The personal information page and the entry stamp page to Türkiye (if you are inside Türkiye).

• Copy of a Valid Study Visa or Residence Permit in Türkiye: (If you are residing in Türkiye).

• High School Equivalency Application Form (Denklik Başvuru Formu): This form is obtained from the official equivalency website (e-Denklik) and all required data must be filled in.

• University Acceptance Letter (if available): The final acceptance letter from the Turkish university where the student has been admitted (Öğrenci Belgesi).

• Passport-Sized Photos: 2 personal photos.

• Equivalency Fee Payment Receipt: After submitting the documents, you'll be asked to pay the equivalency fee to obtain a payment receipt.

Additional Notes:

• The required documents may vary slightly depending on the country of the diploma, and the Ministry of National Education may request additional documents.

• If you are under 18 years old, you might be asked to provide a guardianship contract or a special power of attorney from your guardian, and a translated and attested guardian consent letter.

• For international schools, documents might need to be attested twice: once by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country, and again in Türkiye.

Conditions for Applying for High School Equivalency

• The high school diploma must be issued by an internationally recognized educational institution.

• All required documents must be submitted, translated, and attested as per regulations.

• An online appointment must be booked for document submission.

• The prescribed fees for the equivalency process must be paid.

• All data in the documents must be consistent and accurate.

Is Equivalency Available for Foreigners?

Yes, absolutely. High school equivalency in Türkiye is primarily available for international students who have obtained their high school diplomas from outside Türkiye and wish to pursue their university education in Turkish universities.

Steps for Applying for High School Equivalency

The equivalency process can be completed in two main ways:

Method 1: From Outside Türkiye (Via Turkish Embassy or Consulate)

• Prepare Documents: Gather, authenticate, and translate all required documents in your country.

• Visit the Cultural Attaché: At the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your country.

• Submit Application: Hand in the documents and pay the fees.

• Receive Equivalency Document: After the procedures are completed, the equivalency document will be issued by the Embassy or Consulate.

Method 2: From Inside Türkiye (Via Directorate of National Education)

• Online Registration (e-Denklik):

• Access the official equivalency website: https://edenklik.meb.gov.tr/

• Create a new account (if you don't have one).

• Fill out the equivalency application form (Denklik Başvurusu) on the website.

• Upload the required documents (usually in PDF or JPEG format).

• Book an Appointment: After submitting the application online, choose a suitable appointment from the available slots at one of the Provincial Directorates of National Education (İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlüğü) in the city where you reside. You must confirm the booking and save the appointment receipt.

• Attend the Scheduled Appointment: On the specified date and time, the student goes to the Directorate of National Education with all original documents and their translated and attested copies.

• Pay Fees: Pay the equivalency fees (if any) and obtain a payment receipt.

• Track Application Status: You can track the status of your application online.

• Receive Equivalency Document: After the process is complete, the equivalency document (Denklik Belgesi) will be issued along with the original diploma (the process usually takes a minimum of 10 days to two weeks, but it may take longer).

Institutions Responsible for High School Equivalency

The primary institutions responsible for high school equivalency in Türkiye are:

• Turkish Ministry of National Education (Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı - MEB): This is the main authority responsible for the high school diploma equivalency process. Procedures are often carried out through its Provincial Directorates of National Education (İl Milli Eğitim Müdürlükleri) in Turkish cities.

• Turkish Embassies and Consulates Abroad: Through their cultural attachés, international students can initiate equivalency procedures from their home countries before coming to Türkiye.

Note: For university degree equivalency (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD), the responsible authority is the Turkish Council of Higher Education (Yükseköğretim Kurulu - YÖK), and university degree equivalency procedures differ from high school equivalency.

Universities That Accept Equivalency

All Turkish universities (public and private) require the high school equivalency document (Denklik Belgesi) as a fundamental condition for final registration. There is no exception to this requirement for undergraduate studies.

Turkish universities accept students with foreign high school diplomas after they obtain equivalency, which confirms that their diploma is equivalent to a Turkish high school diploma. Some universities may allow initial application without "Denklik," but they will definitely require it upon final registration.

Examples of major cities and universities that host international students and accept equivalency:

• Istanbul: Istanbul University, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul Technical University, Okan University, Yeditepe University, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul Aydın University, Istanbul Gelişim University, Altınbaş University, and many more.

• Ankara: Ankara University, Hacettepe University, Bilkent University, Middle East Technical University, and others.

• Izmir: Ege University, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, and others.

• Other cities: There are universities all over Türkiye such as Bursa (Uludağ University), Antalya (Akdeniz University), Sakarya (Sakarya University), and others, all of which require equivalency.

In general, any Turkish public or private university offering bachelor's degree programs will require your high school equivalency document.