The Diploma Equivalence Process (YÖK) Step by Step

Two concepts need to be kept apart from the outset. Recognition (tanıma) means that a higher education institution and the degree it awards are accepted as valid; equivalence (denklik) is the determination of what that degree is equivalent to among the degrees awarded in Türkiye. Applicants usually want equivalence without noticing that they have not yet met the prior condition of recognition, and when that distinction is missed the file falters at the very first stage. If the institution is not recognised, no equivalence assessment can produce a result, however good the coursework.

Why are equivalence and recognition confused?

Because the two terms are used interchangeably in everyday speech, applicants often do not know clearly which of them they need. Recognition confirms that an institution and a degree exist as valid; equivalence sets that degree against its counterpart in Türkiye. An employer who asks for “diploma equivalence” is really asking what the degree corresponds to in the Turkish system, whereas an institution offering further study may sometimes be satisfied with recognition alone. Establishing which of the two is needed at the outset avoids embarking on an application process for nothing.

The distinction affects the translation side as well. Where only recognition is sought, a more limited set of documents may be enough, while a full equivalence assessment can call for a file that goes down to the content of individual courses. The first task, then, is to establish what scope each procedure requires.

Which documents are required for equivalence?

At the core of an equivalence file are the diploma and the record of the courses taken during the studies. Alongside these come documents establishing identity and the applicant’s movement during their studies. The table below summarises the documents most often requested and what to watch for in translation; since the exact list can vary with the application period and the programme, it should be confirmed against YÖK’s current announcement.

Course descriptions matter particularly. An equivalence assessment usually looks not at course titles but at whether the subjects covered in those courses overlap with programmes in Türkiye. So when a course description document, or catalogue, is requested, that document too has to be translated meticulously; a superficial translation makes the equivalence review harder.

The equivalence process step by step

1. Check that the institution and the programme are recognised. Before moving on to equivalence, it is established whether the institution that awarded the diploma is a recognised higher education institution; this is a precondition of the process.
2. Obtain official copies of the diploma and the academic transcript. Original documents bearing the institution’s seal and signature are what count; screen printouts and student copies are usually not accepted.
3. Complete the certification of the document in the country of origin. The diploma is certified in the country where it was issued, either by apostille or through that country’s chain of legalisation. Certification comes before translation.
4. Have the sworn translation done. The certified document is translated into Turkish; the spelling of the name, the name of the degree and the dates must match the source exactly.
5. Submit the application and follow the file. Further documents or a review may be requested after submission; these requests are the stage that affects the timescale most.
6. Supply any additional documents quickly. Items such as course descriptions or a placement certificate may be requested during the review; providing them without delay shortens the process.

Why does the order of translation matter?

The commonest mistake in an equivalence file is having the document translated before it has been certified. The apostille or legalisation in the country of origin is usually affixed to the original, and the translation is then made from that certified version. When the order is reversed, the certification does not appear in the translation and the document counts as incomplete. We deal with which document calls for which certification, all in one place, in our document guide.

Another critical point is the confusion between translating the grading system and the assessment the equivalence authority will make. The translator renders the grade and the system on the transcript exactly as they stand; “converting” a grade into the Turkish system is not the translator’s job, and that assessment belongs to the competent authority. Adding an equivalent that does not appear in the source document damages the file and delays the review.

Common mistakes

• Skipping recognition. If the institution is not recognised, the equivalence assessment can produce no result at all.
• Applying with a student copy. Copies with no seal and no signature do not count as official documents.
• Translating course titles approximately. Since the equivalence of a programme is established by looking at course content, a free translation makes the equivalence review harder.
• Leaving the spelling of the name different from the passport. A file in which identity cannot be matched is put on hold.
• Translating only some of the pages. Overlooking the diploma supplement, or the reverse side of the transcript, is a common omission.

Points that come up often

I do not have the diploma yet; can I apply with a provisional graduation certificate? Practice varies with the document and the period. A provisional certificate is accepted in some cases, but the diploma itself may be requested later; the safest course is therefore to confirm which document is valid before applying.

Can studies taken by distance learning or online obtain equivalence? This is a matter of assessment that turns on the nature of the studies, and it cannot be answered with a general yes or no. In such a case, YÖK’s current criteria should be examined before applying.

Should I have the translation done in the country of origin? The Turkish translation of a file to be used in Türkiye is generally accepted without difficulty when it is produced within the sworn translator system in Türkiye. It is still worth confirming the exact expectation in the application guide.

Checklist before applying

Going through the file as a whole once before submitting it weeds out the commonest gaps in advance. The list below gathers the points that most often send an equivalence file back; if you can tick every item, your file is largely ready for review. If an item is missing, completing it before you apply is far easier than putting it right afterwards.

• Have you confirmed that the institution which awarded the diploma is recognised?
• Do you have official, sealed copies of the diploma and the academic transcript?
• Has the document been through apostille or legalisation in the country of origin?
• Does the spelling of your name match the Latin-script spelling in your passport?
• Is the course description document (catalogue) ready, in case it is requested?
• Have all the pages been translated, including the reverse side of the transcript and its annexes?

Equivalence is a process that involves many kinds of document and is sensitive to order, so putting the file together correctly from the start is far cheaper than correcting it later. You can send us your file for translation of your diploma and academic transcript through the quote form, see the approach we take to educational documents on the translation services page, and put your questions about the process to us on the contact page.

This page sets out the general framework; the details of an individual matter may differ. The final requirements are set by the authority you apply to, so confirm them in advance.