Denklik (diploma equivalency) guidance — partner

What is diploma equivalency and why do you need it?

A certificate or diploma earned outside Turkey is not automatically recognized within the Turkish system. To use a foreign certificate to continue your education at the next stage, or to work in certain professions, you must first obtain an official document known as "diploma equivalency" (Denklik), which confirms that the foreign certificate matches, or its level corresponds to, the Turkish education system.

There are two separate equivalency tracks in Turkey, depending on the educational stage:

• The Ministry of National Education (MEB) is responsible for equivalency of pre-university certificates — that is, primary, middle, and secondary school certificates issued outside Turkey
• The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is responsible for equivalency of university degrees — that is, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees issued by higher education institutions outside Turkey

Each of these two bodies operates under its own regulation, and after reviewing the file, issues an official document that determines the status of the foreign certificate within the Turkish system.

Important points to know

• A foreign certificate should never be assumed to be automatically recognized in Turkey; without the official equivalency document, it cannot be formally used for university enrollment or for work purposes that require it
• Equivalency criteria are not fixed and can change: requirements vary by the country and institution that issued the certificate, and by field of study, and these criteria are reviewed and revised from time to time. For example, in 2024 the Council of Higher Education amended its regulation on foreign university degree equivalency to link some equivalency procedures to the awarding university's ranking in global classifications
• Regulated professions — such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law, and teaching — are subject to stricter equivalency standards, and may require additional conditions set by the relevant authority
• Review and verification procedures take time, and the process can be longer depending on application volume and file complexity, so it is advisable to start the equivalency process early, especially before university registration deadlines approach

Frequently asked questions

Is a foreign secondary school certificate automatically recognized in Turkey? No. In most cases you need to complete an official equivalency process through the Ministry of National Education (MEB) before the certificate can be used for university enrollment or other official purposes in Turkey.

What is the difference between MEB and YÖK equivalency? Ministry of National Education (MEB) equivalency covers pre-university certificates (primary, middle, and secondary school), while Council of Higher Education (YÖK) equivalency covers university degrees (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral). These are two entirely separate bodies and procedures.

Does obtaining the equivalency document guarantee admission to a university or a specific job? No. The equivalency document only confirms the certificate's level and its correspondence within the Turkish system; it does not by itself guarantee university admission or employment, since these matters are subject to separate additional criteria set independently by each institution or employer.

Last updated: 2026-09-07