Directive on Application, Admission and Registration of International Students to Graduate Programmes

This is an annex to Senate Decision no. 2021/05 dated 02.02.2021
 

Republic of Türkiye

ISTANBUL SABAHATTIN ZAIM UNIVERSITY DIRECTIVE ON APPLICATION,

ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO GRADUATE PROGRAMMES

PART ONE

Purpose, Scope, Basis and Definitions

Purpose and Scope

ARTICLE 1 - (1) This Directive regulates the application, admission and registration processes of international students for the graduate programmes carried out at the Graduate Education Institute of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.

Legal Basis

ARTICLE 2 - (1) This Directive:

a) Article 35/(2) of the Council of Higher Education Graduate Education and Training Regulation,

b) It has been prepared on the basis of the provisions of the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Graduate Education and Training Regulation.

Definitions

ARTICLE 3 - (1 ) In this Directive:

a) University: refers to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,

b) IZU: refers to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,

c) Rector: The Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,

ç) Senate: The Senate of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,

d) IZU YDY: refers to the IZU Foreign Language Proficiency Examination,

e) CAE (Cambridge Advanced English): refers to the Cambridge Advanced English Examination,

f) CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Examination): refers to the Cambridge English Proficiency Examination,

g) DILMER: refers to the IZU Language Education Application and Research Center,

ğ) EABED/EBD: refers to the Institute Department/Institute Discipline)

h) Institute: refers to the Graduate Education Institute affiliated with the Rectorate of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,

ı) EYK: refers to the Institute Executive Board,

i) PTS (Pearson Test of English): refers to the Pearson Test of English,

j) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): refers to the Test of English as a Foreign Language,

k) YDS: refers to the Foreign Language Examination,

l) YOKDIL: refers to the Higher Education Institutions Language Examination)m) e-YDS: refers to the Electronic Foreign Language Examination,

n) TOMER: refers to the Turkish Language Teaching Center,

o) International student: refers to a student who chooses to complete all or part of their undergraduate or graduate education in a country other than their own and to move to that country for educational purposes,

ö) YOK: refers to the Council of Higher Education.

PART TWO

Quota, Application Requirements, Language Proficiency Status

Quota

ARTICLE 4 - (1) The number of international students to be admitted to graduate programmes is determined at the beginning of the preceding semester upon the proposal of the departments, by decision of the Institute Board and with the approval of the Senate.

(2) Quota increases are made upon the request of the relevant departments, by decision of the Institute Board and with the approval of the Senate.

Application Requirements

ARTICLE 5 - (1) In order to apply to graduate programmes, candidates must hold international student status. Turkish citizens who have completed their undergraduate education in a different country are also considered to hold international student status. Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (except those who have completed their entire education at TRNC educational institutions and hold GCE AL results) are not considered to hold international student status.

(2) International candidates applying to graduate programmes must meet the above conditions and must not have received a disciplinary penalty from a higher education institution in Türkiye.

Documents Required for Application

ARTICLE 6 - (1) International candidates who have graduated from an undergraduate or master's programme of a university and wish to pursue graduate education complete the application form announced on the website within the calendar determined by the Institute and apply online, attaching the following documents.

(2) The documents required for a master's application are as follows:

a) Bachelor's degree diploma,

b) The transcript obtained from the last educational institution from which the candidate graduated,

c) ALES, GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission to master's programmes with thesis,

ç) Letter of intent,

d) Foreign language certificate,

e) Two academic letters of reference,

f) Letter of financial support and/or scholarship document,

g) Photograph.

(3) The documents required for a doctoral application are as follows:

a) Bachelor's and/or master's degree diploma,

b) The transcript obtained from the last educational institution from which the candidate graduated,

c) ALES, GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission to doctoral programmes,

ç) Letter of intent,

d) Foreign language certificate,

e) Two academic letters of reference,

f) Letter of financial support and/or scholarship document,

g) Sample of written work: an article, assignment, thesis or similar piece of written work not exceeding 30 pages,

ğ) Photograph.

Documents Required for Registration

ARTICLE 7 (1) In order to complete final registration for graduate programmes, international students must submit the following documents to the institute directorate:

a) School recognition certificate approved by YOK.

b) The original diploma issued by the educational institution from which the candidate graduated, together with a copy translated into Turkish or English and certified by the Embassies/Consulates of the Republic of Türkiye or by a notary.

c) The original transcript issued by the educational institution from which the candidate graduated, together with a copy translated into Turkish or English and certified by the Embassies/Consulates of the Republic of Türkiye or by a notary.

ç) A university recognition certificate for international students, and a Diploma Equivalence Certificate for Turkish citizens who have completed their education abroad.

d) A copy of the official identity document or of the passport page showing identity information, certified by the Embassies/Consulates of the Republic of Türkiye or by a notary.

e) A bank receipt showing that the first instalment of the tuition fee has been paid, or a scholarship document.

f) For citizens of countries not exempt from visa requirements under agreements to which the Republic of Türkiye is a party or by presidential decree, a Student Visa to be obtained from the Embassies/Consulates of the Republic of Türkiye, or a valid residence permit or residence certificate.

g) One passport photograph,

ğ) Foreign language certificate,

h) International students who will register for graduate programmes taught entirely in Arabic or English must document their language proficiency in the language of the programme in which they enrol. Candidates who have graduated from undergraduate or master's programmes whose language of instruction is the language of the programme to be enrolled in (Arabic or English) in countries where Arabic or English is the native or official language are not required to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement. Candidates who have obtained a sufficient score in any of the foreign language examinations listed in the table below may be admitted to a graduate programme

ı) Candidates who are unable to submit any of these documents are required to take the foreign language examination administered by the University. Candidates who score 70 or above in this examination are deemed successful, are admitted to the programme and begin their courses. Those who are unsuccessful are directed to foreign language preparatory programmes for a maximum of two semesters. The registration of prospective international graduate students who are also unsuccessful in the foreign language preparatory programme is cancelled at the end of one year.

i) In order to register for graduate programmes taught in Turkish, international students must document their Turkish language proficiency. International students who have graduated from a Turkish-medium programme at a higher education institution in Türkiye are not required to meet the Turkish language requirement. All other candidates must hold a certificate attesting to a Turkish language level of at least B2 obtained from a Turkish proficiency examination such as TOMER, DILMER or TYS in order to begin their graduate education. This score level may be raised at the request of the departments.

j) Candidates who do not hold a Turkish language certificate at least at B2 level from a Turkish proficiency examination such as TOMER, DILMER or TYS are required to take the Turkish proficiency examination administered by the University. Candidates who are successful at B2 level are admitted to the programme and begin their courses. Those who are unsuccessful are directed to a preparatory programme lasting a maximum of two semesters, on the condition that they attain B2-level Turkish proficiency by the end of this period. The registration of prospective international graduate students who are also unsuccessful in Turkish proficiency training is cancelled at the end of one year.

k) International master's or doctoral candidates who apply with a scholarship under the “Türkiye Scholarships” programme are enrolled directly in the relevant graduate programmes without a subject examination. However, in order to begin graduate courses, students must have fulfilled the English or Turkish language proficiency requirements set out above.

l) With the exception of non-thesis master's programmes, students may not register for or attend more than one graduate programme at the same time.

PART THREE

Evaluation of Applications, Announcement of Results and Tuition Fees

Evaluation of Applications and Announcement of Results

ARTICLE 8 - (1) The preliminary review of international students' master's and doctoral applications is carried out by the International Office and the Graduate Education Institute via the online application screen. The application documents of candidates who pass the preliminary review are forwarded to the relevant Department Chairs. Applications to be evaluated are assessed by the Department Graduate Student Admission Committee established by the Department Chairs. The evaluation is carried out within the announced quota, taking into account the candidate's diploma, grade point average, foreign language examination score (if any), letter of intent and letters of reference. The evaluation results are forwarded to the Graduate Education Institute. Final results are announced to candidates by the Graduate Education Institute.

(2) The list of international students admitted to a graduate programme is submitted by the institute to the Institute Executive Board for approval at the beginning of the semester. Students approved by the Institute Executive Board may begin their studies.

Tuition Fee

ARTICLE 9 - (1) Tuition fees are determined each year by the University and announced on the University and institute websites.

(2) The fees determined by the University are paid into the relevant account numbers of the banks with which the University has an agreement, in accordance with the payment plan set by the University.

(3) If a student who has gained the right to register and completed registration requests the cancellation of their registration, the fee paid is refunded after deductions made in accordance with the graduate study undertaking.

SECTION FOUR

Miscellaneous and Final Provisions - Matters Not Covered

ARTICLE 10 - (1) In matters not covered by this Directive, the Principles Concerning the Admission of Students from Abroad adopted by the Council of Higher Education, YOK decisions, the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Graduate Education and Training Regulation, the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Foreign Language Education, Training and Examination Regulation, the provisions of other relevant legislation and Senate decisions shall apply.

Entry into force

ARTICLE 11 - (1) This Directive enters into force on the date it is adopted by the Senate.

Execution

ARTICLE 12 - (1) This Directive is executed by the Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.