Introduction & Overview

Understanding the core admission requirements

Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) applications — required documents

International undergraduate applicants must provide the following essential documents:

• High school diploma — officially translated into Turkish and notarized
• Complete high school transcript — translated and notarized
• Valid passport copy — minimum six months validity from application date
• Recent passport-size photo — white background

Undergraduate tips

Practical steps to reduce delays and rework:

• Create a master checklist for every applicant and verify each item before submission.
• Use standardized file naming (e.g., Surname_Name_Diploma.pdf) to reduce processing errors.
• Offer applicants a pre-check service (remote document review) to catch translation or notarization issues early.

Undergraduate language requirements

Language expectations vary by program:

• English-taught programs: IELTS minimum 6.5 or TOEFL minimum 80.
• Turkish-taught programs: TÖMER certificate or a university-administered Turkish language exam.

Tips:

• Plan test dates at least three months before application deadlines.
• For applicants slightly below required scores, consider conditional admission with a pre-sessional language pathway.
• Use centralized test-prep partnerships (e.g., virtual TÖMER prep or IELTS bootcamps) as part of your recruitment offering to increase conversions.

No entrance exam for undergraduates

Istanbul Arel University does not require a separate entrance exam for international undergraduates. This simplifies admission but increases the importance of a robust document and language verification process.

Graduate (Master’s and PhD) admission requirements

Master’s programs — documents and equivalence

• Notarized Turkish translations of the bachelor’s diploma
• Official equivalence certificate from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK)
• Notarized academic transcript
• Valid student visa at registration

Language requirement

Achieve at least 70/100 on the TÖMER exam or pass the university’s language commission test. Failure to meet the threshold can result in a one-year leave for Turkish language studies.

Tips:

• Start the YÖK equivalence process early — timelines vary by country and can take several weeks.
• Provide applicants with a step-by-step equivalence checklist and sample documents to avoid resubmissions.
• For applicants lacking Turkish proficiency, build partnerships with language centers to offer conditional admission and tracked progress reporting.

Doctoral programs — higher documentation standards

• Notarized Turkish translations of both bachelor’s and master’s diplomas
• YÖK equivalence certificates for both degrees
• Official academic transcripts
• English language proficiency: minimum 50 standard points on YDS or equivalent scores accepted by the Interuniversity Board

Tips for doctoral applicants:

• Emphasize the need for detailed research proposals and supervisor alignment as part of admissions counseling.
• Automate verification of transcripts and degree authenticity where possible to speed up evaluation.

Common application pitfalls and how to avoid them

Incomplete or improperly translated documents

Problem: Missing notarization or incorrect translations are the most common causes of delayed admissions.

Solution: Enforce a “document readiness” gate — verify notarization, translation certification, and required stamps before submission.

• Offer a translation and notarization concierge service or recommended vendor list to applicants.

Late visa processing

Problem: Student visas are mandatory and can take several weeks.

Solution: Trigger visa application reminders as soon as an offer letter is issued and provide a visa document pack to expedite consulate processing.

Language test timing and score shortfalls

Problem: Applicants miss deadlines or underperform on language tests.

Solution: Recommend earliest possible test dates, provide test-prep resources, and use conditional offers to lock in top candidates while they complete language requirements.

Operational best practices for recruiters and admissions teams

Build a timeline-driven application workflow

A standardized timeline reduces manual chasing:

• Week 0: Initial enquiry & document upload
• Week 1–2: Document pre-check and missing items flagged
• Week 3: Equivalence initiation (if needed)
• Week 4–6: Language test verification and conditional decision
• Week 7: Offer issuance and visa packet sent
• Week 8+: Final registration guidance and onboarding

Tip: Use automated reminders and status dashboards to keep applicants and internal teams aligned.

Use automation for document verification and CRM

Study in Turkiye recommends process automation to reduce manual workload and increase conversion:

• Automate document completeness checks and translation flags.
• Integrate a CRM to track applicant journeys, follow-ups, and conversion rates.
• Use e-signatures and secure upload portals to speed document exchange.

Leverage partnerships with Turkish-language centers and test-prep providers

Create a network of trusted language partners to provide:

• Fast-track TÖMER preparation
• IELTS/TOEFL bootcamps
• Conditional admission pathways tied to language milestones

How Study in Turkiye helps you place students at Istanbul Arel University and other top institutions

End-to-end international recruitment services

Study in Turkiye offers comprehensive services for recruiters and institutions:

• Agent onboarding and training (become an official agent — partner program guidance)
• Applicant pre-screening, document collection, translation and notarization coordination
• YÖK equivalence support and step-by-step compliance assistance

Embed link: For more details on enrolling as a partner, see: If You Want to Became an agent for Study in Türkiye

Process & CRM solutions

Our solutions support:

• Real-time application status tracking for applicants, agents and the admissions team
• Bulk document validation and alerts for missing or improperly formatted files
• Analytics dashboards to optimise recruitment channels and marketing spend

University partnerships and referral options

Study in Turkiye maintains active relationships with many Turkish institutions — including private universities and specialised faculties. If you recruit for health sciences or medicine, consider comparable medical program options at institutions such as:

• Istinye University
• Medipol University
• Beykent University

Program-specific considerations and select university references

Medicine, dentistry and health sciences

Medical and health programs often have additional criteria:

• Proof of prior science coursework or specific subject grades
• Additional application reviews for clinical placement readiness
• Early application windows due to limited seats

Recommended comparables and links:

• Istinye University — strong medical and health faculties
• Medipol University — significant international student support in health programs
• Beykent University — broad international recruitment channels for health and engineering

Business, engineering and arts programs

For international applicants to business and engineering programs, prioritize:

• Accreditation checks and program recognition for international employers
• English proficiency evidence for English-taught programs
• Portfolio or audition materials for arts and design applicants

Example universities:

• Ozyegin University — strong international programs in business and engineering
• Bilgi University — recognized for creative industries and marketing-focused curricula

Scalable agent and institutional workflows — model process

Step 1 — Agent / recruiter intake

• Capture candidate data via a uniform intake form.
• Use mandatory upload validation for diploma, transcript, passport.

Step 2 — Verification and advisory

• Provide a two-tier verification: automated checks and manual review by admissions specialists.
• Offer tailored advice on equivalence and visa steps.

Step 3 — Offer, acceptance and conversion

• Issue clear conditional or unconditional offers with documented next steps.
• Automate invoicing and receipt generation to support visa application.

Step 4 — Onboarding and retention

• Deliver pre-arrival orientation (accommodation, insurance, language options).
• Maintain a retention roadmap: first-semester check-ins and academic support referrals.

Practical checklist for applicants — quick reference

Before application submission, confirm:

• All diplomas and transcripts are translated into Turkish and notarized.
• Passport copy validity: at least six months beyond application date.
• Language test score meets program-specific requirements (IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 80 for English programs).
• YÖK equivalence initiated for graduate-level applications.
• Visa document pack ready for consulate submission.

Real-world scenarios and resolution tips

Scenario 1 — Applicant lacks TÖMER 70/100 for master’s

Solution: Place candidate on a conditional offer and enrol them in a certified pre-sessional Turkish program. Monitor progress and issue final registration upon achieving the threshold.

Scenario 2 — Degree equivalence delayed

Solution: Issue a provisional acceptance with a clear deadline for equivalence submission and provide a dedicated YÖK guide and assistance.

Scenario 3 — Applicant misses language test deadline

Solution: Offer a conditional admissions timeline and structured support (test prep, retest scheduling) to secure the candidate for the next intake.

Why partner with Study in Turkiye for Istanbul Arel University recruitment

• Market leadership in international student recruitment across Turkiye with tailored process solutions.
• End-to-end operational support from document verification to visa guidance and arrival logistics.
• Agent training, marketing collateral, and performance analytics to scale recruitment efficiently.
• Deep knowledge of local regulatory requirements (YÖK equivalence, TÖMER compliance) and university-specific expectations.

See more on the general admission process and timelines: Admission process

Read more resources

• Yos Test
• If You Want to Became an agent for Study in Türkiye
• Admission process

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Istanbul Arel University admission requirements are straightforward but require meticulous document management, timely language testing, and early preparation for YÖK equivalence and visa processes. For recruiters, admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals, the keys to success are standardized workflows, process-driven verification, and targeted student support.

Study in Turkiye combines domain expertise, institutional partnerships, and recruitment process best practices to help you place more students at Istanbul Arel University and other leading Turkiye institutions. Contact us to arrange a partnership, agent training session, or a demo of our recruitment solutions — let’s convert more qualified applicants into enrolled students together.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye