Istanbul Arel University admission requirements complete checklist
Quick navigation
- Overview & why this checklist matters
- Complete checklist by program level
- Undergraduate (Bachelor)
- Master’s (Postgraduate)
- Doctoral (PhD)
- Practical process map & timelines
- Special considerations & exemptions
- Compliance checklist (summary)
- How Study in Turkiye supports recruitment
- FAQs
- Contact & next steps
- Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye
Overview: who needs what and why this checklist matters
Istanbul Arel University admission requirements complete checklist — this practical guide gives international student recruiters, university admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in education, and placement agencies a single, authoritative reference for preparing applications to Istanbul Arel University. Whether you are advising an undergraduate applicant, coordinating a master’s intake, or supporting doctoral candidates, this post breaks down document lists, language and exam thresholds, equivalency steps, special considerations, and process check-points — plus how Study in Turkiye‘s recruitment and admissions expertise can streamline each stage.
Note: Istanbul Arel University maintains distinct requirements by student classification (Turkish nationals vs. international applicants) and program level (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral). Missing or incorrectly certified documents are the most common causes of delayed registrations and visa issues.
Complete checklist by program level
Undergraduate (Bachelor) — required documents and language proof
Application documents (core)
- Completed Istanbul Arel University application form.
- High school diploma — notarized and translated into Turkish.
- High school academic transcripts — notarized translations where required.
- Passport photocopy (biographical page).
- 3–4 color passport photos (4.5 x 6 cm).
- Proof of payment of application/processing fees (if required).
Language proficiency (international applicants)
- Accepted English tests and minimums:
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5.
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 80.
- SAT: minimum 1100.
- Turkish language option: TÖMER exam acceptable.
- Alternative: university-administered English proficiency exam.
Notes for Turkish nationals
- Identity photocopy.
- Military active service status certificate (male candidates).
Actionable tips for recruiters and admissions teams
- Verify notarization and Turkish translations before submission.
- Keep a “documents received” checklist for each candidate in your CRM to avoid repeated follow-ups.
- For students lacking English test scores, schedule the university English placement test promptly to accelerate placement decisions.
Master’s (Postgraduate) — required documents and thresholds
For Turkish applicants
- Completed postgraduate application form.
- Notarized bachelor’s diploma or temporary graduation certificate.
- Notarized academic transcript (bachelor level).
- Identity photocopy.
- 3 color passport photos (4.5 x 6 cm).
- Military active service status certificate (male candidates).
- ALES exam certificate (valid five years) OR equivalent GMAT/GRE certificate.
For international applicants
- Completed graduate application form.
- Bachelor’s diploma with notarized Turkish translation.
- Original or certified equivalence certificate from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
- Notarized academic transcript (bachelor level).
- Notarized copies of study visas/passports with Turkish translations.
- 4 color passport photos (4.5 x 6 cm).
- Valid student visa from Turkish Consulate General (for registration).
- Turkish language proficiency: minimum 70 points from TÖMER or university-administered exam.
- English language proficiency: minimum 55 points from central foreign language exams accepted by YÖK.
Actionable checklist for masters intake coordinators
- Confirm YÖK equivalency requirements early — delays in equivalency are a common hold-up for international students.
- Validate which programs accept English-only credentials and which require Turkish proficiency.
- For applicants presenting GMAT/GRE instead of ALES, collect confirmation that the score is accepted for the specific program.
Doctoral (PhD) — full documentation and language tests
For Turkish applicants
- Completed doctoral application form.
- Notarized bachelor’s and master’s diplomas.
- Notarized bachelor’s and master’s academic transcripts.
- Identity photocopy.
- 3 color passport photos (4.5 x 6 cm).
- Military active service status certificate (male candidates).
- ALES exam certificate or equivalent GMAT/GRE certificate (valid five years).
- YDS exam certificate or equivalent international language exam (valid five years).
For international applicants
- Completed doctoral application form.
- Bachelor’s and master’s diplomas with notarized Turkish translations.
- Original or certified equivalence certificate from YÖK.
- Notarized bachelor’s and master’s academic transcripts.
- Notarized copies of study visas and passports with Turkish translations.
- 4 color passport photos (4.5 x 6 cm).
- Valid student visa from Turkish Consulate General.
- Turkish language proficiency: minimum 70 points from TÖMER or university-administered exam.
- English language proficiency: minimum 50 standard points from YDS or equivalent international exam.
Practical process map and timelines (for recruiters and admissions teams)
- Step 1 — Pre-screen (1–3 days): Confirm candidate eligibility, document list, and preferred intake term.
- Step 2 — Document collection (1–4 weeks depending on authentication needs): Ensure notarizations and Turkish translations are arranged.
- Step 3 — YÖK equivalency application (4–8 weeks typical for international degrees): Begin immediately for master’s and doctoral candidates.
- Step 4 — Language testing/placement (1–4 weeks): Book IELTS/TOEFL or schedule university-administered exams.
- Step 5 — Application submission and follow-up (1–2 weeks): Use a shared tracker between recruiter and admissions office.
- Step 6 — Acceptance, visa invitation letter, and registration (4–12 weeks): Coordinate with the student for visa appointment and arrival.
Common timing pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Not starting the YÖK equivalency early.
- Submitting diplomas without notarized Turkish translations.
- Underestimating time to obtain military status documentation for male Turkish applicants.
Solution: Use an automated checklist and reminders integrated with your CRM so no required document is overlooked. Study in Turkiye provides best-practice intake templates and tracking recommendations to reduce such delays.
Special considerations and exemptions
Disability accommodations
Candidates with documented disability level of 40% or more (including autism spectrum disorder, Rett Syndrome, or Asperger Syndrome) are exempt from foreign language score requirements; they are considered to have met the university’s foreign language base score.
Authentication, translations, and notarizations
Notarization and certified Turkish translations are essential — incomplete translations are a frequent cause of registration refusal. Keep originals accessible; many processes will require certified copies plus originals for in-person verification.
Visas and consular processes
International applicants must secure a valid student visa from the Turkish Consulate General for registration. For registration at the university, institutions commonly request notarized passport and visa copies with Turkish translations.
Compliance checklist for admissions teams (single-page summary)
- Applicant identification: passport copy, photos.
- Diploma(s): original, notarized copy, Turkish translations.
- Transcripts: notarized copies, translations.
- Equivalency: YÖK certificate (where applicable).
- Language tests: IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/YDS/TÖMER or university-administered results.
- Exam certifications: ALES/GMAT/GRE where required.
- Military/service documentation (for Turkish male candidates).
- Visa and study permit documentation (for international students).
How Study in Turkiye supports international recruitment and admissions
Study in Turkiye is the trusted authority guiding international students and their partners through admissions to Turkiye. Our platform and teams provide integrated support across recruitment, admissions, and document verification so you can reduce application errors, accelerate registration, and improve conversion rates.
Key services we provide
- International recruitment strategy: targeted outreach, lead qualification and conversion funnels optimized for specific programs.
- Document automation and verification: digital upload portals, pre-submission verification routines, and reminders for notarizations and translations.
- CRM and admissions workflow support: standardized checklists, milestone tracking, and integrated communication templates that reduce manual follow-up.
- YÖK and regulatory guidance: practical support preparing equivalency files and ensuring compliance with Turkiye’s higher education requirements.
- Partnership and agent onboarding: training and compliance checklists for partner agents to maintain quality and conversion consistency.
Why this matters for HR and marketing in education
- Faster, more reliable admissions reduce dropout or deferral rates.
- Automated document handling frees admissions staff to focus on enrollment conversion and student success activities.
- Coordinated marketing and recruitment campaigns increase quality of applicants, especially for in-demand faculties.
Practical examples of university coordination
When placing medical or health science candidates, recruitment teams should check related program availability at top partners such as Medipol University and Istinye University before recommending alternatives. For broader program comparisons and to present options to students, link candidate profiles to university pages such as Bahcesehir University, Beykent University, or Uskudar University.
FAQs for admissions officers and recruiters
Do translations need to be done in Turkiye?
Not necessarily, but translations must be notarized and meet Istanbul Arel University’s requirements. Verify acceptance of foreign-notarized translations before submission.
Can a candidate use GMAT/GRE instead of ALES?
Yes, in many cases GMAT/GRE can substitute for ALES for master’s and doctoral applications — confirm program-level acceptance.
How long does YÖK equivalency take?
Timelines vary; plan for 4–8 weeks and start as early as possible.
What if a student misses the language threshold?
Many applicants take the university English placement exam or enroll in TÖMER language courses; plan for these contingency pathways early.
Contact and next steps for partnership and support
If you are an international student recruiter, admissions manager, HR or marketing professional in education, or an agency working in student placement, Study in Turkiye can help operationalize this checklist and integrate it into your admissions workflow.
Istanbul Arel University contact (for verification and program-specific queries)
- Istanbul Arel University — profile: Arel University
Phone: 0212-540 96 96 (extensions: 2179, 2204, 2163, 2178)
Email: arel@arel.edu.tr
Partner with Study in Turkiye
We offer end-to-end admissions guidance, YÖK equivalency support, and recruitment campaigns tailored to your target markets. Whether you want to scale placements, reduce application errors, or onboard agents, our platform and teams are ready to support.
Related universities (selected)
- Medipol University — Istanbul
- Istinye University — Istanbul
- Bahcesehir University — Istanbul
- Beykent University — Istanbul
- Uskudar University — Istanbul
Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye
Get started today — contact Study in Turkiye to set up a partnership demo, receive a customized admissions checklist template for Istanbul Arel University, or onboard your recruitment team and agents. Together we can convert more qualified candidates into enrolled students with compliant, efficient admissions processes.