Okan University Admission Requirements

How to Apply — What Every International Applicant Must Know

• All international applicants must complete Okan University’s online application system and may list up to three programs in order of preference.
• After document evaluation, successful candidates receive an official acceptance letter required to apply for a Turkish student visa in Turkiye.
• Applicants should expect initial processing within 24–48 hours in normal periods; allow extra time during peak intake cycles.

General Documentation Required for All Levels

Ensure students prepare the following central documents in advance:

• Valid passport (copy and original at final registration)
• Recent passport-size photo
• Official diplomas and transcripts (translated and notarized when required)
• Equivalency certificate (“Denklik Belgesi”) from the Turkish Education Attaché or relevant authority
• Health insurance (local or international accepted depending on visa rules)
• Parental consent letter and birth certificate for applicants under 18

Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Admission Requirements

Academic Thresholds and Eligibility

• High school diploma and official transcript are mandatory.
• Minimum grade requirement: usually 60% for general undergraduate programs. For competitive health-related fields such as Medicine and Dentistry, the minimum is typically 80%.
• There is no university entrance exam for most undergraduate programs and generally no age limit.

Language Proficiency and Preparatory Year

• Applicants must provide proof of Turkish or English language ability, unless they pass Okan’s internal language exam.
• Recognized English tests include TOEFL iBT 79 or PTE 67 for English-taught programs.
• For Turkish-taught programs, recognized TÖMER levels (B1–C1) apply depending on the department.
• If language requirements are not met, students may be placed in the language preparatory year. This year is mandatory for those who fail to demonstrate proficiency but is not required for applicants who present acceptable certificates or pass the university exam.

Undergraduate Checklist (Actionable)

• Prepare notarized high school diploma and transcript (official translation if required)
• Obtain equivalency certificate from Turkish Education Attaché
• Submit scanned passport and photo in the online system
• Provide language test certificate or plan to sit the university language exam
• If under 18, upload parental consent and birth certificate
• Monitor application status and prepare originals for in-person registration after acceptance

Graduate (Master’s) Admission Requirements

Academic, Language and Document Requirements

• A recognized bachelor’s degree is required with a minimum GPA of 2.00/4.00.
• Language requirements mirror undergraduate standards: TOEFL iBT 79 (or equivalent) for English; TÖMER B2/C2 for Turkish programs (C2 frequently required for health sciences).
• Additional documents may include a CV, reference letter(s), and a letter of intent depending on the program.
• Transcripts and bachelor’s diploma must be translated and notarized; equivalency certificate required.

Practical Advice for Recruiters and Admissions Teams

• Encourage applicants to submit a concise letter of intent emphasizing research interests and career goals for selective programs.
• Request formal references early — many international referees need time to provide notarized or signed digital copies.
• For interdisciplinary master’s programs, identify whether additional certifications (portfolio, GRE/GMAT) are recommended or required.

Doctoral (PhD) Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements and Evaluation Weighting

• A master’s degree with thesis is normally required; direct admission from a bachelor’s degree may be possible exceptionally in select fields.
• Okan University evaluates PhD candidates using multiple inputs:
  • ALES/GRE/GMAT score: 50% weight (where ALES is the national exam)
  • Bachelor’s/master’s GPA: 15%
  • English proficiency exam: 15%
  • Interview and other assessments: 20%
• If an applicant lacks ALES/GRE/GMAT at application time, conditional acceptance may be granted provided the test is submitted within the first academic year.

Required Documents for PhD Applications

• Master’s diploma and transcript (notarized translations)
• Passport and photo
• Equivalency certificate
• Language certificate (TOEFL iBT 79 or recognized equivalent; TÖMER levels for Turkish)
• Reference letters and a strong letter of intent/research proposal
• Additional materials as requested by the department (sample publications, portfolio)

Visa Application Essentials for International Students

Once an official acceptance is issued, students will use it to apply for their student visa in Turkiye. Required items typically include:

• University acceptance letter (original or consular copy)
• Valid passport
• Passport photo
• Bank statement showing funds or sponsor documentation
• Health insurance documentation
• Completed consulate application form and visa fee payment
• Personal ID copy

Visa approvals commonly take up to 21 days; always confirm consulate-specific timelines.

Practical Workflows and Timelines — Recommendations for Partners

Fast-track Checklist for International Recruitment Teams

• Pre-screen applicants against program-specific minimums (GPA, percentage thresholds).
• Collect translations and notarizations early, and verify equivalency procedures in the applicant’s home country.
• Use a candidate intake form to capture three program preferences — Okan accepts up to three listed programs.
• Schedule language testing windows aligned with Okan’s language exam dates to avoid placing students into the preparatory year unless necessary.

Suggested Timeline Example (Standard Intake)

• Weeks 0–2: Candidate pre-screen, document collection, language test scheduling
• Weeks 2–3: Submit online application with up to three program preferences
• Weeks 3–5: University evaluation and provisional acceptance; follow-up for missing documents
• Weeks 5–8: Final acceptance letter issued; begin visa application and book travel
• Weeks 8–10: In-person document verification and registration at Okan University

Tips for HR and Marketing Professionals in Education

• Highlight language support pathways in your marketing messages: many applicants prefer programs where language preparatory support is clearly available.
• For medical and dentistry leads, emphasize the higher academic threshold (80%) and prepare students for more competitive selection.
• Use targeted content that explains equivalency and notarization steps for different source countries — these are common friction points.

How Study in Turkiye Supports Partners and Streamlines Admissions

Study in Turkiye is a leader in international recruitment, admissions automation, and placement services. Our platform and team provide:

• Automated application intake and document verification to reduce manual review time
• Dedicated admissions consultancy for universities and agents, reducing application rejection rates
• Visa support coordination and checklists tailored to each university’s final acceptance package
• Channel partnerships to promote programs to segmented student markets and manage candidate pipelines

If your institution or agency wants to reduce time-to-offer and scale international recruitment efficiently, Study in Turkiye’s automation and partnership programs are designed to do that.

Cross-promotional Opportunities with Other Universities

When advising students who may also consider alternative destinations within Turkiye, highlight comparable institutions with strong programs in health sciences, engineering, and business. Examples include:

• Istanbul Medipol University — strong in medicine and health sciences (see Istanbul Medipol University)
• Istinye University — recognized for health and medical programs (see Istinye University)
• Bahcesehir University — offers a wide range of international programs and partnerships (see Bahcesehir University)
• Ozyegin University — research and business programs (see Ozyegin University)
• Bilgi University — notable in communication and social sciences (see Bilgi University)
• Uskudar University — notable in health fields (see Uskudar University)

For a complete list and to compare programs side-by-side, consult our All Universities in Turkiye page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Operational Checklist for Admissions Teams and Agencies (One-Page Summary)

• Verify minimum academic thresholds (60% general UG; 80% for Medicine/Dentistry)
• Confirm language certificate or schedule university language exam
• Prepare translated/notarized diplomas and transcripts
• Obtain equivalency certificate (“Denklik Belgesi”)
• Upload passport, photo, parental consent (if under 18)
• List up to three program preferences in the online application
• Track application status and prepare originals for registration
• Assist with visa application using the official acceptance letter

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Ready to streamline your Okan University admissions process? Explore further with Study in Turkiye to enhance your journey.