GRADUATE DEGREE EDUCATION BYLAW
SECTION ONE
Initial Provisions
Purpose
ARTICLE 1- (1) The purpose of this Bylaw is to set out the rules and principles regarding graduate education and instruction carried out at Izmir University of Economics.
Scope
ARTICLE 2- (1) This Bylaw includes provisions on graduate education and instruction, consisting of master’s and Ph.D. programs, carried out at Izmir University of Economics.
Basis
ARTICLE 3- (1) This Bylaw has been prepared in accordance with Articles 14 and 44 of Higher Education Law No. 2547, dated November 4, 1981.
Definitions
ARTICLE 4- (1) For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings set out below:
a) ECTS: European Credit Transfer System,
b) ALES: Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Examination,
c) Exchange program: A program carried out within the framework of a protocol concluded between the University and a higher education institution in Türkiye or abroad, which allows students to study at another higher education institution for a short period and enables the courses taken to be recognized as equivalent,
ç) DGS: Division of Graduate School,
d) Graduate School: Graduate School of Izmir University of Economics,
e) Graduate School Board (GSB): Board of the Graduate School of Izmir University of Economics,
f) Graduate School Administrative Board (GSAB): Administrative Board of the Graduate School of Izmir University of Economics,
g) GPA: Grade Point Average,
ğ) Plagiarism: Presenting, partially or wholly, the ideas, methods, data or works of others as one’s own work without citing them in accordance with scientific rules,
h) Optional preparatory class: Foreign language education that students, upon their request, receive before the first semester of the program in which they are enrolled and whose medium of instruction is entirely Turkish,
ı) Graduate program: Master’s programs with and without thesis and Ph.D. programs,
i) Board of Trustees: Board of Trustees of Izmir University of Economics,
j) OSYM: Presidency of the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center,
k) Inactive student: Student who cannot benefit from student rights because they do not renew their semester course registration within the dates specified in the academic calendar,
l) Rector: The Rector of Izmir University of Economics,
m) Senate: The Senate of Izmir University of Economics,
n) TUS: Medical Specialty Training Entrance Examination,
o) University: Izmir University of Economics,
ö) University Administrative Board: Administrative Board of Izmir University of Economics,
p) Local credit: The local credit indicating the total weekly course load hours consisting of theoretical course hours, practice, laboratory or other studies for a course,
r) CoHE: Council of Higher Education.
SECTION TWO
Student Admissions and Registrations
Quotas and Admission Requirements
ARTICLE 5- (1) The quotas of students to be admitted to graduate programs are determined by the Senate upon the proposal of GSB, in accordance with the relevant legislation, taking into account the number of faculty members who may take part in graduate programs as determined by CoHE and the number of students per current faculty member. However, this quota may be increased by up to 50% for graduate programs carried out within the scope of protocols concluded with CoHE and within the framework of cooperation between the University and industry.
(2) The undergraduate programs from which graduates may apply to graduate programs and other requirements to be sought in candidates are determined by the Senate upon the proposal of GSB.
Applications and Student Admissions
ARTICLE 6- (1) A candidate must have an undergraduate diploma in order to apply to a master’s program.
(2) For master’s programs with thesis, candidates are required to have the minimum ALES score determined by the Senate, provided that it is not less than 55, in the score type for which they apply.
(3) Results of exams accepted by CoHE as equivalent to ALES may be used in place of the ALES score. However, no ALES score is required:
a) in admission of students to the art and academic divisions of the Graduate School for conservatory programs and programs of faculties of fine arts that admit students solely through a special aptitude exam,
b) in applications to master’s programs by graduates of Ph.D./proficiency in arts/specialization in medicine/specialization in dentistry/specialization in veterinary medicine/specialization in pharmacy programs.
For candidates within the scope of this paragraph, the ALES score determined by the Senate is included in the evaluation calculations.
(4) In admission to master’s programs without thesis, an ALES score or equivalent score is not required. Other requirements for application and admission to master’s programs without thesis, such as grade point average, written scientific assessment or interview result, are determined by the Senate upon the proposal of the relevant DGS and recommendation of GSB.
(5) In order to apply to a Ph.D. program, candidates must have:
a) an undergraduate diploma or a master’s diploma with thesis,
b) for candidates applying with an undergraduate degree, a minimum undergraduate graduation GPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 or an equivalent grade accepted by CoHE,
c) the minimum ALES score determined by the Senate, provided that it is not less than 55, in the score type for which they apply, or a score from an exam accepted by CoHE as equivalent to ALES,
ç) a score of at least 55 from central foreign language exams accepted by CoHE and equivalent international foreign language exams administered in a language other than their native language, or an equivalent score from international foreign language exams accepted as equivalent by OSYM, or a score determined by the Senate provided that it is not lower than these minimum scores,
d) for graduates of faculties of medicine applying to Ph.D. programs in basic medical sciences, an undergraduate diploma and a basic medicine score obtained from TUS and determined by the Senate, provided that it is not less than 50, or a numerical ALES score or a score from an exam accepted by CoHE as equivalent to ALES and determined by the Senate, provided that it is not less than 55,
e) for candidates who are not graduates of faculties of medicine and who apply to Ph.D. programs in basic medical sciences, a master’s diploma; for graduates of faculties of dentistry and veterinary medicine, an undergraduate degree; and a numerical ALES score or a score from an exam accepted by CoHE as equivalent to ALES and determined by the Senate, provided that it is not less than 55,
f) for admission to Ph.D. programs in basic medical sciences, a score of at least 55 from central foreign language exams accepted by CoHE and international foreign language exams accepted as equivalent by CoHE, administered in a language other than the candidates’ native language, or an equivalent score from international foreign language exams accepted as equivalent by OSYM, or a score determined by the Senate provided that it is not lower than these minimum scores.
(6) No ALES score is required for applications to Ph.D. programs by graduates of Ph.D./proficiency in arts/specialization in medicine/specialization in dentistry/specialization in veterinary medicine/specialization in pharmacy programs. For the evaluation of candidates within the scope of this paragraph, the ALES score determined by the Senate is used in the calculations.
(7) No ALES score is required for admission to the art and academic divisions of the Graduate School for conservatory programs and Ph.D. programs of faculties of fine arts that admit students solely through a special aptitude exam. However, an ALES score requirement may be introduced by a Senate decision. In this case, the minimum score is determined by the Senate.
(8) Other requirements for application and admission to Ph.D. programs, such as grade point average, written scientific assessment or interview result, are determined by the Senate upon the proposal of the relevant DGS and recommendation of GSB.
Evaluation of Applications
ARTICLE 7- (1) Candidates applying to graduate programs must meet and document all requirements determined by the Senate upon the proposal of the DGS and recommendation of GSB. Applications of candidates whose required application documents are incomplete are not evaluated.
(2) In the evaluation of applications to master’s programs with thesis, in addition to the requirements specified in Article 6, the undergraduate grade point average, written scientific assessment and interview result may be determined as evaluation criteria by the Senate upon the proposal of the DGS and recommendation of GSB.
(3) In the evaluation of applications to master’s programs without thesis, the undergraduate grade point average, written scientific assessment and interview result and their weights are determined as evaluation criteria by the Senate upon the proposal of the DGS and recommendation of GSB.
(4) In the evaluation of applications to Ph.D. programs, the Senate determines the percentage, which may not be less than 50%, at which the basic medical score, ALES score or scores from exams accepted by CoHE as equivalent are taken into account. In addition, where deemed necessary, undergraduate and graduate grade point averages, scientific assessment and interview results may be determined as evaluation criteria by the Senate upon the proposal of the DGS and recommendation of GSB.
(5) For applications to master’s and Ph.D. programs by graduates of Ph.D./proficiency in arts/specialization in medicine/specialization in dentistry/specialization in veterinary medicine/specialization in pharmacy programs, the score determined by the Senate, which may not be less than 55 or more than 75 and is announced among the requirements of the relevant program, is taken into account regardless of the score type or specialty field used for admission to the graduate program from which they graduated. These candidates may apply to a master’s or Ph.D. program in a field different from the score type they previously obtained or their Ph.D./proficiency in arts/specialty field. The announced score is included in the calculations as the ALES score regardless of score type.
(6) In applications to Ph.D. programs in basic medical sciences, the basic medical score is calculated by adding 0.7 times the standard score obtained from Part 1 of the Basic Medical Sciences Test in TUS and 0.3 times the standard score obtained from the Clinical Medical Sciences Test. Students may also be admitted solely on the basis of the basic medical score or the ALES score.
(7) Applications to graduate programs are evaluated by admissions juries consisting of at least three faculty members formed within the relevant DGS. The admissions jury evaluates candidates according to the criteria determined by the Senate and submits its recommendations regarding admission to GSAB. Final admission and waiting lists become final upon approval of the admissions jury recommendations by GSAB and are announced to candidates.
International Admissions
ARTICLE 8- (1) Rules and procedures regarding the admission to graduate programs of foreign national candidates and citizens of the Republic of Türkiye who completed their entire undergraduate education abroad are determined by the Senate in accordance with CoHE decisions and other relevant legislation.
Admissions Through Transfer
ARTICLE 9- (1) The principles determined by the Senate apply to transfer applications to equivalent diploma programs from within or outside the University and to the evaluation of such applications.
Special Student Admissions
ARTICLE 10- (1) Students enrolled in a graduate program at a higher education institution may be accepted as special students for graduate courses if they fulfill the financial obligations of the University with the approval of the DGS at the higher education institution in which they are enrolled. Upon request, these students are issued a transcript showing the courses in which they are enrolled and the grades they have received. This document does not substitute for a diploma or a document showing an academic degree.
(2) A student enrolled in a graduate program at the University who fulfills the financial obligations for the relevant semester may take courses as a special student from a graduate program at another higher education institution upon the proposal of the relevant DGS and decision of GSAB. Special student application requirements, course-taking requirements, how the grade of the course taken will be reflected, credit equivalence of the course, the period of special student status and other additional matters are determined by the Senate upon the proposal of GSB. During this period, the student’s enrollment at the University continues and this period is included in the maximum period of study.
SECTION THREE
Principles Regarding Education
Medium of Instruction
ARTICLE 11- (1) The medium of instruction is determined with the approval of CoHE and the decision of the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Senate. The medium of instruction of the programs is announced in the University’s notices.
(2) Matters regarding determination of students’ foreign language placement and proficiency and instruction in the foreign language preparatory class are regulated in accordance with the relevant legislation.
(3) Candidates must document their proficiency in English for application to Ph.D. programs. Foreign language proficiency requirements are determined according to item (ç) of paragraph five of Article 6 for citizens of the Republic of Türkiye and according to Article 8 for foreign national candidates.
Academic Year
ARTICLE 12- (1) The academic year consists of two semesters, fall and spring. With the approval of CoHE, the academic year may also be organized in three semesters by Senate decision. A summer school may be opened when necessary. Matters regarding summer school are regulated by the Senate.
(2) The duration and dates of registration, courses, exams and similar activities in the academic year are announced in the academic calendar.
(3) Weekly course schedules for the semesters are organized and announced by the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the DGS.
(4) When necessary, courses and exams may be conducted after office hours on weekdays or on Saturdays and Sundays, except on official holidays.
Scientific Preparatory Program
ARTICLE 13- (1) Among students admitted to graduate programs, candidates who completed their undergraduate or graduate education in a field different from the master’s or Ph.D. program to which they were admitted, and candidates who completed their undergraduate or graduate education at higher education institutions outside the University and whose academic level is not considered sufficient for the graduate program to which they were admitted, may attend a scientific preparatory program.
(2) During the scientific preparatory program, the student takes courses related to the graduate program to which they were admitted upon the recommendation of the DGS and approval of GSAB. Courses to be taken during the scientific preparatory program are determined by the academic advisor from among undergraduate or graduate-level courses for a student admitted to a graduate program.
(3) The credits of courses taken in the scientific preparatory program cannot be used to fulfill the credit requirements necessary for graduation from the graduate program to which the student was admitted, and they are not taken into account in calculating the GPA of courses in the graduate program. Mandatory courses taken in the scientific preparatory program cannot substitute for courses required to complete the relevant graduate program. However, an exemption exam may be offered for courses in the scientific preparatory program determined upon the proposal of the relevant DGS and decision of GSAB.
(4) In order for a master’s student admitted to the scientific preparatory program to start the program to which they applied, the student must complete all courses in the scientific preparatory program with at least a CC grade and at least a 2.00 GPA. A student who fails to meet these requirements is dismissed from the University.
(5) In order for a Ph.D. student admitted to the scientific preparatory program to start the program to which they applied, the student must complete all courses in the scientific preparatory program with at least a CB grade and at least a 2.50 GPA. A student who fails to meet these requirements is dismissed from the University.
Duration of Study
ARTICLE 14- (1) The maximum duration of the scientific preparatory program is two semesters. Summer education is not included in this period. The period spent in this program is not included in the duration of the master’s or Ph.D. program. A student who fails to complete the scientific preparatory program successfully by the end of these periods is dismissed from the University.
(2) The duration of study in a master's program with thesis is at least four semesters and at most six semesters, excluding the period spent in the scientific preparatory program and the foreign language preparatory class, beginning from the semester in which the courses of the registered program are offered, regardless of whether registration is renewed for each semester.
(3) A student who cannot successfully complete the credited courses and seminar course in the curriculum of a master’s program with thesis by the end of four semesters, or who cannot fulfill the success requirements prescribed by the University within this period, or who fails in thesis studies or does not enter the thesis defense within the maximum periods, is dismissed from the University.
(4) The period for completing a master’s program without thesis is at least two semesters and at most three semesters, excluding the period spent in the scientific preparatory program and the foreign language preparatory class, beginning from the semester in which the courses of the registered program are offered, regardless of whether registration is renewed for each semester. A student who is unsuccessful or cannot complete the program by the end of this period is dismissed from the University.
(5) The duration of a Ph.D. program, excluding the period spent in the scientific preparatory program, begins from the semester in which the courses of the registered program are offered, regardless of whether registration is renewed for each semester. It is eight semesters for students admitted with a master's degree with thesis, with a maximum completion period of twelve semesters, and ten semesters for students admitted with an undergraduate degree, with a maximum completion period of fourteen semesters.
(6) Students who cannot successfully complete the credited courses and seminar course in the curriculum of the Ph.D. program by the end of four semesters if admitted with a master’s degree with thesis, or by the end of six semesters if admitted with an undergraduate degree, and who cannot fulfill the success requirements prescribed by the University within these periods, or who fail in thesis studies or do not enter the thesis defense within the maximum periods, are dismissed from the University.
(7) In disasters and epidemics, graduate students at the thesis stage may, upon request, be granted one additional semester and, if they apply again depending on the course of the disaster or epidemic, one further semester, for a maximum of two additional semesters in total. Graduate female students who give birth may, upon request, be granted two additional semesters after childbirth. These additional periods are not included in the maximum period of study.
Appointment of Advisors
ARTICLE 15- (1) In master’s programs without thesis, master’s programs with thesis and Ph.D. programs, a faculty member proposed by the DGS is appointed as academic advisor for each student from the time of admission to the relevant program in order to provide guidance on course selection.
(2) In a master’s program without thesis, a faculty member who will advise the student in carrying out the semester project is determined by the DGS by the end of the first semester at the latest.
(3) In a master’s program with thesis, the DGS recommends to the Graduate School a thesis advisor for each student from among its faculty members who has the qualifications determined by the Senate by the end of the first semester at the latest, and the thesis subject determined jointly by the student and the thesis advisor by the end of the second semester at the latest. The thesis advisor and thesis subject are finalized with the approval of GSAB. If there is no faculty member on the University staff with the qualifications determined by the Senate, a faculty member from another higher education institution may be appointed as thesis advisor by GSAB in accordance with the principles determined by the Senate.
(4) In master’s programs with thesis, where the nature of the thesis study requires more than one thesis advisor, a second thesis advisor may be appointed. The second thesis advisor may be from the University staff or may be a person from outside the University holding at least a Ph.D., specialization in medicine or proficiency in arts degree.
(5) In Ph.D. programs, the DGS submits to the Graduate School, by the end of the second semester at the latest, a thesis advisor for each student from among the University faculty members who has the qualifications determined by the Senate, as well as the thesis subject and thesis title determined jointly by the thesis advisor and the student. The thesis advisor, thesis subject and thesis title are finalized by the decision of GSAB.
(6) In Ph.D. programs, the thesis advisor is selected from among faculty members who have the qualifications determined by the Senate. If there is no faculty member at the University with these qualifications, a faculty member from another higher education institution may be appointed as thesis advisor by GSAB in accordance with the principles determined by the Senate. Except for the divisions of faculties of dentistry, pharmacy, medicine and veterinary medicine, faculty members must have successfully supervised at least one completed master’s thesis in order to supervise a Ph.D. thesis.
(7) Where the nature of the Ph.D. thesis study requires more than one thesis advisor, a second thesis advisor may be appointed. The second thesis advisor may be from the University staff or may be a person from outside the University holding at least a Ph.D., specialization in medicine or proficiency in arts degree.
(8) The duties of thesis advisors who are not physically present at the University for more than fourteen weeks due to assignment, leave, medical report or similar reasons defined in the relevant legislation come to an end. In this case, a new thesis advisor is appointed to the student upon the proposal of the DGS and approval of GSAB.
(9) Except in cases of force majeure, requests by the student or thesis advisor for a change of thesis advisor may be made, for master's programs, by the end of the second semester in which the student is enrolled in the thesis course at the latest, and for Ph.D. programs, by the end of the fourth semester in which the student is enrolled in the thesis course at the latest. The request for a change of thesis advisor, together with its justification, is submitted to GSAB for decision after approval by the Head of the relevant Division.
Joint Graduate Programs
ARTICLE 16- (1) Joint graduate programs may be organized in cooperation with higher education institutions in Türkiye and abroad. The principles regarding education and instruction to be carried out within these programs are regulated in accordance with the relevant legislation.
Taking Courses from Other Higher Education Institutions and Student Exchange
ARTICLE 17- (1) Pursuant to an agreement between the University and another higher education institution or within the framework of student exchange programs, the University may send students to, or accept students from, contracted higher education institutions for a maximum of two semesters. During this period, the student’s enrollment at the University continues and this period is included in the maximum period of study.
Tuition Fees
ARTICLE 18- (1) The University charges tuition fees. All fees to be paid, and the method and time of payment, are determined by the Board of Trustees for each academic year.
(2) If compulsory payments for semester registration are not made on the dates announced by the University, students cannot enroll in courses and are placed in inactive student status.
(3) Regulations regarding scholarships and discounts to be provided to students are determined by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Senate.
(4) Other matters regarding tuition fees are governed by the rules and principles determined by the University.
SECTION FOUR
Registration Procedures, Exams, Assessments
Registration Procedures
ARTICLE 19- (1) The requirements and documents necessary for registration are announced by the University. Candidates who are entitled to register must complete their registration procedures with the required documents on the dates specified in the academic calendar.
(2) The originals or certified copies of the documents announced for final registration are submitted to the Student Affairs Directorate. Candidates with missing documents or those who make false or misleading statements are not registered in the program to which they applied even if they have acquired the right to register; if they have already been registered, their registration is canceled regardless of the semester they are in, all documents issued to them, including any diploma, are deemed invalid, and legal action is initiated against them. Such persons are deemed not to have acquired student status and cannot benefit from any student rights.
(3) Those who do not complete registration procedures within the prescribed period or who do not provide the required documents are deemed to have waived their right to register and cannot claim any rights.
(4) Except for master’s programs without thesis, students cannot enroll in and continue more than one graduate program at the same time.
Registration Renewal and Course Registration
ARTICLE 20- (1) Students who have fulfilled their payment obligations are required to complete registration renewal by enrolling in courses at the beginning of each semester between the dates specified in the academic calendar. Master’s and Ph.D. students who have progressed to the thesis stage, including those who have been granted additional time due to correction of their thesis, must enroll in thesis courses in every fall and spring semester.
(2) Students who do not renew their course enrollment on the dates specified in the academic calendar, even if they have fulfilled their payment obligations, are placed in inactive student status. Students who do not renew their registration cannot attend courses or exams during that semester and cannot benefit from student rights. A semester in which the student does not renew registration is included in the maximum period of study specified in the relevant legislation.
Changing Courses, Sections, and Course Withdrawal
ARTICLE 21- (1) Students who do not complete course enrollment within the dates specified in the academic calendar, or who wish to change the course or course section in which they are enrolled, may complete course enrollment or make course and section changes with the approval of their academic advisor during the period referred to as the “add-drop” period in the academic calendar.
(2) Students may withdraw from a maximum of two courses during their studies, on the dates specified in the academic calendar and upon the recommendation of their academic advisor. A student cannot withdraw from courses taken to improve a grade, courses they are required to repeat, courses for which they previously received a W grade, or courses not included in the grade point average. Exchange students studying at the University under protocols signed between the University and higher education institutions abroad or official institutions may withdraw from courses with the knowledge of the DGS and the Office of International Affairs. The rules regarding the W grade do not apply to these students.
Curricula and Course Load
ARTICLE 22- (1) Taking into account the credit range determined for the diploma level and the higher education qualifications framework for the relevant field, the courses to be included in each curriculum and the local and ECTS credits of the courses are determined by the Senate upon the proposal of GSB in accordance with the relevant legislation. At least one course covering scientific research techniques and research and publication ethics must be offered during graduate education.
(2) The courses to be offered in a semester and the faculty members by whom these courses will be taught are determined by GSAB upon the proposal of the DGS.
(3) Students may take courses totaling a maximum of 45 ECTS credits in one semester.
Course Credit Values
ARTICLE 23- (1) The local credit value of a course consists of all weekly theoretical course hours plus half of the weekly hours of laboratory, practice, workshop, studio and similar activities.
(2) The principles for calculating ECTS credits to be applied at the University are determined by the Senate upon the recommendation of the relevant DGS and approval of GSB, taking into account the student workload specified in the course syllabus. Student workload means all time spent on educational activities such as course hours, laboratory, workshop, clinical study, assignment, practice, project, seminar, presentation, exam preparation, exam, internship and on-the-job training.
Attendance
ARTICLE 24- (1) Students are required to attend courses, laboratories and practices, take all exams held during and at the end of the semester, and participate in other studies deemed appropriate by academic staff.
(2) Students’ attendance is monitored by the relevant academic staff member.
(3) A student is considered absent on dates covered by a medical report. Medical reports are taken into consideration only for make-up of exams, assignments, practices, presentations, projects and similar work.
(4) Students who receive a suspension penalty are considered absent on the dates covered by the penalty period.
(5) A student who does not fulfill the attendance requirement for a course within the framework of the principles determined by CoHE and the Senate is considered unsuccessful in that course.
Examinations and Assessment
ARTICLE 25- (1) Semester and end-of-semester exams, assignments, practices and similar evaluation criteria to be taken into account in determining course success, and the weights of these criteria, are determined by the academic staff member teaching the course. The evaluation criteria and their weights are announced to students on the University website and/or in the Student Information System.
(2) A student’s success in any course is determined by the academic staff member teaching the course, with one of the letter grades, taking the evaluation criteria into account. In determining the letter grade, the student’s achievement in the criteria specified in the course syllabus, such as midterm exams, end-of-semester exams and semester work, as well as attendance in courses and practices, are taken into consideration.
(3) Assessments to be carried out during the semester are announced to students by the academic staff member teaching the course. End-of-semester exams are held on the dates specified in the academic calendar, at the place and time announced by the University.
(4) Course grades are announced through the Student Information System by the academic staff members teaching the courses on the dates specified in the academic calendar.
(5) The courses taken, grades and academic achievements of students throughout their studies, starting from the date they first enroll in the graduate program, are shown on the transcript.
Right to Compensatory and Make-Up Examinations
ARTICLE 26- (1) In accordance with the relevant legislation, students who are unable to take an in-semester or end-of-semester exam announced in the academic calendar due to a justified and valid excuse accepted by the Graduate School are granted the right to a make-up exam. In this case, an I (Incomplete) grade is given by the academic staff member for the relevant course. The provisions of this Bylaw apply to the conversion of the I grade to another letter grade.
(2) In master's programs without thesis, students who are successful in all courses but cannot achieve the 3.00 GPA required for graduation may be granted the right to a final-semester examination in two courses selected from among courses they have previously taken.
(3) In master's programs without thesis, students who cannot fulfill the graduation requirements because they have failed at most two courses may be granted the right to a final-semester examination in those courses. The right to a final-semester examination may be granted only once. However, no such right is granted for project-type courses whose assessment depends on work completed over a specified period. The right must be exercised on dates determined by the University following the end of the end-of-semester examinations. Midterm examinations and similar in-semester assessment criteria are not taken into account in final-semester examinations. The grade received in the final-semester examination is accepted as the final grade for the course.
Grades
ARTICLE 27- (1) Students are given one of the following grades for each course in which they are enrolled:
a) Master’s students must obtain at least a CC grade, and Ph.D. students at least a CB grade, from courses with local credit that are included in the grade point average. The coefficients of the letter grades, their equivalents over 100 points and the status of these grades are as follows:
|
Letter Grade |
Coefficient |
Points |
For Master’s Student |
For Ph.D. Student |
|
AA |
4.00 |
90-100 |
Pass |
Pass |
|
BA |
3.50 |
85-89 |
Pass |
Pass |
|
BB |
3.00 |
80-84 |
Pass |
Pass |
|
CB |
2.50 |
75-79 |
Pass |
Pass |
|
CC |
2.00 |
70-74 |
Pass |
Fail |
|
DC |
1.50 |
65-69 |
Fail |
Fail |
|
DD |
1.00 |
60-64 |
Fail |
Fail |
|
FD |
0.50 |
50-59 |
Fail |
Fail |
|
FF |
0.00 |
49 and below |
Fail |
Fail |
b) The grade of NA (Non-Attendance) is given by the academic staff member teaching the course to students who do not fulfill the attendance requirements for a course with local credit included in the grade point average, or who do not fulfill the requirements for course practices. The coefficient of the NA grade in the calculation of grade point averages is treated as 0.00 (zero).
c) Grades not included in grade point average calculations are as follows:
1) S (Satisfactory) grade is given to students who are successful in courses without local credit.
2) U (Unsatisfactory) grade is given to students who are unsuccessful in courses without local credit.
3) P (Successful Progress) grade is given, in courses without local credit that are not included in grade point averages and extend for more than one semester, to students who regularly fulfill the academic work expected in the relevant semester.
4) NP (Unsuccessful Progress) grade is given, in courses without local credit that are not included in grade point averages and extend for more than one semester, to students who do not regularly fulfill the academic work expected in the relevant semester.
5) EX (Exempt) grade is given to students who are exempt from certain courses in their curricula.
6) NI (Not Included) grade is used to identify courses taken by a student on the condition that they are not included in the student’s grade point average. This grade is shown on the student’s transcript together with the letter grade received for the relevant course. Courses in this status are not counted among the courses of the program in which the student is enrolled. This letter grade is assigned for scientific preparatory program courses.
7) I (Incomplete) grade is given to students who cannot complete the requirements of a course by the end of the semester for a valid reason accepted by the academic staff member teaching the course. The I grade must be converted into a letter grade within fifteen days from the deadline for submission of semester grades. However, in special cases, conversion of the I grade to a letter grade beyond this period must be completed at least two weeks before the beginning of course registration for the following semester. Such procedures in special cases are carried out upon the recommendation of the academic staff member teaching the course and by decision of GSAB. An I grade not converted to a letter grade within the prescribed period is converted to FF, NP or U upon the request of the Graduate School.
8) W (Withdrawal) grade is the grade given to a course from which the student withdraws in the relevant semester. Course withdrawal procedures are carried out in accordance with Article 21.
Clerical Errors in Grades
ARTICLE 28- (1) Students may appeal the evaluation result of a course within three business days following the date on which the result is announced.
(2) If a clerical error is found in end-of-semester course grades announced through the Student Information System, the request for correction is decided by GSAB upon the application of the academic staff member.
Grade Point Averages
ARTICLE 29- (1) The grade point average is calculated by multiplying the ECTS credit of each enrolled course included in the grade point average by the coefficient of the grade obtained from that course, adding the resulting course scores, and dividing the total by the total ECTS credits of those courses. If this calculation is made for courses taken in one semester, the semester grade point average is obtained; if it is made for all courses taken up to that time, the GPA is obtained.
(2) In calculating the grade point average, if a course is repeated, the most recent grade received in that course is taken into account; where another course is taken in place of a course removed from the curriculum or in place of an elective course, the most recent grade received in the course is taken into account.
Success in Courses and Repeating Courses
ARTICLE 30- (1) The requirements for a student to be considered successful in a course are determined according to Article 27.
(2) Students are obliged to repeat compulsory courses they have failed or withdrawn from until they are successful.
(3) If these courses are subsequently removed from the program due to a change in the curriculum, the equivalent courses to be taken in their place are determined by the Senate upon the recommendation of GSAB. Students are obliged to repeat these equivalent courses until they are successful.
(4) Students may take another elective course in place of an elective course they previously took but failed or withdrew from.
(5) Students may repeat courses they have passed in order to improve their grades, or may take courses accepted as equivalent by the Senate upon the recommendation of GSAB if such courses are offered.
(6) During semesters in which the master’s thesis continues, the work carried out by the student is evaluated by the thesis advisor and a P or NP grade is given for this work. Students who receive an NP grade in thesis and thesis-related courses twice consecutively or three times intermittently within the maximum period are considered unsuccessful and are dismissed from the University.
(7) During semesters in which the Ph.D. thesis continues, the work carried out by the student is evaluated by the committee and a P or NP grade is given for this work. Students who receive an NP grade three times, consecutively or intermittently, in the Ph.D. thesis study in which they are enrolled within the maximum period, or who cannot complete their thesis within the maximum period, or who receive a U grade in the thesis examination, are dismissed from the University.
Exemption from Courses
ARTICLE 31- (1) Students who have previously taken courses in a higher education program may request exemption from these courses. Students must apply to the Graduate School for exemption with the relevant documents by the last day of the course registration dates announced in the academic calendar.
(2) Exemption may be requested only for courses that have not previously been counted toward, or exempted within, any degree.
(3) Provided that a grade of at least BB or its equivalent has been obtained from the courses for which exemption is requested, master’s students with thesis may be granted exemption from a maximum of three courses, master’s students without thesis from a maximum of four courses, Ph.D. students admitted with an undergraduate degree from a maximum of seven courses, and Ph.D. students admitted with a master’s degree from a maximum of three courses.
(4) In order to grant exemption for courses taken from another higher education institution, those courses must have been taken from a higher education institution recognized by CoHE. Courses for which exemption is granted are given an EX (Exempt) grade. These grades are not included in the GPA calculation; the GPA of these students is determined according to the courses they take at the University.
(5) The letter grade of a course taken in a University program and for which exemption is granted is transferred, and the course is included in the GPA calculation.
SECTION FIVE
Master’s Programs
Requirements for Master’s Program Without Thesis
ARTICLE 32- (1) The master’s program without thesis provides the student with knowledge on professional issues and shows how to use existing knowledge in practice.
(2) The master’s program without thesis consists of a total of at least 60 ECTS credits, including at least ten courses of not less than 30 local credits in total and a semester project course. The semester project has no local credit.
(3) With the decision of GSAB, a student may take at most three undergraduate courses not previously taken during undergraduate study. The student must meet the requirements specified in Article 27 in order to be considered successful in these courses. These courses are included in the calculation of the student’s GPA.
(4) The student must enroll in the semester project course in the semester in which it is taken and submit a written project or report at the end of the semester.
(5) A proficiency exam may be administered at the end of the master’s program without thesis in accordance with the principles determined by the Senate.
Requirements for Master’s Program With Thesis
ARTICLE 33- (1) The master’s program with thesis enables the student to gain the ability to access, compile, interpret and evaluate information by using scientific research methods.
(2) The master’s program with thesis consists of a total of 120 ECTS credits, not less than 60 ECTS credits in an academic year, including at least seven courses of not less than 21 local credits in total, a seminar course and thesis study. The master’s seminar and thesis study have no local credit.
(3) With the decision of GSAB, a student may take at most two undergraduate courses not previously taken during undergraduate study. The student must meet the requirements specified in Article 27 in order to be considered successful in these courses. These courses are included in the student’s average calculation. In addition, upon the proposal of the DGS and approval of GSAB, a maximum of two courses may be selected from courses offered at other higher education institutions.
Transfer Between Thesis and Non-Thesis Master's Programs
ARTICLE 34- (1) Students continuing in a master’s program without thesis may transfer to a master’s program with thesis of the same name and in the same language of instruction, provided that they meet the minimum requirements determined for the master’s program with thesis. In this case, courses taken in the master’s program without thesis are counted in place of courses in the master’s program with thesis by decision of GSAB and the letter grade of the course is transferred. These courses are included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. The same applies to students continuing in a master’s program with thesis.
(2) The time spent by a student in the program in which they are enrolled is deducted from the maximum period of the program to which they wish to transfer, and the student’s application is evaluated by determining whether the student has sufficient remaining maximum time to complete the program to which they wish to transfer.
Preparation and Finalization of the Master’s Thesis
ARTICLE 35- (1) A student studying in a master’s program with thesis writes the results obtained in the language of the program in which they study, in accordance with the thesis writing guide approved by the Senate, and defends the thesis orally before a jury.
(2) Before the master’s thesis defense, and together with the correction in cases where correction is required, a student who completes the thesis study submits the required number of digital and printed copies of the thesis to the thesis advisor.
(3) In order for the master’s thesis to be defended before the jury for the first time, or again at the end of the additional time granted by the thesis jury due to a correction decision taken as a result of the first thesis defense exam, the student must meet the following requirements:
a) The thesis advisor must obtain a report showing the similarity index by using plagiarism software.
b) The similarity index in the thesis must be below the maximum similarity index recommended by GSB and approved by the Senate.
c) The thesis advisor must submit to the Graduate School, together with the thesis, the plagiarism report, the thesis jury proposal form approved by the DGS containing the opinion that the thesis is defensible, the ethics declaration, and, where required, the Ethics Committee report, all bearing wet signatures.
(4) If the data in the report reveal an instance of plagiarism, the thesis is submitted to GSAB, together with the justification, for a decision.
(5) The Graduate School sends the plagiarism software report and the thesis to the jury members. The jury members convene within one month at the latest from the date the thesis is delivered to them to conduct the student's thesis defense. The date and place of the thesis defense are announced by the Graduate School at least one week before the defense and are notified to the student by e-mail. The thesis defense consists of presentation of the thesis study followed by a question-and-answer session. The thesis defense is held in an environment open to an audience consisting of academic staff, graduate students and experts in the field.
(6) The thesis jury is determined by the decision of GSAB within two weeks following the proposal of the relevant DGS. The thesis jury consists of three or five full-time faculty members, including the student’s thesis advisor and at least one member from outside the University. If the jury consists of three members, the second thesis advisor cannot be a jury member. Two substitute jury members are also determined.
(7) After completion of the thesis defense, the thesis jury decides by absolute majority, in a session closed to the audience, whether to accept, reject or require correction of the thesis. This decision is reported by the DGS to the Graduate School in an official record within three days following the thesis defense.
(8) A student whose thesis is subject to a correction decision must complete the required corrections within three months at the latest and defend the thesis again before the same thesis jury. If the student is again found unsuccessful and the thesis is not accepted, the student is dismissed from the University.
(9) If requested by a student whose thesis is rejected, a master’s diploma without thesis is awarded provided that the student has fulfilled the course credit load, project writing and other requirements of the master’s program without thesis.
(10) Provided that all other requirements have also been fulfilled, a master's student who submits to the Graduate School at least three bound copies of the accepted master's thesis signed by the jury members and the required number of electronic copies within one month from the date of the thesis defense, and whose thesis is found formally appropriate, is entitled to graduate. Upon request, GSAB may extend the submission period for a maximum of one additional month. Registration for the thesis semester is not required during the extended period. Until the student fulfills these requirements, the student cannot receive the diploma or benefit from student rights and, if the maximum period expires, is dismissed from the University.
(11) Within three months from the date the master’s thesis is submitted by the student, one electronic copy is forwarded by the Graduate School to the Council of Higher Education to be made available for scientific research and activities.
SECTION SIX
Ph.D. Program
Requirements for Ph.D. Programs
ARTICLE 36- (1) The Ph.D. program provides the student with the skills necessary to conduct independent research, examine and interpret scientific problems and data from a broad and in-depth perspective, analyze them, and develop new syntheses. The thesis to be prepared at the end of the Ph.D. study must fulfill at least one of the following: introduce an innovation to science, develop a new scientific method, or apply a known method to a new field.
(2) For students admitted with a master's degree with thesis, the Ph.D. program comprises at least 240 ECTS credits, including at least seven courses totaling at least 21 local credits, a seminar, a qualifying exam, a thesis proposal and thesis work, with at least 60 ECTS credits per academic year. For students admitted with an undergraduate degree, it comprises at least 300 ECTS credits, including at least fourteen courses totaling at least 42 local credits, a seminar, a qualifying exam, a thesis proposal and thesis work, with at least 60 ECTS credits per academic year.
(3) In Ph.D. programs, upon the proposal of the DGS and approval of GSAB, students admitted with a master’s degree may select at most two courses, and students admitted with an undergraduate degree at most four courses, from courses offered at other higher education institutions. Undergraduate courses taken within this scope are not counted toward the course load or Ph.D. credit and are recorded as NI on the student’s transcript. Courses failed, or courses taken as equivalent with Senate approval upon the recommendation of GSAB, are repeated by the student until successfully completed.
Doctoral Qualifying Exam
ARTICLE 37- (1) The qualifying exam measures whether a student who has completed the courses and seminar has sufficient knowledge of the fundamental subjects and concepts in the field and sufficient depth of scientific research related to the Ph.D. study.
(2) A student may take the qualifying exam at most twice in one year. Qualifying exam dates are determined by GSAB upon the proposal of the DGS. Once the qualifying exam date is determined, it is notified by e-mail to the advisor, committee members and student.
(3) Students admitted with a master’s degree must take the doctoral qualifying exam by the end of the fifth semester at the latest, and students admitted with an undergraduate degree by the end of the seventh semester at the latest. Ph.D. students must take the qualifying exam in the semester following the semester in which they complete their course requirements. A student who is required to take the exam but does not apply, or who applies but does not take the exam, is deemed unsuccessful in the qualifying exam for the relevant semester.
(4) Qualifying exams are organized and conducted by a five-member doctoral qualifying committee appointed by GSAB from among the faculty members of the University and serving on a continuing basis. The committee establishes exam juries consisting of faculty members to prepare, administer and evaluate exams in different fields. The exam jury consists of five faculty members, including the thesis advisor and at least two members from outside the University. GSAB decides whether the thesis advisor has the right to vote. If the thesis advisor does not have the right to vote, the exam jury consists of six faculty members. Qualifying exam meetings are held open to an audience consisting of academic staff, graduate students and experts in the field.
(5) The qualifying exam is held in two parts, written and oral. A student who passes the written exam proceeds to the oral exam. The oral exam must be taken within three business days after the written exam is passed. A score of at least 80 must be obtained in each part to be successful. The passing grade for the qualifying exam is at least 80 and is calculated as 50% of the oral exam grade plus 50% of the written exam grade. A student who scores below 80 on the written exam is not admitted to the oral exam. The exam jury evaluates the student's performance in the written and oral exams and decides by absolute majority whether the student has passed or failed. A student who passes the qualifying exam is awarded an S grade; a student who fails is awarded a U grade. This decision is reported by the DGS to the Graduate School in an official record within three days following the qualifying exam.
(6) A student who fails the qualifying exam is re-examined in the following semester in the part or parts in which the student failed. Students must fulfill their registration renewal obligations in semesters in which they will take the doctoral qualifying exam. Students who also fail this exam are dismissed from the Ph.D. program.
(7) The qualifying exam jury may require a student who passes the qualifying exam to take additional course or courses, even if the course load has been completed, provided that the additional courses do not exceed one-third of the total local credit amount. Students who successfully complete the additional credited courses are given an NI grade for those courses. The student must meet the requirements specified in Article 27 in order to be considered successful in these courses determined by the Graduate School. These courses are not included in the student’s GPA calculation.
(8) A student admitted to a Ph.D. program with an undergraduate degree who has successfully completed at least seven courses is deemed successful if the student meets the application requirements determined by the Senate for the relevant master's program for the semester in which the application is made.
Thesis Monitoring Committee
ARTICLE 38- (1) A thesis monitoring committee is established within one month upon the proposal of the DGS and approval of GSAB for a student who is successful in the qualifying exam.
(2) The thesis monitoring committee consists of three faculty members: the faculty member who is the student’s thesis advisor, one member from within the DGS and one member from outside the DGS. If there is a second thesis advisor, the second thesis advisor may attend committee meetings.
(3) In semesters following establishment of the thesis monitoring committee, committee members may be changed upon the proposal of the DGS and approval of GSAB.
Defense of the Thesis Proposal
ARTICLE 39- (1) A student who is successful in the doctoral qualifying exam orally defends before the thesis monitoring committee, within six months at the latest, a thesis proposal including the purpose, method and work plan of the research to be conducted. The student submits the written report prepared on this matter to the committee members at least fifteen days before the oral defense.
(2) The thesis monitoring committee decides by absolute majority whether to accept, require correction of, or reject the thesis proposal submitted by the student. One month is granted for correction. At the end of this period, the decision to accept or reject the proposal, taken by absolute majority, is reported by the DGS to the Graduate School in an official record within three days following completion of the procedure.
(3) A student whose thesis proposal is rejected at the thesis proposal defense has the right to select a new thesis advisor or thesis topic. In this case, a new thesis monitoring committee may be appointed and a new thesis proposal is submitted in the following semester. A student who wishes to continue the program with the same thesis advisor is scheduled for another thesis proposal defense within three months; a student who changes both the thesis advisor and the thesis topic is scheduled for another thesis proposal defense within six months. A student whose thesis proposal is also rejected at this defense is dismissed from the University.
(4) For a student whose thesis proposal is accepted, the thesis monitoring committee meets at least twice a year, once between January-June and once between July-December. Once the committee meeting date is determined, it is notified by e-mail to the advisor, committee members and student. The student submits a written report to the committee members at least one month before the meeting date. This report states a summary of the work completed up to that point and the work plan for the following year. The student’s thesis work is evaluated by the committee as successful or unsuccessful. A student who is found unsuccessful by the committee twice consecutively or three times intermittently is dismissed from the University.
(5) A student who does not enter the thesis proposal defense within the period specified in paragraph one without a valid excuse is deemed unsuccessful and the thesis proposal is rejected.
Preparation and Finalization of Ph.D. Thesis
ARTICLE 40- (1) A student becomes entitled to enter the Ph.D. thesis defense by fulfilling the requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled. The student writes the thesis in the language of the program in which the student studies, in accordance with the thesis writing guide approved by the Senate upon the recommendation of GSB, and defends the thesis orally before a jury.
(2) In order for Ph.D. students to take the thesis examination, they must fulfill the publication requirements determined by the Senate, provided that the publication is in the field related to the doctoral thesis and was produced during the period of Ph.D. study.
(3) Before the Ph.D. thesis defense, and together with the correction in cases where correction is required, a student who completes the thesis study submits the required number of digital or printed copies of the thesis to the thesis advisor.
(4) In order for the Ph.D. thesis to be defended before the jury for the first time or at the end of the additional time granted by the thesis jury, the following requirements must be met:
a) The thesis advisor must obtain a report showing the similarity index by using plagiarism software.
b) The similarity index in the thesis must be below the maximum similarity index recommended by GSB and approved by the Senate.
c) The thesis advisor must submit to the Graduate School, together with the thesis, the plagiarism report, the thesis jury proposal form approved by the DGS containing the opinion that the thesis is defensible, the publication information form, the ethics declaration, and, where required, the Ethics Committee report, all bearing wet signatures.
(5) If the data in the report reveal an instance of plagiarism, the thesis is submitted to GSAB, together with the justification, for a decision.
(6) At least three thesis monitoring committee reports must be submitted in order for the student’s thesis to be finalized.
(7) The Ph.D. thesis jury is formed with the approval of GSAB upon the proposal of the thesis advisor and the DGS. The jury consists of five full-time faculty members in total, three of whom are selected from among the faculty members serving on the student’s thesis monitoring committee and at least two of whom are from outside the University. GSAB decides whether the thesis advisor has the right to vote. If the thesis advisor does not have the right to vote, the jury consists of six faculty members including the thesis advisor. The second thesis advisor may also serve on the jury without voting rights.
(8) The Graduate School sends the plagiarism software report and the thesis to the jury members. The jury members convene within one month at the latest from the date the thesis is delivered to them to conduct the student's thesis defense. The date and place of the thesis defense are announced by the Graduate School at least one week in advance and notified to the student by e-mail. The thesis defense consists of presentation of the thesis study and question-and-answer sessions and is open to the audience.
(9) After the thesis defense, the jury decides by absolute majority, in a session closed to the audience, whether to accept, reject or require correction of the thesis and reports this decision to the Graduate School in an official record within three days following the defense. Students whose thesis is accepted are evaluated as successful. A student whose thesis is found unsuccessful and rejected is dismissed from the University. A student whose thesis is subject to a correction decision must complete the required corrections within six months at the latest and defend the thesis again before the same jury. The student must renew registration during semesters for which an extension is granted. A student who is also found unsuccessful at this defense is dismissed from the University. Students who are unsuccessful in the Ph.D. thesis may, upon request, be awarded a master's diploma without thesis provided that they have fulfilled the required credit load, project and other requirements.
(10) Provided that all other requirements have also been fulfilled, a Ph.D. student who submits to the Graduate School at least three bound copies of the accepted Ph.D. thesis signed by the jury members and the electronic copies within one month from the date of the thesis defense, and whose thesis is found formally appropriate, is entitled to graduate. Upon the student's application to GSAB, the thesis submission period may be extended for a maximum of one month. Until the student fulfills these requirements, the student cannot receive the diploma or benefit from student rights and, if the maximum period expires, is dismissed from the University.
SECTION SEVEN
Leave, Deferral of Registration, and Cancellation of Registration
Deferral of Registration
ARTICLE 41- (1) Students may defer their registration due to justified and valid excuses by decision of GSAB, provided that they submit the documents relating to the deferral of registration to the Graduate School with a petition within the dates announced in the academic calendar and fulfill the obligations determined by the Senate.
(2) Due to justified and valid excuses, students may defer their registration by decision of GSAB for a maximum of two semesters at one time and a total of no more than four semesters throughout their period of study. Periods of deferred registration are not included in the maximum period of study. However, if GSAB finds the excuses of students who request deferral of registration due to a health problem and continuing treatment, and of convicted students, appropriate, registration may be deferred for more than four semesters without those periods being included in the maximum period of study. The following are considered justified and valid excuses for deferral of registration:
a) The student has a health-related excuse documented by medical reports obtained from the University hospital or other healthcare institutions.
b) The student is required to interrupt education due to natural disasters, provided that this is documented by a document issued by the highest local administrative authority.
c) The student is required to interrupt education due to the death of the student’s mother, father, sibling, spouse or child, or because one of them is seriously ill and there is no other person to provide care.
ç) The student is unable to continue education for economic reasons, provided that this is documented.
d) Detention.
e) The student is called for military service due to loss or cancellation of the right to defer military service.
f) Other excuses accepted by GSAB.
(3) A student whose registration is deferred cannot attend courses or take exams.
End of Deferred Registration Period
ARTICLE 42- (1) Students whose registration has been deferred continue their education at the end of the deferral period by applying to the Graduate School with a petition stating that they wish to resume their studies and by completing semester registration.
Cancellation of Registration and Dismissal
ARTICLE 43- (1) By decision of GSAB, students who:
a) cannot successfully complete within two years the preparatory class of programs whose medium of instruction is wholly or partially a foreign language,
b) cannot graduate despite completing the maximum period of study,
c) receive an NP grade in master’s thesis and thesis-related courses twice consecutively or three times intermittently within the maximum period,
ç) receive an NP grade three times, consecutively or intermittently, in the Ph.D. thesis study in which they are enrolled within the maximum period, or cannot complete the thesis within the maximum period, or receive a U grade in the thesis examination,
d) cannot successfully complete the credited courses and seminar courses in the curriculum of the master’s program with thesis by the end of four semesters,
e) cannot successfully complete the credited courses and seminar course in the curriculum of the Ph.D. program by the end of four semesters if admitted with a master’s degree with thesis or by the end of six semesters if admitted with an undergraduate degree,
f) receive the disciplinary penalty of expulsion from the higher education institution following a disciplinary investigation,
g) request cancellation of their registration voluntarily,
are dismissed from the University.
(2) Students who are dismissed from the University and graduates must complete the clearance procedures required by the University in order to receive their own documents.
SECTION EIGHT
Graduation and Diplomas
Graduation Requirements and Dates
ARTICLE 44- (1) In order for a student to become entitled to graduate, the student must have a GPA of at least 3.00 and meet the following requirements:
a) For a master’s program with thesis, complete at least 21 local credits, seven courses and 120 ECTS credits, and be successful in all courses, the seminar course and thesis study required in the program in which the student is enrolled.
b) For a master’s program without thesis, complete at least 30 local credits, ten courses and 60 ECTS credits, and be successful in all courses and the semester project course required in the program in which the student is enrolled.
c) For students admitted to a Ph.D. program with an undergraduate degree, complete at least 42 local credits, fourteen courses and 300 ECTS credits, and be successful in all courses, the seminar, qualifying exam, thesis proposal and thesis study required in the program in which the student is enrolled.
ç) For students admitted to a Ph.D. program with a master’s degree, complete at least 21 local credits, seven courses and 240 ECTS credits, and be successful in all courses, the seminar, qualifying exam, thesis proposal and thesis study required in the program in which the student is enrolled.
Diploma
ARTICLE 45- (1) Students of master’s programs without thesis who meet the requirements specified in Article 44 are awarded a master’s diploma without thesis; students of master’s programs with thesis are awarded a master’s diploma with thesis; and Ph.D. students are awarded a Ph.D. diploma. Diplomas issued for distance education programs contain the phrase “distance education”.
(2) A graduate diploma is signed by the Director of Student Affairs, the Director of the Graduate School and the Rector. The diploma bears the CoHE-approved name of the DGS program in which the student was enrolled.
(3) For master's programs with thesis and Ph.D. programs, the graduation date is the date on which the copy of the thesis signed by the thesis defense jury is submitted to the Graduate School.
(4) Graduation of students in master’s programs without thesis is finalized upon approval by GSAB. The date of approval by GSAB is written on the diploma as the graduation date.
(5) Graduation grades are not indicated on the diploma.
(6) The principles regarding the form, dimensions and content of diplomas and their approval by signature and seal are determined by the Senate.
(7) Graduates are also issued a diploma supplement, which helps international recognition of academic and professional qualifications.
(8) In the event of loss of a diploma, a new diploma is prepared only once, provided that a loss announcement is published in a newspaper distributed throughout Türkiye, the fee is paid again, and the situation is declared by petition. The new copy bears the notation “duplicate”.
(9) Until diplomas are prepared, a temporary graduation certificate bearing the signatures of the Director of the Graduate School and the Director of Student Affairs may be issued to the student once.
SECTION NINE
Miscellaneous and Final Provisions
Disciplinary Procedures
ARTICLE 46- (1) Disciplinary matters and procedures concerning students are carried out in accordance with Article 54 of Higher Education Law No. 2547.
Notifications
ARTICLE 47- (1) All notifications to a student are made in accordance with the provisions of Notification Law No. 7201, dated February 11, 1959. If a student changes the postal address declared when registering at the University and does not notify the relevant units of the University of the new address, or provides an incorrect or incomplete address, notification made to the address declared at the time of registration at the University is deemed valid.
Retention of Documents and Works Used in Assessment and Evaluation
ARTICLE 48- (1) The Senate determines, in accordance with the relevant legislation, the principles governing the retention of exam papers, assignments, practices and similar documents and works used in assessment and evaluation, as well as the measures to ensure exam security.
Cases Where No Provision Exists
ARTICLE 49- (1) In cases where there is no provision in this Bylaw, Higher Education Law No. 2547 and other relevant legislation apply.
Repealed Bylaw
ARTICLE 50- (1) Izmir University of Economics Graduate Degree Education Bylaw published in the Official Gazette dated December 27, 2020 and numbered 31347 is hereby repealed.
Transitional Provisions
PROVISIONAL ARTICLE 1- (1) Paragraph one of Article 29 applies to students who entered the course stage in the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year and to students enrolled after that date; the grade point averages of students enrolled before that date are calculated according to IUE credit.
(2) Students who enrolled in or graduated from master’s programs without thesis before February 6, 2013 may apply to Ph.D. programs.
(3) For students admitted as special students to graduate programs before the 2020-2021 academic year, paragraph four of Provisional Article 2 of the Bylaw repealed by Article 50 continues to apply.
(4) The course passing grades specified in paragraphs four and five of Article 13 are valid for the spring semester of the 2020-2021 academic year and thereafter. In order for a master’s student who took scientific preparatory program courses within the scope of paragraph four to start the program to which the student applied, the student must have completed all scientific preparatory program courses taken in the fall semester of the 2020-2021 academic year and before with at least a DD grade; in order for a Ph.D. student who took scientific preparatory program courses within the scope of paragraph five to start the program to which the student applied, the student must have completed all scientific preparatory program courses with at least a CC grade.
(5) The end-of-semester passing grades specified in item (a) of paragraph one of Article 27 are applied, for undergraduate courses taken in the fall semester of the 2020-2021 academic year, as at least DD; for graduate courses, as at least CC; and for Ph.D. courses, as at least CB.
Entry into Force
ARTICLE 51- (1) This Bylaw enters into force on the date of its publication.
Enforcement
ARTICLE 52- (1) The Rector of Izmir University of Economics executes the provisions of this Bylaw.
This Bylaw entered into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette dated October 5, 2026 and numbered 33391.
