1. I didn’t renew my registration or select my courses. What happens in this case?
Each semester in which registration renewal or course selection is not done counts towards the duration of your studies, which reduces your total study period.
2. How many semesters do I have left?
The maximum study duration and semester allowance for graduate programs vary depending on the program you are enrolled in. Each semester refers to one term. Based on the term you are enrolled in (fall/spring):
ARTICLE 27 – (1) The duration of a thesis-based master’s program, excluding the time spent on scientific preparation, begins from the term in which courses related to the program are offered, regardless of whether or not the student registers each term. The program lasts for a maximum of six semesters, with the first four semesters counting as the standard duration. Students who can submit their thesis in a shorter period, as determined by their advisor, may be allowed to defend their thesis in the fourth semester, upon the recommendation of the department chair and approval from the Institute's Board of Directors, after the third semester.
(2) If, at the end of the four semesters, a student has not successfully completed the required credit courses and seminar courses or has not met the success criteria set by the University during this time; or if the student fails the thesis work or does not defend their thesis within the maximum duration, the student’s relationship with the Institute will be terminated.
ARTICLE 33 – (1) The duration of a non-thesis master’s program, excluding the time spent on scientific preparation, starts from the term in which courses related to the program are offered, regardless of whether or not the student registers each term. It is at least two semesters and at most three semesters. At the end of this period, if the student fails or does not complete the program, their relationship with the University will be terminated.
ARTICLE 36 – (1) For doctoral programs, excluding the time spent on scientific preparation, the program duration is eight semesters for those admitted with a thesis-based master’s degree, with a maximum completion period of twelve semesters. For those admitted with a bachelor’s degree, the program duration is ten semesters, with a maximum completion period of fourteen semesters.
(2) The maximum duration to successfully complete the required credit courses for the doctoral program is four semesters for those admitted with a thesis-based master’s degree, and six semesters for those admitted with a bachelor’s degree. If the student does not successfully complete their credit courses or fails to meet the minimum GPA set by the University within this period, their relationship with the University will be terminated.
3. Where and how can I obtain my Student Certificate / Transcript?
You can request your Student Certificate or Transcript with an electronic signature via the "Document Request" section of the ORION system. Once the document is signed, you can access it through the "Document Request View" section in the ORION system.
You can also obtain a hard copy of your document with a wet-ink signature by visiting our institute.
4. How can I freeze my registration?
Students who wish to request a registration freeze must submit their application through the "Academic Applications" section of the ORION system, taking into account the "Registration Freeze Requests" dates specified in the Academic Calendar for each semester.
5. How many semesters can I freeze my registration?
In master's programs, you can freeze your registration for a maximum of two semesters, and in doctoral programs, for a maximum of four semesters. The duration of the registration freeze will be deducted from the maximum duration allowed for the program, according to YÖK regulations.
6. By when should my Thesis / Project advisor be assigned?
The department chair must propose a thesis advisor for students in Thesis Master’s programs by the end of the first semester, a project advisor for Non-thesis Master’s programs by the end of the first semester, and a thesis advisor for Doctoral programs by the end of the second semester. The proposed thesis advisor is finalized with the approval of the Institute’s Board of Directors.
7. By when and how should I declare my Thesis topic?
In Thesis-based Master's Programs, the student must declare the thesis topic, chosen in collaboration with their advisor, by the end of the second semester at the latest. In Doctoral Programs, the thesis topic must be declared within the semester following the assignment of the advisor. The student should submit the relevant forms (YL1 - Thesis-based Master's Thesis Topic Declaration Form or DR1 - Doctoral Thesis Topic Declaration Form) available on our website (Student > Forms and Documents).
The department submits the thesis topic to the institute with a covering letter, and the topic is finalized with the approval of the Institute's Board of Directors.
8. I want to change my thesis supervisor. What should I do?
To change your thesis supervisor, you must fill out the Supervisor Change Notification Form available on our website under the Student > Forms and Documents section. The form must be signed and approved by your current supervisor, your new supervisor, and the head of the department, and then submitted to the department. The department will forward the form to the Institute Administrative Board with an official cover letter. Once the board reaches a decision, the necessary procedures for the supervisor change will be carried out.
9. I want to change my thesis subject. What should I do?
To change your thesis subject, you must fill out the DR2-PhD – Thesis Subject Change Form or YL2- Master with Thesis – Thesis Subject Change Form, available on our website under the Student > Forms and Documents section. The form must be signed and approved by your current supervisor and then submitted to the department. The department will forward the form to the institute with an official cover letter. Your request will be reviewed and finalized by the Institute Administrative Board. Once the board reaches a decision, the necessary procedures for the thesis subject change will be carried out.
10. I have completed my course and moved on to the thesis stage. Do I still need to register for courses?
Yes. Even if you have completed your courses, you must renew your registration and select your thesis course each semester, taking into account the registration renewal and course selection dates specified in the Academic Calendar.
11. How can I extend my thesis writing period?
According to the regulations, you are entitled to a maximum of six semesters. In a Master with Thesis program, the thesis writing period can be extended, provided that the total duration, including both coursework and thesis stages, does not exceed six semesters.
12. I have completed my thesis. What should I do next?
A student who has completed their thesis must format it in accordance with the Thesis Writing Guide, then submit it to their thesis supervisor along with the DR8-PhD – Thesis Submission Form or YL3- Master with Thesis – Thesis Submission Form, available on our website under the Student > Forms and Documents section.
The supervisor will check the thesis for compliance with the formatting rules and, if deemed satisfactory, will forward a PDF copy of the thesis to the institute for a similarity check. The institute will calculate the similarity rate and notify the supervisor. If the similarity rate is below 25%, the thesis will be deemed acceptable.
The advisor then will submit the approved thesis, the thesis submission form, and jury member details to the head of the department. The department will forward these documents to the institute with an official cover letter.
On the scheduled date and time, the jury will convene to conduct the thesis defence. After the defence, the jury will decide whether to reject the thesis or request corrections.
The DR10-PhD – Jury Member Thesis Evaluation Form / YL5- Master with Thesis – Jury Thesis Evaluation Form and the DR11-PhD – Thesis Defence Examination Report / YL6- Master with Thesis – Thesis Defence Examination Report must be delivered to the institute, via the department, by the thesis supervisor within the three days following the thesis defence, along with an official cover letter.
13. I have completed my thesis defence. What is the next stage?
Students who have successfully completed their thesis defence are required to finalize all post-defence procedures and submit the signed copy of their thesis to the institute within one month from the defence date.
In order for students to submit the signed thesis, the documents listed below must be delivered in person. Following a formal compliance check, a Turnitin similarity report will be generated, and final authorization for printing will be granted. (The thesis must not be printed prior to receiving official printing approval.)
Note: Before submitting the following documents, the thesis must be prepared in full compliance with the Thesis Writing Guide, accessible via our website.
• Two CDs containing the final PDF version of the thesis (the file must be named with the Reference Number)
• Three passport-sized photographs
• A photocopy of identity card
• Thesis Data Entry Form obtained from the National Thesis Center
14. Where can I submit my Ethics Committee application?
For information regarding your Ethics Committee application and to submit your application, you can visit the Academic > Boards and Committees > Ethics Committee section on our website.
15. When is the latest date and during which periods should I take the PhD qualification exam?
ARTICLE 38 – (1) The qualifying examination measures whether a student who has completed their courses and seminars has a thorough understanding of the fundamental topics and concepts in their field and the scientific research depth related to their doctoral work. A student may take the qualifying examination a maximum of two times per year.
(2) (Amended: Official Gazette-18/6/2025-32930) The qualifying exams are held twice a year, in the May–June and November–December periods. However, a student admitted with a master’s degree must take the qualifying exam no later than the end of the fifth semester, and a student admitted with a bachelor’s degree must take it no later than the end of the seventh semester, regardless of whether they have registered for that semester. Failure to do so will result in being considered unsuccessful. In addition, a student who has applied to take the qualifying exam will be considered unsuccessful if they do not take the exam within the same semester.
16. I passed the written part of the PhD qualifying exam, but failed the oral part. What should I do in this situation?
The proficiency exam consists of two parts, written and oral, and these two parts are evaluated together as a single exam. Therefore, if you pass the written exam but fail the oral exam, you will need to restart the process. In other words, you must retake both the written and oral exams.
17. What happens if I fail the PhD qualifying exam, and what steps should I take?
ARTICLE 38 - (5) Students who fail the qualifying examination shall be re-examined in the following semester in the section(s) in which they failed. Students who fail this examination shall be dismissed from the PhD program.
18. I passed my PhD qualifying exam. What should I do next?
ARTICLE 39 – (1) For students who pass the qualifying examination, a thesis monitoring committee shall be formed within one month upon the recommendation of the relevant institute's department chair and the approval of the Institute's Administrative Board.
ARTICLE 40 – (1) Students who successfully complete the doctoral qualification examination shall orally defend their thesis proposal, which includes the purpose, method, and work plan of their research, to the thesis monitoring committee within six months at the latest. Students shall distribute a written report on their thesis proposal to the committee members at least fifteen days before the oral defence.
19. Can someone else collect my Diploma / Provisional Graduation Certificate on my behalf?
Diploma / Provisional Graduation Certificate is delivered only to the student after identity verification. However, a person authorised by a notarised power of attorney may also receive your Diploma / Provisional Graduation Certificate.
20. I lost my Diploma / Provisional Graduation Certificate. What should I do?
ARTICLE 14 - (1) Diplomas, temporary graduation certificates, or certificates that have been lost will be reissued, indicating the number of times they have been reissued, provided that the conditions specified below are met.
(2) Those who have lost their diplomas must submit a letter of application accompanied by one (1) lost property advertisement published in a national newspaper (the advertisement must include the name of the University, Faculty/Vocational School, department/program name, and the statement “invalid”) and a photocopy of their identity card to the Student Affairs Office, or to the Institute Directorate for postgraduate degrees.
(3) Provided that the identity and graduation information is preserved, if diplomas/documents are torn or damaged in any way that renders them unusable, a new one will be prepared upon application to the Student Affairs Office or, for postgraduate degrees, to the Institute Directorate.
(4) For associate and bachelor's degrees, the original image of the reissued diploma will bear the phrase “2nd copy, reissued for the 2nd time” at the bottom, and the front will contain all the information from the original diploma, but without signatures. The duplicate will be wet-signed by the relevant dean/director and the Rector who were in office at the time of the second issuance on the lower back portion. Similarly, for postgraduate degrees, all the information originally on the front of the diploma and the phrase “Second copy, issued for the second time” are written on the front, and the diploma is sealed with a cold stamp.
(5) If those who have lost their duplicate apply again, the procedures for preparing a second copy will be applied, and the number of times it has been printed will be indicated.
(6) A graduate of our university who loses their provisional graduation certificate within its validity period must apply to the Student Affairs Office, and for postgraduate degrees, to the Institute Directorate, with a newspaper announcement published in a national newspaper, a petition, and a copy of their identity card. A second provisional graduation certificate will not be issued; if the diploma has not yet been prepared, a document confirming the loss of the provisional graduation certificate will be issued instead.
