GRADUATE ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

Candidates applying for Master’s (MSc) and Doctoral (PhD) programs at our Institute are advised to strictly adhere to the general requirements, mandatory documentation, and the application/pre-registration timelines stipulated by the ITU Registrar’s Office. All announcements and application processes are conducted exclusively through the official portals of the ITU Registrar’s Office. Applicants are encouraged to monitor these platforms regularly for updates.

General Guidelines

1. Administrative Oversight: Graduate admission processes for the Informatics Institute are administered by the Registrar’s Office. All official announcements are published on the website: https://www.sis.itu.edu.tr/EN/index.php

2. Eligibility: Individuals who have been dismissed from any higher education institution due to disciplinary actions are ineligible to apply for graduate programs.

3. Academic Calendar: Graduate admissions are conducted biannually, in accordance with the dates specified in the Academic Calendar (typically March–June and October–January cycles).

4. Submission Policy: All applications must be completed electronically by uploading the required documents via the ITU Registrar’s Office portal. Applications submitted via post or in-person delivery will not be processed.

5. Evaluation and Interviews: Candidates are evaluated through interviews conducted by "Student Admission Committees," appointed by the respective Departmental Chairs and approved by the Institute. Interview schedules will be announced on the Institute’s website prior to the interview week. Results, including the list of successful candidates eligible for final registration, will be published on; https://www.sis.itu.edu.tr/EN/index.php. 

Application Requirements

1. Online Portal: The application link (https://www.sis.itu.edu.tr/onkayitlar/lisansustu/basvuru/index.php?islem=guncelle_login<response-element ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER"></response-element>) is accessible only during the application periods defined in the Academic Calendar. Digital uploads of documents are sufficient; hard copies are not required.

2. PhD Prerequisite: Applicants for PhD programs holding only a bachelor’s degree must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

3. Standardized Tests (ALES/GRE):

   • The minimum required ALES score is 55. For PhD applicants holding only a bachelor's degree, the minimum requirement is 80.

   • Applicants who have completed a Master’s degree and have a gap of no more than one semester are exempt from ALES validity period restrictions.

   • GRE scores are accepted as an alternative for all applicants. A minimum quantitative score of 610 (or equivalent) is required for those using the GRE in lieu of the ALES minimum of 55. [Click here for ALES-GRE equivalence tables.]

4. Program-Specific Requirements: Please note that individual departments may enforce higher minimum GPA or ALES/GRE requirements. Furthermore, certain non-thesis programs may waive the ALES requirement. Candidates should consult the specific criteria announced for their desired program during the application period.

5. Mandatory Documentation:

   • a) Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts covering all undergraduate and graduate coursework.

   • b) Standardized Test Scores: Valid ALES or GRE result reports (valid for 5 years).

   • c) English Proficiency: Proof of English proficiency recognized by the ITU Senate. [Click here for accepted tests and validity periods.]

   • d) Statement of Purpose: A personal statement outlining the applicant’s academic expectations and intended research interests.

6. Interview Documentation: If not already uploaded to the system, candidates must provide the following to the interview committee:

   • a) Two letters of recommendation.

   • b) For PhD applicants: An additional letter of recommendation from the prospective supervisor.

English Proficiency Requirements

English language proficiency standards are governed by the ITU Graduate Education Regulations. Requirements are as follows:

• a) Master’s Applications: A minimum score of 65 on the ITU Proficiency Exam (ITU SFL).

• b) General Requirement (MSc & PhD): A minimum score of 65 on the YDS (Foreign Language Knowledge Level Determination Exam) or an equivalent score from internationally recognized exams (such as TOEFL/IELTS) as accepted by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) and ÖSYM.

• c) Non-Thesis Programs: A minimum score of 55 on the ITU Proficiency Exam is required for second-cycle (evening) non-thesis programs.

Notes on Proficiency:

1. Conditional Enrollment: Master’s students who are accepted but do not meet the English proficiency requirement are granted a one-year probationary period to attain the required score independently. Failure to provide proof of proficiency within this period will result in termination of enrollment.

2. PhD Admission: Applicants who do not possess a valid English proficiency document at the time of application may proceed, but they must submit a valid document upon final registration to be eligible for admission.

3. TOEFL-IBT Policy: As per the University Senate resolution (Dec 15, 2011), only TOEFL-IBT scores obtained from test centers located within Turkish state or foundation universities are accepted.

4. Exemption: Applicants who are citizens of an English-speaking country and have completed their high school, undergraduate, or graduate studies in a country where the official language is English are exempt from this requirement.