Regulations

ISTANBUL SABAHATTIN ZAIM UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE
EDUCATION AND TEACHING REGULATION
( Published in the Official Gazette dated 10 August 2019 and numbered 30858 )

PART ONE
Purpose, Scope, Basis and Definitions

Purpose

ARTICLE 1 – (1) The purpose of these Regulations is to lay down the procedures and principles governing the education and instruction, registration and examinations carried out in the undergraduate programmes and foreign language preparatory programmes of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.

Scope

ARTICLE 2 – (1) These Regulations cover the provisions relating to the admission of students to the undergraduate programmes of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, education and instruction, examinations, assessment of achievement, leave of absence, diplomas and withdrawal of registration, as well as the foreign language preparatory programmes.

Legal Basis

ARTICLE 3 – (1) These Regulations have been prepared on the basis of Articles 14, 43 and 44 of Higher Education Law No. 2547 dated 4/11/1981.

Definitions

ARTICLE 4 – (1) In these Regulations;

a) CGPA refers to the cumulative grade point average,
b) ECTS refers to the European Credit Transfer System,
c) GPA refers to the grade point average,
ç) Dean refers to the dean of the relevant faculty of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
d) Relevant board refers to the faculty board in faculties and to the school board in schools,
e) Relevant executive board refers to the faculty executive board in faculties and to the school executive board in schools,
f) Undergraduate refers to higher education covering a diploma programme of at least eight semesters or four years following secondary education,
g) Director refers to the director of the relevant school of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
ğ) Board of Trustees refers to the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
h) Rector refers to the Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
ı) Senate refers to the Senate of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
i) University refers to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
j) University Executive Board refers to the Executive Board of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,

shall have the meanings set out above.

PART TWO
Principles Concerning Student Admission and Registration Procedures

Undergraduate programmes and quotas

ARTICLE 5 – (1) The undergraduate programmes to be opened in the faculties and schools affiliated with the University and the number of students to be admitted to these programmes are determined each year upon the opinion of the relevant units, the proposal of the Senate, the approval of the Board of Trustees and the decision of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

Student admission

ARTICLE 6 – (1) The following requirements apply to the admission of students to the University:

a) Not being registered in any formal undergraduate programme of another higher education institution, with the exception of open and distance education programmes.
b) Having been placed at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University as a result of the examination held by the Measuring, Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM).
c) Meeting the requirement set by ÖSYM for sitting the special aptitude examination, having passed the special aptitude examination held by the University and having been placed in the programme.
ç) Having been placed at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University as a result of the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS) held by ÖSYM.
d) Having earned the right to register at the University in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on the Principles of Transfer between Associate and Undergraduate Level Programmes, Double Major, Minor and Inter-Institutional Credit Transfer in Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated 24/4/2010 and numbered 27561, and with the principles determined by the Senate.
e) Meeting the admission requirements set by the University for the admission of students from abroad, or, in the case of international students, having passed the examination held by the University.

Registration at the University

ARTICLE 7 – (1) The registration of new students who have earned the right to enrol at the University is carried out by the Directorate of Student Affairs, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation, on the dates announced by YÖK or by the University. The registration of candidates placed at the University through the central examination held by ÖSYM may be carried out via the University e-Registration System of the Council of Higher Education.

(2) The registration dates for new students, the documents required for registration and the principles to be observed are determined and announced by the University.

(3) The originals of the documents required for registration, or copies certified by the University, are accepted. As regards military service status and criminal records, the procedure is carried out on the basis of the candidate's written declaration.

(4) Candidates with a valid excuse may have their registration procedures carried out, provided that the above provisions are complied with, through proxies they appoint by means of a notarised power of attorney.

(5) Students who are registered in any formal undergraduate programme of another higher education institution are not registered at the University; if they have been registered, their registration is cancelled and all rights they have acquired through this registration are annulled. In addition, where it emerges that individuals have registered with false information and declarations or with forged or incomplete documents, their registration is cancelled, all rights they have acquired through this registration are annulled and legal proceedings are initiated against them.

(6) Those who have been given the penalty of dismissal from higher education institutions, those whose documents contain falsification and those who fail to remedy deficiencies in their documents within the given period are not registered at the University; if they have been registered, their registration is cancelled and all rights they have acquired through this registration are annulled.

(7) Students who fail to register within the registration period announced by YÖK or by the University are deemed to have waived their right to become a student of the University.

Tuition fee

ARTICLE 8 – (1) Education and instruction at the University is subject to a fee, which is accrued on an annual basis. Annual tuition fees and ECTS credit fees are determined each year by the Board of Trustees and announced together with the method of payment.

(2) Students who fail to graduate from the undergraduate programme in which they are registered at the end of the normal period of study pay the ECTS credit fee for the courses in which they enrol in the following semesters.

(3) The annual tuition fee does not cover summer school fees.

(4) Students taking courses in the summer school and special students pay the ECTS credit fee for the courses in which they enrol.

(5) The cost of additional services that may be provided by the University, such as accommodation, meals, transport, books and study abroad expenses, is not included in the annual tuition fee. These fees are determined separately by the Board of Trustees and announced together with the method of payment.

Admission of students through horizontal transfer

ARTICLE 9 – (1) The admission of students to the University by lateral transfer from other higher education institutions in Turkey and abroad, and transfers within the University between faculties, schools and undergraduate programmes, are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on the Principles of Transfer between Associate and Undergraduate Level Programmes, Double Major, Minor and Inter-Institutional Credit Transfer in Higher Education Institutions, and with the principles determined by the Senate.

(2) The admission of students to the University by lateral transfer is decided by the relevant executive board. Adaptation programmes proposed by the relevant head of department and approved by the relevant executive board are applied to these students.

(3) The provisions of Article 25 apply to students who register by lateral transfer in undergraduate programmes whose language of instruction is partly or entirely a foreign language.

Admission of students by vertical transfer

ARTICLE 10 – (1) The admission of vocational school graduates to the undergraduate programmes affiliated with the University by vertical transfer is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on the Continuation of Graduates of Vocational Schools and Open Education Associate Degree Programmes to Undergraduate Education, published in the Official Gazette dated 19/2/2002 and numbered 24676, and with the principles determined by the Senate.

(2) Adaptation programmes proposed by the relevant head of department and approved by the relevant executive board are applied to students who register by vertical transfer.

(3) The provisions of Article 25 apply to students who register by vertical transfer in undergraduate programmes whose language of instruction is partly or entirely a foreign language.

Student exchange

ARTICLE 11 – (1) Within the framework of agreements to be made with universities in Turkey or abroad whose equivalence is recognised by YÖK, the University may send students to universities in Turkey or abroad for one or two semesters under student exchange schemes, and may admit students from such universities.

(2) During this period the registration at the University of a student who goes to another institution in Turkey or abroad continues, and this period counts towards the student's maximum period of study. Students who go abroad under an exchange programme pay the tuition fee for the relevant semesters to the University. Matters relating to the tuition fees of students who come to the University under an exchange programme are handled as provided for in the relevant agreement.

(3) The courses taken by the student at universities in Turkey or abroad and the procedures required for the recognition of the grades obtained in these courses are carried out by the Directorate of Student Affairs in accordance with the adaptation decisions taken by the relevant executive board. Students who come to the University under an exchange programme are not awarded a diploma or title; however, they are given a document showing the courses they have taken and their grades.

(4) The provisions of the Regulations on Student and Faculty Member Exchange Programmes between Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated 18/2/2009 and numbered 27145, together with the provisions of these Regulations, apply to students who register at the University under student exchange programmes and agreements made with other higher education institutions.

Double major and minor

ARTICLE 12 – (1) Matters relating to double major and minor programmes at the University are determined by the Senate within the framework of the provisions of the Regulations on the Principles of Transfer between Associate and Undergraduate Level Programmes, Double Major, Minor and Inter-Institutional Credit Transfer in Higher Education Institutions.

(2) Students who successfully complete a double major programme are awarded an undergraduate diploma in that field, and students who successfully complete a minor programme are awarded a certificate relating to that field.

Special student

ARTICLE 13 – (1) Special students are students who are registered at a higher education institution in Turkey or abroad and who are permitted to take certain courses offered at the University.

(2) Applications from special students are examined and decided upon by the relevant executive board after obtaining the opinion of the relevant head of department.

(3) Special students are not considered students of the University and may not benefit from student rights.

(4) Special students are not awarded a diploma or title. However, they are given a document showing the courses in which they were registered and the grades they obtained, if any.

(5) Special students pay the ECTS credit fee or the tuition fee determined by the Board of Trustees for the relevant year.

(6) Students who have taken courses at the University as special students and who subsequently register definitively at the University by lateral transfer or through the central examination held by ÖSYM may, by decision of the relevant executive board, be exempted from the equivalent courses included in the curriculum of the undergraduate programme that they took as special students.

PART THREE
Principles Concerning Education and Teaching

Language of instruction

ARTICLE 14 – (1) The language of instruction in the undergraduate programmes of the University is Turkish in programmes taught in Turkish, and partly or entirely Arabic or English in programmes taught in a foreign language. Students registered in undergraduate programmes whose language of instruction is partly a foreign language must, during their undergraduate studies, take at least 30% of the courses included in the curriculum of the undergraduate programme in which they are enrolled in the relevant foreign language; students registered in undergraduate programmes whose language of instruction is entirely a foreign language must, during their undergraduate studies, take all of the courses included in the curriculum of the undergraduate programme in which they are enrolled from among the courses offered in the relevant foreign language, with the exception of the courses set out in subparagraph (ı) of the first paragraph of Article 5 of Law No. 2547.

(2) Upon the proposal of the Senate, the approval of the Board of Trustees and the decision of YÖK, programmes taught in a language other than these languages may be opened.

Period of study

ARTICLE 15 – (1) Excluding the foreign language preparatory programme, students must complete undergraduate programmes with a period of study of four years within a maximum of seven years, undergraduate programmes with a period of study of five years within a maximum of eight years, and undergraduate programmes with a period of study of six years within a maximum of nine years, starting from the semester in which the courses of the undergraduate programme in which they are registered are offered and regardless of whether they renew their registration each semester.

(2) The provisions of Article 44 of Law No. 2547 apply to the maximum period of study, additional examinations, benefiting from student rights and other matters relating to the period of study.

(3) The normal period of study for the foreign language preparatory programme is one year and the maximum period of study is two years.

(4) The time spent by students who transfer between programmes within the University in their previous programmes is included in the maximum period of study of the undergraduate programme in which they newly register.

(5) Students who fail to graduate from the undergraduate programme in which they are registered within the normal period of study are referred to as extended-term students.

Academic year

ARTICLE 16 – (1) The academic year consists of the fall and spring semesters, each of which comprises at least fourteen weeks excluding end-of-semester examinations. A summer school may be opened by decision of the Senate after obtaining the favourable opinion of YÖK.

(2) The academic year may be determined on a faculty/school basis as an annual system upon the proposal of the relevant board and by decision of the Senate.

(3) Education and instruction at the University is carried out in accordance with the academic calendar determined by the Senate. Summer instruction is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation and the principles determined by the Senate. The Senate may make changes to the academic calendar where it deems necessary.

(4) No instruction or examinations are held on official holidays. In addition, no make-up sessions are held for classes falling on official holidays. However, courses and examinations proposed by the units offering the course and deemed appropriate by the relevant executive board may also be held after working hours on weekdays and/or on Saturdays and Sundays.

Curricula and the conduct of courses

ARTICLE 17 – (1) The common compulsory courses set out in subparagraph (ı) of the first paragraph of Article 5 of Law No. 2547, together with all educational activities that comprise the minimum academic work of the undergraduate programme and that entitle the student to a diploma upon successful completion, are shown in the curricula. Curricula are arranged so that each semester totals 30 ECTS, amounting to a total of 240 ECTS credits for four-year undergraduate programmes, 300 ECTS credits for five-year undergraduate programmes and 360 ECTS credits for six-year undergraduate programmes. The theoretical, practical and laboratory hours of the course, the total weekly course hours and the University and ECTS credits are indicated in the curricula.

(2) Curricula are prepared on the basis of workload in such a way as to provide the knowledge, skills and competencies that each undergraduate programme is to impart to the person who will receive the diploma, and enter into force upon the proposal of the departmental board, the decision of the relevant board and the approval of the Senate. The resolution of adaptation and similar issues that may arise in the application of curricula to students falls within the authority and responsibility of the relevant executive boards.

(3) Education and instruction at the University consists of theoretical courses, seminars, practical work, projects, studio, laboratory and workshop work, practical training, internships, sketches, fieldwork, undergraduate graduation studies and/or projects and similar activities.

(4) Courses are conducted on a semester or annual basis. The weekly course hours of a course consist of the total of the theoretical hours of that course and its practical and laboratory hours.

(5) Weekly course schedules in accordance with the curriculum adopted by the Senate are announced by the relevant deanship/directorate at the beginning of each academic semester, on the date specified in the academic calendar.

(6) An internship is work carried out within and/or outside the University that aims to develop the student's ability to transfer the knowledge they have acquired to the field of practice. The internship implementation principles of undergraduate programmes in which an internship is compulsory enter into force upon the proposal of the departmental board, the decision of the relevant board and the approval of the Senate. Internships are credited with ECTS credits in line with the provisions of Article 44 of Law No. 2547.

(7) An undergraduate graduation study or project is individual or group work carried out under the supervision of advisory academic staff which demonstrates that the student has reached the required level of professional knowledge and skills. Matters relating to the conduct of the undergraduate graduation study or project are determined upon the proposal of the departmental board and by the decision of the relevant board.

(8) Certain courses may be offered through distance education upon the proposal of the relevant units and the approval of the Senate, in accordance with the relevant legislation determined by YÖK.

Academic advisor

ARTICLE 18 – (1) A full-time member of the academic staff is assigned as an advisor for each student by the relevant head of department. The academic advisor monitors the student throughout their studies; informs and guides them about undergraduate education and instruction, the relevant legislation and their academic performance, and attends to the student's other problems. Where necessary, the advisor may be changed by the relevant head of department following the same procedure.

(2) The student's course registration, course add, drop and withdrawal procedures are carried out with the advisor's approval on the dates specified in the academic calendar.

(3) The member of the academic staff who will act on behalf of the academic advisor during their absence is designated by the relevant head of department.

(4) Procedures such as course registration and course add-drop approved by the academic advisor are carried out through the Student Information System, and the system records relating to these procedures are retained for their statutory periods.

Courses

ARTICLE 19 – (1) Courses consist of compulsory and elective courses. Compulsory courses are the courses that the student is required to take. Elective courses are those that the student may take by choosing from among the courses offered.

(2) Elective courses are courses defined individually or as a group in the curriculum of each undergraduate programme in accordance with the principles determined by the relevant board.

(3) Courses that may be taken only on condition that one or more courses have previously been passed are called prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses and any other conditions are shown in the curricula of the undergraduate programmes. Prerequisite courses and their prerequisites enter into force upon the proposal of the departmental board, the decision of the relevant board and the approval of the Senate.

(4) One ECTS credit of a course corresponds to twenty-five hours of student workload. Student workload refers to the time spent, in addition to course hours, on educational activities such as laboratory work, workshops, clinical practice, assignments, practical work, projects, seminars, presentations, examination preparation, examinations, internships and workplace training.

Common compulsory courses

ARTICLE 20 – (1) Among the common compulsory courses set out in subparagraph (ı) of the first paragraph of Article 5 of Law No. 2547, the courses on the Principles of Atatürk and the History of the Turkish Revolution, Turkish Language, a foreign language and — in faculties/schools that train graduates who may become occupational safety specialists under Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 dated 20/6/2012 — occupational health and safety are taught for at least two semesters as compulsory courses carrying ECTS credits.

Compulsory attendance

ARTICLE 21 – (1) Students at the University are required to attend at least 70% of theoretical courses and 80% of applied courses within a semester. Each member of the academic staff monitors compulsory attendance in accordance with these principles.

(2) The member of the academic staff teaching the course announces the list of students who have failed to meet the compulsory attendance requirement via the Student Information System on the course end date specified in the academic calendar. These students are deemed absent from the course in question and may not sit the end-of-semester examination or the resit examination for that course. Students deemed to have failed on this ground are given a DZ grade by the member of the academic staff teaching the course. Students who fail a course with a DZ grade are required to attend the course when repeating it. Students are required to attend courses, practical sessions and laboratory work and to take part in the other mid-semester examinations and activities held by the member of the academic staff teaching the course, in accordance with the principles determined by the relevant executive board.

(3) Periods during which athletes and students assigned by the University administration to national team and inter-university sports competitions or to cultural events are unable to continue their studies because they are required to take part in these events and in their preparatory work are not taken into account in calculating attendance; students sit the examinations they were unable to attend during these periods on the day and at the time announced by the member of the academic staff teaching the course.

(4) In the case of course repetition, the attendance requirement is not sought for theoretical courses in which the attendance requirement has previously been met. However, a student repeating a course must comply with the other conditions determined by the member of the academic staff teaching the course.

Registration renewal and course registration

ARTICLE 22 – (1) Students are required to pay their tuition fee, renew their registration and complete their course registration procedures with the support of their academic advisor at the beginning of each semester, within the periods specified in the academic calendar, until the end of their maximum period of study. Tuition fees paid by students who do not attend classes despite having renewed their registration and completed course registration are not refunded and are not set off against the tuition fee of the following semester/year.

(2) The ECTS credit courses in the curriculum for the semester the student will attend constitute the normal course load, and all the ECTS credit courses in which the student registers constitute the semester course load. A student's normal course load in a semester is 30 ECTS. The course load for a semester may be a maximum of 45 ECTS. Repeated courses count towards the normal course load. Together with double major courses, a student may take a maximum of 50 ECTS credits of courses in a semester.

(3) Students are required first to register for courses from lower semesters that they have failed or that they have not previously taken. This rule also applies to course selection for summer instruction. A student who has failed a course that has been removed from the curriculum and not replaced by an equivalent new course, or who never took the removed course, is deemed exempt from that course, provided that they complete the required ECTS credit load.

(4) A student who does not renew their registration and register for courses on the dates announced by the University may not attend classes or sit examinations in that semester and may not benefit from student rights. This period counts towards the student's maximum period of study.

(5) The registration renewal and course registration procedures of students whose excuses are accepted by the relevant executive board may be carried out no later than within the first two weeks of the relevant semester.

(6) Students who have successfully completed the compulsory and elective courses shown in the curriculum but who have not completed their internship or undergraduate graduation study or project are required to register for these courses in subsequent semesters by paying the ECTS credit fee.

(7) From the beginning of the third semester (from the second year) onwards, students who have passed all their courses in the lower semesters and whose CGPA is at least 3.00 may, with the approval of their academic advisors, take a maximum of two courses from the year above for each semester in which they meet this condition, and students whose CGPA is 3.50 or above may take a maximum of three courses. This rule also applies to course selection for summer instruction.
a) Even if they meet the conditions set out in this paragraph, students may not take courses from higher years during the summer school of the academic year in which they are studying in the first year.
b) Pursuant to this paragraph, students who are entitled to take courses from the year above in the fall and spring semesters of the relevant academic year but do not exercise this right may take that number of courses in the summer school of the relevant academic year.

(8) Students who are unable to complete their normal course load for reasons such as failing a prerequisite course or having taken part in inter-university exchange programmes may be allowed to take courses from the year above with the approval of their academic advisor.
(9) In course selection, courses that clash in the weekly course schedule may not be selected, with the exception of theoretical courses for which the attendance requirement has previously been met.

Course add-drop and withdrawal from a course

ARTICLE 23 – (1) Course add-drop procedures are carried out with the advisor's approval within the first week of each semester. During this week students may drop some of the courses in which they are registered or add new ones. When adding courses, it is compulsory to select courses that do not clash in the weekly course schedule.

(2) Students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with the approval of their academic advisor until the end of the tenth week. In this case no refund or set-off is made from the tuition fee. Students may withdraw from a maximum of four courses during the normal period of study of the undergraduate programme.

(3) The courses that students may not drop or withdraw from are as follows:

a) Courses belonging to the first two semesters.
b) The only course in which the student has registered.
c) A course that should have been taken in previous semesters but was not taken, or that was taken and failed.
ç) A course that should have been taken during the normal period of study but was not taken.
(4) Students are given the letter grade ÇK by the Directorate of Student Affairs for the courses from which they have withdrawn. Requests for the cancellation of course withdrawal procedures are not accepted.

Course exemption

ARTICLE 24 – (1) A student who has previously studied at any higher education institution whose equivalence is recognised by YÖK may request exemption for the courses they took and passed at that higher education institution by applying to the relevant secretariat with a petition together with the original of their transcript and the course contents. The student must submit the exemption request no later than within five working days from the date of registration at the University. Exemption requests made at later dates, or requests for the cancellation of exemption/adaptation procedures already carried out, are not accepted. The student's exemption request is evaluated by the adaptation committee to be formed by the relevant deanship/directorate and is decided upon by the relevant executive board following the adaptation process.

(2) Students who are granted course exemptions may, with the approval of their academic advisor and in accordance with the course registration rules, take courses from a higher year so as to cover a course load equivalent to the ECTS credits for which they are exempt. This rule also applies to summer school course selection.

(3) A student who has previously studied at any higher education institution whose equivalence is recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is exempted, in accordance with the principles determined by the Senate, from the courses taken and passed in the previous diploma programme, and this is recorded on the transcript.

(4) For students who have previously studied at any higher education institution whose equivalence is recognized by YÖK, the weighted cumulative grade point average and academic standing are calculated on the basis of the exempted courses together with the courses taken at the University.

Foreign language exemption and instruction

ARTICLE 25 – (1) Compulsory or optional foreign language preparatory education, the attendance requirements for foreign language preparatory programme courses, examinations, foreign language achievement requirements and foreign language exemption procedures are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Principles to be Observed in Foreign Language Teaching and in Teaching Conducted in a Foreign Language at Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated 23/3/2016 and numbered 29662, and with the principles determined by the Senate.

PART FOUR
Assessment of Achievement, Examinations and Diplomas

Course achievement and assessment

ARTICLE 26 – (1) In measuring students' achievement in courses, attendance, in-term work, quizzes, midterm examinations, final examinations and resit examinations are taken into account. The extent to which these factors affect the student's course pass and raw achievement grade, as well as the measurement and assessment method, are stated in the course information form of the relevant course and are announced by the instructor teaching the course before the course registration week specified in the academic calendar each semester.

(2) Course achievement grades are submitted by the instructors teaching the courses on the dates specified in the academic calendar and are announced to students through the Student Information System.

Examinations and in-term work

ARTICLE 27 – (1) Examinations consist of quizzes, midterm examinations, final examinations, resit examinations, make-up examinations, graduation examinations and additional examinations. Of these;

a) Quizzes are short examinations held during the semester. There is no obligation to announce quizzes to students in advance.
b) Midterm examinations are examinations held at least once during the semester, within the period specified in the academic calendar.
c) The final examination is the examination held at the end of the semester/year, within the period specified in the academic calendar.
ç) The resit examination is the examination held at the end of the semester/year in which the course is taught, for students who did not sit the final examination for any reason although they had fulfilled the conditions set out in this Regulation for sitting it, and for students who failed the final examination. The method used to calculate the achievement grade in the final examination also applies to the resit examination, and the resit examination grade replaces the final examination grade. No make-up examination is held for the resit examination or for courses taken in summer school.
d) The make-up examination is the examination held for students who could not sit midterm examinations due to a valid excuse. Students who cannot sit midterm examinations due to an excuse must submit the document certifying their excuse, attached to a petition, to the relevant secretariat within five working days at the latest from the date of the examination. For students whose excuses are accepted by the relevant executive board, the make-up examination is administered by the instructor teaching the course on the day and at the time announced by the relevant deanship/directorate within fifteen working days from the end of the midterm examinations. Students whose examinations coincide on the same day and at the same time are likewise granted the right to a make-up examination for the midterm examinations they could not sit, provided that they apply to the relevant unit with a petition. The principles concerning make-up examinations are determined by the Senate.
e) The graduation examination is held, upon application to the relevant secretariat with a petition and by decision of the relevant executive board, within fifteen working days following the end-of-semester examinations, for students who at the end of the normal period of study have at most two failed courses remaining for graduation or who are in a position to graduate by sitting the examinations of at most two courses. The student must have previously taken the courses in which they will sit the graduation examination and must have fulfilled the attendance requirement. Midterm examinations and similar in-term assessment criteria are not taken into account in graduation examinations. No graduation examination is held for projects and similar courses whose achievement assessment depends on a particular process. The grade obtained in the graduation examination is converted directly into a letter grade by the instructor according to the grade ranges in the 100-point system.
f) In-term work comprises coursework, laboratory and workshop practice, field work, assignments, projects, seminars, internships and similar work carried out during the semester.
g) Additional examination: final-year students are granted the right to two additional examinations for all courses that they have failed and for which they meet the requirements to sit the examination, so that they may graduate from the undergraduate programme in which they are enrolled at the end of the maximum period of study. Students who reduce the number of failed courses to five as a result of these examinations are granted three semesters for these five courses; students who have failed up to five courses without taking the additional examinations are granted four semesters; and students who have failed a single course are granted an unlimited examination right without benefiting from student rights. Final-semester students who face termination of enrolment because, although they have obtained passing grades in all courses required for graduation from the programme they have followed, they cannot reach the grade point average required to be considered successful, are granted an unlimited examination right in the courses of their choice in order to raise their grade point average. Attendance is not required for such courses other than applied courses, courses with a practical component and courses not previously taken. A student who does not sit the examinations offered for a total of three academic years, whether consecutive or intermittent, is deemed to have waived the unlimited examination right and cannot benefit from it. These students cannot benefit from student rights other than the right to sit examinations. The grade obtained in these examinations is converted directly into a letter grade by the instructor according to the grade ranges in the 100-point system.

Examination schedules and venues

ARTICLE 28 – (1) The venue, day and time of examinations whose dates are set in the academic calendar are announced by the relevant deanship/directorate at least two weeks before the examinations.

(2) Examinations are held in University buildings. However, examinations for courses and practical work conducted in the field may also be held in the field and outside University buildings.

Examination period

ARTICLE 29 – (1) There is an examination period at the end of each semester's courses. During examination periods, a maximum of three examinations may be held on the same day for courses belonging to the relevant semester of the undergraduate programme in which the student is enrolled.

(2) The examination for the undergraduate graduation study or project is held, at the latest by the announcement of the resit examination grades, on a date determined by the relevant head of department. Examinations for courses that must be conducted in the laboratory, in practice or in the field, and for courses in which the right to sit the examination depends on the outcome of such work, may be held at the end of that work.

Examination format

ARTICLE 30 – (1) Examinations are held in written form. However, upon the request of the instructor teaching the course and by decision of the relevant executive board, the examination may be held orally or as a project or assignment, provided that this is also stated by the instructor in the course information form.

(2) Examinations are organized and conducted by the instructors teaching the courses. If the instructor teaching the course cannot be present at the University on the examination day, the relevant head of department decides who will administer the examination, upon the proposal of the instructor teaching the course.

Objections to examination grades and grade corrections

ARTICLE 31 – (1) Objections to examination grades are made with a petition to the relevant deanship/directorate within five working days following the announcement of the examination grades. The objection is examined by the relevant instructor in terms of material error and content; if it is determined that an error has been made, the correction request is finalized by the relevant executive board upon the instructor's application and is reported to the Department of Student Affairs.

(2) An instructor may request a grade correction by applying to the relevant secretariat with a petition stating reasons such as incorrect grade entry or incomplete and/or erroneous calculation, within five working days from the date on which the examination result for the course was announced. Grade correction requests become final by decision of the relevant executive board, and the decision is reported to the Department of Student Affairs by an official letter.

Calculation of the achievement grade

ARTICLE 32 – (1) For each course they take, students are awarded one of the following letter grades by the instructor as the end-of-semester/year letter grade. The scores included in grade point average calculations, together with their letter grade equivalents, coefficients and achievement statuses, are shown below:

(2) The grades not included in averages are as follows:

a) The EK (incomplete) grade is awarded by the instructor to students who, although successful during the semester, could not complete the requirements for the course due to illness or another valid reason. If a student receives an EK grade in any course, they must complete the outstanding requirements and obtain a grade within fifteen days of the date on which the grade is announced. Otherwise, the EK grade automatically becomes FF. However, in cases such as prolonged illness, the period of the EK grade may be extended until the next registration renewal and course registration week upon the proposal of the head of department and with the approval of the relevant executive board.
b) The YT (satisfactory) grade is awarded to students who pass courses in the curriculum that have no weekly theoretical, practical or laboratory hours, such as internships, seminars, undergraduate graduation studies or projects.
c) The YZ (unsatisfactory) grade is awarded to students who fail courses in the curriculum that have no weekly theoretical, practical or laboratory hours, such as internships, seminars, undergraduate graduation studies or projects.
ç) The DV (in progress) grade is awarded to students who have not completed courses in the curriculum that have no weekly theoretical, practical or laboratory hours, such as internships, seminars, undergraduate graduation studies or projects, but who are continuing them successfully.
d) The DZ (absent) grade is awarded to students who fail because they could not fulfil their obligations regarding course attendance or course practice. The DZ grade is treated as an FF grade in grade point average calculations.
e) The TR (transfer) grade is awarded for courses taken and passed by students who have previously studied at a higher education institution whose equivalence is recognized by YÖK, where the equivalence of those courses has been accepted by the relevant executive board but the achievement grade cannot be converted directly into one of the letter grades defined in this article. The transfer grade is not included in the calculation of the GPA and CGPA.
f) The ÇK (withdrawn) grade is awarded for a course from which the student is permitted to withdraw, with the approval of their advisor, from the beginning of each semester until the end of the tenth week.
g) The GM (did not attend) grade is awarded for examinations the student did not sit. If a student who receives a GM grade in an examination sits the resit examination, the GM grade is converted into a numerical grade. If they do not sit the resit examination, the GM grade is converted to zero.

Achievement status

ARTICLE 33 – (1) Students who receive a YT, TR, DD or higher grade in a course are deemed to have passed that course.

(2) Students who receive an FF, FD, YZ or DZ grade in a course are deemed to have failed that course.

(3) Students with a CGPA of 2.00 or above are considered successful. Students with a CGPA below 2.00 are considered unsuccessful.

(4) A student whose CGPA is below 2.00 at the end of the fourth semester of study in an undergraduate programme is placed on probationary status. In order to be removed from probationary status, such a student must first repeat the courses in which they received an FF, FD, DZ, YZ or ÇK grade. If their course load is not full, they may optionally repeat courses in which they previously received a DD or DC grade. Until removed from probationary status, a student on probation cannot take courses belonging to the fifth and subsequent semesters without the approval of their advisor.

(5) Students' academic achievement rankings at University, faculty/school and department/programme level are determined according to their weighted cumulative grade point averages. The ranking is made among all students, including horizontal transfer, vertical transfer and double major programme students, who have taken all compulsory/elective courses in the curriculum up to the relevant semester and completed their ECTS credit loads. In the ranking, priority is given to the student with the highest weighted cumulative grade point average. Students with outstanding courses or ECTS credits from the semester in which the ranking is made and/or from earlier semesters, as well as students exceeding the normal period of study, are not included in the ranking. Other matters concerning students' academic achievement rankings are determined by the University Executive Board.

(6) The achievement grade for a course is determined by the instructor teaching the course, on the basis of the grades obtained from that course's in-term examinations, quizzes, field work, practice, assignments, projects, workshops, seminars, laboratory work, internships and similar in-term work, from attendance and from the end-of-semester examination, in accordance with the achievement assessment system of that course. The achievement assessment system for the courses to be offered is recorded in the course information form by the relevant instructor each semester, at the latest before the course registration week specified in the academic calendar, and is announced to students through the Student Information System.

(7) The instructor announces the achievement grade for the course within the period specified in the academic calendar at the end of each semester and submits it to the relevant secretariat together with the examination papers and other documents.

Principles concerning course repetition

ARTICLE 34 – (1) Students who receive an FF, FD, DZ, YZ or ÇK grade in a course retake that course in the first semester in which it is offered.

(2) When repeating a previously taken elective course, it is not compulsory to take the same course; instead, another course from the same elective group may be taken.

(3) In order to raise their CGPA, students may retake courses in which they previously received a DD or DC letter grade, with the approval of their advisor and provided that quota is available in those courses. The most recent grade obtained by the student is deemed valid on their transcript and affects the GPA and CGPA of the semester in which the course is repeated. Students cannot retake courses in which they previously received a CC or higher letter grade.

(4) Students who must repeat courses although they have completed the normal period of study are obliged to renew their registration and register for courses in accordance with the academic calendar.

Weighted grade point average and weighted cumulative grade point average

ARTICLE 35 – (1) The weighted grade point average (GPA) and the weighted cumulative grade point average (CGPA) are calculated as follows:

a) In calculating the weighted grade point average, the weight coefficients of the achievement grades of the courses the student took in the relevant semester are multiplied by the ECTS credits of those courses, the resulting products are added together, and this total is divided by the total of the ECTS credits.
b) In calculating the weighted cumulative grade point average, the weight coefficients of the achievement grades of all courses taken by the student from the first semester onwards are multiplied by the ECTS credits of those courses, the resulting products are added together, and this total is divided by the total of the ECTS credits.
c) The GPA, CGPA and examination grades are given to two decimal places, rounded. If the third decimal place of the GPA, CGPA or examination grade is 5 or more, it is rounded up; if it is 4 or less, it is rounded down.

Associate degree diploma

ARTICLE 36 – (1) A student who has passed the common compulsory courses set out in subparagraph (ı) of the first paragraph of Article 5 of Law No. 2547 together with all courses in the first four semesters of the curriculum of the undergraduate programme in which they are enrolled, and who has raised their CGPA to at least 2.00, is awarded an associate degree diploma upon application, by decision of the relevant executive board, within the framework of the provisions of the Regulation on the Award of Associate Degree Diplomas to Those Who Have Not Completed or Cannot Complete Their Undergraduate Studies and on Their Placement in Vocational Schools, published in the Official Gazette dated 18/3/1989 and numbered 20112.

Undergraduate diploma

ARTICLE 37 – (1) Within the framework of the examination and assessment principles set out in this Regulation, students who successfully complete the compulsory and elective courses in the curriculum of the undergraduate programme in which they are enrolled, whose CGPA is at least 2.00 out of 4.00 and who fulfil their other obligations are awarded the undergraduate diploma of the programme in which they are enrolled, together with a diploma supplement that helps academic and professional qualifications to be recognized at international level. In order to receive an undergraduate diploma, students enrolled through inter-institutional horizontal transfer must take and pass at least 60 ECTS credits of courses at the University.

(2) Students' graduation is decided by the relevant executive board. The graduation date is the date on which the relevant executive board decides on graduation. The approval date of the relevant executive board is written on the diploma as the graduation date.

(3) The diploma date is the date on which the diploma and its supplements are issued.

(4) Diplomas are signed by the relevant dean/director and the Rector.

(5) The diploma supplement is issued and given to every student receiving a diploma in accordance with the principles determined by YÖK.

(6) Until the diploma is prepared, a temporary graduation certificate is issued upon the student's request.

CHAPTER FIVE
Leave of Absence, Withdrawal of Registration and Dismissal

Leave of absence

ARTICLE 38 – (1) A student's registration may be suspended, provided that any tuition fees for previous years and for the year of suspension are paid, on justified and valid grounds and by decision of the relevant executive board, for a total of at most two semesters in the foreign language preparatory programme and for at most four semesters, not exceeding two semesters at a time, in undergraduate programmes. In compulsory cases, these periods may be extended by decision of the University Executive Board. The tuition fee paid for the suspended year/semester is not refunded; however, this amount is offset against the following year's tuition fee. The principles concerning the suspension of registration are as follows:

a) If the student has a justified and valid excuse such as illness, natural disaster, study abroad or cancellation of military service deferment and documents it, their registration may be suspended by decision of the relevant executive board upon the application of the student or their proxy.
b) The student must submit their request for suspension of registration with a petition directly to the relevant secretariat within the first two weeks following the start of classes at the latest. Except in compulsory cases, applications for suspension of registration made after this period are not accepted. Depending on the reason for suspension, the student attaches to their petition a medical report, a military service document, a disaster certificate to be obtained from the civil administrative authority, a document showing that they will study abroad, or similar documents.
c) The period of suspension of the student's registration is stated in the decision of the relevant executive board. A student whose registration is suspended cannot participate in educational activities or sit examinations during the period of suspension. This period is not counted towards the student's maximum period of study.
ç) If a compelling reason requiring the suspension of registration arises in the middle of a semester, the student is deemed to have suspended their registration as of the beginning of that semester.

Withdrawal of registration

ARTICLE 39 – (1) The principles concerning the withdrawal of registration are as follows:

a) A student who wishes to withdraw their registration from the University of their own accord applies to the Department of Student Affairs with a petition and a "Clearance Form". The student's registration is cancelled by the Department of Student Affairs and the relevant units are notified.
b) A student who has newly enrolled or renewed their registration and wishes to leave the University must fulfil their financial obligations up to the date on which they wish to leave.
c) The withdrawal of registration is carried out upon the student's personal and written application. However, in special cases and provided that financial obligations have been fulfilled, a proxy appointed by the student through a notary public may withdraw their registration from the University. A student whose registration is cancelled is disenrolled from the University and any diploma in their file is returned to them.
ç) Other matters concerning withdrawal of registration procedures are determined by the University Executive Board.
d) The provisions of this article also apply to students whose registration is subject to cancellation for other reasons not covered by this Regulation.
e) The registration of a student who transfers to another higher education institution in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Principles of Transfer between Associate and Undergraduate Degree Programmes, Double Major, Minor and Inter-Institutional Credit Transfer at Higher Education Institutions is cancelled by the Department of Student Affairs and the relevant units are notified.

Termination of enrolment

ARTICLE 40 – (1) The enrolment of students in the situations set out below is terminated by the relevant executive board and the relevant units are notified:

a) Students who receive the penalty of expulsion from the University under the Regulation on Student Discipline at Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated 18/8/2012 and numbered 28388.
b) Students who are understood to be unable to continue their studies due to death or due to an illness documented by a medical report.
c) Students who do not pay tuition fees and/or do not renew their registration for four consecutive years, by decision of the University Executive Board and with the approval of YÖK.

CHAPTER SIX
Miscellaneous and Final Provisions

High honour and honour students

ARTICLE 41 – (1) Students who receive no disciplinary penalty during their undergraduate studies and complete their studies with a CGPA of at least 3.50 become high honour students, while those who complete their studies with a CGPA between 3.00 and 3.49 become honour students.

(2) High honour or honour student status is written on the back of the diplomas and on the diploma supplements of high honour or honour students.

Discipline

ARTICLE 42 – (1) Disciplinary matters and procedures concerning students studying at the University are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on Student Discipline at Higher Education Institutions.

(2) Students who receive a suspension penalty from the University due to a disciplinary offence are not refunded the tuition fee for the period of their suspension, nor is it offset against the tuition fee of the following semester/year.

(3) Students who receive a suspension penalty of at least one semester from the University due to a disciplinary offence cannot attend the courses for which they are registered in the relevant semester/year and cannot sit the examinations of those courses. Such students, who are deemed to have failed the courses due to absence, are given a DZ grade by the course instructors.

Scholarships

ARTICLE 43 – (1) The scholarships and discounts provided to students placed in the University's scholarship-based and discounted undergraduate programmes cover only the tuition fee or the discounts to be applied to the tuition fee. Other expenses such as accommodation, meals, transport, books, summer school, special student status and study abroad are outside the scope of the scholarship.

(2) Scholarships and discounts are non-repayable and continue throughout the normal period of study of the undergraduate programme in which the student is enrolled, without any achievement requirement such as grade point average or course passing, and they also cover one year of the foreign language preparatory class.

(3) The principles concerning other scholarships and discounts provided to students by the University are announced by a directive determined by the Board of Trustees.

Notification and address declaration

ARTICLE 44 – (1) All notifications are deemed to have been completed when sent by registered mail with return receipt to the permanent address declared by the student at the time of registration at the University. Notifications may also be made electronically to a student who provides an electronic address suitable for notification and requests that notifications be sent to that address.

(2) Notifications sent to the declared addresses of students who declared their address incorrectly or incompletely when enrolling at the University, or who did not notify the Department of Student Affairs with a petition although they changed their place of residence, are deemed to have reached them.

Identity card

ARTICLE 45 – (1) Every student newly enrolling at the University is issued a student identity card.

(2) Information that students who leave, are expelled from, have their registration cancelled at or graduate from the University are no longer enrolled is entered into the Higher Education Information System by the Department of Student Affairs, and their student rights are terminated.

Cases not provided for in this Regulation

ARTICLE 46 – (1) In cases not covered by this Regulation, the provisions of other relevant legislation and the decisions of the Council of Higher Education apply.

Repealed regulation

ARTICLE 47 – (1) The Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Undergraduate Education and Instruction Regulation, published in the Official Gazette dated 17/1/2013 and numbered 28531, has been repealed.

Entry into force

ARTICLE 48 – (1) This Regulation enters into force on the date of its publication.

Execution

ARTICLE 49 – (1) The provisions of this Regulation are executed by the Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.