Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is English proficiency documented through external examinations?

1. With the exception of candidates who have applied for undergraduate transfer, those who meet the requirements stipulated in the Principles of Documenting English Proficiency through External Examinations are exempted from the English Language Preparatory Program and can continue to their departments. The Principles of Documenting English Proficiency through External Examinations can be accessed through the following link:

http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/www/dis-sinav-yoluyla-ingilizce-yeterlik-esaslari-27-08-2015/

2. Results of external examinations are valid for two years starting on the date the examination is taken.
3. In order for the external examination applications to be processed, semester registration must be completed first.

Are external examination results submitted in person accepted?

Only those examination results sent to Bilkent University by institutions administering the external examination are valid. Examination results submitted in person by the students are not accepted for exemption from the English Language Preparatory Program.

What is the deadline for sending the external examination result and where should the result be sent?

In order for students to be able to start their studies in their departments, original external examination results must have been received by Bilkent University by the last day of course registration. Bilkent University accepts only those examination results sent by institutions administering external examinations. Examination results submitted in person are not accepted.

Are the external examination results of the students on external preparation status accepted?

Provided that the students on external preparation status have completed their semester registration, met the requirements laid down in the Principles of Documenting English Proficiency through External Examinations and achieved the required score in the examination, their external examination results are accepted.

Can the external examination result be rejected?

Bilkent University English Preparatory Program reserves the right to carry out an investigation into any external examination result, to ask the students who have submitted their external examination results to divulge their examination registration passwords, to administer an assessment examination to the students and to contact the examination centers regarding the examination results. In case a problem is detected in the student’s external examination or if a discrepancy is found between the student’s assessment examination and external examination result, the external examination result may be deemed invalid.

What are the external examination scores required for exemption from the English Language Preparatory Program?

To study in undergraduate programs, students must achieve

• a general average of 6.5, with at least 5.5 from each module of the IELTS academic examination
• at least 87 points from TOEFL IBT (internet-based)

so that they can be exempted from the English Language Preparatory Program. External examination results are valid for two years starting on the day the examination was taken.

Where can I find detailed information about TOEFL?

http://prep.bilkent.edu.tr/en/toefl-ibt/

Where can I find detailed information about IELTS?

http://prep.bilkent.edu.tr/en/ielts/

What are the registration procedures for students who continue their studies in the English Language Preparatory Program?

After the first semester when the students start the English Language Preparatory Program, the registration procedures consist of payment of the tuition fee. Those students who pay the tuition fee by the deadline indicated on the Academic Calendar of Bilkent University do not have to take any other action or submit their bank receipts.

Information about tuition fees can be found at http://adaybilgi.bilkent.edu.tr/index.php/ucretler-ve-burslar-ozet-tablosu/

1. What are the conditions for applying for a semester leave of absence in the English Language Preparatory Program? For how many semesters can a leave of absence be taken?

In the English Language Preparatory Program, students can apply to take a one-semester or two-semester leave on reasonable and valid grounds. It is not possible to be granted a leave of absence shorter than one semester; the requested leave period cannot start and end within the semester. Students who are granted a leave of absence will not be eligible to take the Proficiency in Academic English Exam at the end of their leave period.

2. Which documents must be submitted to apply for a semester leave of absence?

Information about the documents that must be submitted to apply for a semester leave of absence can be found at http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/www/yariyil-izinleri/

3. Where should the application for a semester leave of absence be filed?

In order to apply for a leave of absence for one semester, registration to Bilkent University should be completed first.

Applications for a semester leave of absence should be filed to the Student Registrar’s Office. The applications will be examined by the Executive Board of English Preparatory Program.

4. What should be done after filing an application for a semester leave of absence?

Applications for a semester leave are examined by the Executive Board of BUSEL. The result of the examination is sent to the student’s address. If the Executive Board of BUSEL rejects the application, the remaining part of the tuition fee must be paid.

1. How long is the duration of education in the English Language Preparatory Program?

The normal duration of the English Language Preparatory Program is one year. If undergraduate students have to repeat courses due to failure, the duration of education can be extended up to four semesters. For students who start the program at higher levels, the duration may range from one semester to four semesters, depending on the need to repeat courses.

Undergraduate students who could not finish the English Language Preparatory Program in two years can take the two-staged Proficiency in Academic English Exam given at the beginning of the following semester, even if they have not completed the Pre-Faculty course. Students who succeed in the concerned examination can move on to the programs they were admitted to. If the students do not take the said exam or cannot pass it, their studentship is terminated.

Those graduate students who could not complete the English Language Preparatory Program in one year and who have not met the requirements of the Pre-Faculty course are not eligible to take the Proficiency in Academic English Exam, and their studentship is terminated.

2. What are the options for students who study at the English Language Preparatory Program, but cannot complete it in one year?

• Starting from the level they failed in the academic year following their first year in the program, the students can continue their studies in the program for two more semesters only. The students have to complete the program in the time allowed to them (one academic year). If these students pass the Proficiency in Academic English Exam given at the end of the Fall semester (January) or the second stage of the Proficiency in Academic English Exam at the end of the Spring semester (June) or if they document their proficiency by submitting an external examination result that is accepted by the University Senate, then they can move on to the undergraduate program they were admitted to.
• From among the students who are eligible to take the Proficiency in Academic English Exam after continuing their studies at the English Language Preparatory Program for two or three semesters, but do not take or fail the exam, those who want to improve their English language skills on their own can apply to be placed on external preparation status in the following academic semesters, until they complete the maximum duration of study.
• The period spent on External Preparation Status is included in the total duration of education at the English Language Preparatory Program. Students on External Preparation Status shall pay half the tuition fee.
• Students on External Preparation Status can take the two-staged Proficiency in Academic English Exam given at the end of the semester. Students who pass this exam or who present an external examination result can start the program they were admitted to. Those students who cannot pass the Proficiency in Academic English Exam continue their studies from the level they were at or the level they were placed, if they have not completed the maximum length of study (2 years).

Those students shall pay half of the annual tuition fee at the beginning of the academic year.

Information about transfer to an equivalent Turkish-medium program in another university or in the registered university or to one of the similar programs, if there is no equivalent program, through the Student Selection and Placement Center (www.osym.gov.tr) can be obtained from the Student Registrar’s Office of Bilkent University.

3. What requirements must the students meet for the options listed above?

• Students who want to continue their studies at the English Language Preparatory Program in the academic year following their first year of study starting from the level they failed can attend classes after paying the tuition fee by the end of working hours on the last day of add/drop as indicated on the Academic Calendar http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/www/akademiktakvim/. There is no other requirement for these students.
• Students who want to be placed on External Preparation Status to improve their English language knowledge and skills on their own for one or two semesters in the academic year following their first year of study must notify the school submitting a petition through the Records and Archives Office (Bilkent University, Administrative Offices building, B04) by the last day of add/drop as indicated on the Academic Calendar http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/www/akademiktakvim/

Students who do not make this notification will be assumed to have registered for and be continuing their studies in the English Language Preparatory Program.

Information about transfer to an equivalent Turkish-medium program in another university or in the registered university or to one of the similar programs, if there is no equivalent program, through the Student Selection and Placement Center (www.osym.gov.tr) can be obtained from the Student Registrar’s Office of Bilkent University.

What is the maximum length of study for students at each level?

Students are given two years to complete all the required levels.

What is the maximum number of times for repeating a level?

Levels can be repeated for the duration of education in the English Language Preparatory Program (two years). Students must complete all the required levels and pass the Proficiency in Academic English Exam within the given period.

Can students studying at the English Language Preparatory Program change their levels/sections?

The proficiency levels of the students are determined through the examinations they take at the beginning of the academic year. There is no examination for students who believe they have improved their level. These students are recommended to take external examinations.

The sections determined at the beginning of the academic year cannot be changed. In the case of students with special needs, classroom and examination arrangements are made in coordination with the Center for Students with Special Needs. Relevant information can be found on the following link:

http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent-tr/admin-unit/dos/ssm/engelli.html

Is there a web page for students to keep track of their academic records?

Students can access information about their attendance and exam grades through the following link using their student ID number and password: https://stars.bilkent.edu.tr/srs

Can exam results be reconsidered?

Students can apply to have their exam papers reviewed by submitting a petition to the office CZ04 in the N building on the East Campus within five days after the announcement of the relevant grade.

What are the conditions for the English Language Preparatory Program Summer School?

Please refer to the announcements on the main page.

What is the absenteeism limit?

In the English Language Preparatory Program, students are responsible for attending 100% of classes and participating in examinations and activities. Students who miss more than 90% of classes for any documented or undocumented reason, including health problems, disciplinary penalties or other uncontrollable factors will be considered to have failed to meet the in-class requirements.

What should a student do when s/he cannot attend classes because of an obligation to appear at the court or the loss of a relative?

If a student has to appear at the court, the court document, and in the case of loss of a first-degree relative, a copy of the death certificate must be submitted to CZ04 in the English Preparatory Program N building along with a petition.

What rights do the students who miss exams have?

The exams given in the semester (CAT) and the Proficiency in Academic English Exam (PAE) do not have make-ups. Students who miss the End-of-Course Assessment exam given at the end of the course due to health reasons can submit a petition and their medical report to the School Executive Board within the period specified by the School Administration to be eligible for a make-up examination. examination. Medical reports not approved by the Health Center will not be considered for make-up exam eligibility.

What options do students who cannot finish the English Language Preparatory Program in two years have?

Undergraduate students who cannot complete the English Language Preparatory Program in two years are eligible to take the Stage II of the Proficiency in Academic English examination given at the beginning of the following semester, even if they did not finish the Pre-Faculty course. Students who pass the exam shall move on to the academic program they were admitted to. If the students cannot pass or do not take the exam, their studentship is terminated.

Graduate students who have not completed the English Language Preparatory Program in one year shall not be eligible to take the Proficiency in Academic English Exam, if they have not met the requirements of the Pre-Faculty course. The studentship of these students is terminated.

Students on External Preparation Status

From among the students who are eligible to take the Proficiency in Academic English Exam after continuing their studies at English Language Preparatory Program for two or three semesters, but do not take or fail the exam, those who want to improve their English language skills on their own can apply to be placed on external preparation status in the following academic semesters until they complete the maximum duration of study.

Written applications must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office at least three work days before the classes of the new semester start.

The time spent on External Preparation Status is included in the total length of study in the English Language Preparatory Program. Students on External Preparation Status shall pay half the tuition fee.

Students on External Preparation Status can take the two-staged Proficiency in Academic English Exam given at the end of the semester. Students who pass this exam or who present an external examination result start the program they were admitted to. Those students who cannot pass the Proficiency in Academic English Exam continue their studies from the level they were at or the level they were placed, if they have not completed the maximum length of study (two years).

Information about transfer to an equivalent Turkish-medium program in another university or in the registered university or to one of the similar programs, if there is no equivalent program, through the Student Selection and Placement Center (www.osym.gov.tr) can be obtained from the Student Registrar’s Office of Bilkent University.

What is the procedure for termination of studentship?

English Language Preparatory Program students who want to have their studentship terminated shall apply to the Student Registrar’s Office.

Where should the suggestions about transportation and cafeterias be addressed?

Cafeterias Management can be reached through the following link: kafemud@bilkent.edu.tr
Transportation Unit can be reached through the following link: ulasim@bilkent.edu.tr

Where should the petitions addressed to the English Language Preparatory Program be submitted?

The petitions addressed to the English Language Preparatory Program should be submitted to the office located in CZ04 of English Preparatory Program N building on the East Campus. Petitions should be written and signed by the student.

Petitions for Application for a Semester Leave of Absence and Notification forms must be sent to English Preparatory Program through the Records and Archives Office.