English Preparatory Program Education and Examination Regulation

BAHÇEŞEHİR UNIVERSITY ENGLISH PREPARATORY PROGRAM
EDUCATION REGULATION

PART ONE
Purpose, Scope, Legal Basis and Definitions

Purpose
ARTICLE 1 – (1) The purpose of this Regulation is to set out the principles governing the English preparatory program conducted at Bahçeşehir University.

Scope
ARTICLE 2 – (1) This Regulation covers the provisions on education and examinations of the English preparatory program that students admitted to the associate, undergraduate and graduate programs of Bahçeşehir University are required to attend.

Legal Basis
ARTICLE 3 – (1) This Regulation has been prepared on the basis of Article 49 of the Higher Education Law No. 2547 dated 4 November 1981 and Additional Article 47 of the Higher Education Institutions Organization Law No. 2809 dated 28 March 1983.

Definitions
ARTICLE 4 – (1) In this Regulation;
a) Program Directorate: refers to the Directorate of the Bahçeşehir University English Preparatory Program,
b) President: refers to the President of Bahçeşehir University,
c) Senate: refers to the Senate of Bahçeşehir University,
ç) University: refers to Bahçeşehir University,
d) Executive Board: refers to the executive boards of the faculties, vocational school and institutes within Bahçeşehir University.

PART TWO
Preparatory Program and Assessment

English preparatory program
ARTICLE 5 – (1) The purpose of the English preparatory program is to bring the English proficiency of students newly admitted to associate, undergraduate and graduate programs to a level at which they can follow courses at the University.
(2) Education in the English preparatory program is delivered in the form of preparatory classes, summer school and support classes. The durations of education are determined by the academic calendar approved by the Senate each year.

English proficiency examination
ARTICLE 6 – (1) The English proficiency of students newly admitted to associate, undergraduate and graduate programs is determined by a proficiency examination prepared and administered by the Program Directorate at the beginning of the academic year. The passing grade in the proficiency examination is at least 50% for associate degree students, at least 60% for undergraduate students, at least 65% for master's students and at least 70% for doctoral students.
(2) At the associate and undergraduate levels, students who have successfully completed the Preparatory Class at another higher education institution where the language of instruction is English are required to take the Bahçeşehir University "English Proficiency Examination" or to obtain a sufficient score in international language examinations whose equivalence is accepted by our University. Students who obtain a sufficient score in international language examinations such as TOEFL, within the conditions determined by the Bahçeşehir University Senate, may enroll in the programs to which they were admitted.
(3) The conditions for graduate students to enroll in the preparatory class are determined by the Program Directorate.

Placement examination
ARTICLE 7 – (1) The group in which students will study in the English preparatory class is determined according to the results of the proficiency examination and of the placement examination prepared and administered by the Program Directorate. The weekly course hours of the groups and the rules for changing groups are decided by the Program Directorate at the beginning of each academic year.

Duration of education
ARTICLE 8 – (1) The duration of education in the English preparatory class is a maximum of two semesters.
(2) Associate and undergraduate students who previously studied in the English preparatory program for two years and failed, and who regain the right to enroll through the Student Selection Examination or the Foreign Student Examination, may re-enroll in the preparatory class.
(3) Undergraduate students whose enrollment is terminated because they could not achieve the required grade average despite fulfilling their attendance obligations are granted the right to take the proficiency examinations held on the dates specified in the academic calendar for three years. No make-up examination is offered for those who do not take the examinations. Students who take these examinations cannot benefit from student rights. In order to take the examinations, candidates must apply by petition to the Office of Student Affairs by the date specified in the academic calendar determined by the Senate.

Attendance
ARTICLE 9 – (1) Attendance is compulsory in the English preparatory program. Students must attend the classes of their level at the rate determined by the Program Directorate, provided that the number of hours missed does not exceed 20 hours. Students who do not fulfill the attendance requirement without an excuse accepted by the Program Directorate are deemed to have failed their level.
Achievement and assessment
ARTICLE 10 – (1) The achievement of English preparatory class students is determined by the proficiency examination. The conditions required to take the proficiency examination are determined by the Program Directorate. Undergraduate and associate degree students in the advanced groups of the preparatory class who succeed at the end of the first semester take first-year English courses in the second semester. Graduate students who succeed at the end of the first semester enroll in the programs to which they were admitted. Those who fail the examination continue their education in the preparatory class.
(2) (Amended: Official Gazette 11.04.2011-27902) The conditions under which preparatory class students who fail at the end of the year may attend summer school and take the proficiency examination at the end of summer school are determined by the program directorate. Students who fail the proficiency examination given at the end of the year and/or at the end of summer school may take the proficiency examination to be given at the beginning of the following academic year together with new students enrolling at the University. The conditions under which failing preparatory class students may attend the support class the following year are determined by the program directorate. Graduate students may also attend the support class.
(3) Failing preparatory class students who are not granted the right to attend the support class the following year, and those who fail the proficiency examination given in the support class or at the beginning of the following academic year, have their enrollment at the University terminated. However, students studying in associate degree programs may enroll in the first year after the support class, provided that they pass the proficiency examination before completing their studies.
(4) The passing grade in the proficiency examinations referred to in the first, second and third paragraphs of this article is at least 50% for associate degree students, at least 60% for undergraduate students, at least 65% for master's students and at least 70% for doctoral students.

Leave of absence
ARTICLE 11 – (1) Students studying in the English preparatory program are not granted leave for a semester.
(2) Among English preparatory program students who apply for a one-year leave, those with valid reasons may be granted leave only once, by decision of the relevant Executive Board and with the approval of the Office of the President. The valid reasons for which students may be granted leave, provided that they are documented, are as follows:
a) Having a medical report due to illness or health-related reasons,
b) Having been conscripted into military service because the deferment procedure could not be completed for compelling reasons,
c) The emergence of financial or family reasons, death, natural disaster or similar unexpected circumstances preventing the student from supporting themselves,
ç) Having been assigned to study abroad or for purposes related to their studies,
d) The existence of a finalized conviction under general provisions, or circumstances other than permanent suspension or expulsion from higher education institutions under the Higher Education Institutions Student Disciplinary Regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 13 January 1985 and numbered 18634.
(3) Students granted leave for one year may take the proficiency examination given at the beginning of the following academic year together with new students. Students who fail the examination retain their right to continue in the English preparatory program.
PART THREE
Miscellaneous and Final Provisions

Cases not covered
ARTICLE 12 – (1) In cases not covered by this Regulation, the provisions of the Regulation on the Principles to Be Followed in Foreign Language Education and Education in a Foreign Language in Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated 1 April 1996 and numbered 22598, and other relevant legislation apply.

Repealed regulation
ARTICLE 13 – (1) The Bahçeşehir University English Preparatory Program Education and Examination Regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 5 November 2003 and numbered 25280 has been repealed.

Entry into force
ARTICLE 14 – (1) This Regulation enters into force on the date of its publication.
Enforcement
ARTICLE 15 – (1) The provisions of this Regulation are enforced by the President of Bahçeşehir University.