Course Exemption & Adaptation in Lateral Transfer: A Step-by-Step Guide
A well-managed exemption process prevents loss of time and credits in a lateral transfer.
Rota Yönetici
When you start a new program through a lateral transfer, vertical transfer or re-placement, the most critical step is having your previously passed courses counted in the new program. This works through two concepts: course exemption and adaptation (intibak).
What Is Course Exemption?
Course exemption means a course you previously passed at a higher education institution is counted as an equivalent course in your new program, so you do not retake it. The request is evaluated by the department's adaptation committee based on course content and credit comparison.
What Is Adaptation (İntibak)?
Adaptation determines which year/semester you are placed in, based on the total ECTS of your exempted courses.
Conditions for Exemption
- Content equivalence: the previous course content must sufficiently match the target course.
- ECTS sufficiency: the previous course ECTS/credit must be equal or higher.
- Pass requirement: the course must have been completed with a passing grade.

How Are ECTS and Adaptation Calculated?
Most universities use 30 ECTS per semester and 60 ECTS per year. The total ECTS of exempted courses is evaluated against these thresholds to determine your placement.
Complete documents and the right timing are the two keys to success in exemption and adaptation.