ISMEK course applications are accepted at specific times, typically at the start of each term. Applications cannot be made between terms. Therefore, to apply you must monitor the announced application dates and submit your ISMEK course registration during the designated period. Follow the steps below to register for an ISMEK course.
- To apply to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Art and Vocational Education Courses (ISMEK), complete the online application form on ISMEK’s official website. The ISMEK course application form is available on the official portal.
- After accessing the page, click the “Apply Now” button to go to the login screen.
- Enter your Turkish ID number and date of birth, then click the “Login” button.
- You will see the “Student Agreement,” “Online Application and Registration Conditions,” and the “KVKK Information Text.” Read these documents, check the consent boxes in the top-left corner, and click “Confirm.” This indicates you have read and accepted the student agreement, registration conditions, and information text.
- After completing these steps the ISMEK registration form will appear. Fill all fields correctly, click “Update and Select Course,” choose the course you wish to register for, and your application will be submitted.
2019/2020 ISMEK Course Registration Dates
Each season ISMEK announces registration dates for the following season and accepts applications within those periods. Applications are processed and evaluated, and then results are announced before the training period begins. The ISMEK 2019 course registrations have not yet opened. Based on past schedules, we expect registrations to begin in the first or second week of July.
Last season ISMEK registrations began on July 3, 2018, and this season is likely to follow a similar schedule.
Is There a Fee for ISMEK Courses?
ISMEK course registration is free of charge. Salaries of instructors, rental costs for course centers, and materials used in the centers are all covered by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
ISMEK Course Start Date
The 2019/2020 ISMEK start date has not been finalized. Based on previous years, the 2019 ISMEK start date is expected to be in early October. Most likely courses will begin in the first week of October.
Areas Taught by ISMEK
ISMEK offers training across 700 courses in 40 major areas. This wide range ensures there are programs suited to many interests and needs. The ISMEK fields of training include:
- Foreign languages
- Agriculture
- Food and beverage services
- Sports
- Health
- Radio and television
- Art and design
- Marketing and wholesale sales
- Ceramics and glass
- Literacy courses
- Printing
- Machine technology
- Accounting and finance
- Jewelry technologies
- Music and theatre arts
- Hospitality and travel services
- Animal health
- Patient and elderly care services
- Justice
- Mapping, land registry and cadastre
- Personal development training
- Public relations and event organization
- Clothing and production
- Food technologies
- Graphic design and photography
- Journalism
- Beauty and hair care services
- Handicrafts
- Information and communication technologies
- Horticulture
- Office management and secretarial services
- Family and consumer sciences
- Childcare, development and education
- Wood technologies
- In total, approximately 700 distinct courses are available across these areas.
ISMEK Registration Limits
Each year roughly 200,000 people enroll in ISMEK courses, earn certificates, and begin working in their trained fields. To date, about 3 million people have enrolled. ISMEK has set registration limits: according to regulations, an individual may register for no more than two branches within the same major area.
For example, if you wish to register under the beauty and hair care major, you may choose up to two sections within that area.
ISMEK Course Centers
The number of ISMEK course centers is 240. Due to Istanbul’s large population, new centers open regularly across the city. Wherever you are in Istanbul, there is likely an ISMEK center within a 15–20 minute distance.
Registering at an ISMEK Course Center
To register in person at an ISMEK center, a photocopy of your Turkish ID card is generally sufficient. You can complete your registration with this document, although additional documents may be requested depending on the course. For example, applicants for sports-related courses may be required to submit a health report.
Age Requirement for ISMEK Courses
The minimum age to start ISMEK courses is 12. In previous seasons the minimum age requirement had been 16.
ISMEK Exam Dates
ISMEK course exam dates are announced on ISMEK’s official website. Exams apply to certain courses; some programs require entrance exams and admit students based on exam results.