YÖK sets student amnesty application deadline: return to university by December 9, 2026

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has clarified the procedures and principles of the 'student amnesty' under Law No. 7592, which was published in the Official Gazette on August 9, 2026, and entered into force. In accordance with temporary Article 85 added to the Higher Education Law No. 2547, students whose ties with universities have been severed or who were admitted to a program but could not register may apply to the relevant higher education institution until December 9, 2026.

The regulation covers preparatory classes, associate degree, bachelor's completion, bachelor's, and postgraduate programs. Admitted students will be able to begin their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. Additional time will be granted to those who missed the deadline due to force majeure.

A similar student amnesty was last issued in 2018; in that regulation, tens of thousands of students returned to university, but the majority of applications were concentrated in open education units. YÖK has not yet clarified which programs will have allocated quotas.