YÖK Sets Student Amnesty Application Deadline: Return to University Until 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 and entered into force on August 9, 2026. In accordance with temporary Article 85 added to Law No. 2547 on Higher Education, students whose ties with universities have been severed or who gained admission to a program but were unable to complete their registration may apply to the relevant higher education institution until December 9, 2026.

The regulation covers preparatory classes, transfer, associate degree, undergraduate completion, undergraduate, and graduate 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, though the majority of applications were concentrated in open education units. YÖK has not yet clarified which programs will be allocated quotas this time.