Türkiye’s 2026 university preference period opened on July 29 following the Higher Education Institutions Examination, known as YKS. According to the Higher Education Programs and Quotas Guide published by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center, or ÖSYM, candidates may submit their choices through August 10, 2026. Applications are made individually through ÖSYM’s online Candidate Processing System.
Where and when preferences are submitted
The official guide sets the preference window as July 29-August 10, 2026. Candidates must use the Candidate Processing System at ais.osym.gov.tr. Before approving a list, they should review program requirements, ranking thresholds, special conditions and quota information in the current guide.
ÖSYM’s guide is the primary official reference for the process. It includes program codes, universities, types of study and special admission conditions. Candidates should therefore rely on the latest document published by ÖSYM rather than unofficial lists circulating on social media.
Türkiye offers 805,747 university places
TRT Haber reported that universities have a total of 805,747 places available this year. Sixteen new programs—seven undergraduate and nine associate-degree programs—will admit students for the first time. The Higher Education Council developed these programs with sector demand and labor-market needs in mind.
A total of 2,425,627 candidates applied for the 2026 YKS. The Basic Proficiency Test drew 2,255,076 candidates, the Field Proficiency Test 1,473,113, and the Foreign Language Test 143,270. Competition will differ by program and score type. Placement depends on a combination of the candidate’s score, ranking, order of preferences, available quota and the conditions attached to each program.
Sixteen new programs enter the guide
The newly introduced programs reflect greater emphasis on digital transformation and employment demand in higher-education planning. Candidates should still look beyond a program’s name and compare the official curriculum, language of instruction, campus conditions, scholarship or fee information and possible career pathways.
A preference guide compiled by Anadolu Agency also stresses the need to examine special conditions and ranking requirements carefully. Candidates are advised to order programs according to where they genuinely want to study and to review the complete list before final confirmation.
More than 11,000 counseling units available
Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education has established more than 11,000 counseling units to assist students and families during the preference period. According to a ministry statement carried by Anadolu Agency, the service will be available from July 29 through August 10. Guidance teachers and psychological counselors will staff the units.
The preference period closes on August 10. Candidates should avoid leaving the process to the final day, confirm that their selections have been saved in the ÖSYM system and follow only official announcements for any changes. The date for placement results will be clarified in a later ÖSYM announcement.
