Turkey's 2026 University Admission Quotas Announced, New AI Programs Introduced

Turkey's Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has published the 2026-YKS Higher Education Programs and Quotas Guide, providing prospective students with essential information following the exam results announcement on July 21. The guide outlines a total of 805,747 available spots for the upcoming academic year, encompassing 371,476 associate degree positions, 407,080 undergraduate positions, and 27,191 for special talent programs.

The distribution of these quotas includes 602,117 for state universities, 184,914 for foundation universities, and 18,716 for universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). YÖK has also allocated special quotas, with 17,862 for school valedictorians, 3,673 for relatives of martyrs, veterans, and their families, and 10,363 for women over 34.

This year marks the introduction of 16 new programs, seven at the undergraduate level and nine at the associate degree level, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence integration. New undergraduate offerings include "History and Artificial Intelligence," "Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence," and "Business Administration and Artificial Intelligence." Associate degree programs feature "AI-Supported Web Design and Coding" and "AI-Supported Design and Animation." Additionally, open education programs will now offer "AI-Supported Coding" and "Data Visualization and Information Design," each with 250 available spots.