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The policy of reducing university enrollment quotas will be extended to private (vakif) universities starting in 2026, expanding a measure previously implemented only in state institutions, Council of Higher Education (YOK) President Erol Ozvar announced.
The announcement was made during a consultation meeting of the Higher Education Council of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) in Ankara, where officials outlined ongoing structural reforms in Türkiye’s higher education system.
Under the new policy framework, enrollment quotas in private universities will be reduced in varying proportions, particularly in programs where graduate supply has exceeded labor market demand. Fields identified for reductions include law, psychology, pharmacy, dentistry and architecture.
YOK officials stated that quota adjustments will be determined through program-specific evaluations that consider academic capacity, employment data, and sectoral needs.
According to YOK data, total higher education quotas declined from approximately 1.09 million to 843,547 between 2023 and 2025, representing a 23% decrease. Nearly 200 undergraduate programs experienced reductions, with significant declines observed in teacher-training pathways and several social science disciplines. Medical school quotas were maintained during the same period.
At the same time, enrollment capacity has been expanded in emerging technology fields, including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity engineering, reflecting shifting workforce priorities and student demand.
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