08.02.2026 13:10
With the new regulation published in the Official Gazette by YÖK, the internship durations for university students are being extended. According to the new regulation, internship durations will be increased from 20-30 days to "at least one term." The implementation will initially start in 7 pilot provinces: Konya, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli, Izmir, and Ankara.
The Higher Education Council (YÖK) has implemented a new regulation aimed at better preparing university students for the workforce. With the regulation published in the Official Gazette, the duration of practical training and internships in associate and undergraduate programs is being extended. University students will now be required to complete at least one semester of internship. The implementation will initially start in 7 pilot provinces.
DURATION OF UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIPS EXTENDED
According to the regulation, in associate degree programs, there will be options for 3 semesters of theoretical education and 1 semester of internship or 2 semesters of theoretical education and 2 semesters of internship. In 4-year undergraduate programs, models will be implemented for 7 semesters of theoretical education and 1 semester of internship or 6 semesters of theoretical education and 2 semesters of internship. Thus, students will spend a longer portion of their education directly in the work environment.
"THE CONNECTION WITH THE WORKFORCE WILL STRENGTHEN"
YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated that they have initiated a fundamental transformation in practical education. Özvar said, "Instead of 20-30 day internships with limited productivity in higher education, we are implementing a workplace-based practical education model that will last one or two semesters in associate and undergraduate programs. Our students will learn by applying their academic knowledge within the workforce and will establish a strong connection with the business world before graduation," he said.
Özvar expressed that this will enable students to gain direct work experience, increase the qualifications and productivity of graduates, and shorten the transition period to employment.
IMPLEMENTATION WILL START IN 7 PROVINCES
The new model will be piloted in Konya, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli, Izmir, and Ankara in the first phase. YÖK aims to expand the implementation to all of Turkey in a short time.
Özvar stated: "We have clearly defined the quality criteria regarding workplace contracts for students. We have made it mandatory for the contracts to include the learning outcomes that students will gain in businesses, the tasks they will undertake, evaluation methods, and issues related to occupational health and safety. We have established a coordinated commission structure within our Higher Education Council and universities to ensure that the implementation is carried out in a planned and effective manner.
Our goal is to establish a new understanding of higher education that integrates our students' educational processes with real work environments, prioritizing productivity and employment."