13.01.2026 10:21
YÖK is working on a "3-year graduation" model for some departments outside of medical faculties. According to the draft, education will be planned in 3 semesters of 12-14 weeks each, the academic calendar will end in August, and the summer vacation will be reduced to one month; the implementation is expected to be carried out in fields such as social sciences, communication, economics, and business.
Details of the study conducted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) regarding a graduation model for departments other than medical faculties in universities have emerged. The new model aims to accelerate the academic calendar, allow students to enter employment earlier, and facilitate the admission processes for master's programs abroad.
YÖK IS WORKING ON A 3-YEAR GRADUATION MODEL
It has been stated that the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is working on a graduation model that allows students to graduate from university in 3 years. It was expressed that the regulation will not be applied in medical faculties and is planned for departments outside of medicine.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR IS CHANGING
According to the new model, it was reported that the education periods will consist of 12-14 week segments, with a total of 3 semesters being implemented. It was noted that this system is expected to complete the academic calendar by August.
WHICH DEPARTMENTS WILL IT BE APPLIED TO?
The model is planned to be implemented mainly in social sciences, communication, economics, business, and similar fields. It was stated that medical faculties will be excluded from this scope.
GOAL: TO FACILITATE EARLY EMPLOYMENT AND ADMISSION TO MASTER'S PROGRAMS ABROAD
According to a report on NTV; the regulation aims to facilitate students' admission to master's programs abroad and to integrate them into employment earlier. However, experts believe that this model may create problems in terms of students' social development.
SUMMER VACATION WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE MONTH
Education expert Nazik Kösegil explained that the current system provides education in two segments of approximately 5 months, namely the fall and spring semesters. Kösegil stated that with the new study, these 5-month segments will be reduced to 3 months, creating 3 terms: fall, spring, and summer, and that the 2-2.5 month period known as summer vacation will be reduced to one month. Kösegil emphasized that this is a study aimed at encouraging young people to enter the workforce at an early age.