Statement from YÖK President Özvar on student amnesty

President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar made statements regarding the student amnesty that came into force after being published in the Official Gazette on August 9. Özvar stated that those who benefited from previous student amnesty can also return to university within the scope of the new regulation.

Özvar stated that applying or not applying for previous amnesty is not an obstacle to benefiting from the new amnesty, and said that approximately 500 thousand students whose relationships have been terminated can apply. He stated that the exact number of applications cannot be predicted due to the number of students who are still students and can benefit from the amnesty by canceling their registration until December 9th.

WHO IS EXCLUDED?

Stating that applications can be made until December 9, 2026, Özvar said that those convicted of terrorism, intentional murder, torture, torment, sexual assault, sexual abuse of children and the production and trade of drugs or stimulants cannot benefit from the regulation. Those who were dismissed from the university due to illegal means or forged documents will also be excluded from the scope.

IT ALSO INCLUDES ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND PhD.

Özvar stated that those who were placed in a program but could not enroll, as well as those who were enrolled in any program from associate degree to doctorate but were dismissed, can also benefit from the amnesty. He noted that students in departments that are closed or no longer accepting students will be placed in equivalent programs, taking into account their success rankings and base scores, and YÖK will step in when necessary.

HORIZONTAL TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY

Horizontal transfer will also be possible within the scope of the regulation. To do this, the student will first need to re-register to the program from which the student was dismissed or to an equivalent program. Then, it is possible to apply for horizontal transfer to equivalent programs at other universities.

In departments that include applied education, such as medicine and dentistry, special arrangements will be made for students who have completed their theoretical education and are dismissed due to the maximum duration only during the internship phase. These students will be able to complete their internship training for graduation.