Turkey enables university transfers for citizens studying in Iran

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has introduced a new regulation to allow Turkish citizens studying in Iran to transfer to universities in Turkey. This measure aims to ensure academic continuity for students whose education may be disrupted due to the Iran-Israel conflict.

Eligible students must be enrolled in recognized formal higher education programs in Iran and meet specific criteria, such as having taken the ÖSYS/YKS exams in their year of enrollment. Success rankings or base scores from the relevant year will be used for applications. Students enrolled via international exams, such as SAT, ACT, IB, or Abitur, may also apply if they meet the requirements.

Universities will determine transfer quotas on a program basis, with a 40% limit applied to students who completed their secondary education in Turkey. Credit transfers and course equivalencies will be decided by the adaptation commissions of the receiving universities. Applications for the 2026-2027 autumn semester can be submitted between September 14 and September 18, 2026, with results announced by September 25, 2026.