# Turkey free university counseling rollout expands > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-free-university-counseling-rollout > Updated: 2026-08-25T13:19:00.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 7. The free university-preference counseling drive for the YKS period, running from 29 July to 10 August 2026, has seen extensive municipal involvement across Turkey. In Adıyaman, the municipality provided one-on-one guidance to 2,500 students through four centers, including the AKEM and various libraries. Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere noted the initiative specifically aims to support young people, including earthquake survivors, to prevent incorrect choices due to a lack of resources. Hatay Metropolitan Municipality also expanded its support through Akademi Hatay, which provided 13 days of free guidance and counseling for students during the YKS preference period, operating through 10 August. Municipalities are also transitioning from counseling to long-term academic support. Following the preference period, Küçükçekmece Municipality has launched registration for free YKS preparation courses for the 2026-2027 academic year, offering lectures, workshops, and coaching starting in September. Similarly, Ümraniye Municipality continues to maintain a broad youth support network, including YKS preparation courses, digital learning services, and a free university-choice counseling tent, reaching approximately 320,000 students annually. This network is supplemented by the Ümraniye Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Center and various science and library facilities. Other regional efforts include Istanbul’s Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) operating centers in all 39 districts, Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality’s daily sessions, and Konya Büyükşehir Belediyesi providing counseling at shopping malls. National guidance is supported by the CHP Women’s Branch, the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ e-Rehberlik platform, and İŞKUR/Ministry of National Education stands. ## Claims - Sabancı University started Preference and Promotion Days on 7 July 2026, running until 7 August 2026 at its Tuzla campus. (disputed) - Sabancı University launched “Preference and Promotion Days” at its Tuzla campus starting 7 August 2026, offering meetings with faculty, students and the rector. (disputed) - All programmes aim to help students evaluate exam scores, quota limits and university conditions when making their YKS choices. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Municipalities across Turkey are increasingly involved in supporting high‑school graduates through university selection guidance. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Konak Municipality opened Republic Libraries with extended hours and quiet rooms to support YKS and KPSS preparation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality offers free YKS preference counselling from 29 July to 10 August 2026, daily 08:00‑17:00. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Konak Municipality’s Cumhuriyet Libraries extended hours and created quiet study rooms for YKS and KPSS preparation. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality operates free YKS preference counselling centres in 39 districts until 10 August 2026 with 210 PDR experts. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Üsküdar Municipality provides free YKS Preference Counseling from 29 July to 9 August 2026 at the Haluk Dursun Library. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kayseri University Rector Prof. Dr. Kurtuluş Karamustafa recommends students consider job‑guaranteed pre‑college programs, of which the university has about 70. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Hatay Metropolitan Municipality expands local services and student support Hatay Metropolitan Municipality has introduced free YKS university preference counseling via Akademi Hatay and expanded HATSU water subscription services across 15 districts for easier access. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hatay-metropolitan-municipality-expands-local-services-and-student-support ### 2026-08-14: Küçükçekmece Municipality launches free YKS exam courses Küçükçekmece Municipality has launched free YKS exam preparation courses for 12th-grade students and graduates, featuring expert instruction and coaching starting this September. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kkekmece-municipality-launches-free-yks-exam-courses ### 2026-08-11: Adıyaman Municipality provides free YKS guidance to 2,500 students Adıyaman Municipality offered free one-on-one guidance to 2,500 students during the YKS preference period to assist with university selection. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adyaman-municipality-provides-free-yks-guidance-to-2500-students ### 2026-08-05: Ümraniye Municipality Rolls Out Youth Education and Sports Programs Ümraniye Municipality in Turkey has launched extensive youth programs, offering YKS prep, AI and science centers, libraries, Academy training and 33 sports branches, reaching hundreds of thousands of young res‑ 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mraniye-municipality-rolls-out-youth-education-and-sports-programs ### 2026-07-30: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Leads Free YKS Preference Counseling Across 39 Districts İBB runs free YKS counselling in 39 districts until 10 Aug 2026; other municipalities, CHP Women’s Branch, the Youth Ministry’s e‑Rehberlik system, and several universities also provide free guidance and burses 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aydn-and-seferihisar-municipalities-provide-free-university-counselling-to-students ### 2026-07-26: Turkish municipalities launch free YKS university counseling programs Turkish municipalities and universities opened free YKS counseling services from late July to early August 2026, offering guidance on scores, rankings, and programme choices across Üsküdar, Kahramanmaraş, Konya 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/skdar-municipality-launches-free-university-admission-counseling-service ### 2026-07-25: İŞKUR opens university preference counseling stands in Gebze and Sinop İŞKUR, with the Ministry of Education, provided free university‑preference counseling at a Gebze mall stand (21 Jul‑15 Aug 2026) and a city‑centre stand in Sinop, using the DABİS system to advise students on ‑ 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ikur-opens-university-preference-counseling-stands-in-gebze-and-sinop --- Cite as: Turkey free university counseling rollout expands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-free-university-counseling-rollout