- Doctoral candidates admitted to programs in priority fields needed by Türkiye will be appointed to research assistant positions

- Graduate students who give birth will be granted an additional two semesters

March 6, 2026

The procedures and principles regarding the selection of students for doctoral programs in priority fields needed by Türkiye and their appointment to research assistant positions have been published in the Official Gazette.

Under the Regulation Amending the Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Central Examination and Examinations for Appointments to Academic Staff Positions Other Than Faculty Members, candidates wishing to become doctoral students in programs designated as priority fields by the Council of Higher Education will be eligible to take the written exam if they rank within up to four times the quota. Eligibility will be determined based on a score calculated from 40 percent of the ALES score, 30 percent of the foreign language score, and 30 percent of the undergraduate GPA.

- Written exam to be administered centrally

The written exam will be conducted centrally in accordance with the procedures and principles determined by the Council of Higher Education. Candidates scoring below 70 in the written exam will be considered unsuccessful.

In the final evaluation, 25 percent of the ALES score, 25 percent of the undergraduate GPA, 20 percent of the foreign language score, and 30 percent of the written exam score will be taken into account. Candidates whose final evaluation score is below 70 will be considered unsuccessful.

Those who are admitted as doctoral students will be appointed to research assistant positions within the priority fields in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The regulation aims particularly to strengthen the research infrastructure in fields where there is a significant need.

- Additional Support for Graduate Students Who Give Birth

According to the Regulation Amending the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training, published in the Official Gazette, female graduate students who give birth may, upon request, be granted an additional two semesters after childbirth. These additional periods will not be counted toward the maximum duration of study.