The application process has begun for the selection of students for doctoral programs in priority fields designated by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). A total of 550 spots have been allocated for programs covering the fields of information technology, hardware and computer systems, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence and smart systems. Applications for the doctoral program will be accepted until September 22, 2026.
The Council of Higher Education has launched the doctoral student admission process for doctoral programs aimed at training qualified human resources needed in priority fields. Regulations on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Centralized Examination and Entrance Examinations to Be Conducted for Appointments to Academic Staff Positions Other Than Faculty Members, candidates will be evaluated through a central written exam. The exam will be administered by the Measurement, Selection, and Placement Center (ÖSYM) on behalf of YÖK.
Doctoral education will be provided in priority fields
The student selection process covers four priority fields: information technologies, hardware and computer systems, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence and smart systems. A total of 550 slots have been allocated for doctoral programs in these fields.
Quota information for the programs, as well as the fields of study from which graduates may apply for these quotas, have been determined by YÖK. To apply for the quotas allocated to priority doctoral programs, candidates must have graduated from one of the undergraduate fields specified in the system. Candidates who have completed a thesis-based master’s degree in one of these fields may also apply to the doctoral program.
The deadline for applications has been set for September 22.
Applicants will submit their applications for the doctoral programs they wish to pursue between September 8 and 22, 2026, through the Application System for Doctoral Programs in Priority Fields established by YÖK. Applications submitted outside of this electronic platform will not be considered.
During the application process, candidates may select a total of five preferences from among the announced programs, choosing from no more than two different fields. These preferences will constitute the first stage of the evaluation process, and candidates will be evaluated solely within the scope of the programs they have selected.
Applicants must meet not only the general requirements outlined in the relevant legislation but also the specific requirements for research assistant positions.
How will candidates be selected for the written exam?
In determining which candidates will take the centralized written exam, 40 percent of the ALES score, 30 percent of the foreign language score, and 30 percent of the undergraduate GPA will be considered. As a result of the preliminary evaluation based on these criteria, a number of candidates equal to four times the quota for doctoral programs will qualify to take the centralized written exam.
The list of eligible candidates will be published on the YÖK Presidency’s website, starting with the highest-scoring candidate and based on four times the program-specific quotas of the universities.
The centralized written exam will be held on November 28
The single-stage centralized written exam will be administered by ÖSYM on behalf of YÖK on November 28, 2026. Candidates may only take the exam for the program they selected through the application system and for which they have qualified to take the written exam.
Candidates scoring below 70 on the centralized written exam will be considered unsuccessful. There will be no oral exam as part of the testing process.
While YÖK oversees the quota allocation, application, and examination processes for doctoral programs in priority fields, the goal is for these programs to contribute to the training of qualified researchers specializing in the relevant fields.
Click here for the Application Guide.
Click here for Procedures and Principles.
Click here for the fields of study.
Click here for the preference selection process.
Central Application System for Doctoral Programs in Priority Fields: https://basvuru.yok.gov.tr
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