The Council of Higher Education sent a notification letter to universities regarding the implementation of the two-semester extension granted to female graduate students who have given birth, as stipulated in the relevant legislation. The letter specified that the extension period is two years.

The process began with the Regulation Amending the Graduate Education and Teaching Regulation, published in the Official Gazette on March 6, 2026. A provision added to the relevant regulation established the rule that “Graduate female students who give birth may be granted an additional two-semester extension upon request, and these periods shall not be counted toward the maximum duration.” Following requests from various university rectorates for clarification on the details of the implementation, the Higher Education Executive Board reviewed the matter at its meeting on April 22. In accordance with the decisions made, YÖK issued a circular to all universities, clarifying who is eligible for this right as outlined in the regulation and how it should be implemented.

"We aim to ensure that our female students can continue their academic journeys without any issues"

YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, who commented on the letter and the details of the implementation, stated that the right outlined in the regulation would be applied in a coordinated manner across institutions. 

Özvar said, “With the amendment we made to the Graduate Education and Teaching Regulation, we will implement the two-semester extension granted to female students who have given birth in the broadest possible manner without causing any hardship.”

Noting that the process also safeguards retroactive rights, Özvar added, “Accordingly, we are protecting the rights of students who gave birth prior to the regulation amendment. Students in the thesis revision phase, as well as those wishing to apply after the suspension of enrollment period has ended, will also be able to benefit from this opportunity.”

Emphasizing that the primary aim of the initiative is to ensure continuity in academic life, the YÖK President concluded his remarks by saying, “With these additional periods—defined separately for each birth and not counted toward the maximum duration—we aim to enable female students to continue their academic journeys without interruption. I hope this will be beneficial for our higher education system and our students.”

Those who gave birth before the regulation takes effect will also be eligible

According to the letter sent to universities, it was announced that individuals who gave birth before the regulation was published and are still enrolled as students may also benefit from this provision without any time requirement. Additionally, graduate students who have given birth more than once during their studies may request two additional semesters for each birth.

Students who have suspended their enrollment and those in the thesis phase are included

Students who have suspended their enrollment for two semesters by exercising their existing rights following childbirth will be able to request an extension under the relevant regulation upon the expiration of that period. Along with the letter sent by YÖK, it has been officially communicated to institutions that graduate students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs who are in the thesis revision process will also be eligible for this benefit if they give birth.