Students and parents greatly welcome CoHE's efforts to reduce undergraduate education period to three years for willing and successful students

October 21, 2025

The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) has launched an initiative to allow qualified and successful students to complete their undergraduate studies in three years instead of four — a move that has been met with great enthusiasm among students and parents.

As part of a comprehensive reform process to make Türkiye’s higher education system more efficient, flexible, and aligned with international standards, the CoHE plans to simplify curricula, restructure the credit system, and expand opportunities for students to take upper-level courses during summer terms. The reform aims to enhance both quality and productivity in higher education.

CoHE President Erol Özvar announced that course contents will be streamlined and the number of required courses reduced, allowing students to focus more on projects, practical experience, and research. He noted that, as in many European countries, students will have the option to complete their undergraduate programs within three years.

Özvar emphasized that the upcoming reforms will create a more effective and internationally compatible higher education system: “We are moving beyond a system based solely on theoretical knowledge. Our new approach will bring students into contact with professional experience early on, preparing them strongly for both academic research and the job market,” he said.

Public reaction to the reform has been largely positive. Both students and their families welcomed the opportunity for earlier graduation, highlighting the economic advantages and the chance to enter professional life sooner.

Students are happy to enter professional life earlier:

“I’ll be able to start working sooner and won’t lose time.”

Students expressed their thoughts as follows:

“We all want to stand on our own feet as soon as possible and adapt quickly to professional life.”

“Completing my degree in three years makes sense — I could spend the fourth year doing internships and gaining more experience.”

“The idea is great. It helps us join the workforce earlier and avoid wasting time.”

“This system will benefit the labor market — who wouldn’t want to graduate sooner?”

“Even for technically demanding majors, three years can be enough. Many students already choose shorter associate programs for that reason.”

“I’m preparing for the university entrance exam, and I find the three-year system logical. Making it optional would be a good move for Türkiye’s labor market.”

“Four years of study is financially challenging for families. A three-year option would be a big advantage for successful students. My heart says four years, but my mind says three.”

“If this had existed in our time, it would have been much more efficient”

“As a PhD student and business graduate, I see clear benefits. If this system had existed back then, I could have finished my doctorate much sooner. The fourth year is often spent preparing for exams like KPSS or YDS anyway, so this reform makes a lot of sense.”

Parents are also very pleased:

“Young people want to become independent and not be a burden on their families.”

Parents welcomed the reform, noting its economic relief for middle-income families such as civil servants, farmers, and small business owners:

“It will help families who make sacrifices to support their children’s education.”

“If a student is capable and completes the required credits, why shouldn’t they graduate earlier?”

“My son is in college, and I think early graduation should be possible if students meet the credit requirements. Many universities already allow summer courses. It’s a very sensible change.”