2026-YKS Placement Results Evaluated from the Perspective of Higher Education in the TRNC
11,555 Candidates Placed in TRNC Universities This Year, Compared to 11,587 Last Year: Quotas Increased by 5.85%, While the Total Number of Placed Candidates Remained Virtually Unchanged
Following the announcement of the 2026 Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) placement results, the quota and placement data of higher education institutions operating in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) under the scope of the 2026-YKS were evaluated by the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK).
According to the latest and final data published by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), a total of 18,013 places were allocated to on-campus undergraduate programs at TRNC universities within the scope of the 2026-YKS, of which 11,555 were filled through candidate placements. Accordingly, the overall placement rate for TRNC higher education institutions under the 2026-YKS reached 64.15%.
Quotas Increased by 5.85%, While the Number of Placed Candidates Decreased by Only 0.28%
Compared with the 2025-YKS data, a significant increase was observed in the quotas allocated to TRNC universities for on-campus programs under the 2026-YKS.
The number of quotas increased from 17,017 in 2025 to 18,013 in 2026, representing an increase of 996 places, or 5.85%. In contrast, the number of candidates placed in TRNC universities was 11,587 in 2025 and 11,555 in 2026, corresponding to a very limited decrease of 32 candidates, or 0.28%, and therefore remaining virtually at the same level.
As a result of this change, the overall placement rate decreased from 68.09% in 2025 to 64.15% in 2026.
These figures indicate that although the quota capacity allocated to TRNC higher education in the YKS guide has increased, actual student demand has not increased at the same rate. At the recommendation of YÖDAK, 20 new programs in priority fields, particularly Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies, were approved by YÖK and included in the YKS guide for the first time this year.
The programs with the highest placement rates include Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Nursing, Special Education Teaching, English Language Teaching, and Interior Architecture and Environmental Design.
Within the same framework, state universities admitted 100% of their allocated students, while foundation universities admitted 79%. It is considered that candidates placed greater emphasis on economic conditions when determining their university preferences.
Concentration of Student Preferences Among Universities Draws Attention
Under the scope of the 2026-YKS, the three TRNC universities with the highest number of placed candidates were European University of Lefke (EUL), Near East University (NEU), and Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU).
• European University of Lefke (EUL): 3,450 quotas – 2,545 placed candidates – 73.77% placement rate
• Near East University (NEU): 3,652 quotas – 2,425 placed candidates – 66.40% placement rate
• Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU): 3,618 quotas – 2,235 placed candidates – 61.77% placement rate
The total of 7,205 candidates placed at these three universities represents approximately 62.35% of the 11,555 candidates placed in TRNC universities through the YKS.
This picture demonstrates that student preferences in the TRNC higher education sector continue to be concentrated in certain universities. It also highlights the importance of universities further strengthening their competitiveness in areas such as academic quality, program diversity, internationalization, student services, campus facilities, and graduate employability.
Data Provide Important Indicators for the Future of Higher Education in the TRNC
The 2026-YKS results are not merely a placement table showing university quotas and placement rates; they also constitute an important indicator for assessing the position of the TRNC higher education system in relation to student preferences.
Despite the increase in quotas compared with the previous year, the number of placed candidates and the overall placement rate indicate that quota planning, program diversity, student recruitment policies, quality assurance, internationalization, and sustainability in higher education need to be addressed in an integrated manner.
From YÖDAK’s perspective, these data once again demonstrate the importance of monitoring the TRNC higher education system not only through current student numbers but also through multidimensional indicators, including program-level demand, placement rates, academic quality, accreditation status, student satisfaction, and international student mobility.
YÖDAK: Data Will Guide Higher Education Planning
YÖDAK considers the 2026-YKS placement results an important source of data for assessing the current status of higher education in the TRNC and identifying areas for future development.
In the coming period, it is expected that the YKS results will be analyzed in greater detail at the university, faculty, department, and program levels, that changes in student preferences will be closely monitored, and that the findings will contribute to the development of higher education policies in line with the quality and sustainability objectives of the TRNC higher education system.
As YÖDAK, our fundamental objective is to contribute to the development of a quality-assured, student-centered, competitive, sustainable, and internationally stronger higher education system in the TRNC.
Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK)
