Because we know very well that knowing when the Academic year start in Turkey in 2026 is the first step to successfully planning your academic journey, New Horizons team has prepared this comprehensive guide based on the announced academic calendar for 2026, with a detailed explanation of the start and end dates of studies in Turkey in 2026, and the academic and official holidays in Turkey.
The academic year in Turkey will begin in September 2025 for both universities and schools. Start dates vary depending on the educational level, as follows:
According to the Turkish Higher Education Council (YOK), the new academic year will begin in the second or third week of September in Turkish universities, with the dates varying according to the academic calendar of each Turkish university.
What time does school start in Turkey? The Turkish Ministry of Education (MEB) announced that the official start date for Turkish schools is September 8th, while teachers in Turkey will begin their work on September 1st.
The preparatory period for kindergarten and first-grade students is from September 1st to 5th, 2025.
After we answer the question of when does the academic year start in Turkey in 2026, we should discuss When does the academic year end in Turkey in 2026?
The academic year in Turkey ends in June for 2026, both in Turkish schools and universities. However, students can enroll in summer school to improve their skills in certain subjects.
The first semester in Turkish universities begins in September 2025 and continues until the end of October 2026, while the second semester begins at the end of February and continues until June 2026, with a break called the mid-year break.
Now, we come to the most important part of the answer to when does the academic year start in Turkey in 2026 which is academic holiday dates in Turkey 2026.
The autumn semester holiday in Turkey 2026 begins in February and is the mid-year break, lasting between two and three weeks in February, depending on the university's academic calendar.
The spring break at Turkish universities in 2026 begins in June and continues until the start of the new academic year, although these dates may vary depending on the university.
Official Holiday Schedule for Turkish Universities and Schools in 2026:
Registration at private Turkish universities begins from January until October, and some universities allow registration for the spring semester, extending the period to December.
While the application process for Turkish public universities begins in May and continues until August, the registration dates are not fixed and vary from one university to another, so you should follow the application calendar for the university you want.
Read more: University registration dates turkey 2025
Having explained the complete start dates for the academic year, school holidays, and university application deadlines in Turkey, we can now present the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year in Turkey:
You can follow all updates regarding the academic year dates in Turkey through official websites. You can follow university study dates through the Higher Education Council website, or through the official Turkish Ministry of Education website to follow school dates.
The steps for registering at private Turkish universities are as follows:
While completing the registration procedures in Turkish public universities requires the student’s personal presence, passing the necessary tests such as YOS or SAT, and achieving high scores for admission to medical and engineering specialties.
Read more: How to apply to Turkish private universities 2025
Before we end our guide about when does the academic year start in Turkey in 2026?, there are some tips for International students who are interested in Studying in Turkey 2026.
To ensure you have the best study experience in Turkey, we advise you to follow these practical tips to avoid mistakes or obstacles that could lead to frustration:
Here we have explained in detail when does the Academic year start in Turkey in 2026 and when does it end? whether you are a university student or wish to enroll in Turkish schools.
If you are worried about missing the registration deadlines for private Turkish universities, you can contact the New Horizons team to request a free consultation and submit your application on time, without delays or errors, free of charge.
We are a team of passionate education experts committed to delivering high-quality content for students seeking to study in Turkey and beyond. With a deep understanding of universities, programs, scholarships, and student life, we aim to make your academic journey clearer and easier. We don’t just write — we guide, inform, and walk with you every step of the way.
After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students
The 2026 academic year in Turkey begins during the second or third week of September 2025 for most universities and schools.
The duration of the summer vacation in Turkey ranges from about two and a half to three months, starting at the end of June and ending with the beginning of the new academic year in September.
The duration of high school education in Turkey is four years.
No, university education in Turkey is not free, but public universities charge relatively low tuition fees compared to private universities.
The total number of official and religious holidays in Turkey is about 14 days per year. For students, this is in addition to a long summer vacation of approximately 3 months, a mid-year break of two weeks, and short seasonal holidays.
The number of international students who have specifically chosen Turkey to pursue their studies is...
Turkiye is considered one of the most prominent options for students who want to study abroad. Unive...
Turkey is no longer just a tourist destination, but rather a great educational destination, due to t...
Turkish universities are a preferred destination for Arab students, due to the quality of education...
