Abstract:

Secondary education is the last step through which students are led to university and thus to their professional lives. Higher education aims to raise individuals to have necessary qualifications for a particular profession. Therefore, countries should consider their university transition systems more holistically, and design their curricula and examination practices accordingly. In Turkey, since the establishment of the republic, there have been many changes in the transition from secondary to higher education, and most of these have focused only on the university entrance exams and were not aligned with the practices of secondary education. However, this process from secondary to higher education requires a more comprehensive perspective for the students to develop the necessary academic and social competences, to be motivated to continue higher education, and to make decisions about their career choices. This study proposes a holistic model for the transition from high school to higher education in Turkey. It is expected that this model will contribute to the Turkish education system by bridging the gap between secondary and higher education by increasing high school students’ awareness and readiness about higher education, transforming curricula used in secondary and higher education, and providing flexibility in transition to higher education.

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