Today, science and technology are the basis of many changes. The most important example in which change can be observed is the places where science is produced. Taking all aspects of universities as a center for this matter is important for observing change and making predictions. Universities are subject to review in many respects. In this study, a relatively less stressed subject in the literature has been problematic. The aim of the study is to examine the method of determination of university rectors from the Ottoman Empire to the present. In the literature, universities are subject to different classifications. In this study, the history of universities, considering the transformation in universities and the position of the rectors are arranged in five main sections. In the first chapter, the attempt to establish the first Darülfünun is discussed. In this period, although the management of the minister was in the regulation, management was carried out by the managers. The second period is the period of custodians. The election procedure was adopted and continued until 1933. With the reform in 1933, which began in the third period, the name of Darülfünun instead of university; Instead of custodian, rector concepts were used. This period, when the appointment system was adopted, continued until 1946. In 1946, when the fourth period began, the autonomy approach at universities and the related electoral system were adopted. Although there were some changes, this system continued until 1981. The last period started in 1981. First of all, the appointment system was adopted and between 1992 and 2016 the election system was implemented. In 2016, the appointment system was adopted. In 2018, YÖK's savings in designation were abolished and the power of appointment was left to the President.