Program Overview

Committed to a liberal arts tradition of intellectual curiosity and diversity, the International Relations Department at Koç University offers students a rigorous program of study that prepares them for successful careers in a rapidly globalizing world.

Koç University offers BA, MA and PhD degrees in International Relations.The students examine the basic questions of International Relations, including how nations struggle over power and wealth, how political communities reconcile claims of authority, liberty, and justice, and how governments and societies produce the policies that influence our lives. Students choose courses from the major subfields of international politics, comparative government, Turkish politics, and political theory. They develop critical analytical skills allowing them to explain, compare, and generalize about political phenomena in a broad range of countries, employing the key methodologies of the discipline.

Master of Art  and Ph.D. in International Relations program reflects the Department’s emerging strength in the areas of European Integration, International Political Economy, and Security Studies.Graduates of the program are continuing their studies in top-ranking programs throughout the world in addition to working in multinational corporations, non-governmental agencies, and for the state.Scholarships are offered.

The Center for Research on Globalization  Peace and Democratic Governance (GLODEM) has been operating as a research center at Koç University since November 2004 to enrich the debate about globalization and democracy on campus and to promote the flow of ideas between Koç and the global policy arena. The Center encourages comparative and multidisciplinary research on globalization and democratic governance, and serves as an intellectual platform for dialogue between academic and research scholars.

Koç University is the first university from Türkiye to partner with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. This was established, at the initiative of the Governments of Spain and Türkiye, under the auspices of the UN to promote understanding among societies.

Qualification Awarded

Master of Arts with Thesis in International Relations

Admission Requirements

Statement of Purpose 

Required for all applicants. It should not exceed 2,000 words focusing on the following questions: 

Why do you apply to Koç University?

Why do you apply to the particular program?

What are your career objectives?

For applicants of PhD programs what are your research interests and who do you want to work with?

Transcripts 

You must have a 3.00 GPA for application for MA Applications. 

We strongly encourage applicants to submit a scanned image of the transcript at the time of application, which can speed processing; however, a final, official transcript will be required of all admitted students during registration. Applicants who have attended international institutions must submit transcripts or certified attestations of study, with certified English translations. Once translated, the original transcript and the certified translations are to be sent to the Graduate School admission office.

  • Letters of Recommendation 

The Graduate School requires two letters of recommendation for MA applications. These should be by persons well qualified to speak from first-hand knowledge about the applicant’s potential for graduate study. Letters of recommendation must be submitted online.

  • GRE/ALES 

Applicants to MA programs must have their results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE-for foreign applicants) or ALES (Akademik Lisansüstü Eğitim Sınavı-for native applicants)General Test sent to the Graduate School. You need to also upload available scores during online application. You will be able to leave these spaces empty if your scores are not available at the time of application. We do accept applications without ALES and/or TOEFL scores. You must submit these scores as soon as they are announced.

  • TOEFL/YDS

All native applicants and international applicants whose native language is not English must ensure that the Graduate School receives their official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

 

MA with Thesis International RelationsAdmission Requirements
Scores Minimum Requriment
ALES(Equal Weighed) 70
GRE (Quantitative) 155
GPA 3.00
TOEFL (IBT) 80
YDS 87

 

Exchange Opportunities

The number of exchange program partners has increased rapidly over the years and the number of partner institutions has exceeded 100.

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Examinations Letter Grade Number Grade Equivalents

A+ 4.00
A 4.00
A- 3.70
B+ 3.30
B 3.00
B- 2.70
C+ 2.30
C 2.00
C- 1.70
D+ 1.30
D 1.00
F 0.00

Graduation Requirements and Curriculum

Graduates of the Master’s Program in International Relations will be able to pursue their careers in civil society and international organizations (eg United Nations Development Program, International Migration Organization, TÜSEV); domestic and international private sector (e.g. Abdi İbrahim, Arçelik, Boston Consulting Group, Boyner, Facebook, Microsoft, Target) and public sector (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy).

Also a significant number of our graduates are accepted to prestigious doctoral programs in North America, Europe and Türkiye.