History
Program Overview
e History PhD program at Koç University seeks to provide students with a strong grounding in the advanced study of history. The Department of History covers a variety of subjects but is especially strong in the following areas: Ottoman Empire, Türkiye, the Balkans, Russia, Ukraine and the Soviet Union, Europe and the Mediterranean.
As part of their training, doctoral students will have to successfully complete their course requirements and comprehensive exam, conduct original research and write their doctoral dissertation. They will also be required to work as teaching assistants. Doctoral students will at all times work in close collaboration with their advisors and other faculty from the department. Our goal is to train future colleagues, and we therefore commit to providing all the assistance and advice our doctoral students may need. A PhD in history from Koç University, one of Türkiye’s leading higher education institutions, will lead to successful academic careers in Türkiye and abroad, although graduates will also find themselves in a privileged position to begin careers in government, non-governmental organizations, and journalism.
Koç University offers very competitive resources to its doctoral students including an up to five-year doctoral grant, and housing allowance (for further details click here). Through the main campus’ Suna Kıraç Library students will have access to a very large number of academic journals and books both on and off campus. They will also have access to resources provided by the University’s Research Centre on Anatolian Civilizations (ANAMED), the Suna & İnan Kıraç Research Center for Mediterranean Civilizations (AkMed), and the Vehbi Koç and Ankara Research Centre (VEKAM).
Interdisciplinarity is at the core of Koç University’s academic mission, and students will be actively encouraged to take courses from other programs of the Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Qualification Awarded
PhD in History
Admission Requirements
– Transcripts (B.A. and M.A. when applicable)
GPA: 3.00 minimum
– Reference Letters, Letters of Recommendation
The Graduate School requires three referance letters for PhD 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*
–Statement of Purpose, which should not exceed 2,000 words, focusing on why the applicant wants to study at Koç University and in this particular program as well as explaining career objectives and research interests
– English Proficiency, applicants’ who’s native language is not English must ensure to provide their official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL,), or any equivalent testing system. (Please see minimum required scores below).
– Thesis Abstract– Summary of your MA/MS thesis (if available)
–ALES or GRE Score: (Please see minimum required scores below)
–TOEFL, YÖKDİL or YDS Score: (Please see minimum required scores below) Required for all non-native English speaking applicants.
– Successful performance in a written exam
– Successful performance in a interview
| Ph.D. in History Admission Requirements | ||
| Scores | With BA Degree | With MA Degree |
| ALES(Equal Weighed) | 80 | 70 |
| GRE (Quantitative) | 156 | 153 |
| GPA | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| TOEFL IBT | 80 | 80 |
| YDS /YÖKDİL | 80 | 80 |
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 |
Occupational Profiles and Access to Further Studies
Graduates of History Master and Doctorate Program can work in many national and international academic positions, journals and publishing houses in the field of history, research centers and private and public institutions serving in the related field if they provide the necessary competencies.
Career Development Center, supports all Koç University students and graduates in career Development and Planning, in preparing graduate education plans, and in professional life decisions. For more information about the Career Development Center, please visit https://career.ku.edu.tr/en/