Program Overview

The Department of Archaeology and History of Art (ARHA) offers a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of archaeology, the history of art and visual culture, late antique and Byzantine studies, cultural heritage management, museum studies, and maritime archaeology. Our courses cover a wide historical and geographical scope including prehistoric Anatolia, the Greek and Roman Empires, the Late Antique period, the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and the modern period and introduce the students to recent theories and methodologies in archeology and art history. Active engagement in the study of archeology and art and architectural history is integral to our curriculum and ranges from hands-on training in methods of analysis and conservation in the  university’s laboratories to field trips to archaeological sites and architectural monuments, museum visits, and participation in conferences and workshops organized by Turkish and international visiting scholars and specialists. Our students are further encouraged to participate in one of our archaeological excavation projects during the summer, conduct internships at museums or cultural heritage organizations, and participate in workshops in Türkiye and abroad. They are also encouraged to take courses essential to their area of interest or specialization in the field of Digital Humanities and in Languages of the Mediterranean and Anatolian worlds, such as Greek, Latin, Hittite, Luwian and Ottoman Turkish.  ARHA’s multidisciplinary educational approach provides a wide range of employment opportunities for their students, including in museums and cultural heritage organizations.

Our department collaborates with several research institutions affiliated with Koç University and located around the country: Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (ANAMED), Vehbi Koç Ankara Studies Research Center (VEKAM), Suna & İnan Kıraç Research Center for Mediterranean Civilizations (AKMED), The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for Late Antique and Byzantine Studies (GABAM), and the Koç University Mustafa V. Koç Maritime Archaeology Research Center (KUDAR).

Qualification Awarded

Master of Arts with Thesis in Archaeology and History of Art

Admission Requirements

A standard applicant should have the following components:

1.Transcripts (B.A. and M.A. when applicable)

2.GRE or the results of the Turkish ALES (equally weighted scores given preference)

The results of the GRE are due at the time of application, and this also is the preference for ALES results. If the applicant has not yet received their ALES score results by the due date of the application (yet have taken the test), they may still apply..

3.English proficiency exam

Non-native speakers of English should submit scores from one of the following exams: TOEFL, YDS/eYDS, or YÖKDİL.

4.Statement of Purpose

In addition to telling us about your academic background, tell us in detail which topics you would like to study and research while at Koç University. This should be a professional statement focused on the academic aspects of your interests. Preferably interested students should contact the appropriate ARHA faculty member given the intended future research area.

5.Writing Sample

The writing sample should be at least eight pages. Common submissions are a research paper, a chapter from your M.A. thesis, or an article. Because all coursework in ARHA is in English, this document must be as well. It may be a translated portion of a previously prepared in another language – provided that you have done the translation.

6.Recommendation letters

Three recommendation letters are required for Ph.D. applications. Two letters are required for M.A. applications. These must be submitted by the deadline.

7.Interviews

A short list of candidates will be invited for an interview, either in person or through Skype. There will be short readings given prior to the interviews.

Applicants also need to complete the graduate school form. All submissions are done online. Please contact Tuğçe Şatana(tsatana@ku.edu.tr) for application questions.

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

Graduate students are required to take at least 7 credit courses with some non-credit courses (ENGL 500, ARHA 510 and Thesis) . Additional and elective courses are optional. This program is planned to be completed in two years. The first year is divided into classes and the second year is devoted to thesis research and writing. Students are required to concentrate on one of the following areas and complete their course requirements.

Occupational Profiles and Access to Further Studies

Graduates of Koç University Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities work at leading companies in Türkiye and abroad. The Graduate School is actively working on keeping the alumni network alive.

Some of the students who graduated from this program also apply to doctoral programs.

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/