Program Overview

Comparative Studies in History and Society (CSHS) combines the strengths of the sociology and history departments of Koç University in an interdisciplinary Master of Arts (M.A.) program. The program, which serves a growing need in Türkiye for interdisciplinary graduate programs in the social sciences, offers a theoretically-driven, historically-informed, and empirically-rigorous graduate education.

The CSHS M.A. program is a two-year degree program with a thesis. Students take courses in the first year and conduct their research and complete a thesis in the second year. The students identify specific faculty whom they wish to collaborate with on mutually agreed upon research projects. Mirroring the methodological diversity of its faculty, students have utilized a wide range of historical and sociological methods, including case-study and comparative historical approaches, quantitative survey methods, ethnography, archival research, content analysis, and a variety of mixed methods approaches.

The program will help serve the career needs of students in two ways. First, the program will prepare students who wish to continue on to Ph.D. programs in Türkiye, Europe and North America. Second, it will train students who interested in research and policy-related positions in governmental, non-governmental and international organizations in Türkiye.

Qualification Awarded

Master of Arts with Thesis in Comparative Studies in History and Society

Admission Requirements

Transcripts
You must have a 2,5 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.

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 and PhD 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/YÖKDİL
All 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).

 The General Graduate School Application is located here.

Other important application issues:

Scholarship Availability: While all admitted students will receive tuition remission, university scholarship funding for monthly stipends is competitive. Applicants eligible for a TUBITAK scholarship should apply for one. We will also accept students without stipends.

Writing a Statement of Purpose: As suggested in the general application section, a good statement of purpose will include reasons for applying to this program, career objectives, and research interests. In addition, as much as possible, it should include a tentative thesis topic, including which research methods will be used. Moreover, applicants are strongly encouraged to become familiar with CSHS faculty research areas and projects and to indicate names of faculty they may want to work with in the statement of purpose. Those who have an interest in working with a particular faculty member can contact that person for additional information.

Exchange Opportunities

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

+ Click here for the full list of the institution that have a partnership agreement with Koç University.

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

+ Degree Requirements

+ Course Descriptions

Occupational Profiles and Access to Further Studies

If they provide the necessary competencies, 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.

It is not possible for a student enrolled in the MS without Thesis program to directly transfer to the relevant PhD program at the Graduate School. However, the student can be evaluated for admission to the relevant PhD program to assess if they meet the conditions specified for application to the PhD program. 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/