Study location	Turkey, Istanbul
Type	Postgraduate, full-time
Nominal duration	2 years (120 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	MA

Tuition fee	₺25,500 per programme

Entry qualification

Undergraduate diploma (or higher) Undergraduate Diploma (minimum GPA of 2.20/4.00 or 55/100) Transcript of undergraduate courses Two Letters of Recommendation ALES or GMAT or GRE scores English proficiency exam scores The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Turkish. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. Equivalency document for the foreign undergraduate Diploma (proof of equivalency can be provided from Turkish Embassies in the home country or at the Provincial Department of Education Istanbul. Original Offical Transcript (In English or Turkish) You must take verified copies of the entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university.

Language requirements	English Accepted proof of proficiency: Cambridge English, IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent English prof iciency: TOEFL IBT ≥ 72 or BİLET (BİLGİ English Test) ≥ 60 or YDS ≥ 78 or IELTS ≥ 6.0

Other requirements

At least 2 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application. Research of interest ALES, GMAT or GRE score is required only from Turkish candidates applying to the MA in International Relations with a Thesis program. Test scores that would qualify for application are ALES (verbal or equal weight) ≥ 55 or GMAT ≥ 450 or GRE (quantitative) ≥ 610. Candidates applying for the MA in International Relations with a Project program are exempted from ALES, GMAT or GRE scores. Foreign nationals applying to either of the two programs are exempted from ALES, GMAT or GRE scores. Candidates applying to the MA in International Relations with a Thesis program are required to submit English examination scores of TOEFL IBT ≥ 72 or YDS ≥ 60 or Bilgi Lisansüstü Online English Exam ≥B2 (≥71). Students who would like to take the Bilgi Online English Exam must contact Ebru Serdar Karaduman from the Social Sciences Institute by email: ebru.karaduman@bilgi.edu.tr. Students can take the 50-minute exam within a few days. Native English speakers are exempted from exam scores. Students who are applying to the MA in International Relations with a Project program are exempted from the English exam but they are encouraged to submit proficiency scores.

More information	bilgi.edu.tr/en

Overview

The Master of Arts in International Relations with a concentration on Regional Studies Program has two principle objectives. While students are given a solid foundation in the theory and practice of International Relations, they are given the opportunity to specialize in the politics of one of the four areas in Turkey’s neighborhood, namely

The Middle East (including the Eastern Mediterranean)
Southeastern Europe/Balkans (including Greek-Turkish Studies),
the wider area of Europe (including Western, Southern and Central Europe), and
the Caucasus
The curriculum is designed to reflect the principle objectives of the Program. Therefore, the Program offers courses in the theory of International Relations, Comparative and Regional Studies, and several elective courses, which focus on the four regions from an historical, comparative, and critical perspective.

As society and politics in Turkey’s neighborhood and Europe enter a new phase, it is expected that a new paradigm will emerge and there will be a greater need for well-trained experts. The program is intended to offer an advanced and specialized academic perspective, as well as practical knowledge, to those individuals who will become trained experts on regional issues and realities. Apart from providing an excellent infrastructure for future academics planning to work on different aspects of regional studies, the Program appeals to diplomats, journalists and government officials from the region and beyond.

Programme structure

MA in International Relations with a concentration on Regional Studies Program offers two options to its students.

The first option is a two-year program with thesis, consisting of two semesters dedicated to coursework and two additional semesters devoted to research and writing of an MA thesis. The course load during the first academic year comprises of three compulsory courses, four elective courses and a non-credit seminar. Students normally complete a total of 21 credits and pass the non-credit seminar before proceeding to the thesis-writing stage in their second year. For their elective courses, students may also sign up for courses offered by other graduate programs of the University, such as European Studies, International Political Economy, History, Media, International Law, or Cultural Studies.

The second option is a program with a project, maximum of six semesters. Program with a project requires the completion of ten courses (30 credits) and the writing of a term project. Coursework comprises of four compulsory courses and six elective courses.

Both programs aim to provide the students with a solid foundation in the discipline of International Relations with an area of concentration on the following regions:

The Middle East (including the Eastern Mediterranean),
Southeastern Europe/Balkans (including Greek-Turkish Studies),
the wider area of Europe (including Western, Southern and Central Europe), and
the Caucasus
The Program is intended for future diplomats, academics, journalists and government officials, working or planning to work on the fields of international relations and regional studies.