Home » Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. program at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration (Bilkent POLS) is designed to provide Ph.D. candidates with theoretical background, analytical abilities, and empirical research skills in accordance with international academic standards in four major fields (Turkish Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, Social Theory and Cultural Studies). Students are admitted to the program by written application and after an evaluation by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department.

The Curriculum

Course CodeCourse Name
GE 500Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics
GE 690Academic Practices
GE 651Pre-Thesis Seminar I
POLS 699Ph.D. Dissertation
Research Methods Electives (2)
Restricted Electives (2)
Specialization Elective (3)
Unrestricted Electives

Apply to the Ph.D. Program

Program Information: For more detailed information, please follow the link.

Online Application: Please submit an online application here.

Requirements: These are the minimum necessary scores for applying to the Political Science Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program.


CGPA: 3.00/4.00


GRE: 298 (verbal and quantitative total + minimum 4.0 analytical)


ALES: 55 (equally-weighted)

Important Note: International candidates and those who are citizens of the Republic of Turkiye and studied their undergraduate abroad may apply with GRE results instead of ALES.


English Proficiency: At least one of the requirements below

  • TOEFL IBT (at least 87)
  • IELTS (at least 6.5 average and 5.5 from each section)
  • Bilkent PAE (at least C)

Please note that the validity period for all exams is 2 years.


Proof of Degree: Graduate degree if already obtained (application requirement: MA/MSc thesis)


Transcripts: Undergraduate & graduate transcripts (most recent one available at the time of application)


Statement of Purpose: 1000 words max. (reasons for applying to Ph.D., research interests)


Letter of Recommendation: 3 Letters of recommendation to be submitted online by the referees


Other: A writing sample


Application Deadline: 15 May 2024


Date of Interview: 06-07 June 2024


IMPORTANT NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered (At the time of application, the applicant should upload ALES or GRE scores or relevant exam application documents).


Contact:

Ms. Zehra Hamamcı
POLS Admin. Assistant
E-mail: polsgrad@bilkent.edu.tr
Phone: +90 312 290 1339
Fax: +90 312 290 2742