International Relations

My name is Özden Zeynep OKTAV, and I have been working as a professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University for the past seven years. For the last three years, I have served as the head of the International Relations Department. Our department offers two programs: a master's program and a doctorate program, both conducted in Turkish. The number of available slots for these programs varies each year, and sometimes we open additional slots during interim periods, typically around January. We provide a wide range of elective courses in our programs, aiming to guide our students towards specialization in their desired field. Alongside the elective courses, we have certain mandatory courses, such as Turkish foreign policy, international relations theories, and seminar courses. In our doctoral program, we encourage our students to give presentations, write essays, and undertake projects. As our doctoral program aims to cultivate students' identity as academicians, the courses are primarily conducted through teacher guidance and consultation while allowing students to take initiative. Both our master's and doctoral programs require students to write a thesis. These theses are extensive and demanding, and we place great emphasis on the specialization of our students, particularly within the doctoral program. The application requirements for the master's and doctoral programs differ. For the master's program, applicants must obtain a minimum of 65 points in the foreign language exam, while the doctoral program requires a minimum of 70 points. Additionally, admission to both programs often involves an oral examination, although this format may vary over time. There could be a combination of written and oral exams. It's important to note that the number of available slots for both programs can fluctuate.
In the doctoral program, we intentionally limit the number of available slots to provide a more personalized and boutique education. As our students frequently emphasize, one of the distinguishing features of our department is the easy accessibility of our teachers. Students can readily reach out to their professors for guidance and support. Our master's and doctoral programs offer a wide range of courses, with a mix of electives and compulsory subjects such as Turkish foreign policy, international relations theories, and seminar courses. However, we place a special emphasis on specialization within the doctoral program. Istanbul Medeniyet University, particularly the Faculty of Political Sciences, benefits from its central location in Istanbul. As social scientists, we value our students' engagement in social activities, and being situated in the heart of the city gives us an advantage. Medeniyet University is easily accessible and enjoys a central position, which sets it apart from many other universities in Istanbul. Our department actively participates in the ERASMUS program, and the number of students going abroad has been steadily increasing. We have been expanding our agreements with universities in Europe over time. Not only within the ERASMUS framework, but also generally, we have a significant number of international students in our undergraduate and graduate programs. This year, the number of foreign students, especially in the graduate school, has been remarkably high. The ERASMUS program continues to grow within our department. The career paths of our master's and doctoral graduates typically lead them to non-governmental organizations, think tanks, foreign affairs, and bureaucracy. However, many students who complete their doctoral programs choose to pursue careers in academia. We have numerous successful graduates who have embarked on post-doctoral academic positions in reputable universities both within the country and abroad. When selecting our programs, applicants have specific criteria in mind. Some students prefer our department because we have professors working in their desired fields. Whether it is the study of the Middle East, China's foreign policy, or theory, our students choose our program based on the expertise of our faculty members. We encourage students to conduct literature reviews and preliminary studies in their chosen areas of interest before applying. We seek out students who demonstrate dedication, diligence, and a commitment to quality work. Furthermore, a significant number of our faculty members are proficient in foreign languages. While the language of instruction is Turkish, our resources are predominantly in English. As a result, students with strong English skills often choose our department, as it provides them with easy access to international opportunities. We wish you success in your exams and look forward to welcoming you to Istanbul Medeniyet University.