Online Application
As you prepare to apply, please read these pages carefully. Applicants also are strongly urged to visit the websites of the departments to which they are applying, as those sites offer detailed information about those departments graduate program requirements.
Requesting Information
Requests for information about the Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities may be submitted to gsssh@ku.edu.tr
The Application
Use the online application to apply.
In general, applicants are responsible for submitting the following:
Statement of Purpose
Required for all applicants except LL.M Programs.
It should not exceed 2,000 words focusing on the following questions:
• Why do you apply to Koç University?
• Why do you apply to the particular program?
• What are your career objectives?
• What are your research interests? Are there any faculty members you particularly would like to work with? Why?
Letters of Recommendation
The Graduate School requires two letters of recommendation for MA applications and three for PhD applications. (LL.M. Program applicants are not required to submit reference letters). Recommendation letters 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* and must be in English.
Transcripts
All applicants are required to submit their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. You must upload your transcripts directly to the system. Please visit Program’s website to see the minimum GPA required.
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. Applicants who have attended international institutions must submit transcripts or certified attestations of study, with certified English translations.
*Please visit Program’s website to see the minimum GPA required for application.
GRE or ALES
All MA and PhD applicants must have their results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE-for foreign applicants) or ALES (Akademik Lisansüstü Eğitim Sınavı-for native applicants)General Test.
You need to 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. You may submit your application without ALES/GRE score, however we strongly urge you to provide your official scores before application deadline.
We do accept applications without ALES/GRE scores. However, you must submit these scores as soon as they are announced.
You can upload your GRE scores online and send the original copies to Koç University. Our University code is 0668.
*Please visit Program’s website to see the minimum scores required
TOEFL or (e-)YDS or YÖKDİL
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate an adequate command of both spoken and written English, and they are required to submit English proficiency test scores as part of their application. We recognize internet-based test (IBT) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), YDS, e-YDS and YÖKDİL.
Applicants whose native language is not English must take one of these exams and upload the scores directly to the system. If your scores are not available at the time of the application, you will be able to leave these spaces empty.
You may submit your application without a language proficiency exam score, however we strongly urge you to provide your official scores before application deadline.
You can upload your TOEFL scores online and send the original copies to Koç University. Our University code is 0668.
Language Proficiency Information/Minimum Scores
TOEFL (IBT): 80/120
YDS: 80 (For Turkish Applicants)
e-YDS: 80 (For Turkish Applicants)
YÖKDİL: 80 (For Turkish Applicants)
