ARHA Ph.D. Program

Application Requirements

For the ARHA Ph.D. program, we are looking for students with a strong academic record, enthusiasm for learning, and high potential for scholarly research and teaching in the fields of archaeology, history of art, or cultural heritage management and museum studies. An undergraduate or Masters degree in archaeology, history of art, classics, history, architecture or a related field is preferred. Both Turkish students and foreign students are encouraged to apply and both are eligible for our scholarship and fellowship packages. 

Apply

A standard applicant should have the following components:​

1.Transcripts (B.A. and M.A. when applicable)
You must have a minimum 3.00 GPA

2. GRE or ALES

3. English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or YDS/e-YDS or YÖKDİL/e-YÖKDİL)

4. Statement of Purpose

5. Writing Sample

6. Recommendation Letters

7. Interviews

Minimum Required Scores for Admission:

Minimum Required Scores for Admission to ARHA PhD Program
Scores With a BA With an MA
ALES (Equally Weighted) 80 70
GRE (Quantitative) 156 153
TOEFL IBT 80 80
YDS/e-YDS 80 80
YÖKDİL/e-YÖKDİL 80 80

Statement of Purpose

In addition to telling us about your academic background, tell us in detail which topics you would like to study and research while at Koç University. This should be a professional statement focused on the academic aspects of your interests.

Writing Sample

The writing sample should be at least eight pages. Common submissions are a research paper, a chapter from your M.A. thesis, or an article. Because all coursework in ARHA is in English, English is the preferred language for the submitted writing sample.

Letters of Recommendation

Three recommendation letters are required for Ph.D. applications. These must be submitted by the deadline.

Transcripts

  • You must have a minimum 3.00 GPA to apply for PhD programs.
  • 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.

GRE/ALES

  • Applicants to 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.
  • 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.
  • We do accept applications without ALES/GRE scores. However, you must submit your scores as soon as they are announced.

English Proficiency Exam

  • All applicants whose native language is not English must have their results from one of the following exams:
    • TOEFL IBT
    • YDS or e-YDS
    • YÖKDİL or e-YÖKDİL
  • 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.
  • We do accept applications without English proficiency exam scores. However, you must submit your scores as soon as they are announced.

Interview

  • A short list of candidates will be invited for an interview, either in person or online.
  • There will be short readings given prior to the interviews. Applicants will be asked to discuss one or two of these readings during the interview.
Degree Requirements

ARHA PhD Program

2 Required Theory/Method Courses

Students are required to choose 2 Theory/Method courses from a pool of 6 courses offered in a 4-semester period.  These courses cover ARHA’s range of areas, disciplines, and temporal periods:

  • ARHA 506 or 507: Archaeological Methods and Theory I or II
  • ARHA 508: Advanced Historiography and Theory of Art History
  • ARHA 509: Modern Historiography of the Late Antique /Byzantine Worlds
  • ARHA 504 or 505: Museum Studies & Cultural Heritage Management I or II
4 Area Electives at 500+ level
  • ARHA 610: Advanced Doctoral Thesis Seminar
ARHA 540: Field Studies or Internship

For our current foreign language degree requirements, please click here.

In consultation with and with approval of student’s advisor.

ARHA 695: PhD Thesis
KOLT 500
TEACH 500
ENGL 500
ETRH 500