An undergraduate degree in history is NOT a prerequisite for entering the M.A. program. Graduates of departments of social sciences, humanities, management, engineering, and science may apply. All students entering the graduate program in history must take one year of preparatory courses before they begin Master’s level course work.
To enter the Ph.D. program candidates are required to have completed an M.A. degree in History or a related field.
If you are interested in applying, please go to the website of Graduate Programs at Bilkent University to download the necessary documents:
http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent/gradstudents/history/
Program Information: Please follow the link
Online Application: Please submit an online application here.
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 document).
This year’s ALES exam will take place on May 10, and results are scheduled to be announced by June 5. Please ensure that you take the exam and forward your official ÖSYM result document to the department’s application email at hist@bilkent.edu.tr no later than June 7.
Requirements: These are minimum necessary scores for applying to Department of History MA & Ph.D. programs.
| SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION |
| CGPA | 2.50/4.00 |
| GRE | Obligatory for foreign students: (Verbal + Quantitative Combined for MA and PhD 299; Analytical Writing 3.5) |
| ALES |
55 (equally-weighted) ALES is required for all resident Turkish citizens who are applying for the MA and PhD programs. Turkish applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree abroad and those applicants who are not Turkish citizens may, with Institute approval, submit a GRE result in place of ALES. ALES scores are valid for 5 years. GRE scores are for 5 years. |
| English Proficiency |
For MA and PhD Programs – TOEFL IBT (at least 87), IELTS (at least 6.5 average and 5.5 from each section) or Bilkent PAE (at least C). Validity period for all exams: 2 years Validity period for all exams: 2 years If you submit IELTS or Bilkent English Proficiency Exam (PAE) results and you are applying for a PhD program, you also need to satisfy the foreign language requirement as imposed by the Inter-Universities Board (ÜAK) of Turkey. In that case, a minimum of 55 from YDS, e-YDS, YÖKDİL or its equivalents as listed by the Board, in a language other than the mother tongue must be submitted. Citizens of Turkey who plan to submit TOEFL IBT scores must take the TOEFL IBT exam at one of the test centers in public universities (YÖK requirement). |
| Proof of Degree | Yes (if already obtained) |
| Transcripts | Yes |
| Statement of Purpose | 1-2 pages |
| Letter of Recommendation | 2 |
| Other | A sample essay written in English, CV |
| Application Deadline | 15 May 2026 |
| Date of Interview | 11 June 2026 |
| Contact Person E-mail / Phone | Yeliz Aksoy yeliza@bilkent.edu.tr +90 312 290 2206 |