Department of International Relations (MA)
Institute of Social Sciences

Department of International Relations (MA)

General Description

Foundation

Aiming to enable our students to improve their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of International Relations, and improve their skills of carrying out research, and their analytical and critical thinking skills, the Programme has been providing postgraduate education since 2008.

Degrees Offered

Students who complete the Programme will obtain the Thesis and Non-Thesis Master’s Degree.

Cycle

Second Cycle / EQF 7 (Master’s Degree)

Admission and Registration Requirements

To apply for the Thesis Master’s Degree Programme, candidates must hold a bachelor’s diploma, and submit their copy of the ALES (Academic Staff and Postgraduate Education Admission Exam) score, which must be at least 55 of the required weight (verbal or quantitative or equally weighted) by the Programme. The exam is centrally held by ÖSYM (Centre for Assessment, Selection, and Placement).

Recognition of Prior Learning

In accordance with Article 10 of the Regulation on Beykent University’s Postgraduate Education and Training, students are admitted to the programmes at Institutes through horizontal transfer provided that they meet the requirements for horizontal transfer, which are determined by the Academic Board upon the Institute Administrative Board’s decision, and the Head of the Department’s opinion. Students submit a letter of application by means of which they request to be exempt from certain courses within the same postgraduate programme of Beykent University as the courses of the postgraduate programme of another university they had enrolled in before. Their application including the course contents and transcripts will be Head of the Department, and the Board will decide which courses the students took will be awarded credits for the courses they must take within the Programme they have recently enrolled. The courses students took at the university they attended may be recognised as the elective or compulsory courses with the Institute Administrative Board’s approval.

Competence Requirements and Rules

Non-Thesis Programme: 1 and a half years, 2 terms in each year, 15 weeks in each term, 90 ECTS in total.

Thesis Programme: 3 years, 2 terms in each year, 15 weeks in each term, 120 ECTS in total.

Programme Description

The Programme aims to increase the knowledge level and skills of the students who wish to pursue an academic career in Foreign Policy and International Relations, and to specialise in these fields. Students who complete the Programme will have acquired the skills and proficiency to work as a member of academic staff at universities, or work in national and international think tanks, and pursue a diplomatic career. In addition, they will be equipped with the professional skills to work as Specialists in Foreign Policy in the public and private sector Another aim of the Programme is to cultivate the students into future graduates who will pursue interdisciplinary studies.

The courses are taught by two professors, three associate professors, an assistant professor, and a visiting faculty member with a PhD Degree. The courses take place on Beykent University’s Taksim Campus at 19.00 on weekdays. Students are offered a library from which they can benefit while they carry out academic studies, remote access to the library, and wireless network. The Programme offers a Turkish-medium education.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Improve their knowledge both in theoretical and practical areas of International Relations.
  • Approach to the concepts, theories, facts, and incidents regarding International Relations with a critical and analytical perspective.
  • Improve their knowledge of the terminology of International Relations, and their skills in using the terminology effectively.
  • Understand and analyse the current developments in the field by connecting the past with the present.
  • Choose the right tools to be used in following the agenda.
  • Identify the main problems in the field of International Relations, approach to these problems with a critical perspective, and come up with solutions to them.
  • Use their listening, comprehension, and discussion skills in the field-specific matters and other matters to ensure a communicatively effective environment.
  • Improve their leadership and collaboration skills simultaneously.
  • Increase their awareness of professional ethics.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Programme can work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other public institutions, or as lecturers at universities, in various departments of the private sector, and international institutions.