Frequently Asked Questions
The undergraduate program in Political Science and International Relations at Yeditepe University aims to analyze current sociocultural, economic, and political dynamics on both Turkish and global scales through an interdisciplinary approach by examining political theories and practices. In the 21st-century world, where globalization is accelerating, the presence of NGOs and multinational companies alongside states in the political arena brings international relations to a different dimension. In this context, it is a priority for our department to train students who can think critically about new developments, have a strong command of global and Turkish politics, constantly renew themselves, and possess advanced foreign language skills.
The Department of Political Science and International Relations at Yeditepe University aims to contribute to society by producing professionals who can apply scientific methods, interpret the increasingly complex network of global relations with an analytical perspective, and develop new policies. In this context, our department’s interdisciplinary educational approach provides students with a comprehensive and quality program.
Our Department of Political Science and International Relations accepts students based on the Equal Weight (EA) score type.
Our Department of Political Science and International Relations, one of the undergraduate programs within the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, has a duration of four years, comprising eight semesters.
As the business environment becomes increasingly specialized in today's world, there is a growing need for employees with interdisciplinary education who can work in multiple areas simultaneously. Both public institutions and the private sector tend to employ individuals who are knowledgeable in various fields and open to self-improvement. Our department implements a curriculum that can meet these needs and provides opportunities for our students to receive education from different disciplines.
All courses in our department are taught 100% in English. However, some university-wide courses such as Civilization History and Turkish are taught in Turkish.
Our department has 14 full-time faculty members. Among them are leading figures in their fields such as Feroz Ahmad and Cemil Oktay, as well as young social scientists who stand out with their national and international publications and awards.
Our Department of Political Science and International Relations is inherently founded on an interdisciplinary understanding. The first two years of the undergraduate program are dedicated to fundamental courses in the discipline of Political Science and International Relations. From the third year onward, elective courses aimed at specialization begin. In the fourth year, students develop their intellectual accumulation and prepare for professional life through regional and elective courses aligned with their interests and goals. Thanks to our faculty members with academic expertise in specific regions, our department offers courses on the society and politics of Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States.
Yes, our students can take elective courses in foreign languages such as Spanish, German, Chinese, and Russian. Most of these language courses are taught by instructors who are native speakers of those languages.
Our students develop social responsibility projects and create awareness throughout the university within the scope of the "Social Responsibility and Political Ethics" course they take in their second year. Through this course, they gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of social responsibility. Our students have carried out projects that raise awareness about issues such as violence against women, problems faced by immigrants, and environmental issues.
Some of the social responsibility projects implemented by our students include:
- "Yeditepe Charity Run": A run organized in Belgrad Forest by our students, with all proceeds donated to the Tomurcuk Foundation. The aim of this run was to help purchase a service vehicle for children with Down syndrome.
- "Alzheimer Awareness Conference" and "Autism Awareness Conferences": Various conferences held across the university to raise awareness of different diseases.
- "Çevreada": A project focusing on increasing environmental awareness and preventing forest and sea pollution around the Islands. Activities such as forest cleanups were organized on Büyükada as part of this project.
- "Ailem Sensin": A social responsibility project aimed at raising awareness about "foster parenting," which is crucial for the future of children under state protection and care. Interviews were conducted with foster families and children benefiting from the foster care system, and awareness was raised through social media.
Our students are required to complete a 40-workday internship in order to graduate. They can complete their internships at places of their choosing. For more information on internship opportunities, we recommend contacting Prof. Dr. Cengiz Okman.
Since our department is part of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, our students have a wide variety of career opportunities. The common goal of Yeditepe University and our department is to train individuals who can work effectively both individually and in teams, have a developed sense of empathy, and are solution-oriented. We place importance on our students being socially responsible, capable of generating projects, and possessing analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Graduates with these qualities can easily find jobs in any field they desire, as they meet employers' expectations.
Our graduates work as civil servants at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or in various other institutions. Additionally, we have graduates working at international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO, both in Turkey and abroad. Graduates also have the opportunity to work in different fields such as NGOs. In the private sector, they have the chance to find jobs in various industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to automotive. Many of our graduates work in different departments such as sales, marketing, human resources, and corporate communication at national and international companies. The media sector is also frequently chosen by our graduates, with alumni working at newspapers and news channels such as Daily Sabah, CNNTürk, and TRT World. Moreover, the banking and finance sector is another field where our graduates easily find employment. Some of our graduates work at the Central Bank and in the international finance and international trade departments of private banks and audit firms. The regulation published in 2018 has also facilitated our graduates becoming administrative judges. Lastly, our graduates have the opportunity to pursue academic careers by undertaking master's and doctoral studies in Turkey or abroad. Among our students pursuing higher education abroad, there are those currently continuing their education in countries such as Sweden, the UK, Germany, Poland, and Spain. Many of our students have successfully continued their postgraduate education with scholarships.
Our graduates can become diplomats by taking the career officer exams held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have the opportunity to work within the ministry. Currently, our graduates actively work as career officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Political Science is one of the leading social sciences that fundamentally aims to develop analytical thinking, reasoning, and the ability to make comparisons. Therefore, academic education is essential for interpreting and engaging in politics.
The Career Development and Alumni Relations Directorate at our university supports students and alumni in their personal development processes and in planning the new journey that begins with their graduation, offering various suggestions and guidance to help them create their own opportunities. Experts and sector representatives are invited to the annual Career Days to guide our students in planning their future. Additionally, our curriculum is updated based on the recommendations of the advisory board members. This ensures that our students are equipped to adapt to the changing world and business environment.