Program Information: Please follow the link
Application:
Please submit an online application here.
Requirements:
These are minimum necessary scores for applying to Philosophy M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
Undergraduate CGPA:
MA: Minimum 2.75 over 4.00
PhD after MA/MSc: Minimum 2.75 over 4.00 (plus CGPA of at least 3.00 for MA/MSc)
PhD after BA/BSc: Minimum 3.00 over 4.00
ALES:
MA: 65 (equally-weighted)
PhD after MA/MSc: 65 (equally-weighted)
PhD after BA/BSc: 80 (equally-weighted)
GRE:
MA: Minimum 302 points (total of verbal and quantitative exam scores), and 3.5 in the analytical writing part.
PhD after MA/MSc: Minimum 302 points (total of verbal and quantitative exam scores), and 3.5 in the analytical writing part.
PhD after BA/BSc: Minimum 312 points (total of verbal and quantitative exam scores), and 3.5 in the analytical writing part.
Turkish citizens who are resident in Turkey must provide an ALES score. Applicants who are not Turkish citizens and Turkish citizens who have completed their undergraduate degrees without enrolling in a Turkish University, may provide GRE scores instead of ALES. All other applicants must provide ALES scores to apply. ALES and GRE scores are valid for 5 years.
English Proficiency: TOEFL IBT (at least 100, with a minimum of 22 from each section), IELTS Academic Test (at least 7.0 average and 5.5 from each section) or Bilkent PAE (at least B). Validity period for all exams: 2 years
Language requirement waived for Bilkent graduates if they started their undergraduate degree with a PAE score of at least B.
Proof of Degree:
MA: Bachelor’s degree
PhD after MA/MSc: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
PhD after BA/BSc: Bachelor’s degree
Transcripts:
MA: Bachelor’s transcript [uploaded]
PhD after MA/MSc: Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts [uploaded]
PhD after BA/BSc: Bachelor’s transcript [uploaded]
Research statement: A letter in English describing your research interests, potential thesis topic(s), faculty members you are interested in working with, and your career plans (Word limit: 600 to 800 words, double-spaced).
Letters of Recommendation: Three letters [completed online by referee]
Writing sample: A sample essay in English (e.g. research paper) (Word limit: 2000-3000 words,
double-spaced) [uploaded].
Other:
All applicants: Curriculum Vitae [uploaded] PhD after MA/MSc applicants: Master’s thesis (if completed) [uploaded]
Application Deadline: Deadlines for Fall 2025-2026 Semester:-
Early application: 28 February 2025
Regular application: 15 May 2025
Date of entrance exam (if invited):
Early application (online): 25-26 March April 2025
Regular application (online): 12-13 June 2025
Date of interviews (if invited):
Early application (via Zoom): 25-26 March 2025
Regular application (via Zoom): 12-13 June 2025
Contact:
Department of Philosophy
E-mail: philgrad@bilkent.edu.tr
Phone: +90 312 290 1072/3348