Graduate Admissions

APPLICATION TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS

I. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS

1.  Students holding Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BS) degrees are eligible to apply for admission to Master of Arts/Master of Science (M.A./M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs offered by the Graduate Institutes of Bogazici University. Those holding Master’s degrees (MA/MS) may apply for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs.

Applications should be submitted to the Registrar's Office during the period specified in the Academic Calendar. The number of students to be admitted and application requirements designated by each Institute are announced by the Registrar's Office on www.boun.edu.tr under Announcements.

Candidates must satisfy all application requirements; applications of those who do not meet the announced departmental requirements will not be considered. Applicants must also take Subject Competency Tests in their respective fields of study, given by the relevant Departments. Dates of Subject Competency Tests are announced on www.boun.edu.tr.

All applicants must take the Selection Examination for Academic Personnel and Graduate Studies (ALES) administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) and receive a minimum standard score of 55 in the score type required by the graduate program applied.

Those who hold a BA or BS degree and wish to apply to a PhD program must have a minimum standard ALES score of 70 in the score type required by the doctoral program applied. It should be noted that Institutes might require higher ALES scores than the minimum standard score.

Selection Examination for Academic Personnel and Graduate Studies (ALES) is administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) in May and December every year. The scores received in ALES remain valid for three years.

Candidates who apply for admission to a doctoral program no later than one semester after completion of their undergraduate education at Bogazici University or any other institution of higher education; those who have been dismissed from a graduate program and have later been readmitted to the same or any other graduate program; or those who have completed a graduate program and have been admitted to another graduate program (no later than one semester after the completion of their program) do not have to take the ALES again.

Candidates may choose to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) scores instead of ALES scores.  Higher Education Council (YÖK) resolution Number 2844-18626 dated August 24, 2005 designates the minimum acceptable GRE and GMAT scores as follows:

• A minimum score of 450 in GMAT – equivalent to 55 in ALES
• A minimum score of 500 in GMAT – equivalent to 70 in ALES
• A minimum GRE Quantitative Section score of 610 – equivalent to 55 in ALES
• A minimum GRE Quantitative Section score of 685 – equivalent to 70 in ALES

Some Graduate Institutes may require both ALES and GMAT scores.   
   
Applicants to Doctoral programs should receive a minimum score of 55 in the Inter-university Foreign Language Examination (ÜDS) or its equivalent in a foreign language test accepted by the Inter-university Board.

Language of instruction at Bogazici University is English.  Candidates wishing to start their program directly must prove their proficiency in English through an exam accepted by the University Senate before submitting their applications.  Those candidates should take any one of the tests listed below and receive the minimum acceptable score.            

Candidates who are not proficient in English or those who fail in the BU English Proficiency Test are given a Placement Test by the School of Foreign Languages. Applicants must be ranked at least as “Intermediate” for their applications to be considered. For information on the Placement Test application dates and test fee, please refer to the YADYOK webpage: http://www.yadyok.boun.edu.tr

Exemption from English Proficiency tests:

The following are exempt from English proficiency tests:

a) those who apply to the graduate program no later than two academic years after their graduation from an undergraduate program at Bogazici University;

b) Students enrolled in a Master’s degree program at Bogazici University who have been recommended by the relevant Department to apply directly to the doctoral program;

c) Those who apply for admission to a doctoral program within two academic years of their completion of a Master’s Degree program at Bogazici University.

English proficiency of candidates from countries where the official language is English is assessed by the School of Foreign Languages through an interview, or if necessary, by a written test.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TESTS

BUEPT (Bogazici University English Proficiency Test)
Minimum Score required: 60

BUEPT is administered by the Bogazici University School of Foreign Languages (YADYOK) several times a year, and the score received remains valid for two years.  Information on tests dates can be obtained directly from the School of Foreign Languages. For more information on BUEPT, please refer to http://www.yadyok.boun.edu.tr/

A Test of Written English (TWE) is also given by YADYOK on the same day as the BUEPT.  Those who have taken the TOEFL and received the acceptable minimum general score but have failed in the Writing section may apply to YADYOK Student Office with their TOEFL score report before the BUEPT to take YADYOK TWE.  Those who receive a passing grade in the YADYOK TWE are considered proficient in English.

English Language Tests that are equivalent to BUEPT:

TOEFL and IELTS are the only English Proficiency tests accepted by the Bogazici University Senate as equivalent to BUEPT.  TOEFL and IELTS scores are not valid unless certified by YADYOK.  Candidates should submit their certified test score reports with their application forms.  The results of these tests are valid for two years.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Minimum Scores required:  
TOEFL (paper-based test)         550 + TWE 4.5
TOEFL (paper-based test)         550 + YADYOK TWE Pass

TOEFL CBT (Computer-based test)  213 + TWE 4.5
TOEFL CBT (Computer-based test)  213 + YADYOK TWE Pass

TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test)         79 + TWE 24
TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test)         79 + YADYOK TWE Pass

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Minimum Score: 7.0

IELTS is administered by the British Council and the score received is valid for two years.

Applicants should have taken any one of these tests and received the minimum score specified.

2.  DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS

a) Completed application form with photograph attached;

b) A certified photocopy of the candidate’s diploma or a letter certifying graduation;

c)Official transcript from the University/Institute of Higher Education showing all courses taken and grades received;

d) An official document indicating the applicant's disciplinary record at the university from which he or she has graduated (only for applicants who have studied in Turkish universities);

e) Two reference letters;

f) Official ALES, GRE or GMAT score report (some departments may require both ALES score report and GRE or GMAT score report);

g) Proof of English proficiency (certified by YADYOK);

h) Bank receipt showing payment of the application fee,

i) Other documents specified by the relevant department (Departments determine their requirements and the number of students to be admitted at the beginning of each application period and may require other documents in addition to those above.  This information is announced on www.boun.edu.tr before the beginning of the application period).

*Note that all candidates should be successful in the science exams given by their departments to assess their knowledge in their respective fields.

II.     SPECIAL STUDENTS and EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Applications for admission as special or exchange student are made to Bogazici University International Relations Office during the designated period.  Detailed information may be obtained from www.intl.boun.edu.tr.

1) Exchange students are full time students of foreign Universities, allowed to study one or more semesters at Bogazici University in accordance with the University’s international exchange programs.  The selection, acceptance, and registration of these students as well as their course load, exemption from certain courses and their credits are processed in accordance with the rules and regulations regarding special students and exchange programs.

2) Special students are those students who are not enrolled in any diploma/degree program of Bogazici University but are allowed to attend certain courses in accordance with criteria determined by Graduate Institutes. The following rules apply to special students:

a) Special students do not receive a diploma or a degree; however, they are issued a document by the Registrar’s office indicating the courses they have attended and the grades they have received.

b) Grades or credits received by special students are not accepted by any graduate program of the University.

c) To enroll in courses, special students are required to meet the financial requirements and receive approval from the department in which they will study.  Registration of special students is made following approval of the Executive Committee of the relevant Institute.

d) Special student applications can be processed only if:

i.the Institute and program applied has the necessary conditions;

ii. the candidate presents proof of his proficiency in English as stated in these regulations;

iii. the candidate has received an undergraduate degree or is a senior student in an undergraduate program;

iv. the candidate has not been expelled from any university or institution of higher education for disciplinary reasons.

e) Special student applications are reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee of the relevant Institution, in consultation with the relevant department.

Documents should be submitted and inquiries concerning application and admission should be addressed to:

Bogazici University
Registrar's Office (Kayit Isleri Sube Mudurlugu)
34342 Bebek
Istanbul - TURKEY
Tel: +90-212-359 4408 or 359 7088
Fax: +90-212-287 0943
e-mail: registr@boun.edu.tr

Documents submitted with the application forms will not be returned to applicants.

Bogazici University Home Page: http://www.boun.edu.tr/