Master of Arts (M.A.) Program

The M.A. program at the Department of Psychology is designed to build a strong, interdisciplinary background in theory and research in the psychological sciences. The program focuses on cognitive, social, developmental, and neuroscience areas. Graduate students are expected to participate in research activities upon entering the program. To support psychological research, the university has developed a strong infrastructure, including state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with observation rooms for testing children and adults, testing rooms for psychophysical and behavioral experiments, meeting rooms, and graduate student offices. Additional facilities include the National Magnetic Resonance Research Center (UMRAM) with fMRI, EEG, psychophysics, and genetic testing facilities.

For areas of faculty research see the faculty section at Faculty Members.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements are announced by Bilkent University Graduate School of Economics and Social Sciences. For this year requirements are as follows:

1. Proof of Degree: A degree from a related undergraduate program.

2. CGPA: Undergraduate cumulative grade point average: minimum 2.80 over 4.00 or 70%.

3. English Proficiency:

TOEFL IBT (at least 87),
IELTS (at least 6.5 average and 5.5 from each section)
Proficiency in Academic English Exam (PAE) (at least C).
TOEFL IBT “Special Home Edition” test results will not be accepted. Citizens of Turkey must take the TOEFL IBT exam at one of the test centers in public universities (YÖK requirement). If you submit IELTS academic or Bilkent English Proficiency Exam 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, YOKDIL, or its equivalents as listed by the Board, in a language other than the mother tongue must be submitted. (TOEFL ETS CODE:0620)

*Validity period for all exams: 2 years

4. Standardized graduate examinations:

a) GRE for international students.

Minimum 302 points (total of verbal and quantitative exam scores), and 3.5 on the analytic writing.

b) ALES for Turkish citizens:

Minimum 60 (equally-weighted)

ALES is required from resident Turkish citizens who are applying for the graduate programs. Those applicants who are not Turkish citizens, and Turkish citizens who have completed their undergrad degrees without enrolling in a Turkish University may provide GRE General Test scores instead of ALES. All other applicants must provide ALES to apply the graduate school. (GRE ETS CODE:0620). ALES and GRE scores are valid for 5 years.

5. Transcript: All that are available (Undergraduate and/or Masters’ transcripts)

6. Statement of purpose: A letter describing past research experience or any other relevant experience, academic achievements, research interests, faculty members you are interested in working with, and motivations for applying for the program (Word limit: 600 to 800 words, double-spaced).

7. Letters of Recommendation: Three reference letters (completed online by the referees) to support your application.

8. Curriculum Vitae (will be uploaded to the application portal)

9. Writing Sample (Optional): A sample essay in English (e.g., senior thesis project, term paper, etc.).

Application Deadline: 15 May 2025

Date of interviews: 11 June 2025

Based on application documents, the graduate admission committee will announce the applicants who are invited for interviews.

Preparatory classes (Scientific preparation):

In cases where the applicant satisfies all requirements but lacks some fundamental knowledge about psychology, he or she can be admitted to the program conditionally. These applicants must successfully complete a preparatory class composed of undergraduate courses within two semesters (Bilkent University Graduate Regulations clause 6). Courses taken during preparatory classes are not counted toward the M.A. degree.