The Department of International Relations was established by Altınbaş University with the aim to educate national and global leaders of the future equipped with a strong intellectual background in the field of international relations, create and disseminate knowledge, and serve its constituents and the society at large in an international academic environment fostering integrity, respect and participation. The first group of students graduated in 2016. There are three ongoing undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the Department: Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (English), Political Science and International Relations Master’s Program (Turkish and English), and a MSc-PHD joint program (Turkish, English).

• The aim of the Undergraduate Programme of the Department of International Relations at Altınbaş University is to provide students with the ability to understand the theories and concepts of international relations and to gain the ability to make the necessary theoretical and practical applications; to gain a holistic perspective and interpretation knowledge and skills by establishing links between international relations and disciplines such as political science, economics, law, history, sociology; to gain the ability to analyse the actors and dynamics of the international system from a critical perspective; to comprehend the ethical and legal dimension of international relations and to contribute to the solution of problems in the world in this context.

• Altınbaş University Department of International Relations Undergraduate Programme aims to educate graduates who have interdisciplinary knowledge, can conduct qualitative and quantitative research, have developed foreign language knowledge and skills, have the ability to critically approach and analyse issues in the field, have developed communication and presentation skills, and are equipped to pursue a career in diplomacy, public sector, international organisations and private sector.

Students who complete this program successfully are granted a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in International Relations.

This program is at Bachelor’s level (Level 6).

Social and Behavioural Science

Enrollment of students in programs at Bachelor’s and vocational degree levels in Turkey is done according to the results of a centrally organized two-stage exam (YGS and LYS) according to the Higher Education Act. Center for Student Selection and Placement (ÖSYM) places students into programs they desire to study according to their scores in the central placement exam and high school scores.

Recognition of prior learning is subject to the framework bylaws at national level set by Council of Higher Education and to the related bylaws of Altınbaş University. Transfer of students among programs within the university is done according to quotas determined by the executive councils of the respective schools. Quotas are determined by the relevant executive councils as a percentage of the total quotas specified in ÖSYM Guide every year. Transfer quotas among programs within the university together with minimum scores and other requirements are announced at the university web page for a certain period of time before the application deadline. In order to be able to transfer to a department with a different type of central placement exam score, the score of the applicant in the central placement exam should be equal to or higher than the minimum national placement score in the department to which she is applying. For the transfer of students among programs within the university where placement is done by special exams, applicants should be successful in the special exam aside from fulfilling other requirements. Students who complete vocational school programs and the open university programs may apply for horizontal transfer to Bachelor’s programs. Students who are graduates of or at the last year of study at vocational schools at the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and graduates of schools abroad whose equivalency is accepted in Turkey may apply for horizontal transfer to bachelor’s programs. Graduates and the last year students at vocational schools who admit students by the central placement exam or by special exams should take the DGS exam in order to transfer horizontally to bachelor’s programs. Transfer of students horizontally to bachelor’s programs that admit students with special exams is also centrally processed.

Students must obtain a grade point average of at least 2.00 out of 4.00 and successfully pass all courses on the programme (equivalent to a total of 240 ECTS).

The Department of International Relations at the School of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences at Altınbaş University carries out a 4-year program to educate its students as innovative and entrepreneurial graduates in their field with advanced knowledge and communication skills. The program is composed of one-year of basic compulsory courses on social sciences. Second, third and fourth years are mainly devoted to International Relations theories, institutions, debates, and regional, area studies such as the European Union and the Middle East studies. Students choose from different elective courses, which allows students to focus on particular areas/topics.

The graduates of this program work as international relations experts in the public sector –such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry for European Union Affairs– and in the private sector, including banking, media, research institutes, civil society organizations and in various departments of private companies (such as Human Resources Department), among others. The graduates of this program are equipped with fundamental and technical knowledge and communication skills, foreign language skills, teamwork skills in order to be able to work in these areas.

Students who graduate from this program may apply for studying at programs at graduate level.

Students must obtain a grade point average of at least 2.00 out of 4.00 and successfully pass all courses on the programme (equivalent to a total of 240 ECTS).

Full time

Students at the Department of International Relations at the School of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Altınbaş University meet with the realities of the business world and meet with the leading academics and professionals in the field and increase their experience through international and national activities, seminars, conferences, elective courses and Erasmus exchange program.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahadır Kaynak (Head of Department) Altınbaş University Gayrettepe Campus Büyükdere caddesi, No: 147 Esentepe / İstanbul E-mail: bahadir.kaynak@altinbas.edu.tr Phone: 0 212 604 01 00

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. FULYA AKSU
• Assist. Prof. Dr. MEHMET TURAN ÇAĞLAR
• Research Assist. BUSE BAYLAR
• Research Assist. GİZEM EZGİ GÜLER