The Department of International Relations at Bilkent University is one of Türkiye’s established centers for the study of international relations. Since its foundation in 1987, the Department has built a strong national and international reputation for excellence in research and teaching.
Our faculty constitute a diverse and internationally engaged academic community. Their research and teaching cover the major fields of International Relations, including international relations theory, international security, foreign policy analysis, international political economy, conflict studies, international history, international law, international organizations, and area studies. The Department is committed to theoretical and methodological pluralism and encourages students to approach international politics from different perspectives.
Undergraduate Education
Our BA program provides students with a broad foundation in the study of international politics while allowing them to develop expertise in areas that reflect their interests. The curriculum combines compulsory courses including international relations theory, international political economy, international law, foreign policy analysis, and research methods with a wide range of electives on contemporary international issues and different regions of the world.
Students are encouraged to develop analytical, research, writing, and communication skills throughout their studies. They also benefit from the broader interdisciplinary environment of Bilkent University and have opportunities to study foreign languages and take courses in related fields.
International experience is an important component of undergraduate education. Through Bilkent University’s extensive network of exchange agreements, our students can spend a semester or academic year at partner universities abroad. The Department also welcomes international exchange students, contributing to the diverse academic environment of Bilkent IR.
Graduate Education
The Department offers MA and PhD programs in International Relations. Both programs combine advanced training in the discipline with close interaction between graduate students and faculty.
Our MA program provides rigorous theoretical and methodological training and prepares students for both academic and professional careers. Many of our MA graduates continue their education in leading PhD programs in Türkiye, Europe, and North America, while others pursue careers in government, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.
Our PhD program prepares students to conduct original research and contribute to international scholarship in International Relations. Graduates of the program have pursued academic and professional careers at universities and other prominent institutions in Türkiye and around the world.
Research and Academic Community
Research is at the heart of the Department’s academic identity. Faculty members publish with leading international journals and academic presses, participate in international research networks, and contribute to scholarly and public debates on major issues in international politics.
Students at all levels benefit from this research environment through courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, visiting speakers, and interaction with faculty. The Department seeks to provide an intellectually demanding but supportive environment in which students can develop independent and critical approaches to the study of international affairs.
What distinguishes Bilkent International Relations is the combination of disciplinary breadth with a strong culture of intellectual pluralism. Students encounter different theoretical traditions, methodological approaches, and perspectives on international politics while receiving rigorous training in the core areas of the discipline. Close interaction between students and an internationally engaged faculty connects teaching with ongoing research and debate. This combination of breadth, rigor, and intellectual openness has shaped Bilkent IR since its foundation and continues to define the Department today.