International Relations at Koç: Admission, Fees & Aid 2026

Political events cannot be understood through breaking news alone. Behind every international crisis are economic interests, history, law, alliances, and political decisions. This is the space that students of International Relations at Koç University begin exploring from their first years of study. The program examines the world from political, economic, and social perspectives and gives students room to explore topics such as foreign policy, international political economy, international law, and comparative politics.

In this guide from Directly, we take you through the program details, tuition fees, admission requirements, scholarships, career opportunities, and registration process.

What Is International Relations at Koç University?

The Bachelor’s in International Relations at Koç University is offered through the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics, and graduates receive a BA in International Relations. Students study relations between states, organizations, and societies, with particular attention to the forces that shape the international system and the political and economic decisions made within it.

The nature of the major becomes even clearer through its courses. Students move between comparative politics, international relations, economics, law, and foreign policy before choosing courses that are closer to their interests during the advanced years.

Why Study International Relations at Koç University?

International Relations students need more than knowledge of countries and organizations. They need to read a political event, understand its economic and historical background, distinguish between opinion and argument, and then present their analysis in writing or verbally.

This closely reflects how the Department of International Relations describes its graduates. The program focuses on developing problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, writing, communication, and an understanding of political and economic issues within an international context.

Some of the main points that stand out in the program include:

• The entire program is taught in English.
• Combining politics, economics, and law in one curriculum.
• Courses covering contemporary international issues alongside theoretical foundations.
• A wide range of elective courses.
• The opportunity to take courses from other departments within the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics.
• A suitable environment for students considering postgraduate study, international organizations, or globally oriented careers.

Read also: Koç University Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Funding and Application

What Do International Relations Students Study?

If you want to understand the true nature of the major, look at its courses. The International Relations curriculum at Koç University is not limited to diplomacy. Students study the domestic politics of states alongside international relations, economics, and law.

Courses included in the program include:

• Introduction to International Relations.
• Introduction to Comparative Politics.
• Economics.
• International Law.
• International Political Economy.
• Political Sociology.
• Politics, Identity, and Memory in Europe.
• Topics in Foreign Policy.
• Advanced elective courses in international relations and politics.

This combination is important for students who want to understand questions such as: Why would a country make an economic decision that could cause a diplomatic dispute? Or how does domestic politics affect its foreign relations? Answering such questions requires knowledge from more than one academic field.

Read also: Koç University Admission Requirements 2026: GPA, Documents and Application

Study Duration and Language of Instruction

The International Relations program at Koç University takes four years to complete, divided into eight semesters, and the language of instruction is English.

Students must meet the English proficiency requirements before beginning the academic program, depending on their situation. Those who do not meet the language requirements enter the university’s English preparatory system before moving on to courses in their major.

Studying the program in English has particular value in International Relations because students work throughout their studies with political, legal, and economic terminology that they will later encounter in research, reports, and international organizations.

Admission Requirements for International Relations

An application for International Relations at Koç University begins with the type of qualification held by the student. Koç University accepts different international and national qualifications and examinations, so the requirements vary between an SAT applicant, an IB student, an A-Level student, or a student with another national high school diploma.

The international student application generally requires:

• High school diploma or proof of enrollment in the final year.
• High school transcript.
• The academic qualification or examination used for the application.
• The required score for that qualification.
• Motivation letter.
• Required letters of recommendation.
• English language documents depending on the student’s situation.
• Activities and achievements that strengthen the application.
• A complete online application submitted within the application period.

International Relations Tuition Fees 2026

Tuition fees for international students reached USD 38,000 per year for the Fall 2025/2026 intake. Koç University introduced a new tuition schedule for the 2026–2027 academic year, so students entering in 2026 should rely on the amount stated in their university admission offer when calculating the final cost.

The cost of studying International Relations at Koç University does not end with university tuition. Students also need to include accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses in their study budget for Istanbul.

International Relations Scholarships at Koç University

International students can compete for International Relations scholarships at Koç University through undergraduate merit scholarships. Tuition scholarships are available at four levels:

• 25%.
• 50%.
• 75%.
• 100%.

New students are evaluated for merit scholarships through the same undergraduate application, so they do not need to submit a separate application for this scholarship. The decision depends on the strength of the academic profile competing during the admission cycle.

The International Relations program may also be included among undergraduate programs connected to Türkiye Scholarships opportunities at Koç University, depending on the scholarship program rules and the application year.

Read also: Koç University Application 2026: Requirements, Documents and Steps

What Can You Do with an International Relations Degree?

This question is more important than the name of the major itself. International Relations does not provide graduates with one ready-made job titled “International Relations Specialist.” Students build their career direction during university through language skills, internships, elective courses, and the experience they gain.

Thanks to the writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills targeted by the program, graduates can develop careers in areas such as:

• International organizations.
• Non-governmental organizations.
• Government relations.
• International trade and relations within companies.
• Political research.
• Research centers and think tanks.
• Public policy analysis.
• Media and political journalism after gaining the required professional skills.
• Consulting.
• International affairs departments.
• Business and international market development.
• Postgraduate study and academic careers.

Diplomatic careers, however, depend on recruitment requirements, competitive examinations, and the regulations set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant government authority in each country. Therefore, an International Relations degree alone does not make its holder a diplomat.

Future of International Relations in Turkey

Turkey provides an interesting academic environment for International Relations students because it is politically and economically connected to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Black Sea region. Istanbul also hosts extensive activity involving companies, international institutions, and research centers.

However, the professional value of the degree depends greatly on what students add to it. Strong English skills are essential, while learning a second language can expand career options. Research, writing, data analysis, and internship experience in institutions and companies can also be highly valuable.

Therefore, if your career goal is clear during university, you can direct your courses and activities toward politics, international economics, the private sector, or international organizations instead of completing the four-year program without a defined professional path.

Read also: Why Study Economics at Koç University?

How to Apply for International Relations at Koç University

You can organize your application for International Relations at Koç University into simple stages, but the most important step comes before opening the application form: choose the academic qualification you want to use for admission.

After that:

• Select BA International Relations.
• Determine the diploma or examination you will use.
• Review the required score for your qualification.
• Prepare your high school diploma and transcript.
• Prepare the language documents required for your situation.
• Write your motivation letter.
• Prepare the information required for your recommendation letters.
• Add your important achievements and activities.
• Review the entire application before submission.
• Follow your admission and scholarship decision through your university account.

The Fall 2026 admission cycle included early, regular, and late application periods. Students who did not apply during that cycle need to follow the opening of the next admission cycle through the university’s admission portal.

Study International Relations with Directly

You may already know that you want to study International Relations, but the more difficult questions appear when preparing your application: Which qualification should you use? Are your grades competitive enough for Koç University? And is your profile strong enough to target a scholarship?

This is where Directly can support you. We first review your academic situation and then organize your admission steps according to your actual profile rather than giving general advice that may not suit your case.

With us, you can:

• Understand whether your qualification meets Koç University requirements.
• Review your grades and academic examinations.
• Organize your admission application documents.
• Understand tuition fees and scholarship options.
• Follow the registration steps.
• Learn what you need to do after receiving admission.
• Receive follow-up support in Arabic.

If International Relations is the major around which you want to build your future, send your diploma and grades to the Directly team via WhatsApp.

We will review your profile and explain the application path to Koç University.