Istanbul Medeniyet University’s Institute of Graduate Studies offers internationally oriented M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Ottoman Studies. These programs provide students with a challenging academic environment focused on the study of the Ottoman Empire as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious entity that extended far beyond the borders of modern-day Turkey. The programs aim to equip students for distinguished careers in the Arts and Humanities.
The M.A. program consists of coursework and a thesis, designed to be completed within two years of full-time study. The Ph.D. program includes coursework, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation, and is designed to be completed in four years of full-time study.
Both programs place a strong emphasis on the Ottoman Empire’s role in world history and actively encourage research that transcends national boundaries. Special consideration is given to applicants from regions with shared Ottoman heritage. Students from these regions are encouraged to focus their research on local topics, drawing on both regional sources and archival materials in Istanbul.
Through this approach, the program fosters a collaborative intellectual space in which the Ottoman past is studied as a shared historical experience—from the late Middle Ages to the early twentieth century. This framework promotes a critical reevaluation of nation-state-centric narratives, opening up possibilities for alternative histories and contributing to more balanced representations of the Ottoman era in the national histories of post-Ottoman societies.
