Master's in International Relations in Türkiye: Tuition (2026)

Few places put international relations into sharper focus than Türkiye, a country that sits between Europe, the Middle East and Asia and plays an outsized role in regional diplomacy. Our catalogue lists 69 international relations master’s programs at 34 universities, with tuition from roughly €1,250 to $14,000 a year and a strong choice of English-taught options. Here is what you can study, where, and what it costs.

Why study international relations in Türkiye

Türkiye is a NATO member, an EU candidate and a regional power, which makes it an unusually relevant place to study diplomacy, security and global politics. Universities run active research centres, host international students from dozens of countries, and many teach the degree fully in English. Tuition and living costs are far lower than comparable programs in Western Europe or North America.

What you will study

The field appears in our catalogue under a few related names:

• International Relations
• Political Science and International Relations, the most common track
• Global Politics and International Relations
• Specialised options such as International Relations and Intelligence Studies and International Relations and Terrorism Research

Core themes include international politics theory, foreign policy analysis, security and strategy, international law and organisations, and regional studies. Most programs run between 1.5 and 2 years with a thesis or non-thesis track.

English-taught or Turkish-taught?

This is one of the easiest social-science fields to study in English here: 25 of the 34 universities offer an English-taught option. Affordable examples include Fenerbahce University ($2,250), Istanbul Gedik University ($2,875) and Istanbul Esenyurt University ($3,500), while Near East University in Northern Cyprus starts from about €1,254 a year. The rest are taught in Turkish, with a one-year Turkish preparatory year available if you need it.

Universities offering a Master’s in International Relations

Tuition is per year, and ranges reflect the difference between non-thesis and thesis tracks. Click any university to open its full profile.

How much does it cost?

Tuition runs from about €1,250 a year at Near East University in Northern Cyprus to $14,000 a year at the most premium schools in Istanbul. Most universities sit between $2,500 and $5,500 a year, which makes this one of the most affordable ways to take an international relations master’s taught in English. Add roughly $400 to $700 a month for living costs. Sibling and cash-payment discounts can lower the price; you will find them in our programs explorer, and our scholarships and tuition guide explains the rest.

Thesis or non-thesis?

A thesis master’s includes original research and is the right path if you might continue to a PhD or aim for a research or academic career. A non-thesis master’s is shorter and more applied, a good fit for diplomacy, NGO, journalism or analyst roles. The price gap between the two is usually small.

Which city is right for you?

Most programs are in Istanbul, with further options in Izmir, Gaziantep and Antalya, and several English-taught choices in Northern Cyprus. If you are weighing your options, our post on choosing the right university and major can help.

How to apply

You will need your bachelor’s degree and transcript, a copy of your passport, and, for English-taught programs, proof of English such as IELTS or TOEFL, though many universities accept their own placement test instead. Start two to three months before your intake; the full process is in our Study in Türkiye guide.

Want help finding the right program for your goals? Book a free consultation and we will match you to the universities that fit you best.