PhD

Applications for PhD in Law Programs will be open throughout the year and evaluated on a regular basis.

Ph.D. Programs in Public Law and Private Law

We are very pleased to announce that Koç University is now accepting applications for Doctoral Programs in Public Law and Private Law.

PhD in law programs offer a structured research framework in national, comparative and international legal studies with its commitment to cutting edge research. Its unique approach with strong focus on research skills and bilingual coursework (Turkish-English) prepares the candidates for sincere legal scholarship under close supervision of leading scholars in an intellectual environment dedicated to excellence in research and teaching.

Our fully funded four-year Ph.D. program is an excellent opportunity for scholars interested in pursuing doctoral studies in law.

Application Requirements

  • BA Degree from Law Department – A minimum GPA of 3,00/ 4,00
  • MA/LL.M. Degree – A minimum GPA of 3,00/4,00
  • ALES: (for native applicants) minimum 70 from EW (Equally Weighted) or GRE: Minimum 154 (Quantitative/Qualitative).
  • English Proficiency: YDS (80) / TOEFL IBT(80) *For Turkish applicants YDS test score is accepted. Equivalent test scores from The Council of Higher Education Foreign Language Examination (YÖKDİL) will also be accepted for applications made in accordance with these additional terms.
  • A research proposal (The proposal should outline the project that you wish to pursue in your PhD dissertation. It must be written in English or Turkish and must be no longer than 2500 words including footnotes, references and bibliography).
  • A letter of intent ( 1000-2000 words)
  • Successful performance in a written exam and interview
  • Applicants will only be invited to take the interview and the written exam if their research proposals are found successful by the evaluation committee.

Constitutionalism Freedom of expression

Comparative constitutional review

Women’s human rights

Parliamentary studies in comparative context

International human rights law with focus on socio-economic rights, gender equality

Presidentialism in comparative context

Law and politics

Law of Criminal Procedure General Principles of Criminal Law

Offences

Public international law projects focusing on theories and sources of international law, law on the use of force, regime interaction and interactions between sub branches of international law, Turkish approaches to international law 
International Human Rights Law Projects focusing on the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and UN Treaty bodies, comparative human rights law, margin of appreciation, the interplay between human rights law and constitutional law, reception and implementation of human rights law in domestic contexts, and backlash against International Human Rights Law. 
Private international Law, conflict of laws, international jurisdiction, international procedural law, arbitration, dispute resolution, asylum law, investment law, international transportation law, mediation 

Types of Employment Contract and Employment Obligations of the Employer throughout the Employment Contract

Protection of Women Workers

Termination of the Employment Contract with Just Cause

Severance Pay

Amicable Ways of Settlement in Collective Labour Disputes

Insurance law, maritime law, new technologies and insurance law, autonomy and insurance law, reinsurance law 

Double tax treaties Value added tax

Corporate tax

For information on the application procedure
(including questions on exam requirements and scholarships), please contact:

Graduate School of Social Sciences Coordinator Ms. Tuğçe Şatana
tsatana@ku.edu.tr
+90 212 338 18 83

Law School Academic and Administrative Coordinator Ms. Esra Özcan
esraozcan@ku.edu.tr
+90 212 338 18 85