Political science and public relations in Turkey: the short answer
Turkish universities do not usually run a single degree titled Political Science and Public Relations. Applicants who want both fields combine two established programmes: Political Science and Public Administration (a social-science degree about government and policy) and Public Relations and Advertising (a communication degree), often through a double major or minor. For 2026–27, İstanbul Medipol University lists Political Science and Public Administration in English at $4 500 a year and Public Relations and Advertising in English at $4 500, which makes it a practical place to combine the two.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Degree structure | One 4-year major plus a second major or minor in the other field |
| Politics side | Political Science and Public Administration, or Political Science and International Relations |
| Communication side | Public Relations and Advertising, or Public Relations and Publicity |
| Teaching language | English or Turkish, depending on university and programme |
| Published tuition, 2026–27 | $4 500–$12 000 a year at the universities in our table |
| Typical careers | Political communication, public affairs, campaign and government relations roles |
Decide which side is your core. A politics degree with a PR minor leads towards policy analysis and public affairs; a PR degree with a political-science minor leads towards campaign communication and corporate reputation work. The diploma title will show the major.
What you study
In the politics major you study political theory, Turkish and comparative politics, public administration, public policy and research methods. In the communication major you study communication theory, media relations, campaign planning, crisis communication and digital PR. Double-major students take the core of both, so plan the timetable with an adviser from the first year.
- Introduction to political science
- Introduction to communication
- Principles of economics
- Academic writing
- Public administration and policy
- Public relations principles and writing
- Constitutional law
- Media and society
- Political communication
- Campaign planning and public opinion research
- Local government and governance
- Crisis communication
- Public affairs and lobbying ethics
- Digital PR and social-media strategy
- Research seminar
- Internship with an agency, NGO or public body
A good fit if you
- care about politics and want to work on how policies are communicated;
- write and speak persuasively;
- can handle a heavier timetable for a double major or minor.
Consider another route if you
- want only one field in depth, where a single PSIR or PR degree is simpler;
- need a vocational licence, which neither field offers;
- expect a named “political PR” diploma, which Turkish universities rarely issue.
Entry requirements for international applicants
You apply to one major; the second major or minor is added later under university rules.
- School certificate and transcript. Private universities admit mainly on school results; the Ministry of National Education issues the equivalence certificate (denklik) after admission.
- Exams. SAT or TR-YÖS are optional at many private universities and required at most state ones.
- Language. An accepted English score or the university’s exam for English tracks; a Turkish certificate or preparatory year for Turkish tracks.
- Double major or minor. Universities usually open it from the second or third semester and require a minimum grade point average in the first major.
The university decides admission, double-major and minor approval; the Presidency of Migration Management decides the student residence permit.
How to choose your route
Compare the combination, not just one programme.
| Question | Politics major + PR minor | PR major + politics minor |
|---|---|---|
| Main skills | Policy analysis, research, public administration | Campaigns, media relations, reputation management |
| Typical first jobs | Public affairs, NGOs, think tanks, local government | PR agencies, corporate communication, campaign teams |
| Diploma title | Political Science and Public Administration | Public Relations and Advertising |
| Graduate options | Public policy, political science, IR | Communication, marketing communication |
Ask each university whether a double major between the two faculties is allowed for international students and whether the courses are offered in the same language.
Universities offering Political Science and Public Relations
Programmes that make up the politics and PR combination. Bachelor's fees are annual list prices.
| University | Degree | Language | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medipol University Political Science and Public Administration | Bachelor | English | $4 500/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Medipol University Public Relations and Advertising | Bachelor | English | $4 500/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Medipol University Political Science and Public Administration | Bachelor | Turkish | $6 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Istinye University Political Science and Public Administration | Bachelor | Turkish | $8 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Bilgi University Political Science and Public Administration | Bachelor | English | $12 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Bilgi University Public Relations and Publicity | Bachelor | English | $12 000/yr (2026–27) · fee source |
| Nisantasi University Political Science and Public Administration | Bachelor | Turkish | Fee on request · application portal (academic year not stated) |
| Bahcesehir University Standard fee for BAU PhD programmes | PhD | English | $40 000 whole programme (2026–27) · fee source |
Medipol also publishes advance-payment prices 10% below its list fees. Fees were checked on 29 September 2026.
Careers in politics and communication
Graduates with both fields work in public-affairs and government-relations teams, political and issue campaigns, communication offices of ministries, municipalities and international organisations, NGOs and advocacy groups, PR and public-opinion research agencies, and media. The combination is valued wherever an organisation must explain policy to the public or influence it lawfully.
Public-sector jobs are governed by each country’s civil-service rules and often require citizenship, while agency and NGO work is open to foreign graduates with a work permit. A master’s in political communication, public policy or communication management sharpens the profile.
Political science and public relations in Turkey: questions applicants ask
Rarely under that exact title. Most students combine Political Science and Public Administration with Public Relations through a double major or minor.
Medipol lists both Political Science and Public Administration and Public Relations and Advertising in English at $4 500 a year for 2026–27; Bilgi lists English-taught programmes in both fields at $12 000.
Our table shows $4 500–$12 000 a year for 2026–27, depending on university and language.
It adds courses each semester and usually requires a minimum grade average, but it produces two diplomas or a clear minor on your transcript.
Choose politics if you want policy and public-administration roles; choose public relations if you want campaigns, media and reputation work.
Programme comparison, eligibility checks, document preparation and application follow-up are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The university decides admission and double-major approval.
Want to combine politics and communication in Turkey?
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. A personal strategy, requirement checks, selection of agreed options, document preparation, applications, and support are provided under an agreement with StudyU.
Official sources
- YÖK Atlas: official program catalogue — program availability, institution and stated language of instruction. International quotas and tuition require the university's own current source.
- YÖK: official international-student information — the official university search route and general international-student guidance. The chosen university still owns its admission requirements.
- ÖSYM: official TR-YÖS exam (2026) — the official calendar and application route for TR-YÖS/1 in 2026. Each university publishes whether the result is required for the selected program.
Tuition figures come from the universities’ own fee lists for international students: İstanbul Medipol University: 2026–2027 tuition fee list (PDF); İstinye University: quotas and tuition fees for 2026–2027 entrants; İstanbul Bilgi University: 2026–2027 tuition and fees; Nişantaşı University: international brochure (PDF); Bahçeşehir University (BAU): 2026–2027 tuition fees. Where a list is available online, the fee cell in the table links to it. All fees are published in US dollars, so no currency conversion was applied. Fees were checked on 29 September 2026; confirm language, curriculum, quota and tuition with the university for your intake before paying.
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