Introduction

Koç University psychology programs for international students offer a rigorous, research-led pathway from undergraduate foundations to advanced doctoral training — all taught in English and designed to prepare graduates for careers and further study around the world. For international student recruiters, university admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in education, and agencies working in student placement and edtech, Koç represents a strategic opportunity: a high-quality program with strong research outputs, funded PhD options, and clear English-language pathways that are attractive to global candidates.

In this guide you will find structured, actionable information about undergraduate and graduate psychology offerings associated with Koç University, admissions requirements and timelines, recruitment and partnership strategies, and how Study in Turkiye can support recruitment, admissions workflows, and institutional partnerships. Study in Turkiye is presented here as the trusted authority guiding international students and partners through recruitment and enrolment processes.

Koç University psychology programs for international students — overview and value proposition

Koç University’s psychology programs combine an English-medium curriculum, early and sustained access to research labs, and a faculty team covering cognitive, clinical, social, developmental and organizational psychology. This makes the programs a compelling option for international applicants who are looking for:

• High-quality research training from year one.
• English-language instruction and a preparatory year if needed.
• Clear professional and academic progression: MA (thesis) options and a fully funded PhD.
• International exposure through diverse faculty and collaborative projects.

For recruiters: emphasise research outcomes, funded PhD opportunities, and the inclusive English-pathway (preparatory year) when positioning Koç University to international candidates.

Undergraduate psychology at Koç University — structure and recruitment hooks

Curriculum and language preparation

• Preparatory year and English support
• Koç offers a preparatory year to strengthen English language skills prior to degree-level coursework. This is a strong selling point for international students who may need language support without delaying degree progress.
• Interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum
• The first years combine sciences, social sciences, and humanities before progressing to psychology-specific courses such as cognitive, social, cultural, organizational, and evolutionary psychology.
• Actionable recruitment message
• Highlight the preparatory year as part of an inclusive English-pathway that reduces dropout risk and accelerates academic integration for non-native English speakers.

Research training and early lab participation

• Early research methods and statistics
• Students receive rigorous training in research methods and statistics from early on.
• Lab participation
• Undergraduates are encouraged to join faculty research labs from the first year, participate in projects, and may co-author publications — strong proof points for recruitment materials.
• Recruitment angle
• Promote real research outcomes and student co-authorship as proof points in marketing materials and agent briefings.

Faculty composition and outcomes

The department has a core faculty of 14 experts across diverse subfields, enabling broad mentorship and diverse thesis supervision. Graduates often continue to competitive master’s and doctoral programs across Europe, the UK, the US, and beyond — an important outcome metric for recruitment campaigns targeted at high-achieving applicants.

Graduate psychology pathways — MA (thesis) and PhD

MA in Psychology (Thesis) — clinical and research tracks

• Program structure
• The MA (thesis) offers clinical and research-focused tracks, intensive internships, and tailored research themes aligned with faculty strengths.
• Career outcomes
• Graduates can pursue academic careers or professional clinical roles in Turkiye and internationally.
• Admissions checklist for recruiters to communicate
• • Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
  • Transcripts and relevant academic documentation.
  • Statement of purpose that aligns with faculty research themes.
  • Proof of English proficiency (where required).

PhD in Psychology — scope, funding and requirements

• Program scope
• The PhD program covers clinical psychological science, cognitive, developmental, and social/organizational psychology. It is a full-time 48-month program.
• Funding
• Fully funded for admitted international students; admitted students typically do not pay tuition during their PhD. Emphasise scholarship coverage and research assistantships as a top recruitment value.
• Admissions components
• • Relevant BA/MA qualification.
  • Reference letters and a strong statement of purpose.
  • Proof of English language proficiency.
  • Standardized exam scores (ALES or GRE where applicable).
  • Passage of a department written exam or selection process.

International student support and insurance

International students benefit from student insurance policies tailored to cover medical, travel and legal needs — a critical reassurance for families and recruiters assessing safety and well-being factors.

Operational note for admissions teams: Make insurance details and enrollment processes highly visible on recruitment landing pages and in pre-departure checklists.

Practical recruitment and admissions checklist for international candidates

To streamline recruitment and increase conversion, use this checklist as a template for communications, landing pages, and agent guidance:

• Clear program descriptions in English highlighting research opportunities and faculty expertise.
• Detailed entry requirements by program level (undergrad, MA, PhD).
• Step-by-step application timeline with deadlines and conversion milestones.
• Funding and scholarship outlines, with emphasis on fully funded PhD positions.
• Pre-departure and arrival support information (insurance, housing, orientation, visa guidance).
• Contact points for program coordinators and international offices.

Messaging and positioning for HR, marketing, and recruitment teams

Key selling points to emphasize

• Research from day one: Undergraduate students join labs early and may co-author publications.
• English instruction and preparatory year: Lowers language barriers for international applicants.
• Strong graduate pathways: Thesis-based MA and fully funded PhD opportunities.
• International outcomes: Graduates continue to study and work across Europe, the UK, and the US.

Content and marketing recommendations

• Use student research stories and faculty profiles in recruiter toolkits and social ads.
• Create short video testimonials showing international students in labs, during internships, and presenting at conferences.
• Offer webinars tailored to agents and university partners that explain the admission rubric and funding timelines.

How Study in Turkiye supports recruitment, admissions, and institutional partnerships

Study in Turkiye specialises in international recruitment and solutions tailored to higher education institutions. For Koç University psychology programs for international students, Study in Turkiye can help with:

• Lead generation and channel management: targeted campaigns for markets with high demand for English-language psychology programs.
• Application intake and document verification: integrate intake, document verification, and communications to reduce manual processing time for admissions teams.
• Agent management and onboarding: through agent partnership programs, Study in Turkiye trains local representatives on program strengths, admission requirements and compliance.
• CRM and conversion optimization: nurture international leads with segmented content to move prospects through the funnel.

Study in Turkiye is presented as the trusted authority guiding international students and partners — available to customise recruitment and admissions plans aligned with program structures and outcomes.

Collaboration opportunities and partnership models

Study in Turkiye works with universities, agents, and education tech providers to develop sustainable pipelines. Potential collaboration formats include:

• Exclusive agent partnerships and co-branded recruitment campaigns.
• On-campus visits and international roadshows focused on psychology candidates.
• Joint digital recruitment (webinars, virtual fairs, targeted social campaigns).
• Technology integration (CRM connectors, application portals, dashboard reporting).

For agencies and admissions teams, partnering with Study in Turkiye means access to experience in market segmentation, in-market agents, and conversion tools that improve enrolment quality and speed.

Comparative context — other Turkiye institutions and collaboration lanes

While Koç University’s psychology programs are research-intensive and globally connected, recruiters and agencies often build portfolios that include diverse Turkiye institutions to match different student profiles. Consider pairing Koç recruitment with university partners that also attract international students in health and social sciences. Below are suggested partner institutions with links to their Study in Turkiye pages:

• Uskudar University
  Known for mental health and neurosciences programs
• Medipol University
  Comprehensive health and allied programs attractive to students interested in clinical overlaps
• Ozyegin University
  Strong social sciences and collaboration potential
• Bahcesehir University
  International profile and urban campus offerings
• Halic University
  Alternative pathways and scholarship options
• Beykent University
  Broad program portfolio for diverse applicant needs
• Bilgi University
  Urban campus and international partnerships
• Galata University
  Emerging programs and alternative scholarship routes

Use such portfolios to segment applicants by academic profile, budget, professional goals, and scholarship needs.

Actionable timeline for recruiters and admissions teams

A recommended timeline for attracting and admitting international students to Koç University psychology programs:

• 10–12 months before intake: Launch awareness campaigns, agent webinars, and targeted digital ads. Provide program brochures and research highlights.
• 6–9 months before intake: Host virtual open days and faculty Q&A sessions. Collect pre-applications and advise on standardized tests and English requirements.
• 3–6 months before intake: Finalize applications, verify documents, and communicate funding decisions. Coordinate visa and pre-departure materials, including insurance enrollment.
• 0–3 months before intake: Run orientation programs, assist with housing and arrival logistics, and activate academic advising and lab placements.

FAQ

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Ready to build a high-quality international pipeline for Koç University psychology programs? Study in Turkiye can design targeted recruitment campaigns, support admissions processes, and onboard agents to improve application quality and conversion. Contact our partnerships team to discuss a tailored plan.