The aim of History MA program is to provide an opportunity for all undergraduate students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds to acquire a solid academic basis on Ottoman and modern Turkish history. Students aiming to further their academic studies towards a PhD degree in the history of the Ottoman Empire, the Balkans or the Middle East, are strongly encouraged to select the MA program with thesis. Students planning to continue their research in areas other than history have the possibility to select the non-thesis MA program.

The normal duration of the program is two years (four semesters), while students can be enrolled for a maximum of three years (six semesters). This does not include the seven-week Summer Terms offered by approval of the Academic Council; nor does it cover term-leaves of absence. Students have to take and pass a minimum of 11 courses overall (including 9 courses for credit, plus a non-credit Pro-Seminar, as well as the also non-credit MA Thesis course). In addition, within the framework of the said MA Thesis course, they are expected to research and write an MA thesis of around 70 pages on a previously submitted and approved topic.

Any student who has successfully completed his/her coursework within the usual four semesters, but who needs additional thesis completion time, may, upon applying to the Social Sciences Institute, be granted a maximum of two more semesters for this purpose.