Summary

You will be fully integrated into Bilkent University classes and have access to all fields of instruction. All courses are in English, but you can increase your ability to interact socially with Turkish students outside of class if you study Turkish. Academic highlights include:

• Opportunities to study the archaeology of Anatolia, the Ancient Near East, the Mediterranean, as well as the history of art from the Byzantine period to the 20th century through courses offered in the Department of Archaeology and History of Art. Practical work complements lectures and you have the opportunity to participate in excavations
• Courses relating to current political and security issues in the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Central Asian Republics for students in international relations and political science
• Engineering courses that focus on artificial intelligence, database management, graphics, parallel processing, computer networks, software engineering, materials science and engineering, and thermodynamics
• Beginning Turkish for study abroad students with little or no prior study of the language; a course in Turkish culture and literature is available for students with an intermediate knowledge of Turkish

Duration

Go to Current Participants to see current or past calendars.

Fall semester: late August to mid-January
Spring semester: late January to late May
Academic year: late August to late May

Extension of EAP participation is possible from the fall to the year.

Academic Focus

Regular university courses in a wide variety of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. Archaeology and art history are particularly strong.

Use the following resources to learn about EAP courses:

• Subject Area Chart to find general areas of study.
• MyEAP Course Catalog to search for courses previously taken by UC students.
  Additional courses may be available at host institutions or program locations and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.
• Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
  • Bilkent University

Language of Instruction

English

Language Study

Two weeks of Turkish language instruction precede the fall term. Turkish language study is required for fall semester and academic year students during the fall term and for spring semester students during the spring term.

Internships, Research, and Independent Study

Independent study and internships for academic credit may be possible in this program. Arrangements are generally made at the Study Center after arrival at the host institution. Predeparture preparation may be required.

Units

You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad. Students enroll in five courses for a total of 22.5 UC quarter units per semester.

Housing

Half of Bilkent’s students live in dormitories on campus. Almost all dorms have kitchenettes, laundry facilities, TV lounges, study halls, and recreation areas. It is strongly recommended that EAP students select on-campus housing. Students live with other UC students, international students, or host country students.

On-site Support

EAP students are supported by UC’s network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of their host country and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

See the EAP Student's Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).

Host Institutions

• Bilkent University

Bilkent University, Ankara

Bilkent University enrolls over 12,000 students from 72 countries. As a major center for research and teaching, the university is home to nine faculties including Business Administration, Humanities, and Letters and Science. Instruction is in English. Founded in 1984, Bilkent is a private institution distinguished by high-quality education and research. The university’s name comes from the Turkish phrase bilim kenti, or city of knowledge. Its three campuses are located about 12 kilometers from central Ankara.

Visit the Bilkent University website

Estimated Cost

The cost of study on EAP can be close to the cost of studying on campus and is typically far less than the cost of non-UC study abroad programs. You can also take your UC financial aid abroad! If you do not currently receive UC financial aid, you may qualify for aid while on EAP. Each year, EAP students receive $1.3 million in study abroad grants and scholarships.

The estimated total cost for options in this program are listed below. Future costs will vary due to currency fluctuation, etc. All estimated totals include:

• UC fees
• program-specific fees
• room and board
• mandatory insurance
• incidentals
• transportation
• books
• on-site orientation
• predeparture expenses
• intensive language program expenses where applicable

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

• Class level: junior, senior, graduate
• GPA: 2.85 cumulative GPA at time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure (3.0 for graduate students)

In addition to program-specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into the student’s UC degree program
• Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
• Willingness to abide by program regulations
• Endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)

These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines selection. The final admission decision is made by the host institution.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office.

In addition to your campus deadlines, there are deadlines by which the Campus EAP Office must submit the completed applications and accompanying materials to the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP). For participation in the Program, it is critical that both campus deadlines and UOEAP deadlines are met. If the application is incomplete and not accompanied by the required materials noted, it will be returned to the Campus EAP Office.

Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but are not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UC Los Angeles
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz