Department of History and Archaeology

The Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Crete runs an English-language M.A. Program in Ottoman History in partnership with the Institute for Mediterranean Studies of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas.

This Program is the continuation of the Greek-language M.A. Program in Turkish Studies which was founded by the Institute for Mediterranean Studies in 1988, and was run jointly by the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Crete and the Institute for Mediterranean Studies from 1994 to 2018.

The M.A. Program in Ottoman History is held in Rethymno, a beautiful Venetian, Ottoman, and Modern Greek town on the island of Crete, Greece.

The duration of each cycle of the Program is two years (4 academic semesters). In the course of the two years of each cycle, students are required to complete:

1. Five (5) history courses (four in Ottoman History, and one in Medieval or Modern History);
2. Four (4) Turkish language courses;
3. Four (4) Ottoman language and palaeography courses.
4. Furthermore, students are required to write an original M.A. thesis based on the critical analysis of Ottoman archival, epigraphic or narrative sources.

Native Turkish-speakers and those fluent in Turkish are not required to attend the Turkish language classes, but must instead take two (2) Modern Greek language classes.

The Program does not charge tuition fees.

Applicants for the Program must hold a B.A. degree from a university department or program in the Humanities or Social Sciences, and are required to submit: i) CV, ii) B.A. degree and transcript, iii) sample of written work (an essay or B.A. thesis), iv) foreign language degrees (Proficiency, IELTS, etc.; minimum: B2 level in English), v) statement of research interests with a section of relevant bibliography, vi) at least two (2) letters of reference (which have to be sent directly by their authors), vii) application-cover letter, and viii) proof of identity (passport of identity card). An interview, by either teleconference or physical presence in Rethymno, is also part of the entry procedure. The interview may include a portion requiring applicants to answer questions on the history and institutions of the Ottoman Empire.

Calls for applications for admission to the Program are issued in the spring of even calendar years. Classes start in late September. The academic year is divided into two semesters: the winter semester starts in late September and ends in late December; the spring semester starts in mid-February and ends in late May. Final exams take place in January, June, and September.

Holders of B.A. degrees from non-Greek universities must check if the university from which they graduated and their B.A. degree are included in the National Registry of Foreign Recognized Higher Education Institutions (https://www.doatap.gr/national-registry-of-foreign-recognized-higher-education-institutes/) and the National Registry of Foreign Recognized Academic Title Types (https://www.doatap.gr/anagnorish/national-registry-of-foreign-recognized-academic-title-types/). If not, applicants are advised to contact the Secretariat of the Department of History and Archaeology (history-archaeology@ia.uoc.gr).

Non-EU applicants to the M.A. Program are advised to check with the Greek consular authorities in their countries of residence about the requirements for obtaining visa and residence permit for their studies.

Non-Greek applicants are advised to visit https://welcome.uoc.gr/.

For more information, please contact Ms. Anastasia Tzanoudaki, Graduate Secretary at the Department of History and Archaeology, tel.: (+30)2831077379, email: history-archaeology@ia.uoc.gr.

Click here for the quality policy of the Department of History and Archaeology for the M.A. Program in Ottoman History.

• Student Handbook 2024-2025
• Student Handbook 2023-2024

Student advisor for the academic year 2024-2025: Paraskevas Matalas, Assistant Professor of Contemporary History.

The M.A. Program in Ottoman History is grateful to Mr. Ahmet Göksun for the student cash prize he has established in loving memory of his mother, Emel Göksun.