Department of History and Archaeology

The Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Crete and the Institute for Mediterranean Studies of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas run a joint English-language M.A. Program in Ottoman History.

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 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 have an academic background the Humanities or the 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, either by Skype or physical presence in Rethymno, is also part of the entry procedure.

Calls for applications for the Program are issued in spring. 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.

To obtain the M.A. degree, Greek law requires that holders of B.A. degrees from non-Greek universities have their degrees recognized by DOATAP, the Greek national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills (http://www.doatap.gr/en/index.php). This is a procedure that can be done in the course of one’s M.A. studies, not beforehand, as it is a requirement in order to obtain the M.A. degree, not a requirement in order to be admitted to the M.A. Program.

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.

For more information, please contact:

Antonis Anastasopoulos, Associate Professor of Ottoman history: anastasopoulos@uoc.gr

Elias Kolovos, Associate Professor of Ottoman history: kolovos@uoc.gr

Marinos Sariyannis, Research Director, Ottoman history: sariyannis@ims.forth.gr

Yannis Spyropoulos, Researcher, Ottoman History: spyropoulos@ims.forth.gr

Last Call for admissions (for the academic year 2022/23)