M.Sc. IN EXERCISE AND SPORT PSYCHOLOGY (THESIS)

The Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Psychology program aims to train specialists who can scientifically examine the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes individuals experience through exercise and sport, interpret the findings, transfer them into practice, and contribute to the field within the framework of ethical values. The program provides students with in-depth knowledge at both theoretical and practical levels, aiming to equip them with competencies in academic research as well as professional practice.

The program adopts an interdisciplinary structure that investigates psychological processes related to athletes’ motivation, anxiety, self-confidence, concentration, stress management, and performance. It also offers opportunities to explore the effects of physical activity and exercise on mental health, individuals’ motivations for sport participation, and the psychosocial dimensions of sport at the societal level. In this regard, the program approaches sport psychology from a broad perspective extending from the individual to society, aiming to contribute to the development of the field.

SCIENTIFIC PREPARATION PROGRAM

Since the program admits students from different academic backgrounds, a two-semester scientific preparation curriculum will be implemented. Students with a background in sport sciences will take courses in psychology, while those coming from psychology or guidance and psychological counseling backgrounds will complete courses in sport sciences.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from undergraduate programs in Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Psychology, or Guidance and Psychological Counseling offered by universities in Türkiye, or from foreign universities recognized through an equivalence certificate issued by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

Applicants are required to obtain a minimum score of 55 in the equally weighted, verbal, or quantitative score type of the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES), or hold an equivalent score from an international exam recognized by YÖK, taken within the last five years.

Turkish citizens who have completed their undergraduate studies abroad are required to obtain a certificate of equivalence from YÖK for the recognition of the institution from which they graduated. This certificate must be submitted during the university registration process.

Admission Requirements for International Students

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from undergraduate programs in Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Psychology, or Guidance and Psychological Counseling offered by universities in Türkiye, or from foreign universities recognized through an equivalence certificate issued by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

For graduate programs taught in Turkish, international applicants must either be graduates of a bachelor’s or graduate program taught in Turkish at a higher education institution in Türkiye or abroad, or present an official certificate demonstrating at least B2 level proficiency in Turkish, issued by the Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center of Fenerbahçe University, the Yunus Emre Institute, or another Turkish language teaching center of a university in Türkiye.

Application Documents

• All documents must be prepared in Turkish or English. For documents issued in other languages, notarized translations in Turkish or English must also be submitted.
• Bachelor’s Degree Diploma or Graduation Certificate (from e-Devlet [the official e-Government portal of Türkiye])
• Transcript (officially signed and stamped by the university, or obtained from e-Devlet)
• Original Official Exam Result Document with barcode showing a minimum score of 55 in the equally weighted, verbal, or quantitative score type of the Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES), or the original of an equivalent exam result recognized by YÖK
• Copy of National ID Card
• Military Service Status Certificate (from e-Devlet)
• 3 Photographs
• YÖK Equivalency Certificate for diplomas obtained from foreign universities

Application Documents for International Students

• Bachelor’s Degree Diploma or Graduation Certificate, along with a notarized translation into Turkish
• Original transcript, along with a notarized translation into Turkish
• YÖK Equivalency Certificate / Recognition Certificate
• (For international applicants applying to master’s or doctoral programs, submission of an equivalency certificate is not mandatory except in health-related fields. Applicants may apply with a “Recognition Certificate” obtained from the Council of Higher Education [YÖK]. However, they are advised to initiate the equivalency process for professional practice. For graduate programs in Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, and Midwifery, the diploma equivalency certificate must be submitted at the time of application.)
• Turkish Language Proficiency Certificate (minimum B2 level)
• Copy of Passport
• 3 Photographs
• Residence Permit Card (for those without a Residence Permit Card, health insurance and 4 photographs must be submitted during the residence permit application)

Admission Requirements

Exercise and Sport Psychology (Turkish) M.Sc. Thesis Program (Turkish Students)
Program	Evaluation Criteria
	ALES	Interview	Undegraduate GPA
Thesis	50%	30%	20%

 

Exercise and Sport Psychology (Turkish) M.Sc. Thesis Program (International Students)
Program	Evaluation Criteria
	Interview	Undegraduate GPA
Thesis	80%	20%