- Phone: +90 312 596 47 78
- sbe@asbu.edu.tr
Ph.D. in Social Media Studies (English)
About the Program
Duration: Up to 4 years (full-time)
Start Date: September 2025
Application Period: March 3, 2025 – June 1, 2025
The Ph.D. in Social Media Studies is a research-focused program for students interested in critically analyzing digital media and online platforms. The rapid expansion of digital technologies has reshaped modern life, raising new and complex research questions. This interdisciplinary program explores media studies, culture, politics, psychology, law, and data science, providing students with the theoretical and methodological tools to conduct original research.
The program covers a broad range of themes, including digital cultures and online communities, platform studies, algorithmic governance, and the political impact of social media. It also examines misinformation, digital ethics, social media law, and the role of digital platforms in non-Western contexts. Additionally, it explores how social media influences artistic expression and the creative industries, while computational social sciences and big data offer advanced tools for analyzing digital trends.
As a leading research program at the Social Sciences University of Ankara, it provides a vibrant academic environment where students engage in research centers, organize events, and contribute to the broader media research culture, fostering collaboration and critical inquiry.
Key Research Areas
We welcome research proposals in the following areas:
- Digital Cultures and Online Communities: Examining identity, belonging, and the formation of digital publics.
- Platform Studies and Algorithmic Governance: Understanding the role of algorithms, data ethics, and content moderation.
- Social Media and Politics: Investigating online activism, digital propaganda, and the role of social media in shaping public discourse.
- Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Social Media: Exploring mental health, digital well-being, and the psychology of online interactions.
- Misinformation and Digital Ethics: Analyzing the spread of fake news, disinformation, and ethical considerations.
- Social Media Law: Investigating platform regulations, copyright issues, and the legal responsibilities of tech companies.
- Social Media and the Global South: Examining platform adoption, digital divides, and localized online practices beyond Western contexts.
- Digital Art and Creative Expression: Exploring the role of social media in art and creative industries.
- Computational Social Sciences and Big Data: Leveraging data science methods to study social media phenomena.
Program Structure
The Ph.D. program is structured to provide a balance of theoretical knowledge, methodological training, and independent research. Students are expected to:
- Coursework:
- Complete core courses, attend seminars and engage in peer discussions on contemporary social media research.
- Doctoral Qualifying Exam:
- Format: The exam consists of a written and an oral exams.
- Timing: The exam is typically taken at the end of the second year or after completing all required courses.
Successful completion of the Doctoral Qualifying Exam is a prerequisite for advancing to the dissertation phase.
- Research Proposal:
- Develop and present a research proposal by the end of the second year.
- Dissertation Phase:
- Conduct original empirical research under the guidance of a supervisor.
- Contribute to academic discourse through conference presentations, publications, and collaborative projects.
The Ph.D. program is structured to provide a balance of theoretical knowledge, methodological training, and independent research. Students are expected to:
- Complete core courses and attend seminars and engage in peer discussions on contemporary social media research.
- Develop and present a research proposal by the end of the second year.
- Conduct original empirical research under the guidance of a supervisor.
- Contribute to academic discourse through conference presentations, publications, and collaborative projects.
Course Structure
Mandatory Course:
- SMS699: Research Methods and Publication Ethics
Elective Courses:
- SMS601: Digital Media and Culture
- SMS606: Digital Humanities
- SMS609: Philosophy of Technology
- SMS613: Digital Art
- SMS615: Theories of Information and Media
- SMS616: Computational Social Sciences
- SMS617: Social Media Research
- SMS618: Media and Politics
- SMS619: Data Journalism
- SMS620: Digital Media and Society
- SMS621: User and User-Experience Research Methods
- SMS622: Psychology of Digital Media
- SMS623: Digital Ethnography
- SMS626: Social Media Law
Requirements:
- Complete 1 Mandatory Course + 6 Elective Courses + Seminar Course.
Assessment
Your Ph.D. will culminate in a written thesis, which will be evaluated through a viva examination with at least five examiners.
Entry Requirements
1. Degree Requirements
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) is required.
- Applicants must submit both their Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas and transcripts.
2. English Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the following:
- A minimum score of 55 from an English language exam accepted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
- An equivalent score from an international language exam accepted by ÖSYM.
Accepted Exams and Minimum Scores:
- TOEFL IBT: 84 (minimum 16 in each skill)
- CAE: Grade C
- CPE: Grade C
- PTE: 62
- ASBU EPE: 70
- YÖKDİL / e-YÖKDİL: 80
- YDS / e-YDS: 80
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may enroll in a foreign language preparation program for up to two semesters.
Application Requirements
- Diplomas (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
- Transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
- Letter of Intent (specific to the program)
- Two Reference Letters
- Passport Copy
- Recent Passport-Sized Photo (in JPEG format)
- English Proficiency Score (if applicable)
- CV
- No Application Fee!
How to Apply
Apply online through our application portal:
Online Application Form
Career Prospects
Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in academia, research, policy-making, digital media industries, and consultancy. Alumni go on to become university professors, media analysts, data strategists, digital policy advisors, and research fellows in both public and private sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, please visit our FAQ page:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Application and Admission Requirements
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- For Turkish Citizens
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- Applicants must hold a master's with a thesis degree in any field of social sciences.
- Graduate CGPA must be at least 3.00 over 4.00 (or 76.66 over 100.)
- Applicants must submit a minimum ALES (Equal Weight) score of 70. An equivalent score on an exam accepted by the Higher Education Council is also valid.
- Applicants must submit a minimum English YDS/e-YDS or YÖKDİL/e-YÖKDİL score of 70. An equivalent score on an exam accepted by the Higher Education Council is also valid.
- Candidates must earn a minimum score of 70 from written science exams and/or interviews.
- Overall assessment must be 75 or higher.
- For International Applicants
-
- A commission set up by the relevant department’s directorate and composed of at least 3 faculty members determines the field in which applicants must hold an undergraduate and a master’s degree and the minimum CGPA.
- Applicants must have 55 or above from a foreign language exam accepted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) or the equivalent of 55 or above from an international foreign language exam accepted by OSYM in another language than their native language.
- Candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in English to be able to start their studies. Those who have received their undergraduate or graduate degrees from a university in which the language of instruction is English that is in a country where English is the native or official language or obtained the minimum specified score from one of the following language exams are regarded as proficient in English. Applicants who never submit any of these documents will be required to take the foreign language preparation programs, which will take a maximum of two semesters.
TOEFL IBT
(Minimum 16 from each skill)
CAE
CPE
PTE
ASBU EPE
YÖKDİL / e-YÖKDİL
YDS / e-YDS
84
C
C
62
70
80
80
- The determined tuition fee of the program for the International Students must be paid. Click for the current tuition fee.
- Transfer Students
-
- Must be currently enrolled in a Ph.D program
- Must satisfy the requirements of the program that is being applied
- Current GPA must be at least 3.00
- Must have finished at least one semester in the currently enrolled program
- Must NOT be further than the half of the currently enrolled program
- Must NOT have any disciplinary record
- Must have satisfied all the requirements of the completed semesters of the currently enrolled program
- Curriculum
-
Click here for courses.
- Program Coordinator and Contact Information
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Assistant Professor Nevfel BOZ
+90 312 596 44 17 - Application
-
- For Turkish Citizens
-
- Click here for the documents required for the application.
- Click here for the online application page.
The application page becomes active in the period when the applications are accepted.
Application Calendar and Evaluation
Please click for the application calendar.
Applicants are ranked based on an initial evaluation carried out by weighting 50% of ALES score and 50% of GPA. The number of candidates invited to science exams can be up to five times the quota. Three points after comma in decimals are taken into consideration in the ranking of applicants. If more than one candidate rank last with the same score, all these candidates are invited to entrance examination.
After applications are accepted, a science exam is held on the announced date. The application results are determined by weighting 50% of ALES score, 20% of GPA, and 30% of science exam score. Based on this evaluation, candidates who have earned a score of 75 and above are deemed successful. Successful candidates are ranked according to general evaluation scores (in cases of equal general evaluation scores, science exam scores are taken into consideration), and a number of candidates and substitute candidates as specified by quotas are announced on the institute's website.
- For International Applicants
-
- Click here for the documents required for the application and for the online application page.
Application Calendar and Evaluation
Please click for the application calendar.
Applications are evaluated by taking into account acceptance requirements of the program and international student quotas. The evaluation result is sent to the applicant's e-mail address.
- Horizontal Transfer
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For transfer applications, the applicant must bring the required documentation to our institute in person during the application period.
Please click for the required documents.
Application Calendar and Evaluation
Please click for the application calendar.
Applications will be evaluated by the applied department and approved by the administrative board of our institute. The results of the board decision will be announced on our website (sbe.asbu.edu.tr).
