Graduate education serves to explore and advance the limits of knowledge and is therefore a preeminent function of a university. Given the fact that various bodies of a university is under pressure to attend to a variety of issues, a separate unit is needed which primarily focuses on academic concerns at the graduate level. The responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating graduate programs, and setting out new policies in search of excellence in graduate education rests with the Graduate School at the Middle East Technical University (METU).

The primary responsibilities of the Graduate School are to maintain high standards and quality in graduate programs and to co-ordinate the various graduate programs. The Graduate School provides a qualified student with education which may be required for the full development of scholarly and professional capacities, subject to the criteria developed by graduate department.