Studying Architecture in Turkey – Your Comprehensive Guide
Many international students may wish to study architecture in Turkey, thanks to the modern training programs offered by Turkish universities along with the professional and practical experiences that enable them to enter the job market with strength and confidence in the skills they have acquired at university.
For this reason, we have dedicated this article to discussing all the details of interest to students who wish to study architectural engineering in Turkish universities. We will provide an overview of the specialization, the duration of the course, the language of instruction, as well as the requirements and benefits of studying in Turkey.
An Overview of Studying Architecture in Turkey
Studying architecture in Turkey involves acquiring skills related to drawing buildings and creating various plans for cities or structures, taking into account the available building area and the surrounding environment—whether the construction is residential, industrial, or commercial.
The aim of this course is to prepare and train the student to design buildings comprehensively, both internally and externally, and to incorporate modern and contemporary touches into the construction so that it keeps pace with evolving architectural styles. The student also learns how to divide the interior space of buildings and utilize it in an aesthetically pleasing and coordinated manner.
In addition, the architect is responsible for determining the budget required to execute the construction. This budget does not only cover the costs of building, construction, and the installation of water, electricity, and sewage connections, but the architect is also responsible for designing and dividing the building. Moreover, they must be familiar with all environmental risks and work on designing buildings to withstand these risks and prevent collapse.
The Duration of Architecture Studies in Turkey
The duration of studying architecture in Turkey for a bachelor’s degree is 4 years, divided into 8 semesters. In the initial semesters, the student studies design and mathematics subjects related to architecture and drawing using computers in a simplified manner, and then progressively delves deeper into various architectural fields.
Language of Instruction
Turkish universities offer their students the opportunity to study this specialization in either Turkish or English. If the student is not proficient in one of these two languages, they must study the language in a preparatory year prior to commencing their studies in this field.
Costs
The costs of studying architecture in Turkey range between 3,000 and 12,000 US dollars. This variation depends on the nature of the university, its ranking, its location, as well as the language of instruction.
Advantages of Studying Architecture in Turkey
Turkey has long placed great emphasis on the field of architecture and architectural engineering. It is considered one of the countries renowned for its rich architectural and historical character—a heritage that dates back to the Ottoman civilization, which amazed the world with its architectural arts, designs, and decorations. This rich architectural history has been maintained throughout the years.
Moreover, Turkey has not limited its focus to its historical architecture; it has also strived to keep pace with modern architectural styles that have been adopted in the neighboring European countries. This has enabled it to provide all the comforts and luxuries for its residents and visitors, regardless of their diverse tastes, by offering a civilization where the authenticity of the past blends with the modernity of the present.
For this reason, Turkish universities are the best choice for many international students from various nationalities who wish to study architecture. These universities offer educational programs that keep up with the latest advances in architectural engineering worldwide. They also enhance their students’ competencies and help them acquire high-level skills by understanding the architectural styles of many different cultures and developing and implementing them using the latest architectural engineering methods.
What Are the Most Important Requirements and Documents Needed to Study Architecture in Turkey?
The requirements imposed by universities on students wishing to study architectural engineering in Turkey may vary depending on the type of university. Generally, the requirements set by Turkish public universities are stricter than those imposed by private universities, as outlined below:
Requirements for Studying Architecture in Public Universities
Turkish public universities require students who wish to study architecture to:
- Pass the American SAT or the Turkish YÖS (University Entrance Exam for International Students).
- Have obtained a high school diploma with an average of no less than 70%.
Requirements for Studying Architecture in Private Universities
Private universities differ from public ones in their admission requirements for students wishing to study architecture, as they do not require a high high-school average; a minimum of 50% is sufficient.
Documents Required for Registration
As for the documents needed to complete the registration procedures at universities, whether public or private, they are as follows:
Bachelor’s Level:
- A copy of the student’s passport, translated and certified.
- A personal photograph of the applicant.
- A translated copy in Turkish or English of the high school completion certificate (equivalent to the third year of secondary school).
- A copy of the TOEFL certificate (if the language of instruction at the university is English).
- A copy of the TÖMER Turkish language certificate (if the language of instruction at the university is Turkish).
Enrichment: If the certificates are written in both Arabic and English, they will be accepted without the need for translation.
Master’s Level:
- A copy of the undergraduate graduation certificate.
- A copy of the transcript for all years of study at the university.
- A copy of the TOEFL certificate if the language of instruction is English.
- A copy of the TÖMER certificate if the language of instruction is Turkish.
Doctoral Level:
It includes all the documents required for registration at the master’s level, in addition to a copy of the master’s degree certificate and the transcript for that level.
What Are the Best Turkish Universities for Studying Architectural Engineering?
We present to you a list of the most important universities where you can study architectural engineering, which are distinguished by their high technology and outstanding expertise:
- Özyeğin University
- Yıldız Technical University
- Istanbul Technical University
- Bilkent University
- Istanbul Kültür University
- Bahçeşehir University
- Yeditepe University
- Medipol University
- Beikent University
- Kadir Has University
- Işık University
- Maltepe University
- Istanbul Gelişim University
- Nişantaşı University
What Job Opportunities Are Available for an Architect After Graduation?
As soon as an architectural engineering student completes their university studies and graduates, a variety of job opportunities open up due to the field they have studied. The most important opportunities include interior and exterior design and comprehensive building management, along with other fields such as:
- Working in architectural offices.
- Opening one’s own office to manage architectural projects.
- Working in the field of interior design for buildings and the surrounding landscapes.
- Working in the design and planning of cities, whether small or large.
- Working in the field of building renovation and reinforcement.
- Working in the design of exhibitions and theaters.
Studying for a Master’s in Architecture in Turkey
Pursuing a Master’s degree in Architecture at Turkish universities is considered one of the best available options, as it enables you to gain broader knowledge and experience in the field of architecture. In addition, you acquire high-level professional and practical skills through intensive training programs that Turkish universities conduct to support their theoretical curricula.
Turkish universities also train their students to design contemporary and unique architectural models, thereby producing specialized and creative individuals who possess the competence to showcase their work on a global level and achieve great success in this field.
In conclusion, we hope that we have provided you with all the necessary information about studying architecture in Turkey, after having presented an overview of this specialization along with the requirements and documents needed for registration at Turkish universities, as well as the job opportunities available for graduates of architectural engineering.
Read Also: