Dear Prospective Architects and Esteemed Students,
As the Department of Architecture at Istanbul Gelişim University, our core vision is to cultivate architects who can seamlessly blend the values of our architectural heritage with universal professional standards, while maintaining high social and environmental awareness. Since our establishment in 2011, with a legacy of hundreds of graduates and a vibrant student community, our department has remained a dynamic academic institution, bringing together young talents from Turkey and various regions worldwide.
Our educational model, guided by our accomplished faculty, is delivered through a curriculum with a total load of
240 ECTS, synthesizing the core competency areas of architecture. In this context, we offer our Turkish and English programs simultaneously at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The backbone of our architectural education is built upon the following five core competency areas, reinforced by our design studios:
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Design and Creativity: The ability to develop aesthetic and functional solutions,
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History, City, and Theory: An analytical vision for architectural heritage and theoretical frameworks,
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Technology and Building Science: Technical grounding in materials, structures, and digital design tools,
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City and Society: Awareness of human-environment interaction and social responsibility,
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Professional Environment: Professional discipline in practice, ethical values, and project management.
Beyond technical expertise, we prepare our students for a competitive global professional landscape by fostering essential professional skills—such as effective communication, problem-solving, and teamwork—grounded in professional practice reinforced by mandatory office and construction site internships.
A primary focus of our department is to transform students from consumers of knowledge into active producers. Accordingly, we encourage our undergraduate students to engage in research projects tailored to their academic interests. This research-informed culture, cultivated at the undergraduate level, provides a significant strategic advantage in both professional practice and the R&D activities of our graduate programs.
In addition to providing international exposure through Erasmus agreements, we offer a versatile academic ground through Double Major opportunities with other disciplines within our faculty. We are proud to support you with our entire academic staff in this journey, as you evolve into professionals who speak the universal language of architecture and uphold their social responsibilities.
Wishing you great success on your architectural journey.
Assoc. Prof. Semih Göksel Yıldırım, PhD
Head of the Department of Architecture
