About the Department of Architecture

Department Mission
The Department of Architecture within the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Bahçeşehir University is committed to educating professionals who contribute to society and possess critical and creative perspectives. By benefiting from its central location in Istanbul, utilizing pioneering educational methods and technologies, and integrating formal education with extracurricular learning opportunities through an innovative educational approach, the department aims to cultivate individuals who can engage in interdisciplinary and innovative initiatives and collaborations with the professional sector while considering the goals of sustainable development. Graduates are expected to take part in academic and professional practice at both local and global levels with the knowledge and competencies they acquire.

Program Content
Design studios, which constitute the backbone of the program, are supported by courses in the fields of history-theory-criticism, building physics and technologies, media, and environment-city-society. These courses are structured in a comprehensive and progressive manner that encompasses all processes between thinking and building practices. One of the department’s fundamental objectives is to foster an educational environment that enables the education of professionals who research, question, transform knowledge, do not reduce architecture merely to form, and act in consideration of social benefit in light of socio-economic developments. Therefore, our approach to architectural education and our curriculum provide an environment of communication and sharing that keeps students’ curiosity and desire to learn alive, opens the door to free and diverse ways of thinking, and values interdisciplinary perspectives.

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM OUTCOMES
PO1: Applies the theoretical/conceptual and practical knowledge acquired for architectural design, design activities, and research.
PO2: Utilizes critical thinking methods, identifies, defines, and effectively discusses aesthetic, functional, and structural requirements for the solution of design problems.
PO3: Develops awareness of the diversity of social patterns and user needs, values, and behavioral norms, which are important inputs in the formation of the built environment, at local, regional, national, and international scales.
PO4: Possesses knowledge and skills regarding human- and society-oriented architectural design approaches that are sensitive to the natural and built environment.
PO5: Understands the relationship between architecture and other disciplines; collaborates effectively; develops comprehensive projects, and assumes responsibility in both independent and group work.
PO6: Recognizes responsibilities regarding human rights and social interests and gives importance to the protection of natural and cultural values in the design of the built environment.
PO7: Gives importance to sustainability in solving design problems and in the use of natural and artificial resources while considering the social, cultural, and environmental dimensions of architecture.
PO8: Communicates conceptual and practical ideas related to architecture through written, verbal, and visual media, as well as information technologies.
PO9: Acquires the ability to understand and apply technical knowledge related to building technology such as structural systems, building materials, building service systems, construction systems, and life safety.
PO10: Is aware of legal and ethical responsibilities in design and implementation processes.

International Opportunities and Extracurricular Activities
The department’s distinguished academic staff, wide range of elective courses, multicultural environment, and international experience opportunities (the opportunity to study for one or two semesters at BAU International Berlin; ICSA Japan-Istanbul; Italy Summer School; Spain Summer and Winter School; and other summer/winter schools), together with extracurricular activities such as workshops, lectures, and forums, are among the qualities that make the BAU Architecture Program distinctive and support its goal of educating individuals with strong leadership qualities who can practice their profession on a global scale.

Career Opportunities (What Does a Graduate of the Architecture Department Do?)
Our graduates may work in the public sector, in various companies, and in architectural offices as designers and/or practitioners in line with their interests; as freelance architects; on construction sites; in the building inspection sector; in material design, production, marketing, and sales related to the construction industry; in the fields of architectural computing, building information modeling, and sustainability; in architectural representation and visualization; as publishers in the fields of architecture and design; or as academics.

Accreditation
Following the three-year accreditation received in 2020, the Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Architecture and Design, Architecture English Undergraduate Program completed a new accreditation process that began in February 2022 and concluded with the institutional visit conducted on 3-5 May 2023. As a result of the decision taken at the meeting of the Architecture Accreditation Board (MiAK) on 2 August 2023, the program was granted “CONDITIONAL 6-YEAR ACCREDITATION” in accordance with Article 7.2 of the MiAK Processes (2021) document.

Prof. Devrim Işıkkaya
Head of the BAU Architecture Department

Juries and Student Projects

ARCHITECTURE RANKING AND BASE SCORES

For students who took the Turkish university entrance examinations (TYT–AYT):
The 2025 Architecture ranking and base scores have been announced. The 2025 TYT - AYT (YKS) base scores and success rankings are based on the university placement scores and rankings from 2024. By comparing your score and ranking with these values, you can make your university preference decisions.