Ph.D. Program in Architecture

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Online Application Dates:  28 April - 30 May, 2025

Online Application Link

Info for PhD Program in Architecture: 

About  PhD in Architecture Catalog 2024-25

• The Ph.D. in Architecture program aims to cultivate experts and researchers capable of integrating design, technology, and innovation within the field.

  In this context,

  The program provides the theoretical foundation for interdisciplinary studies, fosters critical and multidimensional thinking, and develops an understanding of the social and cultural dynamics driving innovative products and services.

  The program aims to prepare PhD candidates to lead architectural research and development in global and local organizations, contributing to national and local development in both academic and professional settings.

  The program aims to equip PhD candidates with the ability to critically analyze architecture within its intellectual and technological contexts, ultimately contributing to advancements in economic, social, technological, and cultural development.

  This is facilitated by the Faculty of Architecture and Design's competent faculty, robust infrastructure, and thriving research and development environment.

   

  The Vision of Ph.D. Program in Architecture

  To shape the future of the built environment through internationally recognized research that addresses critical architectural challenges and advances knowledge across diverse disciplines, including urban and architectural design, architectural history, theory and criticism, conservation, building technology and materials, project and construction management, interior architecture, urban design, and its interdisciplinary areas. The Ph.D. Program in Architecture envisions advancing the field through cutting-edge research that addresses key architectural challenges and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.

   

  The Mission of Ph.D. Program in Architecture

  To advance architectural knowledge and practice through rigorous research, developing innovative methods for addressing complex design challenges, and fostering critical thinking for creative problem-solving. The program emphasizes the distribution of research findings through high-quality publications, patents, and exploration of commercialization opportunities within the architectural profession and industry.

   

  The Target Group

  The Ph.D. Program in Architecture welcomes researchers from architecture and related disciplines, providing them with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to contribute significantly to the field, related sectors, and the economic, technological, and cultural development of the world.

  This program welcomes applications from:

  • Graduates of relevant master's programs in Architecture and Fine Arts
  •    Professionals with sectoral or academic experience in these fields
  • Individuals seeking to conduct interdisciplinary research in areas such asdesign, technology, theory, history, and conservation.
  • Researchers from diverse backgrounds, particularly in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning

  The program's distinctive research education approach is a key differentiator. Drawing upon social theories and cutting-edge technologies and inspired by Özyeğin University's world-class entrepreneurship and innovation vision, the program views design and architecture as culturally-based innovation drivers. It recognizes design and technology as integral components of our material culture, interacting with social, political, and economic forces.

  The program cultivates a vibrant and inclusive research community, fostering dialogue and collaboration across disciplines. This collaborative environment empowers researchers to generate original knowledge that contributes significantly to advancements at both national and international levels.

   

  Study Fields of PhD in Architecture

  1. Architectural Design Research
  2. History, Theory, and Criticism in Architecture
  3. Conservation and Cultural Heritage
  4. Architectural Design Educatıon
  5. Architecture, Culture and Behavior
  6. Typological Studies
  7. Housing Studies
  8. Building Science, Technology, and Sustainability Research
  9. Project and Construction Management
  10. Computational Design and Information Technologies
  11. Interior Design
  12. Urban and Spatial Morphology    
  13. City and Architecture
  14. Environmental, Cultural, Social Sustainability
  15. Digital Fabrication and Media Studies

For graduation, those starting with an undergraduate degree must complete two compulsory courses, fourteen elective courses, a PhD proficiency study, and a doctoral thesis. In order to graduate from the program, a total of 300 ECTS credits must be completed successfully. Scholarships are awarded, if determined by the program admission commission and approved by the relevant Graduate School Administrative Board.

 Info for PhD Program in Architecture: ebru.karahan@ozyegin.edu.tr 

Application Requirements

1. Degrees:
   Applicants must be either graduates of or graduating from an undergraduate program in case of Thesis and Non-Thesis program applications; and an undergraduate or a master's program in case of applications for the PhD program, respectively. Among admitted applicants, those who are expected to graduate must successfully complete their current programs prior to the enrollment date in order to be able to enroll in the university.
   
   For diplomas awarded by higher education institutions abroad their education and degree must be recognized by YÖK to those awarded by higher education institutions in Turkey. Candidates who apply to master’s degree programs must submit their Bachelor’s Degree recognition letter; candidates who apply to doctorate programs with undergraduate degree must submit their Bachelor’s Degree recognition letter; candidates who apply to doctorate programs with graduate degree must submit their Master’s Degree recognition letter. The Student Services of Ozyegin University will help the admitted candidates who do not have the equivalency letter to obtain the letter.
2. Graduate Programs Entrance Exam Score Report
   Turkish citizens have to provide one of the following exam scores. Foreign nationals are exempt from submitting an Entrance Exam Score Report.

   Exam*	Graduate School of Engineering and Science
   	Ph.D. Program in Architecture			Validity Period (From the Date of Registration)
   	with a Master Degree	with an Undergrad Degree	with a Ph.D. degree
   GMAT	500	590	-	5 Years
   GRE	Min. 153 (quantitative)	Min. 159 (quantitative)	-	5 Years
   ALES	Min. 70 (quantitative)	Min. 80 (quantitative)	-	5 Years

   *ALES condition is not required for the applications of the candidates who have obtained the degrees of Doctorate, Proficiency in Medicine and Art. The evaluation of these candidates will be based on 75 points for Architecture Master's (with thesis) and City and Architecture's Master's Program (with thesis), and 55 points for other graduate programs, excluding non-thesis programs.
   
   
3. English Proficiency Exam Score Reports:
   
   Applicants must submit one of the following score reports provided that they are still valid.

   English Exam	Graduate School of Engineering and Science
   	Ph.D. Program in Architecture			Validity Period (From the Date of Registration)
   	with a Master Degree	with an Undergrad Degree	with a Ph.D. degree
   TOEFL-IBT**	Min. 66	Min. 66	Min. 66	2 Years
   KPDS / ÜDS	Min. 55	Min. 55	Min. 55	5 Years
   YÖKDİL / e-YDS / YDS	Min. 55	Min. 55	Min. 55	5 Years

   
   ** Interuniversity Foreign Language Examination Determination of equivalency of the Directive examination pursuant to Article 6/3.d "If the exam taken in Turkey, the exam place has to be in the state university’s buildings"
   
   

4. Other Conditions

   Program	Graduate School of Engineering and Science
   	Ph.D. Program in Architecture*
   	with a Master Degree	with an Undergrad Degree	with a Ph.D. degree
   CGPA	-	Min. 3/4 Bachelor degree GPA	-
   Accepted Graduates of Undergraduate Programs	-	-	Any Field

   *Candidates who meet the above-mentioned conditions must also be successful in the oral interview.

Application Documents

All documents must be prepared in Turkish or English. If prepared in other languages, notarized copies in Turkish or English must also be attached to the original documents.

1. Application Form: Application form filled in online completely and accurately.
2. Diploma: Copy of the diploma awarded by the latest higher education institutions that the applicant is graduated from. For diplomas awarded by higher education institutions abroad, a copy of the recognition letter issued by YÖK's International Equivalency Office is needed.
3. Transcript: Transcript showing all courses taken and grades achieved in all higher education institutions the applicant has so far attended to or graduated from. If the transcripts do not include any information about the grading system, separate documents must be provided for the grading system of the relevant institutions.
4. Graduate Programs Entrance Exam Score Report: One of the score reports listed (ALES, GRE) in the application requirements.
5. English Proficiency Examination Score Certificate: One of the documents listed (TOEFL, YDS, KPDS, ÜDS) in the application requirements.
6. Letter of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be obtained from the applicant’s instructors and/or previous/current employer. Letters of recommendations obtained from family and friends are not acceptable.
7. Letter of Intent: Essays written in English about personal or professional goals in subjects provided by the Graduate School.
8. Supplementary Documents for International Students: Copy of the information page of the passport.
9. Additional Information: The applicant can provide additional information, if any, about the special circumstances in his/her academic background or professional career to support his/her application.

Application, Evaluation and Admissions

The university may request applicants to prove the accuracy of information and documents submitted during the application or the university may directly search the accuracy of such information and documents. Should it be determined that there are inconsistencies in information and documents provided by prospective students, such students are denied admission even if they were previously admitted, and their enrollments are revoked, even if previously completed.

Application documents are kept by the university and under no circumstances are returned to applicants, regardless of the result of evaluation.

As a result of preliminary evaluations conducted on the application information and documents, prospective students may be invited for a written examination or an interview. Failure to attend the interview or examination will disqualify the applicant from further consideration.

Applications are evaluated by an admission jury. Recommendations of the admission jury regarding the admission of applicants are concluded upon the resolution of the relevant Graduate School Executive Board.

If deems necessary, the Graduate School Executive Board may subject some of the admitted students to the Scientific Preparatory Program for one or two semesters to fully prepare them for their graduate programs. The resolution of the Graduate School Executive Board lists all courses that must be taken by the applicant.

The scope, application requirements and quotas of scholarships granted to admitted students are determined by the Board of Trustees for each academic year. Scholarships are awarded upon the resolution of the relevant Graduate School Executive Board and the approval of the Rector.

The foreign students must get the annotated student visa which is obtained from Consulate Branches of Turkish Embassies or Consulate General located in their country or nearby, in order to make entry to Turkey. Students should apply for the visa with the Consulate Notification Letter, which is sent by the institute with the acceptance letter. For detailed information please click here.

Our university will complete the necessary procedures for obtaining the degree equivalency for international prospective students who do not have a Recognition Letter. which is obtainable from the Higher Education Council(YÖK). Such students are conditionally admitted and are enrolled as special students until their degrees are recognized by the relevant authorities. Students whose applications for diploma recognition is accepted by the Higher Education Council become regular graduate students.

Foreign students who are graduated from a For diplomas awarded by higher education institutions abroad, copy of recognition letter issued by YÖK's International Equivalency Office is needed.

You can review the Özyeğin University Directives on Graduate Program Admissions to learn more about the application, admission and enrollment processes.

Ph.D. Program in Architecture / Curriculum / Conditions for Graduation

For graduation, those starting with a master's degree must complete two compulsory courses, six elective courses, a PhD proficiency study, and a doctoral thesis. It is graduated with a total of 240 ECTS credits. For graduation, those starting with a bachelor's degree must complete two compulsory courses, fourteen elective courses, a PhD proficiency study, and a doctoral thesis. In order to graduate from the program, a total of 300 ECTS credits must be completed successfully.

Course Plan for the Candidates Starting Ph.D. Program in Architecture with a Master Diploma

Course Plan for the Candidates Starting Ph.D. Program in Architecture with an Undergraduate Diploma

* Marked courses are required.

Courses in PhD Program in Architecture

Compulsory Courses

• ARCH 601 Research and Ethics
• ARCH 690 Research Seminar
• ARCH 900 PhD Proficiency Study (Regulation for Qualification Exam)
• ARCH 901 PhD Thesis Proposal
• ARCH 902 PhD Thesis Study I
• ARCH 903 PhD Thesis Study II
• ARCH 904 PhD Thesis Study III
• ARCH 905 PhD Dissertation Study

Elective Courses

• ARCH 610 Research on Urban Form
• ARCH 611 Advanced research on Urban Form
• ARCH 612 Architectural Design and Behavior
• ARCH 613 Urban Green Infrastructure
• ARCH 614 Organizational Behavior in Construction
• ARCH 615 Building Occupant Interaction and Energy Efficiency
• ARCH 616 Computational Design Models and Performance
• ARCH 617 Meanings of Home: The People, Place and Space
• ARCH 618 Climate Change and Energy Consumption of Buildings

Faculty

• Aslı AĞIRBAŞ: Artificial Intelligence and Architecture, Computational Design, Parametric Design
• Doğa Dinemis AMAN: Disaster Management, Urban Landscape Planning and Design, Landscape Urbanism, Playground Design and Urban Furniture
• Semra AYDINLI: Holistic Approach to the Ethics-Aesthetics  Issues in Architecture, Phenomenological Inquiry into Interdisciplinary Studies in Architecture, Connectivity Theories focused on Perception and Thinking in Architecture
• Ayşe Bike BAYKARA: History and Theory of Architecture, Roman Architecture, Roman Entertainment Buildings, Historiography, Digital Humanities, Gender and Queer Theory
• Mehmet Emin BAYRAKTAR: Architectural Computation, Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence in Architecture
• Ayşe Ceren BİLGE: Architectural Conservation, Restoration, Cultural Landscape 
• Didem BOYACIOĞLU: Late Ottoman and Early Republican architecture, Traditional and local architecture, Rural architecture and sustainability
• Nevşet Gül ÇANAKÇIOĞLU: Pediatric Healthcare Spaces, Informal Education Spaces, Space Syntax
• Begüm DİKER: Building Energy Performance, Zero-Energy Buildings, Energy Efficiency Financing
• İdil ERDEMİR KOCAGİL: Sustainable Architecture, Energy-Efficient Building Design, Daylighting in Architecture
• Neşe GANİÇ SAĞLAM: Energy Efficient Building Design, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Building Energy Performance Modeling and Simulations
• Orhan HACIHASANOĞLU: Architectural Design, Architecture Education, Culture-Space Interaction
• Ebru KARAHAN: Housing Sector, Housing Demand, Vernacular Architecture, Housing and Energy, Occupant Behavior, Project Management and Qualitative Research Methods
• Tuğba Gülfem KAYA: Mass Timber Systems, Wood based Materials, Environmental Design
• Ferhan KORKMAZ HASMADEN: Physical Environmental Control, Acoustic and Noise Control, Sustainability and Energy Efficient Design
• Burçin MIZRAK BİLEN: Environmental Psychology, Community Empowerment, Health
• Demet MUTMAN ULUENGİN: Transformative Design, Critical Reading of Architecture and the City, Urban Sociology
• Luca ORLANDI: History of Architecture, Urban History, Critic and Aesthetic in Architecture
• Kaan ÖZGÜN: Landscape Planning & Design, Water & Energy Sensitive Cities, Geographic Information Systems
• Güliz ÖZORHON: Architectural Design and Education, Sustainable Architecture, Vernacular-Traditional Architecture
• İlker Fatih ÖZORHON: Architectural Design, Building Information, Modern Architecture, Ecological Design, Architectural Education
• Mehmet SANER: Industrial Heritage, Urban Morphology, Architectural Criticism
• Murat ŞAHİN: Architectural  Pedagogy, Urban Mobility and Architecture, Children and Architecture, Integrated Design and Adaptation
• Beyza ŞAT: Landscape Analysis, Ecological Planning, Floristic Analysis and Conservation Plan
• Melis TANER: Islamic Art, Medieval Art
• Işılay TEKÇE: Project/Construction Management, Performance Studies (Project, Building, Firm Level), Facility Management, Sustainability
• Semra TOKAY: Building Information, Architectural Design, Environmental
• Zehra TONBUL: Architectural History and Theory, Modern and Contemporary Architectural Theory, Architectural Criticism, Decolonial Thought in Architecture
• Hülya TURGUT: Architectural Design Education, Culture and Space Studies, Urban and Housing Studies
• Alper ÜNLÜ: Environment-Behavior Theories, Space Syntax, Architectural Theories
• Aslıhan ÜNLÜ: Constructional Design, Sustainable Building Technologies, Facade Systems and High Performance Windows
• Derya YORGANCIOĞLU: Theory and Research in Architecture, Design Education, Design Studio Pedagogy