The information and program qualifications related to the Architectural History Doctor of Philosophy Program, under the Department of Architecture of the Graduate School, are summarized below.
Information About The Program
ITU Faculty of Architecture has taken a leading role in the acceptance of Architectural History discipline as a separate area of expertise in Turkey. Paolo Verzone (1902-1986), a civil engineer, architectural historian and restoration expert, had a major effect in the development of the area in ITU. At the beginning of his academic life Prof. Doğan Kuban, having witnessed closely the research approaches and educational methods of his advisor Prof. Verzone, also had a share in the leading role of ITU in the field of Architectural History with the researchers he trained.
Since the doctorate program was not yet established in the foundation years of ITU Faculty of Architecture, the assistants produced original studies by preparing a “Proficiency Thesis" instead of a "PhD Thesis". It is seen that the proficiency theses in various departments since 1950 are mainly on History of Architecture. The first doctoral studies started in the 1960s; One of the earliest PhD thesis in the field of "History of Architecture" is Prof. Bülent Özer's dissertation "Regionalism, Universalism and Our Contemporary Architecture", which was accepted in 1964 under the supervision of Prof. Kemali Söylemezoğlu.
Architectural History Chair was named "Architectural History and Survey Chair" in the academic year 1962-63 under Kuban's management. First PhD thesis in the field of Architectural History under Kuban’s supervision was Belge Aran's thesis entitled "Roman Architecture in Anatolia" accepted in 1971.
The name of the "Architecture History and Survey Chair" was changed to "Architectural History and Restoration Chair" in 1973. In this period, when the historical building stock in Anatolia was tried to be revealed with theses and researches, Kuban founded and chaired the "Architectural History and Restoration Institute" (MTRE, 1974-1982). The Institute's greatest contribution to the field of Architectural History is the journal MTRE, which still constitutes a valuable reference source today.
When the postgraduate education was taken from the faculties and started to be carried out by the institutes affiliated to the Rectorate in 1982, the "Architectural History and Restoration Chair" was divided into two as "Architectural History Department" and "Restoration Department" in relation to the strengthening of studies on cultural heritage in the world. Architectural History postgraduate education was carried out under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Semra Ögel, first at ITU Institute of Social Sciences (1982-1986), then at ITU Institute of Science (1986-1999). Following Prof. Ögel, Prof. Dr. Metin Ahunbay, Prof. Dr. Günkut Akın, Prof. Dr. Filiz Özer, Prof. Dr. İlknur Kolay and Prof. Dr. Aygül Ağır were the directors of the Architectural History Graduate Program, respectively.
Research Areas of the Program:
All kinds of expansions of the city and architecture from antiquity to the present in reference to the surrounding cultures;
Antiquity and Byzantine architecture; All kinds of expansions of the architecture of the Seljuk, Principalities, Ottoman and Republican periods in reference to the surrounding cultures;
Modern architecture process and theories in Turkey and in the world.
Click here for the program's website.
Registration Requirements
Application Term : Previous Term / 2024-2025 Spring Semester
Application Requirements (For T.C Nationality) ALES Numerical must be minimum 75 (old system GRE Quantitative minimum 700, new system GRE minimum 155 ). Graduate GPA must be minimum 3.5/4 (88.33/100). Minimum GPA from undergraduate to doctorate must be 3.5/4 (88.33/100). Graduation must be Archaeology, Interior Architecture, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Art History, Urban and Regional Planning, History. 1)1500 word research proposal;
2)a published article or a conference paper (preferably in English, articles/conference papers with an acceptance letter for publication are also acceptable)
3)An acceptance letter from a member of the Architectural History Program
4)Min 50 points at the written examination.
5) Turkish language certificate (min.B2 level or equivalent)
(Documents proving that conditions 1, 2,3 and 4 are met, must be uploaded as a single pdf document to the necessary documents section in the system)
Quota (For T.C Nationality): 2
Application Requirements (For International Students) ALES Numerical must be minimum 75 (old system GRE Quantitative minimum 700, new system GRE minimum 155 ). Graduate GPA must be minimum 3.5/4 (88.33/100). Minimum GPA from undergraduate to doctorate must be 3.5/4 (88.33/100). Graduation must be Archaeology, Interior Architecture, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Art History, Urban and Regional Planning, History. 1)1500 word research proposal;
2)a published article or a conference paper (preferably in English, articles/conference papers with an acceptance letter for publication are also acceptable)
3)An acceptance letter from a member of the Architectural History Program
4)Min 50 points at the written examination.
5) Turkish language certificate (min.B2 level or equivalent)
(Documents proving that conditions 1, 2,3 and 4 are met, must be uploaded as a single pdf document to the necessary documents section in the system)
Quota (For International Students): 1
Application Page Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles
Application requirements, application dates, and quotas are updated in real-time from the Application System.
English Proficiency
Regulations and Guidelines
Academic Calendar
Course Plans
Course Schedules
Course Adjustment and Exemption Procedures
Program Educational Objectives
• To carry out and evaluate a research supported by scientific resources, as an expression of an original argument, by documentation and rational assessment of data;
• To share data and its interpretations, that will bring innovation at national and international level, with academic circles via publication;
• For architectural historians with a PHD, to hold a position in academic circles within Turkey or abroad;
• Ability to comprehend architectural history’s -despite its autonomy- current aspects;
• For students that became familiar with the expansions of architectural history during the course of master’s degree; to acquire an academic formation.
Measurement and Evaluation
Evaluating Student Success
The student success is evaluated considering Articles 56, 57, 58, and 59 of the Istanbul Technical University Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles.
ARTICLE 56 - Before the enrollment for the courses begins, the faculty member who offers the course informs the Program Executive Committee about the types, number and contribution percentage to the final grade of the studies within the semester, as well as requirements for a right to take the semester final exam. These requirements shall be finalized by approval of the Program Executive Committee and approval of the chair of the department, who declares them to the student and informs the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 57 - A student may appeal the final grade of a course within one week following the announcement of the grades. Appeals must be submitted to the Graduate School in writing. The relevant faculty member shall re-evaluate the student's success status and submit the result to the Graduate School within one week. Appeals not submitted within the prescribed time frame shall not be considered by the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 58 - Courses in graduate programs shall be evaluated according to the following grading system.
| Grade Description |
Grade |
Scale |
| Excellent |
AA |
4.00 |
| Very good plus |
BA+ |
3.75 |
| Very good |
BA |
3.50 |
| Good plus |
BB+ |
3.25 |
| Good |
BB |
3.00 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB+ |
2.75 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB |
2.50 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC+ |
2.25 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC |
2.00 |
| Fail |
FF |
0.00 |
| Fail(No Exam) |
VF |
0.00 |
ARTICLE 59 - Students who wish to improve their cumulative grade point average may retake courses during the course-taking period. The most recent grade will be counted for the repeated courses.
Internship
There is no internship in this program.
Graduation Requirements
See ITU Academic Rules and Regulations for graduate students.
The Awarded Degree and Title
Degree : Doctor of Philosophy Title : Doctor of Philosophy
Program Employment Opportunities
Graduates contribute to the studies in the fields of architectural and urban history.
Number of Graduates
Graduate Statistics
| Year | Number of Graduates |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 |
Program Outcomes
P.O.1 To develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge at the level of expertise via original thinking and/or research based on master’s degree qualifications and to introduce original definitions that will bring innovation to the field of study. Ability to evaluate and use new information in the field of study with a systematic approach. Ability to contribute to the progress in the field by developing a new idea, method, design or practice that will bring innovation or to apply a common idea, method, design or practice to a different field .
Ability to develop new ideas and methods related to the field of study by using advanced mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making.
P.O.2 Ability to comprehend the interdisciplinary interaction related to the field of study; to obtain original results by using knowledge that requires expertise in analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating new and complex ideas . Ability to develop a new idea, method, design or practice that will bring innovation to the field of study or to apply a common idea, method, design or practice to a different field and ability to research, comprehend, design and practice an original subject. Ability to establish leadership in the environments that require solving original and interdisciplinary problems.
P.O.3 Ability to make critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas.
P.O.4 To acquire superior skills in using research methods related to the field of study
P.O.5 To expand the boundaries of knowledge in the field of study by publishing at least one article in national or international refereed journals or by producing or evaluating an original work.
P.O.6 Ability to examine, develop and act on changing -if necessary- the social relationships and their guiding norms from a critical point of view .
P.O.7 Ability to defend his/her original arguments in discussions with experts and to establish effective communication demonstrating competence in the field, at an international platform.
P.O.8 To communicate verbally and in writing in a foreign language at minimum C1 level of the European Language References.
P.O.9 To contribute to the process of becoming an information society and sustaining the status by introducing the scientific, technological, social or cultural progresses in his/her own field of study.
P.O.10 To establish functional interactions by using strategic decision-making processes to solve field related problems. Ability to contribute to the solution of social, cultural and ethical problems related with the field of study and support the development of aforementioned values.
Program Coordinator
Head of the Department
Links