Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the language of instruction?

The language of instruction in our Department is Turkish.

2. I am not good at drawing. Can I still succeed in architecture?

Absolutely. Exceptional artistic talent is not a prerequisite for studying architecture. What matters most is analytical thinking, curiosity, creativity, critical inquiry, and enthusiasm for design. During the first year, all students develop both hand-drawing and computer-aided design skills through courses in basic design, technical drawing, and digital design tools.

3. How does your design studio education differ from that of other universities?

The greatest strength of our studio education is the quality of one-to-one design critiques. While large class sizes at many universities may limit individual interaction, we intentionally maintain balanced student enrollment to provide personalized guidance throughout the design process.

Our students have easy access to faculty members not only during scheduled studio hours but whenever they need academic support. This close interaction fosters a collaborative learning environment. In addition, our design studios are led not only by experienced academics but also by practicing architects who actively work in the profession and have received recognition for their award-winning projects. As a result, students benefit from both strong theoretical foundations and direct exposure to contemporary professional practice.

4. Which digital tools and software will I learn during my studies?

Our curriculum begins with traditional hand drawing and progressively incorporates digital design technologies. Throughout your education, you will gain experience with industry-standard software, including SketchUp, Photoshop, AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, parametric design tools, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, and various digital visualization platforms.

Our Department adopts a hybrid educational model that combines the strengths of traditional architectural representation techniques with contemporary digital design methods.

5. How do internships work? Does the Department help students find internship placements?

Students are required to complete three compulsory internships during their studies: a topography internship, an architectural office internship, and a construction site internship.

While students are encouraged to secure internship placements independently, the Department provides guidance and support in finding suitable opportunities whenever needed.

6. Does your Department offer international exchange programs (e.g., Erasmus+)?

Yes. The Department of Architecture at Atılım University actively participates in international student exchange programs, particularly Erasmus+..Through our partnerships with universities abroad, students have the opportunity to study overseas for one or two semesters, gaining valuable academic, professional, and intercultural experience. These exchange programs help students broaden their international perspectives while strengthening their academic and professional competencies.

7. Does your Department offer Double Major or Minor programs?

Yes. Our students may pursue a Double Major in another department, provided they satisfy the requirements specified in the University's regulations and are accepted by the relevant department.

Likewise, students from other departments who meet the University's eligibility requirements may enroll in the Double Major Program in Architecture.

Our students may also pursue a Minor in another department, subject to the University's regulations and approval by the relevant department.

In addition, the Minor Program in Architectural Culture offered by our Department is open to students from all departments who meet the University's eligibility requirements.

8. Do students participate in competitions or undergraduate research programs?

Yes. At Atılım Architecture, we encourage our students to share their ideas and design work with the wider professional community. Our students actively participate in national and international architectural competitions and have achieved remarkable success. One notable example is the DELTA FLUX project, which ranked among the Top 20 worldwide in an international competition. Students are also encouraged to engage in research throughout their undergraduate education. Many of our students receive funding through Atılım University's Undergraduate Research Program (LAP) and the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Undergraduate Research Projects Support Program, allowing them to gain valuable research experience before graduation.

9. What career opportunities are available after graduation?

Graduates of the Department of Architecture pursue careers across a wide range of professional fields.

1. Architecture and Design Offices

• Architectural design, project development, and drafting
• Urban planning, urban design, and landscape planning offices
• Conservation, restoration, documentation, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings

2. Construction and Project Implementation

• Construction site management and site supervision
• Coordination of construction and implementation projects
• Building inspection and quality control

3. Public Service

• Municipalities, ministries, and other public institutions
• Planning, zoning, permitting, conservation, and project implementation units
• Development, evaluation, and management of public construction projects

4. Specialized Consultancy

• Occupational health and safety (with the required professional certifications)
• Real estate valuation and building appraisal
• Energy performance certification and building energy assessment
• Technical consultancy, expert witness, and arbitration services
• Lighting design, architectural acoustics, noise control, environmental impact assessment, and building services engineering

5  Education and Research

• Academic careers at universities
• Research positions in public and private research institutions
• Academic publishing, research groups, and competition-based design research

6. Emerging and Interdisciplinary Fields

• Computational design, 3D modeling, visualization, and animation
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital construction technologies
• Sustainable design, environmental performance analysis, and green building certification
• Design-driven entrepreneurship and technology-oriented innovation
• Game industry, including environmental design, virtual world creation, and level design
• Creative industries