Bilkent University

The Department of Communication and Design is a response to the growing need of our increasingly globalized and networked world in which mass communications and visual technologies of various kinds play a fundamental role. By providing a wide range of courses in media studies, theories and practice, the Department of Communication and Design aims to educate media professionals, with a special emphasis on visual communication and visual technologies, specifically in the fields of advertising, journalism, visual design, video and TV production and new media. Our rationale is to produce knowledgeable and responsible media professionals who are able to respond to the urgent needs of development and globalization in effective ways.

The Minor Program in Communication and Design aims to introduce dynamics of media theory and practice to Bilkent students from different backgrounds. As a complement to their major area of study, the minor program give the students a deep insight into the fields of communication, media and design, and prepare them for a career that requires them to anticipate the impact of communication in our day.

Students enrolled in any of the Bilkent faculties are eligible to apply, provided that they fulfill the application criteria set by the university.

The minor program consists of six courses in total, of which three are mandatory. The mandatory courses are COMD 203 Introduction to Communication Studies I, COMD 204 Introduction to Communication Studies II, and COMD 321 Analysis of Moving Image. Additionally, according to their fields of interest, students choose three 300 or 400 level Communication and Design courses.

Prerequisite Courses: None

The Department of Communication and Design offers Master of Arts program in Media and Visual Studies. The M.A. program aims to prepare students for careers in the media and communications sector as well as academic careers. It provides students with a sophisticated conceptual framework and analytical skills to enable them to make original contributions to media, visual and cultural studies by specializing in a particular aspect of Turkish or international media such as film, television, Internet or printed medium. The program encourages free and creative thinking, emphasizing research, analysis, interpretation, and criticism. Aiming at improving the standards of Turkish media, visual and cultural studies, the program encourages theoretical, interdisciplinary, and comparative approaches.

Admission: Applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree. In addition to the general requirements set forth by the university, admittance to the graduate program is determined by the results of an entrance examination. The date and place of the examination are announced each year by the University.

Degree Requirements: After the completion of at least 24 units of course work in two successive terms, the candidates must take two seminars in their area of interest and prepare and submit a thesis. The duration of program is four semesters.

The Master of Fine Arts program in Media and Design is a joint program offered by the Department of Graphic Design and the Department of Communication and Design . The M.F.A. program aims to prepare students primarily for careers in the media and graphic design sectors and secondarily in the academia. Integrating practical, theoretical, interdisciplinary, and comparative approaches, the program provides students with a sophisticated theoretical and practical framework to enable them to make original contributions to both Turkish and international media and design production. The program encourages free and creative thinking, emphasizing research, analysis, interpretation, practice and constructive criticism.

Admission: Applicants are required to have a four-year undergraduate degree. In addition to the general requirements set forth by the university, admittance to the program is determined by the results of an interview and the evaluation of the portfolios consisting of media and design works that have been done before (fiction writing, drawings, illustrations, graphic designs, scripts, storyboards, slides, photographs, web designs, animation projects, and/or videos). The date and place of the interview are announced each year by the University.

Degree Requirements: After the completion of at least 24 units of course work in two successive terms, the candidates must take two research seminars in their area of interest and prepare and submit a thesis project of media and design that also contains a written component. The duration of the program is four semesters.