Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University has a long history dating back to 1882, first starting as an Academy and finally gaining its status as a university in 1984. Bachelors programs are available in a number of disciplines, including Fine Arts (courses include photography, tiles and ceramics, carpet design, calligraphy, sculpture, costume making, and graphic design), Architecture, and Science and Letters. Graduate students can then continue their education at the Institute of Science and Technology (programs include Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy and Proficiency in Art, as well as many others), or the Institute of Social Sciences, where they can undertake a graduate program in many subject areas, including History of Art, Turkish Language and Literature, or Cinema and TV. There is also a Conservatory within the University offering courses in Music and Performing Arts, and a Vocational School offering a Textiles Program. Since 2002, the University has also been offering an Erasmus Exchange Program for its students.
The University also includes the Resim Heykel Müzesi (Painting and Sculpture Museum). The collection boasts more than 2,000 painting and 400 sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.
