The Department of Architecture was founded in 1954 as four year course leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture under the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Rangoon (Yangon). In 1958 the course was increased in length to 5 years after the completion of Intermediated Science course in Rangoon (Yangon) University. The first five graduates in Architecture passed out into the profession in April 1958. In 1964, the Department was shifted to Rangoon (Yangon) Institute of Technology, which has been called Yangon Technological University (YTU) at Gyogon, Insein since 1998.

Since 2002, with the development of Government Technical Colleges and Universities (GTCs & TUs) all over Myanmar, there become increasing numbers of students. The Department has produced over eight hundred promising Architects in 50 years duration(ie.1954-2004). Recently, Architectural courses were offered in YTU, Hlaingtharyar (WYTU), Mandalay Technological University (MTU), and six TUs viz., Mandalay (Owebo), Hmawbi, Thanlyin, Magway, Kyaukse and Taunggu. Yearly intake of Architectural students for each Department is around 50 students with five to seven teaching staff.

TECHNICAL  COOPERATION:

The Technical Cooperation Programme between Department of Architecture, YTU and Department of Regional Development Planning, University of Stuttgart, Germany since year 2000.

THE COURSE OF STUDY

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

 The course extends over five years. The first two years are regarded as basic education in Architectural Drawing and Practice with computer application for the Certificate of AGTI, bringing the student to the stage at which he will be able to contribute usefully to the work in Government office and construction site.
 The second two years are regarded as advanced courses in theory of Structures and Building Science working in Architectural Design Studio. The students are also required to carry out Measured Drawing of Architectural heritage buildings and monuments in Myanmar. After completion of the course work, the student is required to submit a mini- thesis as partial fulfilment in the requirements for the Bachelor Degree of Technology (B. Tech. Architecture).
 The last one year course designed to tackle complex planning problems and more advanced problems relating to Architectural and Structural Design.
Imaginative, Scientific and practical studies are required in the courses such as; Architectural Thoughts and Theory of Design, Professional Practice, Landscape Architecture and Collaborative Design Projects. 
Finally, the students are required to select his or her thesis topic for the Design Thesis to be submitted as a partial fulfilment in the requirements for the Bachelor Degree of Architecture (B. Arch.)

POST GRADUATE COURSES

                 Master of Architecture –M. Arch. (WYTU & MTU)
                 Doctorate- Ph. D (Architecture & Planning) (YTU  & MTU)

The first post graduate in Master of Architecture from the Yangon Technological passed out into the profession in 1997, and five more in 1998. Ninety seven nos. of Master Degree holders have been produced from 1999 to 2007. More post graduates in Masters’ and Ph. D courses have been produced under the new system of plan A, offered in course work.
The first doctorate in Ph. D in Architecture Planning passed out into the profession in year 2000, eleven more in 2005-6, eleven in 2007, and twenty in 2008; altogether 43 nos. of Ph. D holders.

AREAS OF RESEARCH

          1.  Architecture and Heritage  Conservation
          2.  Architectural and Design Science
          3.  Urban Design 
          4.  Urban & Regional Development Planning

     1.  ARCHITECTURE AND HERITAGE CONSERVATION

            I. HOUSING:

              1.   Proposals for Improvement  in walk-up apartments in Yangon City
              2.   Correlation Between Health and Housing for walk-up apartments in Yangon
              3.   Analysis on Housing for low income community in Yangon
              4.   A study on five or more storey residential buildings in Yangon
              5.   Architectural Design Guidelines for Multi-storey walk-up apartments in Mandalay
              6.  Study on Condominiums in Yangon

           II. HERITAGE CONSERVATION:

              1.   Integration of Architectural forms and Structural Systems on Bagan Monument.
              2.   Architectural Conservation of  Myanmar
              3.   Architectural Aspects of Myanmar Buddhist Monasteries
              4.   Study on Kachin Vernacular Houses
              5.   Study on Architecture of smaller Temples in Bagan
              6.   Comparative Study on Pyu and Bagan Architecture before 11th.Centuray A.D
              7.   Architectural Interpretation of recently Excavated sites in Bagan

    2.   ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN SCIENCE

            1.   Architectural Fenestration for Sustainable  Building Designs.

                  1. Building Services and Environmental considerations of Private Hospitals in Yangon
                  2. Analysis of Acoustical Design in National Theatre.
                  3. High Operational efficiency and energy saving strategies for high rise office building design in Yangon.

    3. URBAN DESIGN

            1. Formulation of Guide Lines for Urban Design in Yangon City Residential areas.
            2. Study on Street Architecture of Yangon
            3. Study on Visual aspect of Urban Design in Yangon
            4. Study on correlative effects between Yangon City and its Gardens 
           5. Impact of Urban Design Problems on Zegyo High Rise building developments and its environment, Mandalay.
           6. Development of Public Open Space in Yangon  Urban Areas.

    4.  URBAN & REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

           1. Development of Growth Centers in Mandalay Region
           2. Towards Modern Developed City Center: Planning for Yangon Central Business District Area  
           3. Study for Growth Potential of Aung Ban Town and its Center.
           4. Upgrading of Dallah Town Planning