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An Architect plans, designs, and supervises the construction of a variety of buildings, including homes, offices, malls, stadiums, etc. Architects are in charge of ensuring that the buildings that they construct meet all the standards for public safety, quality, usability, and environmental preservation. As a result, Architects need to be innovative as well as have an awareness of all these variables. Having excellent interpersonal and communication skills is essential for architects because they frequently work in teams.
In order to become an Architect in India, aspiring candidates can pursue various Undergraduate or Postgraduate Architect Courses in the relevant field such as Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) , B.E. Construction Technology, Bachelor of Planning, Master in Architecture (M.Arch), M.E. in House Planning, M.Phil in Architecture, etc from Top Architecture colleges in India. Admissions to these colleges are done on the basis of various engineering entrance exams such as JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, GATE, NATA etc.
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The average fee to pursue any Architecture Courses range from INR 60,000 to INR 3.30 L per year. Some of the top recruiters who hire fresh graduates as well as experienced candidates for various positions are DLF, Omaxe, IMAXE, Jindals, Larsen & Toubro and many more. Candidates must also possess some skills such as Leadership, Project Management, Critical thinking, Technical drawing etc. The average salary of an Architect is INR 20 LPA. While the average salary of candidates with substantial years of experience can be upto INR 40 LPA. Check More: Bachelor of Architecture Jobs & Career Options
Table of Content
- How to Become an Architect: Quick Facts
- Qualifications Required to Become an Architect
- Types of Architects
5.1 How to Become an Architect After 12th
6.1 Entrance Exams
8.1 India
8.2 Abroad
How to Become an Architect: Quick Facts
| Industry | Architecture |
| Eligibility | Candidate must have cleared 10+2 with minimum aggregate of 60% or above from a recognized institute with Math and English as compulsory subjects After completion of the course candidate must have registered with the Council of Architecture. |
| Top Recruiters | Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, L&T, DLF, Jindals, IMAXE, Manchanda Associates, Architect Consultants, VSA Space Design (P) Ltd., Edifice Architects Pvt. Ltd. |
| Related Industries | Interior designing, Production designer, Building inspector, Structural engineer, Landscape and lighting architect. |
| Required Skills | Managerial skills, Good communication, knowledge of Math and Physics, logical approach |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3-4 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 40 LPA |
Qualifications Required to Become an Architect
The major qualifications required in order to become an Architects are listed below for your reference,
- For applying in the Engineering Diploma course, the candidate must complete class 10th.
- For applying for any graduation program, candidates must complete class 10+2 board exams with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from the recognized board, along with Mathematics and English as compulsory subjects.
- Candidates who have completed a 3 year diploma after class 10th can apply for the B.Arch program.
- Candidates are required to appear for the entrance exam such as JEE Mains, NATA, JEE Advanced etc.
- For post graduation courses, the candidate will be required to appear for the entrance exam such as GATE and CEED.
Types of Architects
Architects are not only building homes and structures but also interiors as well. There are different types of Architect roles available in the job market. Candidates can choose their job according to their interest and specialization. Some of the top job profile are as follows:
Industrial Architect
| Definition | Industrial architects are one who work on production of design, drawing, presentation, etc. They coordinate with the external agencies like Modal maker, 3D rendering agency, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | 5.55 LPA |
Landscape Architects
| Definition | A Landscape architect is a professional who practices landscape architecture such as site analysis, site inventory, site planning, land planning etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | 4.82 LPA |
Freelance Architects
| Definition | A freelance architect is one who usually works on contract to design buildings and usually decides what type of architecture would suits the area and provide guidance while the ongoing construction process. |
| Average Annual Salary | 4.00 LPA |
Commercial Or Public Architects
| Definition | A commercial architect is responsible for designing and constructing buildings that are going to be used for commercial purposes like office buildings, malls, retail stores, restaurants, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 12 LPA |
Steps to Become an Architect
The below-mentioned steps would help students to know what needs to be done to become an Architect.
| Complete Senior Secondary School | To become an Architect, candidates are required to pass 10+2 with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate along with a mandatory subjects, math and physics. Candidates can also go for a diploma programme in engineering after class 10th for gaining engineering knowledge to build the base of their career. |
| Prepare for Entrance Exams | After completing 10+2 candidates should start preparing for the entrance exam. Clearing this entrance exam is the key to start building a career as an Architect. Some of the entrance exams are JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, AAT, NATA etc. |
| Earn Bachelor’s Degree | Candidates must pursue a bachelors degree in Architecture to knowledge about the profession as develop technical knowledge and skills. |
| Complete Registration | Post the completion of the program , candidates are required to register with the Council of Architecture (COA). This includes completing online applications and submitting all the relevant documents. |
| Get into an Internship | Candidates must apply for Internships or attend workshops which will help in gaining and experience real world knowledge and practice of actually how architects work. |
| Pursue Masters Degree | Candidates who wish to pursue architecture further and certain specialization in it can pursue masters in architecture and learn about their specific field of interest. |
How to Become an Architect in India
To become an Architect in India, candidates can choose from a number of courses available such as Bachelor of Architecture B.Arch, Bachelor of Planning B.Plan, Bachelor of Technology Architecture Engineering and many more. Post pursuing graduation, candidates for better job prospects can also pursue masters degree such as M.Arch , M. E planning etc. Candidates can also pursue certain certification or diploma courses related to architecture and design to develop more skills and knowledge.
School Level Preparation: In order to become an Architect the steps that are to be followed are mentioned
- The candidate must have passed Class 12th exams with Mathematics and English as their main subjects.
- Candidates need to qualify an entrance exam to get admission into a Bachelor’s degree program of Architecture or in any relevant field
- Candidates can prepare for the entrance exams by taking admission to coaching centers for the preparation and with the help of study material, they can prepare for the entrance exam
- The candidates can also solve the previous year's paper and the different mock test samples released by the examination authorities.
How to Become an Architect After 12th
Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the crucial steps that must be followed in order to be an Architect are as follows:
- Candidates need to clear the entrance exam in order to get admission in the undergraduate program such as JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, NATA, AAT etc are some of the top entrance exams.
- Candidates can pursue undergraduate courses in Architecture such as B.Arch, Bachelor of Architecture in Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Planning, Bachelor of Engineering in Construction Technology and many more.
- Candidates should focus on designing models of the building, formulating construction blueprints and other physical structures of land and building.
- To pursue a higher degree, candidates must score a minimum aggregate of 60% or above in undergraduation.
- Candidates must go through the syllabus briefly in order to prepare for the entrance exam for post graduation
Post-Graduation Preparation: The key steps to be followed to become a after completing Undergraduate courses are,
- For getting into a post graduate program, candidates need to appear for the entrance exam such as CEEED, GATE etc.
- Candidates need to choose specialization in any area depending on their area of interest or knowledge and strength.
- In this course, on-field experience plays a very important role. So it’s important for the candidates to attend workshops and pursue internships to learn about the actual job role.
- Post completion of the course, candidates while working can also pursue higher degrees such as PhD to get a doctorate degree which would be very beneficial in landing a high scoring job.
Architecture Courses
Architecture has many courses to offer and are classified in different categories such as planning, designing etc. These courses provide deep knowledge of building homes, commercial buildings, airports etc. Some of the top courses that can be pursued in order to become an Architect are tabulated below for your reference,
| Parameters | Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) | Bachelor of Planning | Master in Architecture (M.Arch) | M. Tech in Urban Planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years | 4 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | candidate must have cleared 10+2 with minimum aggregate of 60% or above Candidates must have physics, chemistry and Mathematics along with English as compulsory subjects. |
candidate must have cleared 10+2 with minimum aggregate of 50% or above Candidates must have physics, chemistry and Mathematics along with English as compulsory subjects. |
Candidate must hold a Bachelor degree in Architecture with minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized institute | Candidate must hold a Bachelor degree in Architecture with minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized institute |
| Top Colleges | IIT Kharagpur School of Planning and Architecture Birla Institute of Technology and Science Chandigarh University Mumbai University |
School of Planning and Architecture Lovely Professional University Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology CEPT University |
Manipal School of Architecture and Planning IIT Roorkee NIT tiruchirappalli SRM University |
Manipal University Integral University Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology Guru Nanak Dev University |
| Entrance Exams | JEE, AIEEE, NATA | JEE, AIEEE, NATA | JEE Advanced TANCET GATE | JEE Advanced TANCET GATE |
| Average course fees | INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 | INR 1,00,000 - 2,50,000 | INR 1,00,000 - 2,50,000 | INR 50,000 - 3,60,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 - 10,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 - 6,00,000 | INR 10,00,000 - 40,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 - 9,00,000 |
Entrance Exams
Provided below is the list of Entrance Exams along with their important dates, that are conducted round the year in order to enroll students for courses to become an Architect are tabulated below for your reference,
| Entrance Exams | Registration Dates | Registration Deadlines | Exam Dates | Result Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Mains | March 1, 2022 | April 25, 2022 | June 20 - 29, 2022 | To be Notified |
| JEE Advanced | August 7, 2022 | August 11, 2022 | August 28, 2022 | September 11, 2022 |
| BITSAT | March 14, 2022 | June 10, 2022 | July 2 - 9, 2022 | To be Notified |
| GATE | September 2, 2021 | September 30, 2021 | February 5,6,12 & 13, 2022 | March 17, 2022 |
How to Become an Architect Abroad
There are several other countries such as the UK, USA, Canada and Australia who offer different courses on Architecture. There are several top Universities and Colleges as well offering both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Architecture courses. However, before applying for these courses one should fulfill basic requirements that are discussed below for your reference.
- The candidate must have completed Class 12th from a recognized Institute with minimum aggregate of 60% or above.
- The candidates must pass either of the English proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Candidates must produce a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for studying across any of the counties abroad
- The candidate must submit a Letter of recommendation of the academic professionals from the last attended institute.
- In the case of PG programs, the candidates must have a minimum aggregate of 70% or above.
- The candidate must also take the GRE exam.
- Candidates would have to provide proof of work experience in the relevant field.
- The candidates also need to submit proof of their finances.
Top Architecture Colleges
In India, there are over 881 colleges of Architecture. Every year more than 20,000 seats are released for the graduation program for which the entrance exam is conducted. Some of the top colleges are Indian Institute of Technology, National Institute of Technology, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences and a lot more.
Apart from that, this course is also very popular abroad . Some of the top colleges abroad are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UCL London, Harvard , Cambridge etc are world renowned universities.
Provided below is the list of top colleges in India as well as abroad for your reference,
India
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Kharagpur | West Bengal | 50,000 |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Roorkee | 4,25,000 |
| Parul University | Gujarat | 92000 |
| National Institute of Technology | Kerala | 53,622 |
| School of Planning and Architecture | New Delhi | 1,32,000 |
| College of Engineering | Kerala | 34,320 |
| School of Planning and Architecture | Madhya Pradesh | 1,00,000 |
| National Institute of Technology | Tamil Nadu | 1,66,050 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | New Delhi | 54,250 |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Jharkhand | 3,24,350 |
Abroad
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | 34,07,000 |
| Harvard University | United States of America | 38,42,000 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | United States of America | 25,00,000 |
| Cornell University | United States of America | 42,05,000 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 44,75,000 |
| University of Nottingham | United Kingdom | 38,10,000 |
| University of Manchester | United Kingdom | 33,78,000 |
| University of Toronto | Canada | 23,25,000 |
| University of Waterloo | Canada | 10,60,000 |
| University of Queensland | Australia | 15,60,000 |
Architecture Industry
The architecture industry is an ever growing industry. More and more new designs will keep coming until architects use their creativity and innovation. The Indian Architecture industry has grown considerably in the last 20 years. This has not been just because of better education but also due to the Western influence on the Indian minds.
However, it is not very easy to be an architect in India primarily because the market is very volatile. When the pandemic hit the country in 2020-21, most of the construction work came to an abrupt halt and many architects ran out of business. In 2019, the architecture industry recorded around INR 12,000 crore. Since the industry is again picking up pace while the country recovers from the after effects of the pandemic, the industry is expected to grow upto INR 65,000 crore by 2040.
Nonetheless, the demand for architects will never slow down in India as the country is still developing and with the construction of high-rise apartments, buildings, shopping complexes, houses, offices, etc. the demand for designs, plans, architectural buildings and urban construction would never die down.
Skills Required to Become an Architect
Architecture is a creative field and this being creative is one of the most important skills. Skills play a very important part in determining the strength of the candidate and are also helpful in landing a high paying job. Some of the most essential skill sets that are required to become an Architect in India are tabulated below for your reference,
| Designing Talent | Strong Mathematical skills | Business and Management Skills |
| Practical and scientific Skills | Communication skills | Legal Knowledge |
| Social Awareness | Logical thinking | Practical knowledge |
Pros & Cons of Becoming an Architect
Becoming an architect comes with its own set of pros and cons as have been discussed below.
Pros of Becoming an Architect
- Creativity- An architect’s work focuses on designing and that is where he/she can express and develop new ideas. They can use their creativity to develop new architectural plans, make proposals to clients and design many projects.
- Respected profession- Architecture is a very respected profession because it requires a lot of creativity, critical thinking and mathematical skills. Being an architect also comes with a lot of responsibility because they have to design, plan, oversee construction.
- Salary- Architecture is a high paying job. The salary depends on many factors like qualifications, skills, experience, geographic area, etc. but nonetheless their salaries are higher when compared to the general workforce involved in construction.
Cons of Becoming an Architect
- Educational requirements- The minimum educational requirement for becoming an architect is graduation. Usually the graduation time period in other degrees is 3-4 years but architecture is a 5 year undergraduate program and during this period, the academic program is very rigorous.
- Lengthy career path- It usually takes many years for an architect to settle and establish himself in the architectural field. There are certain specifications in order for an architect to get his license and the educational program to become an architect is also very lengthy.
- Level of responsibility- Architects have a very high level of responsibility when it comes to construction. They have to ensure that the construction they have planned is absolutely solid without any glitches or else it can lead to serious and even very harmful consequences.
Top Recruiters for Architects
Post completion of the course, several colleges offer campus placements which help candidates to land a decent paying job. Candidates can apply by themselves also. India is home to many top architectural firms . Some of the top companies are tabulated below who hire fresh as well as experienced candidates,
| RSP Architects Ltd. | DLF | Raj Rewal Associates |
| CP Kukreja Associates | Manchanda Associates | Oscar & Ponni Architects |
| IMAXE | Jindals | Larsen & Toubro |
| Sahara Group | Architects Consultant | Edifice Architects Pvt Ltd. |
Salary of an Architect
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of an architect is around INR 20 LPA. The starting salary is INR 4 LPA while the highest can go up to INR 40 LPA. However, the salary is dependent on a number of factors such as skills, academics, specialization, location etc. The average salary of an Architect across various companies are tabulated below for your reference,
| Job profiles | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Design Architect | 3,67,000 |
| Project Assistant | 3,81,000 |
| Project Architect | 5,97,000 |
| Interior Designer | 4,04,000 |
| Urban Planner | 5,25,000 |
| Landscape Architect | 5,30,000 |
| Principal Architect | 9,40,000 |
How to Become an Architect: FAQs
Ques. Who are Architects?
Ans. Architects are professionals who play a key role in construction and designing buildings. They use their creativity to use the available space aesthetically and wisely to create a functional outcome and tend to the requirements of their clients.
Ques. What are the options after completing Architect?
Ans. The career options after completing Architect are:
- Design Architect
- Interior Designer
- Urban Planner
- Project Architect
Ques. What is the salary of an Architect after completing Master’s?
Ans. After completion of master’s course, candidates will obviously get a higher pay than they got in undergraduate. One can expect a starting salary of INR 6 -8 LPA while the highest can go up to INR 60 LPA .
Ques. What are the Skills required to be an Architect?
Ans. The main skills required to be a successful Architect are:
- Creativity
- Innovative
- Good communication skills
- Good knowledge of Math
Ques. What are the certificate courses required to be an Architect?
Ans. The certificate courses required to be an Architect are:
- Diploma in Architectural Assistantship
- Certificate course in Architecture Design
- Certificate course in 3D Architectural Visualization
- Certificate course in Interior Design
Ques. What is the highest salary of an Architect?
Ans. According to Glassdoor, the highest salary of an Architect is more than INR 40 LPA or if the candidate is self employed it can go up in crores.
Ques. How many semesters are there in Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)?
Ans. Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is a 5 year undergraduate course. This course is divided into 10 semesters.
Ques. What entrance should an Architect take?
Ans. There are number of Entrance Exam to get into architectural college in India are:
- JEE Mains
- JEE Advanced
- NATA
- AAT
Ques. Is Architect a good job?
Ans. Yes, being an architect is one of the well respected jobs in the country. Due to its creative nature and attention to detail, this profession is a combination of art and mind.
Ques. Do Architects have a scope in the Government sector?
Ans. Yes, ofcourse. Architects have multiple opportunities to explore the government sector. They can be employed by the government sector for various projects. Their pay depends upon the rate set by the government which might vary.
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