How to Become an Architect: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Benefits, Skills, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Architects are responsible for designing and planning the construction and layout of buildings, structures and spaces. To become an architect, candidates are required to clear class 12 board exams from a recognised board and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in architecture. The Average Salary of an Architect in India is INR 7.20 LPA with the highest salary being INR 40.2 LPA. 

How to Become an Architect: Quick Facts

Qualifications BArch, BPlan, MArch
Starting Salary (INR) INR 2.10 LPA
Average Salary (INR) INR 7.20 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) INR 40.2 LPA
Top Recruiters Wipro, IBM, Cognizant, Bosch Global Software Technologies, Ericsson, ARCOP Associates

What are the Qualifications to Become an Architect?

Candidates are required to meet certain educational qualifications to become architects in India which are discussed below. 

  • Candidates must clear class 12th board exams with an average score of 50% or above from a recognised board. 
  • They should possess a bachelor’s degree in architecture like BArch or BPlan. There is also an option of a master’s degree for better career prospects.
  • Candidates have to qualify for entrance exams if they are targeting top colleges for education. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Become an Architect?

Candidates are required to meet certain eligibility criteria set by COA to become an architect as discussed below:

  • Educational Qualifications: 
    • Candidates should possess a degree in architecture like BArch and MArch.
  • Internships:
    • They must complete the necessary internship program under the guidance of a registered architect as per the COA guidelines.
  • Registrations:
    • They must possess a COA registration to start working as architects. 
    • Candidates should have a deep knowledge of various architectural principles and techniques and should demonstrate skills required in the efficient execution of different projects. 

Types of Architects

Architects can be of many types based on their specialisation in various areas of design and construction. Some common types include.

  • Residential Architect: Specialise in designing homes and residential spaces that are functional and according to the client's needs. 
  • Commercial Architect: Design non-residential buildings like offices and hotels and consider factors like functionality and customer experience. 
  • Interior Architect: Work on designing and layout of interior spaces. They optimise space and create an atmosphere according to the client’s needs.
  • Landscape Architect: Works on the design of outdoor places like gardens, and recreational areas. They integrate natural elements and hardware features into their design. 
  • Transportation Architect: Design transport-related structures like airports and transit hubs considering factors like passenger flow, security and more.

Courses to Become an Architect

There are various courses in architecture at different levels that can be pursued by aspiring candidates. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Parameters BArch MArch
Eligibility Class 12 Bachelor’s in related field
Entrance Exams NATA, JEE Mains GATE, CEED, TANCET, TS PGECET
Top Colleges IIT Roorkee, NIT Calicut, IIT Kharagpur, NIT Trichy, SPA, JMI IIT Roorkee, NIT Calicut, IIT Kharagpur, SPA New Delhi
Course Fees (INR) 2,00,000 - 4,00,000 4,00,000 - 8,00,000
Average Salary (INR) INR 4.50 LPA - 5 LPA 8.30 LPA - 10 LPA
Top Recruiters L&T, DLF, Jindals, IMAXE, Edifice Architects Pvt.Ltd., Sahara Group RSP Architects, Arcop, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd, Oscar and Ponni Architects

Entrance Exams

Candidates targeting top colleges for education have to appear in entrance exams to get admission. The details for some of the top exams are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declaration
GATE October 12, 2023 February 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2024 March 16, 2024
NATA March 2024 April 6, 2024 July 2024
CEED November 13, 2023 January 21, 2024 March 6, 2024
WBJEE February 5, 2024 April 28, 2024 May, 2024

Top Architecture Colleges in India

There are numerous colleges in India that offer various courses in architecture for candidates looking for a career as an architect. The details for top colleges are mentioned in the table below.

Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees (INR)
IIT Kharagpur Kharagpur 50,000
IIT Roorkee Roorkee 1.20 L
National Institute of Technology Calicut 57,255
School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi 1.32 L
Parul University Vadodara 1.33 L
College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram 34,320
LPU Jalandhar 2.40 L
School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal 1 L
NIT Trichy Tiruchirappalli 58,050
JMI New Delhi 54,250

What are the Skills Required to Become an Architect?

Architects are required to possess a variety of skills to excel in their roles. Some of the top skills are tabulated below.

Creativity Design skills Technical Knowledge
Spatial awareness Problem-solving skills Communication
Project management Attention to detail Sustainability awareness

What are the Benefits of Becoming an Architect?

Becoming an architect can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. Some of the key benefits include.

  • Creative Expression: Architects have the opportunity to design spaces and buildings that reflect their artistic and aesthetic sensibilities.
  • Variety in Projects: Architects work on various projects and different building styles keeping the work engaging and dynamic.
  • Earning Potential: Architects generally enjoy competitive salaries, especially as they gain experience and reputation in the industry.
  • Job Stability: As there is a constant need for new construction and renovation projects, the demand for architects tends to remain steady.

Top Recruiters of Architects

Many companies hire architects in India. The table highlights some of the top recruiters. 

Wipro Cognizant Bosch Global Software Technologies Ericsson ARCOP Associates
Persistent Systems Virtusa Consulting Services Mindtree IBM Morphogenesis

Salary of an Architect

The average salary of an architect in India is INR 7.20 LPA. The starting salary for an architect is 2.10 LPA while the highest salary is INR 40.2 LPA. Architect salaries for some of the top designations are mentioned in the table below.

Designations Average Annual Salary (INR)
BIM Architect 5.40 L
Junior Architect 2.50 L
Design Architect 6 L
Senior Architect 17.20 L
Project Architect 6.50 L
Principal Architect 14 L
Freelance Architect 4 L
Associate Architect 12 L
Architectural Designer 3.60 L

How to Become an Architect: FAQs

Ques. What qualifications do you need to become an architect?

Ans. Candidates are required to possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in architecture like BArch to become an architect in India. 

Ques. How can I do architecture after the 12th?

Ans. Candidates have to enrol themselves in different architecture courses after class 12. They can opt for full-time bachelor’s degrees or can choose short-term courses like a certificate or a diploma in architecture. 

Ques. How many years does it take to become an architect?

Ans. Candidates generally require 5 to 7 years to become architects based on their curriculum and educational program length. 

Ques. Is it hard to become an architect?

Ans. Becoming an architect can be challenging due to the combination of creative design, technical knowledge and rigorous education and licensing requirements. 

Ques. What is the highest salary of an architect?

Ans. The highest salary of an architect in India is INR 40.2 LPA.

Ques. Is PCM compulsory for architecture?

Ans. While PCM is not compulsory for architecture, it can provide students with a strong base for further studies. 

Ques. What is the salary of an architect in India?

Ans. The average salary of an architect in India is INR 7.20 LPA.

Ques. Is architecture a good career?

Ans. Architecture can be a rewarding career for those interested in design and creativity in built environments and generally provides good pay. 

Ques. Name some top recruiters of architects in India.

Ans. Wipro, IBM, Cognizant, Bosch Global Software Technologies, Ericsson and ARCOP Associates are some of the top recruiters of architects in India.

Ques. What are the major duties of an architect?

Ans. Designing, planning, documentation, site analysis, client communication and budgeting are some of the major duties of an architect. 

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