B.Arch vs B.Planning - Which is Better?

Students face a big dilemma when choosing a career-based course in the field of architecture. Bachelors in Architecture deal with the core designing and construction of buildings and infrastructure. On the other hand, Bachelors's in Planning caters to the bottom line of planning, surveying, and model-making to prepare an optimum resource to plan and construct human settlements, transportation systems, drainage systems, and many more.

This article will take one through the different aspects of the two courses and guide towards choosing the best amongst B.Arch vs B.Planning.

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Key Highlights

Here's a glance at the similarities and differences between B. Arch and B.Planning to help an aspirant understand which one is better:

Criteria	B.Arch	B.Planning
Full-Form	Bachelors in Architecture	Bachelors in Planning
Duration	5 Years	4 Years
Average Fees	INR 4 - 8 Lakhs	INR 1 - 2 Lakhs
Average Salary	INR 6 LPA	INR 5.5 LPA
Eligibility	Minimum 50% in 10+2 from a recognized board	Minimum 50% in 10+2 from a recognized board
Compulsory Subjects in 10+2	Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry	Mathematics
Entrance Exam	JEE Main, NATA, AAT, KIITEE , etc.	JEE Main, NATA , JUEE , TANCET, UPEE, etc.

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Overview

B.Arch is one of the most prominent courses in construction and designing. The course has earned more recognition over the years due to the government and private institutions' increase in infrastructure and construction. During the 5-years allow the students to earn proficiency in designing, preparing blueprints for constructing infrastructure, and supervising and finalizing the process of the project for the private and public sectors.

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B.Planning or Bachelors in Planning is steadily growing as the government, and the people of the economy are becoming more inclined towards proper planning and designing of the country and the infrastructure of cities and towns. Thus, one is imparted with a deep-dive knowledge of planning - urban and rural areas, real estate development, and housing settlement.

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However, B. Arch is considered more technical than B. Planning, but as the people and government of economies have become more interested in planning a scientifically and economically planned city and settlement, there has been a subsequent rise in the professionals with a specialization in planning.

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Eligibility Criteria

Getting admission into the undergraduate program for Architecture and Planning requires dedication and passion for the course. The criteria for admission in Bachelors of Architecture and Bachelors in Planning more or less have similar requirements however vary in certain aspects:

• For Bachelors in Architecture, one has to score a minimum of 50% marks in their 10+2, from a recognized central or state board with compulsory subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
• However, for B. Planning, a student requires a minimum of 50% in the higher secondary examination from a recognized board of examination with mathematics as their compulsory subject. 
• A person, having a diploma under 10+3 type of examination from any discipline and a recognized university or board examination can apply for Bachelors in Planning or Bachelors in Architecture. 

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Entrance Exams

Different universities and colleges have different structures for taking the admission process all across India. All institutes take up a different set of examinations based on the basic knowledge of the course along with the class 12 syllabus. Some of the common examinations for B. Architecture and B. Planning are:

• NATA
• JEE Main
• AAT
• KIITEE
• AMUEEE

Entrance exams for B.Planning:

• JUEE
• TANCET

Even though the exam pattern is different, after the 1st two common rounds, students appearing for B.Arch have to sit for the Drawing test having two questions, whereas B.Planning students have 25 questions containing four marks each.

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Syllabus

With a focus on planning and design, the B.Planning and B.Arch syllabus covers a wide range of topics and concepts. Throughout both courses, candidates are able to choose from a number of core and elective subjects to make the course more versatile and diversified.

B.Planning Syllabus

• Elements of Economics
• Applied Hydrology and Geology
• Planning with Quantitative and Statistical Methods
• Techniques of Planning
• Urban Planning
• Regional Planning
• Planning Studio
• Fundamentals of Building Structure
• Basic Design

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B.Arch Syllabus

• Architectural Design
• Visual Arts and Basic Design
• Computer Applications
• Building Construction
• Theory of Structures
• Environmental Studies
• Model making and Workshop
• Climate-responsive Design
• Surveying and Leveling

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B.Planning vs B.Arch - Benefits of Pursuing

Both the courses have high regard in the minds of aspirants as the courses are dynamic and have a wide scope of learning and development. Once the students complete the course, they can opt for government and private-sector jobs. There are numerous opportunities and demands for both B. Arch and B.Planning graduates as the economies are developing and allocating resources towards Planning and building of infrastructure.

Benefits of B.Arch 

• After completion, one can work under Government offerings in departments like Archeological, Housing & Urban Development Corporation, Department of Railways, etc.
• A profession that is lucrative and dynamic with no monotony. Every project that students handle will be poles apart from the previous one. Every building or every structure is different and has its own set of challenges to handle.
• Once aspirants complete their degree, it is not necessary to work under a private or government organization. One can work independently after the graduate receives the license to work as an Architect.
• One can develop and enhance communication, creative thinking, observant attitude, team spirit, and strong physical stamina.

 Benefits of B.Planning

• Students who study B. Planning gets extensive knowledge about tools and techniques like Computer-aided design planning and geo-informatics for Planning.
• One gets a detailed view of expertise in fundamentals of urban and rural planning, real estate planning, urbanization, and many more such modules.
• After completing this course, a student can enter firms like realty firms, transportation & Railway firms.
• One can also get Government job opportunities under departments like Municipality, Urban development, government housing plans, transports, and railways.

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Scope

After completing an undergraduate degree in Bachelor's of Architecture and Bachelor of Planning, one gets many opportunities and scope in the field. One can choose to enter into the business or even choose to study further in their field of specialization. The course has a high demand in the market, and therefore the offered compensation is relatively high and adequate.

B.Arch  vs B.Planning - Job Opportunities and Top Recruiters

Under Bachelors of Architecture, after the completion of 5-years of education and learning, as the student may work under private and government sector with job opportunities like:

• Data Analyst
• Project Manager
• Building Contractor
• Landscape Architect
• Architecture Draftsman and many more.

The top colleges provide placements in companies like Jindals, Sahara Group, Manchanda Associates, DLF, Larsen & Toubro, Architect consultants, GRID Architecture Interiors Private limited, etc.

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In terms of B.Planning, after pursuing 4-years of education a student has the liberty to go for private, government, or self-employment jobs as there lie opportunities for students in all three aspects. Job roles like:

• Urban Planner
• Project Planner
• Design Architect
• Regional Planner
• Interior Designer and many more.

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The students who want to enter the private sector can expect top recruiters like Quarks Technosoft catering to realty & construction firms, NGOs, and Urban Planning firms. Public structure construction firms like roads and railways are primary recruiters. Government job opportunities come under departments of housing schemes, PWD employment, Urban Planning, and Municipality.

B.Planning vs B.Arch - Salary

The typical salary of B.Arch can start somewhere between INR 5 to 6 LPA. This salary moves upwards with experience in the field and the projects the graduates work on. It may move up to INR 10 LPA within five years in this sector.

Job Designation	Average Pay
Data Analyst	INR 4.3 LPA
Project Manager	INR 9 LPA
Building Contractor	INR 5.8 LPA
Landscape Architect	INR 3.8 LPA
Architecture Draftsman	INR 3 LPA

Read More about B.Arch Salary

Annually, the average salary for B.Planning graduates ranges between INR 3 and 5 LPA in the initial stage of their carers.  The salary highly depends upon the recruiter and the job role that one has been offered during the placements or recruitment. For an Interior Designer, the salary can be around INR 2.5 - 3 LPA, whereas, for a Regional Planner, the salary can be somewhere between INR 5.5 to 6 LPA. 

Job Designation	Average Payscale
Urban Planner	INR 4.9 LPA
Project Planner	INR 4.6 LPA
Design Architect	INR 3.5 LPA
Regional Planner	INR 4.9 LPA
Interior Designer	INR 3 LPA

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B.Planning vs B.Arch - Higher Studies Scopes

After completion of a B.Arch degree,  a student can also move ahead for further education in architecture with a Master's in Architecture and Design or even a Ph.D. from Indian or foreign universities giving out better pay and opportunities. Some of the courses one can opt for further education are:

• M.Arch in Conservation and Restoration
• M.Arch in Landscape Design
• M.Arch in History and Theory
• M.Arch in Urban Planning
• Masters in Design Engineering
• Masters in Project Management

On the other hand, B.Planning allows a student to get a hand into the generalized view of the modern study of subjects like Design, Technology, Ecology, and Fundamentals of Regional Planning. However, a student can continue studying and take a specialized master's degree in housing, Urban Design, Transport Planning, environmental planning, etc. Some of the courses one can study after bachelors in planning are :

• M.Plan in Planning Techniques
• M.Plan in City and Metropolitan Planning
• M.Plan in urban Governance
• M.Plan in Urban Transportation
• M.Plan in Poverty & Development

 B.Planning vs B.Arch - Top Colleges

A degree in Architecture and Planning is recognized and considered an esteemed degree and proficiency acquired over the years in India. This is due to the exceptional course program offered by some of the top universities and institutes in our country. Some of the top colleges for Bachelors in Architecture and Bachelor in Planning are given below: 

Bachelors of Architecture:

• Jadavpur University
• Manipal University
• IIT Kharagpur
• NIT Trichy

Bachelors of Planning:

• School of Planning & Architecture Vijayawada
• Manipal University
• Sushant School of Art & Architecture
• School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi

B.Arch vs B.Planning - Which One to Choose?

Towards the end, we can claim that both the courses provide ample opportunities for learning and development depending upon the interests and inclination of the aspirant's mind. The two courses have been designed to give an overall knowledge to the students in terms of theoretical knowledge and practical overview of the subject.

Field of study: Both the courses offer a set of opportunities concerning their field of study. One allows a student to enter the world of Planning and to understand the settlement and urban structure, whereas the other allows a student to learn and expertise in the infrastructure and designing. It depends on the student's inclination and interest towards the subjects and field of study.

Better Scope: B. Arch and B. Planning allow a student to deep-dive into the world of designing and planning the infrastructure. Both allow scope for the job and high compensation and earn a high education degree after completing bachelor's degrees. As per their preference, a student can choose between govt and private jobs or decide to study further and earn a master's degree.

The ultimate choice rests on the shoulders of the aspirants. Students need to weigh all the factors along with their personal interests to make a concrete choice. Both these courses have an equal reputation in the market and offer a great future for aspirants.