How to Become a Architect in 2023? Complete Career Guide

An architect is involved in planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of buildings and other architectural structures. The field of architecture is extremely rewarding for candidates who have a flair for designing and an eye for detail. By the year 2040, the architecture & real estate industry in India is projected to grow by about INR 65,000 crores. 

Certain steps must be followed in order to become an architect in India. First of all, an aspiring candidate should pass 10+2 with at least 50% marks and appear for relevant entrance exams. Then, they must complete their bachelor’s degree, pursue certifications and master’s if needed, gain the necessary skills, take up internships, and register with the Council of Architecture to work as an architect.

Table of Contents

• How to Become an Architect in India?
• Who is an Architect?
• What does an Architect do?
• Types of Architects
• What is the Eligibility to Become an Architect?
• What are the Required Skills to Become an Architect?
• Top Colleges Offering Architecture Courses in India
• Government Jobs for Architects
• What is the Salary of an Architect?
• Top Companies Recruiting Architects in India
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Being an Architect

How to Become an Architect in India?

It is essential for aspirants to take the right steps to start their career journey as an architect. Check out the step-by-step process to find out how to be an architect in India.

• Step 1: Complete 10+2
• Step 2: Appear for Entrance Exams
• Step 3: Pursue Relevant Courses
• Step 4: Gain Required Skills
• Step 5: Pursue an Internship
• Step 6: Register with COA
• Step 7: Apply for Jobs

Step 1: Complete 10+2

Firstly, an aspirant should pass 10+2 with at least 50% aggregate marks. Deciding early on and choosing the subjects needed to be an architect at the school level is beneficial. After completion of the 10th standard, aspirants should opt for the science stream. Moreover, they must make sure to have mathematics as the core subject. Also, it is a must for architects to have a good knowledge of physics concepts. 

Step 2: Appear for Entrance Exams

Once students are through with class 12, the next step is to take certain entrance tests. With valid entrance exam scores, candidates will get admission to a bachelor’s degree program in architecture. Following are the popular architecture entrance examinations:

• JEE Main 
• JEE Advanced
• AAT
• NATA
• GAT
• AMUEEE

Step 3: Pursue Relevant Courses

The next step involves pursuing a bachelor’s degree course in architecture. The course duration is 4-5 years, wherein aspirants learn about design principles & engineering. One of the following architecture courses can be pursued at the undergraduate level.

With a bachelor’s degree in architecture, candidates will be able to apply for entry-level positions. However, they can pursue a master’s degree for better knowledge & job prospects. Here is the list of master’s degree programs available in this field.

Aspirants also have the option of pursuing specialised certification programs to acquire comprehensive subject knowledge & skills. Here are a few certifications for candidates’ reference:

• Introduction to Architecting Smart IoT Devices
• SOLID Principles: Introducing Software Architecture & Design
• How to Become an Outstanding Solution Architect
• Sustainability in Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction
• Revit Architecture Course - Practical Approach

Step 4: Gain Required Skills

After completing the required architect qualifications and certifications, candidates must make sure they possess all the essential skills. We have provided the major architect soft skills and hard skills below:

• Soft Skills: Creativity, Communication skills, Teamwork, Problem-solving abilities, Management skills, Leadership
• Hard Skills: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Interior design knowledge, Construction Administration, Fusion 360, Visualisation, Database Management, Architectural Drawings, Math and Engineering Principles

Step 5: Pursue an Internship

There are various architect internships available on online portals, including Internshala, Twenty19, etc., that candidates can apply for. Through an internship, they will gain practical experience and excellent technical knowledge in the field. This industry knowledge will be very useful for candidates while applying for jobs and starting their careers. 

Step 6: Register with COA

Candidates are now required to register themselves with the Council of Architecture (COA). They must submit an online application along with supporting documents and proofs. After successful registration, a candidate will get the license to work as a professional architect.

The following steps must be followed by aspirants in order to register with COA:

• First, candidates must visit the official website of COA: coa.gov.in
• On the homepage, they should navigate to the ‘E-Services’ tab and select the ‘Registration as an Architect’ option from the drop-down.
• A new page will open in the same tab. Now click on ‘Apply for Registration as an Architect.’
• The registration page shall appear on the screen. Under the user type option, candidates must choose- ‘Applicant (New Registration).’
• All the details, like the year of admission, date of birth, email, and mobile number, must be entered.
• Candidates must now click on 'Get OTP.' They will receive an OTP on their email address and mobile number. The same must be provided there, along with the captcha code.
• Now, the submit button must be clicked. Aspirants will receive the login credentials on their email IDs.
• Aspirants must now login into the COA official portal using their credentials and fill out the application with all the required details. 
• Supporting documents like the candidate’s scanned photograph, signature, and provisional certificate must be attached to the form.
• The next step is to pay an application fee of INR 600 using an online payment mode.
• Finally, candidates must submit the application form, take its printout, and send it to the COA office.

Step 7: Apply for Jobs

As the final step, candidates must develop or update their resumes and start applying for different job openings. They can search for suitable roles on platforms like Indeed, Naukri, LinkedIn, etc. After getting the right job, aspirants can begin their careers as an architect. It is also possible for them to work independently by opening a new firm after obtaining the license.

Who is an Architect?

An architect is someone who is responsible for the construction of buildings, right from idea conception to planning and designing the structure. They work on both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the physical structure. Pursuing a career as an architect is ideal for individuals with creative minds. 

What does an Architect do?

An architect plans and designs a physical structure by looking into the technical, aesthetic, and economic aspects. The points given below highlight the architect roles and responsibilities:

• Building architecture plans in accordance with the client’s requirements
• Creating high-quality and aesthetically pleasing designs 
• Ensuring the safety and functionality of the architectural structures
• Generating blueprints for new projects
• Overseeing the renovation of buildings and other structures
• Researching and adhering to zoning laws, city ordinances, and other building codes and regulations 
• Utilising advanced technology to create different types of models and structures
• Finding and working on construction projects and coordinating with the workers

Types of Architects

Candidates can choose to become one of the following types of architects based on their interests and knowledge. The list of architects in India is provided below, along with a brief explanation.

1. Planning Architect

Planning architects are mainly involved in advising clients and creating designs that meet local regulations. 

2. Design Architect

The job of a design architect is to create the building outline, produce blueprints, and select materials based on the client’s needs.

3. Interior Architect

This type of architect concentrates on the building’s interior designs. Their emphasis is on the project’s spatial components, like the shapes and structures.

4. Site Architect

The role of a site architect is to oversee all the activities and processes that take place on the construction site.

5. Landscape Architects

They are responsible for designing outdoor spaces, including gardens, playgrounds, parks, etc. Large residential areas or university buildings can also be designed by these types of architects.

6. Naval architect

A naval architect designs submarines, boats, and other marine structures using scientific knowledge.

What is the Eligibility to Become an Architect?

Candidates aiming to become an architect should satisfy the required eligibility criteria. Here we have discussed the program-wise architect eligibility. 

Eligibility for Diploma Architect Programs

• A candidate is eligible to apply for an architecture diploma after passing class 10.
• However, for a few other diploma courses, the minimum requirement is completion of 10+2.

Eligibility for B.Arch Courses

• Students should have cleared class 12 with at least 50% marks. It is compulsory to study subjects like Mathematics and English in class 12.
• Students who pursued a 3-year diploma after 10th standard are also eligible.
• Many colleges require valid entrance exam scores like JEE Main, NATA, or JEE Advanced scores.

Eligibility for PG & Doctoral Architect Courses

• A bachelor’s degree in architecture is mandatory to apply for PG programs.
• Aspirants must pass entrance exams like CEED and GATE.

What are the Required Skills to Become an Architect?

Mentioned below are the top architect skills that an aspiring candidate must possess in order to become a successful architect:

Soft Skills

• Creativity
• Communication skills
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving abilities
• Management skills
• Leadership

Hard Skills

• AutoCAD
• SketchUp
• Interior design knowledge
• Construction Administration
• Fusion 360
• Visualisation
• Database Management
• Architectural Drawings
• Math and Engineering Principles

Top Colleges Offering Architecture Courses in India

India is home to the finest colleges that provide top-notch education in the field of architecture. Check out the list of top architecture colleges below:

• IIT Kharagpur
• IIT Roorkee
• BIT Mesra, Ranchi
• NIT Calicut
• NIT Trichy
• School of Planning and Agriculture, Delhi
• IIEST Shibpur
• Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi
• School of Planning and Agriculture, Bhopal
• Chandigarh College of Architecture
• Manipal Institute of Technology
• BWS College of Architecture, Bangalore

Government Jobs for Architects

To apply for architecture jobs in the government sector, candidates must possess a B.Arch degree from a recognised institution with a minimum of 60% marks. Further, they must have completed registration with the Council of Architecture. Here are some government sectors and departments that hire architects:

• Central Public Work Department
• Department of Railways
• Ministry of Defence
• Archaeological Departments of the Government
• Public Works Department of Government
• National Building Construction Corporation Limited
• Housing & Urban Development Corporations
• City Development Authorities
• Department of Railways

What is the Salary of an Architect?

On average, the architect's salary in India is INR 3,99,000 per annum. The salary range differs depending on the geographical location, experience, skills, specialisation, organisation, etc. Candidates can view the architect salaries below for various job profiles:

Source: Payscale

Top Companies Recruiting Architects in India

Listed below are the top companies that recruit architects from all over the country.

• Architect Hafeez Contractor
• Kembhavi Architecture Foundation
• Shilpa Architects
• Larsen & Toubro
• Chitra Vishwanath Architects
• DLF
• C.P. Kukreja Associates
• Manchanda Associates
• Oscar & Ponni Architects
• Architecture Brio
• Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj
• Sahara Group
• Edifice Architects Pvt Ltd
• IMAXE
• Architect Consultants
• Jindals

Major Employment Sectors for an Architect

Plenty of employment opportunities are available for architects in various sectors across the country. Here are the top sectors that employ architects:

• Corporate businesses
• Teaching
• Product Manufacturing
• Building Safety
• MNCs
• Consulting Firms
• Engineering Firms
• Architectural Photography

Advantages and Disadvantages of Being an Architect

There are both advantages and disadvantages to pursuing a career as an architect. Candidates must take a look at all the factors before choosing this career path.

Advantages of Becoming an Architect

• Creativity: As an architect, a candidate shall be able to produce new ideas. The field of architecture involves a lot of creativity in the process of planning and designing structures.
• Respectable Profession: This is considered a respectable profession as an architect has to put in a lot of effort, creativity, and skills to complete architectural projects. 
• Salary: In comparison to other professions, architects get decent salaries. However, factors like qualifications, location, experience, and skills play a huge role when it comes to the architect's salary. 

Disadvantages of Becoming an Architect

• Educational requirements: It is required to complete graduation in order to pursue a career as an architect. However, compared to the other graduation programs that last for 3-4 years, the tenure of an undergraduate architecture course is 5 years.
• Lengthy career journey: It takes a considerable number of years for a candidate to become a good architect. After obtaining the relevant qualifications, it is required to pursue internships and get a license. Therefore, it requires years of dedication, patience, and commitment.
• High level of responsibility: An architect has to make sure that the construction is done as per the plan and that there are no glitches; otherwise, serious consequences can take place. Thus, the level of responsibility is very high in this profession.