Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and physical spaces. It focuses on how homes, offices, schools, bridges, and public spaces look, feel, and function. Architects create designs that are both practical and beautiful, ensuring safety, comfort, sustainability, and usability. In simple words, architecture is about planning and designing structures where people live, work, learn, or spend time—while making them safe, strong, and visually appealing.

What architects do:

• Design building layouts and structures
• Plan interiors and exteriors
• Ensure safety and durability
• Use eco-friendly and modern technologies
• Work with engineers, builders, and clients

Why architecture matters:

• Makes cities and spaces attractive and comfortable
• Solves practical problems like space, light, ventilation
• Preserves culture through iconic designs
• Shapes how people experience their surroundings

Architecture Course: If you have a passion for design, a keen eye for detail, and aesthetically pleasing spaces, an architect course could be a great fit for you. An architect career in India requires a specific educational path and a commitment to developing the necessary skills.

How to Become an Architect in India?

To become an architect in India, you will need to follow a specific educational and professional path. Here are the steps to become an architect after 12th grade:

Choose the Science Stream in 10+2: In high school (10+2), select the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects. Architect course requires a strong foundation in these subjects.

Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture: After completing your 12th grade, you need to enrol in a Bachelor’s degree program in Architecture (B.Arch). An architect course is typically five years long. It’s offered by various government universities and top private universities like K.R. Mangalam University.

Admission to B.Arch programs is often based on entrance exams conducted by respective institutions or state-level examinations like the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) or the Joint Entrance Examination for Architecture (JEE Main Paper 2).

Complete the Architecture Degree: While studying architecture, you will study various aspects of architecture, including design principles, construction techniques and computer-aided design (CAD) to get an architecture degree. You will also participate in studio projects and internships to gain practical experience.

Obtain Practical Experience: After completing your architecture degree, you will need to gain practical experience through an internship or apprenticeship. Some universities require a specific duration of practical training.

Register with the Council of Architecture (COA): Once you have completed your practical training, you need to register with the Council of Architecture (COA). It’s a regulatory body for the architectural profession in India. You will need to submit the necessary documents and fulfil the registration requirements set by the COA.

Postgraduate Studies (Optional): Although not mandatory, you may choose to pursue a postgraduate degree in architecture, such as a Master’s in Architecture (M.Arch), to specialize in a specific area of interest or gain advanced knowledge in the field.

Obtain Professional Licensure: To practice as a licensed architect in India, you will need to qualify for the architecture Examination conducted by the COA. This exam assesses your knowledge and competency in architectural design, building regulations, and professional practice.

Establish a Robust Portfolio: Create a portfolio that showcases academic projects, internships, and personal projects. This enhances and demonstrates your creativity, problem-solving abilities, and your growth as a designer. An edited and curated portfolio (digital or physical) is an essential element for internships, jobs, and clients, helping you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape.   

Keep Software Skills Current: You should be proficient in various platforms, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, and BIM software. With the tools at your disposal, these programs offer valuable accuracy, collaboration, and the creation of industry-focused documents. Once you have rendering abilities (e.g. Lumion, V-Ray), it enhances your presentation and aids employability.   

Become Familiar with the Building Codes and Regulations: You will want to become familiar with building codes, zoning laws, regulations for safety, etc. All of these aspects are necessary to achieve compliant architectural designs. Familiarising yourself with the National Building Code and local codes will help ensure that your projects comply with local authority and approval, while also focusing on safety and sustainability.   

Networking and Professional Associations: You can also reach out to professionals in the industry by attending seminars, workshops, and exhibitions. Joining the IIA or RIBA associations can also be beneficial: to be seen, to develop a mentor relationship, and to learn about new opportunities. Additionally, networking helps you stay informed and develop your professional career.    

Participate in Real Projects: You can gain experience by assisting on live projects under the supervision of senior architects. This enhances your real-world experience and gives you a working understanding of routines, materials, budgeting, and your ability to work as a team member or team leader. This is a valuable experience that contributes to your development as an architect and helps you understand the unfamiliar challenges of a real project.   

Lifelong Learning and Certification: You can also gain on top of your architecture qualification, other certifications in sustainable design, interior architecture, or urban planning. Lifelong learning is a necessity to live and work in the current world, and upskilling with online courses, workshops and so on, will keep you current, extend your expertise and provide new exciting opportunities.

The Development of Soft Skills: You will also want to develop some soft skills. Architects would benefit from having confident communication skills, strong teamwork ability, and strong leadership attributes. What I mean is that strong soft skills will help you to articulate your ideas with clarity, manage teams, solve problems, and develop their trust. Clearly, these are valuable skills that will expand your academic base and develop you into a more effective architect. 

Upon passing the exam, you will receive your professional license, allowing you to legally practice architecture in India.

The Path to Becoming an Architect

We will now examine the programs or courses to study to become an architect, now that we have seen the entrance test examinations. Architecture degree courses last five years, and diploma in architecture courses last three years. As a result of teaching skills and techniques, degree courses are longer.

Architect Degree Courses in India

• Bachelor of Architecture
• B Arch (Architecture and Regional Planning)
• B arch (Building and Construction Management)
• B arch (Landscape Architecture)
• B arch (Interior Design)
• B.E. (Construction Technology)
• B.Sc. (Residential space design and Management)
• B Tech (Urban and Regional Planning)
• Bachelor of Planning
• Master’s degree in Architecture (M. Arch)

Architect Diploma Courses in India

• Foundation Diploma in Architecture and Design
• Diploma in Construction Technology
• Diploma in Architectural Assistantship
• Diploma in Architectural Engineering
• Diploma in Town Planning

 Career Opportunities in Architecture

The B.Arch programme at KRMU ensures that our graduates are equipped with all the skills and knowledge necessary to snag exciting roles and career opportunities in architecture and design. Unlike what most people think, B.Arch graduates have a ton of career options after they have graduated; however, the below-mentioned opportunities have always topped the career preferences of B.Arch graduates:

• Urban Planner: The role is perfect for you if you dream of shaping the cities of tomorrow through planning, designing, and optimisation of spaces.
• Architecture Designer: The perfect role for all the creative B.Arch graduates out there that offers a workspace to bring your ideas to reality and create spaces that blend aesthetics and function together.
• Interior Designer: It can be your dream job if you love to redefine indoor spaces with your creativity and introduce style, classiness, and comfort to any space.
• Sustainable Design Consultant: Take your love for nature and sustainable development to the next level by developing eco-friendly designs that promote sustainable growth of the scenic natural beauty of nature with your skills.
• Landscape Architect: Redefine public spaces like parks, public and private gardens, and other landscapes through sustainable development that steals the show.

Emerging Career Fields in Architecture

With rapid technological innovations and growing emphasis on sustainability, architecture is no longer limited to traditional building design. Today, architects can explore a variety of emerging fields that are reshaping the industry:

• Sustainable and Green Architecture: With the rising concern for climate change and environmental conservation, green buildings and eco-friendly designs are in high demand. Architects skilled in energy-efficient materials, renewable resources, and sustainable design practices are highly sought after.
• Urban Planning & Smart Cities: Governments and private firms are investing heavily in smart city projects that integrate technology, infrastructure, and sustainability. Urban planners and architects play a key role in designing future-ready cities with efficient transport, housing, and public spaces.
• Landscape Architecture: This field focuses on designing outdoor spaces such as parks, recreational areas, and urban landscapes that balance aesthetics with environmental sustainability.
• Digital & Computational Design: With the advent of AI, VR, AR, and 3D printing, architects are leveraging digital tools to create futuristic, innovative, and complex designs that were previously unimaginable.
• Interior & Space Design: The rise of luxury housing, co-working spaces, and hospitality sectors has expanded opportunities in interior design, where architects create functional yet visually appealing interiors.
• Heritage Conservation & Restoration: Many architects are finding rewarding careers in preserving historical monuments and restoring heritage structures while integrating them with modern functionality.

Salary & Scope in India and Abroad

A career in architecture offers not just creative satisfaction but also stable financial growth. In India, fresh graduates in architecture can expect an average starting salary of ₹4–6 LPA, depending on their skills, portfolio, and the city of employment. With 3–5 years of experience, professionals often move into higher-paying roles, earning anywhere between ₹8–15 LPA. Senior architects, design consultants, and project managers in reputed firms or handling independent projects can earn even more.

Considering not only financial rewards, but architecture also as a career offers numerous possibilities: Urban planning, sustainable design, interior architecture, landscape design, and our own heritage designs. And many architects establish their own practice, gaining increasing ownership of their working context, often leading to higher financial rewards as their abilities develop. 

As the demand of innovative and sustainable spaces are increasing, building a career scope of architecture in India continues to expand, making it a truly rewarding profession. 

Architecture Course at K.R. Mangalam University (KRMU)

K.R. Mangalam University offers a highly practical and industry-focused Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programme designed for students who love creativity, design, and technology. The programme blends artistic imagination with scientific concepts to train students in designing modern, sustainable, and functional structures. KRMU provides advanced architecture labs, model-making workshops, digital design studios, and 3D software training such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and more. Highly experienced architects, researchers, and industry professionals guide students through every stage of learning.

Summary

The profession of architecture may be a perfect fit for you if you are passionate about both the creative and academic aspects of school. As you combine practical crafts with historical theory, the arts and technical science subjects will be seamlessly integrated into your daily life.

By following these steps and investing your time in an architect course, you can pave the way for a rewarding career as a qualified architect in India. You can have the opportunity to shape the world around you and leave a lasting impact through innovative design and sustainable architecture.

Studying Architecture at KRMU helps you turn creative ideas into real buildings. With modern labs, expert professors, and hands-on training, students become industry-ready architects.

FAQ’s

What is the duration of a Bachelor of Arts (B.Arch) course?

The B.Arch course typically spans 5 years.

Is it necessary to pursue further education after 12th?

No, it is not necessary to pursue further education after 12th; it depends on the student’s interests to go for further studies.  

Is architecture a good career?

Architecture is one of the most sought-after career choices for many students after 12th grade. The scope for architecture is upscaling every year, and the demand for architects globally has sharply risen over the last decade, which makes it a good career option.

What do architects do?

Architects design commercial and residential spaces. They also ensure that these spaces are safe, functional, and visually appealing. Architects plan layouts, choose materials, and prepare blueprints. They also supervise the construction of buildings to ensure the proper implementation of their design.

How to become an architect after 12th arts?

To become an architect after 12th arts, one can pursue diploma or certificate courses in architecture. These qualifications will help you work as an assistant architect or a draftsman.