Bachelors of Architecture (B. Arch): Overview

Bachelors of Architecture (B. Archis counted amongst the most popular degree programmes pursued by students after passing class 12. It is a 5-year undergraduate degree programme in the field of architecture. The full-time professional course offers a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge that deals with planning, constructing and designing buildings and other kinds of physical structures.

A qualified architect is responsible for the execution of every stage of a construction project, including ideating, mapping and supervising the construction. Over the programme’s 10 semesters, the architecture syllabus covers topics like applied mathematics, behavioural architecture, building economics, design communication, construction project management, transport planning, urban or rural planning and landscape design.

B. Arch is offered by several prestigious institutes in India and abroad. A few of the architecture course’s details are summarized below:

Architecture Course Level

Undergraduate

Architecture Course Duration

5 years

Semesters

10

Entrance test for admission to the architecture course

National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) and Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT)

Eligibility for architecture after class 12  

Candidates must clear class 12 with mathematics from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate score of 50%

Apart from the above-mentioned basic eligibility criteria, some other architecture course requirements include a student’s creativity, technical skills, management skills, eye for detail, mathematical skills, communication skills, problem-solving and analytical skills, and knowledge of geometry.

Benefits of pursuing B. Arch

The field of architecture is becoming increasingly popular amongst Indian and foreign students alike. Although it poses many challenges in the form of client expectations, stressful deadlines and tight budgets, there are also plenty of benefits of pursuing a career in architecture. And, some of these benefits are as follows:

  • Apart from being extremely interesting and innovative, obtaining a degree in architecture requires a lot of creativity and careful execution of the ideas.
  • Since keeping up with the ever-evolving technologies and techniques is very important for success in this field, the professional lives of architects are always dynamic.
  • The career prospects and employment opportunities are abundant. B. Arch students can apply for an internship in any of the prestigious firms to gain exposure.
  • While pursuing B. Arch, students get to study wide-ranging fields of human endeavours, such as art, history, physics, material science and engineering. The diversity of the field never lets you lose interest.
  • Since every building or physical structure you study or work on is different, there is no chance of monotony.
  • The course not only focuses on theoretical knowledge but also gives equal importance to practical skills. Every assignment requires a hands-on approach and the programme requires students to carry out practical tasks like building scale models and conducting surveys.

Postgraduation options after B. Arch

An undergraduate degree in architecture, especially from a well-reputed institute, has immense market value. Architecture graduates can choose to start working as soon as they complete their bachelor’s degree programme. However, many choose to enrol in further studies to increase their qualification. Students have many beneficial postgraduation options once they have obtained a B. Arch degree. Following are some of the most popular and suitable choices: