Architecture

Architecture students develop highly desirable creative, visual, technical and design-based skills. As well as a career in architecture, see what other opportunities are open to you

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Architect
• Architectural technologist
• Interior and spatial designer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Building surveyor
• Commercial/residential surveyor
• Construction manager
• Higher education lecturer
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Landscape architect
• Planning and development surveyor
• Production designer, theatre/television/film
• Structural engineer
• Town planner

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Completing some work experience or an industrial placement helps you to develop an understanding of architectural practices and the industry from the inside. As well as generating some good contacts, it will build your confidence as well as your skills. It also demonstrates to potential employers that you're hard-working, reliable and motivated.

If you intend qualifying as an architect, then approach practices directly in search of work experience; try Architects (RIBA Directory of Practices).

Alternatively, you can practise your architectural skills in other areas such as the built environment, construction, landscape design, and other design practices. Remember that all work experience is valuable.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Architects work in a range of establishments. Graduates may be employed by small firms with fewer than ten employees. Public sector employers, such as local authorities and housing associations employ a significant proportion of the profession; and some large organisations, such as banks and supermarkets, may have in-house architectural teams.

Find information on employers in property and construction, engineering and manufacturing, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

While studying architecture, you'll develop specific skills plus a range of transferable core skills that include:

• numeracy, design and drawing;
• IT skills, e.g. computer-aided design (CAD);
• project management skills;
• the ability to solve problems in an analytical, logical way;
• the ability to work as part of a team;
• written and oral communication in various settings;
• research skills;
• decision-making ability;
• adaptability and flexibility for dealing with unexpected situations where necessary;
• the ability to reflect on, and improve, your professional performance.

Further study

Over the course of their career - the first few years particularly - many graduates opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time.

Most architecture graduates eventually go on to complete the final stages of the qualifications recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in order to progress towards qualifying and practising as registered architects.

Apart from further qualifications in architecture, some graduates choose postgraduate study in other technical subjects, such as engineering, design or computer science, or in subjects outside the technical and construction fields.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses.

What do architecture graduates do?

Almost half of architecture graduates are working as architectural and town planning technicians six months after graduation, with a further 17% working as architects.

For a detailed breakdown of what architecture and building graduates are doing six months after graduation, see What Do Graduates Do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Find out more

• Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
• The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)