Architecture

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Architect
• Architectural technologist
• Building control surveyor
• CAD technician
• Interior and spatial designer
• Town planner
• Urban designer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Building surveyor
• Commercial/residential surveyor
• Construction manager
• Estates manager
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Landscape architect
• Planning and development surveyor
• Production designer, theatre/television/film
• Project manager
• Structural engineer
• Sustainability consultant
• VFX artist

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

Work experience

Getting some work experience, completing an internship or undertaking a placement year can help you develop an understanding of architectural practice and the wider built environment sector. It also provides opportunities to build professional contacts, develop your skills and gain insight into how projects are designed and delivered.

Relevant experience demonstrates your commitment to the profession and can strengthen future job and postgraduate applications. If you intend to qualify as an architect, contact architectural practices directly to enquire about work experience opportunities. You could also explore opportunities with design consultancies, construction firms, planning organisations and other employers involved in the built environment.

Experience in related areas such as landscape architecture, urban design, planning, heritage and conservation can also be valuable. Alongside gaining practical experience, continue to develop your portfolio, drawing, model-making and digital design skills, and keep up to date with developments in architecture and the construction industry.

Find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Architecture graduates work for a range of organisations across the built environment sector. Many are employed by architectural practices, from small studios to large multidisciplinary firms offering services such as urban design, planning, landscape architecture and project management.

Other employers include:

• construction companies
• heritage and conservation organisations
• housing associations
• local authorities
• multidisciplinary design and engineering consultancies
• property developers
• public sector bodies
• universities and research organisations.

Some large organisations, such as retailers, transport providers and financial institutions, also employ in-house design and property teams.

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

Skills for your CV

Studying architecture equips you with specialist knowledge of design and architectural practice, buildings and the construction sector. You also develop a range of transferable skills, including:

• creative design thinking and problem solving
• drawing, visual communication and presentation skills
• digital design and visualisation skills, including experience of CAD and 3D modelling software
• project management and organisational skills
• research, analysis and critical thinking
• teamwork and collaboration
• written and verbal communication skills
• decision making and professional judgement
• the ability to manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines.

Further study

Many architecture graduates go on to complete further study and professional training to work towards registration as an architect. Others choose postgraduate study to develop specialist knowledge in areas such as urban design, landscape architecture, planning, heritage and conservation, sustainable design, engineering or project management.

Further study can help you deepen your technical expertise, develop specialist skills and prepare for careers across the built environment sector.

Some graduates also undertake postgraduate study in areas such as design, computer science, business or the creative industries to support a career change or broaden their career options.

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

What do architecture graduates do?

44% of architecture graduates report working as CAD, drawing and architectural technicians 15 months after graduation, with a further 9% working as chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants or architects (5%). Interior designers, graphic and multimedia designers, building and civil engineering technicians, civil engineers, construction project managers and related professionals and design occupations are also among the top ten jobs held by architecture graduates.

Find out what other architecture graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.