Plans are made, new structures are designed, and renovations of old structures are worked on by architects. A career in architecture might be ideal for you if you enjoy creating sketches and designs. The ways in which one can become an architect in the UK will be of interest to many people.
While perhaps taking a variety of artistic and academic subjects for GCSE and A Level, students who are still in school will be looking for the best entry point into a field in which they have grown interested.
The most popular path into architecture can be outlined in the following steps after successfully completing the A-Level education. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming an architect in the UK and the necessary credentials.
What Is The Work Of An Architect?
Architects are certified and educated experts whose main responsibility is to plan, design, and manage construction projects from beginning to end. They are responsible for the functionality and safety of buildings in addition to their aesthetic appeal. In order to make sure they meet the needs of their clients, they collaborate with other construction industry professionals like engineers.
Both residential and commercial projects can be undertaken by architects. While some people are employed by businesses, others work independently. Regardless of your choice, dedication and commitment are crucial for developing one-of-a-kind structures. Some of the typical responsibilities of an architect include:
- Creating sketches, detailed technical plans and blueprints used in guiding construction engineers
- Overseeing construction projects from the start to the end
- Developing designs that align with their client’s needs
- Visiting construction sites to check on the progress
- Advising clients on the best techniques in terms of safety, functionality and cost
- Advising clients on construction materials
- Conducting cost analysis and environmental impact of an architectural project
- Liaising with technicians, clients and other team members to ensure the projects are completed on time
- Researching and following any building codes and other laws governing the construction industry
Why Would Someone Want To Work As An Architect?
In order to create plans and technical drawings for the construction of buildings, architects combine their artistic and scientific abilities. For designing, you’ll need creativity, excellent attention to detail, and analytical skills.
Being an architect is a demanding job with a lot of responsibility, but it can also be very rewarding to see the buildings you helped design come to life.
Consider becoming an architectural technologist if you are more interested in the science of construction, such as the technical plans and choosing the best materials.
Further Reading: How To Become An Accountant?
The Best Way To Become An Architect
Step One – Undergraduate Degree
There are no mandatory subjects for advanced education. But taking courses in DT or Art at the A Level will help you develop more broad-based skills that you can then hone.
The next step is to complete an undergraduate degree from a program approved by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). There are numerous three to four year long validated courses offered both in the UK and internationally. In addition to theoretical, historical, material, and technical issues, this will teach you the fundamentals of drawing and CAD (computer-aided design) drawing. The RIBA Part I exams, which are necessary for all architects, are typically included in validated courses.
Prior to progressing to the next level after earning your undergraduate degree, you must acquire practical experience. Students document their experience or Professional Experience Development Record (PEDR) during this time on the PEDR website, which typically takes one year.
This is overseen by an employment mentor from the placement you work for as well as a professional studies advisor (PSA) from the university you attended. Some people stay in these placements for more than a year in order to gain additional work experience or save money before moving on to part two.
Step Two – Postgraduate Degree
You can return to school to finish your postgraduate degree once you’ve worked for at least a year. The duration of this degree, whether it be a BArch, a Diploma, or a March, will all be two years of full-time study. Sometimes, these courses are still considered undergraduate courses, which can have an impact on the price of the course and the funding options.
While “crits,” also known as critiques, require you to present your design work to your tutors for feedback, design modules are frequently taught in more specialized studios. Field trips to significant or practical buildings are frequently included.
You have the option of earning this degree from the same institution where you earned your undergraduate degree or from a different provider. It is important to take into account factors like course content and teaching strategies when selecting the course because postgraduate degrees in architecture frequently offer more variety than undergraduate programs.
The opportunity to specialize in a field, such as sustainable architecture, or take work-based modules that will allow students to gain valuable real-world experience are also possibilities.
You will be required to continue gaining work experience after completing the postgraduate program. You will now be given more authority on projects while still being directly supervised by a fully licensed architect. The 12 months of work for UK students must be done in the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, or the EEA. As before, this will need to be tracked and reported on the PEDR website in order to be considered.
Step Three – The ADPPA
A minimum of 24 months’ worth of work experience (i.e. 12 months before the postgraduate degree and 12 months afterwards) is required before moving onto part three: The Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (ADPPA) is the Part 3 qualification offered by the RIBA in Britain.
Before you can register for the actual exam, you must first pass this online course that evaluates your ability as an architect. Three days are dedicated to the exam. The “practice problems” are answered over the course of the first two days, and your submission is put together on the third day. Your submission must include your CV, a Self Evaluation, a Case Study, the PEDR log sheets from your work experience, and the solutions to the Practice Problems.
You must complete the online course and pass the exam, and you must be supervised by your designated supervisor. Registration, finishing the course, and the exam all have fees associated with them.
Step Four – Apply For An Architect Position
You can apply for architectural jobs after registering and obtaining a license to practice architecture. You have the option of choosing to work for yourself in a business or as a sole proprietor. Whatever you decide, make sure to emphasize your accomplishments and skills in your cover letter and resume.
Step Five – Progress Your Career
You can pursue a master’s degree in a field related to architecture to advance your architectural career. If you want to work in education or research, or if you want to work in the architectural field, a master’s program is especially important. You can advance in your career by taking various training courses, staying current in your industry, and more.
The Average Salary Of An Architect
An architect typically makes £47,551 a year. The pay scales from £36,461 to £94,741 annually. This depends on your employer, your educational background, the nature of the project, and your experience. As you acquire more skills and credentials, your salary range widens.
International Students
You must have your degree(s) evaluated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for equivalence to the UK Parts 1 and 2 and complete a UK Part 3 in order to be eligible to apply for UK architect registration if you completed your education or qualification as an architect outside of the UK, including RIBA validated qualifications earned outside the UK or EU.
Types Of Architects
There are different types of architects, including:
Residential Architects
Home designers or renovators work with preexisting home plans. Additionally, they could collaborate with developers or builders who want to design and construct a number of houses. They carry out all design work, develop budgets, analyze labor and material costs, and supervise the construction of homes from beginning to end.
Commercial Architects
Office towers, retail stores, museums, public structures, hospitals, and other non-residential properties are just a few examples of the commercial building projects that commercial architects specialize in designing. Given that a lot of people use these, they put a lot of effort into making them safe and useful. You can research building codes and safety regulations to become a commercial architect.
Industrial Architects
Buildings designed by industrial architects are efficient and designed to meet the needs of industry. They create a variety of buildings, including factories, warehouses, storage facilities, power plants, and processing plants. Understanding the procedures, logistics, tools, and machinery employed in the particular structure you are designing is crucial if you want to be an effective industrial architect.
Interior Architects
Interior designers and interior architects are frequently confused. The two are distinct from one another, though, because interior architects are also interested in the science and structural elements of a building in addition to art and décor. They are excellent at internal design and have a wealth of building and construction knowledge.
Restaurants, apartments, and offices are the most common interiors that interior architects style and design. They make sure that interior components, such as color schemes and fabric types, are appealing and complement the architecture of the building. In order to increase the appeal of existing homes, clients can also request that they renovate their interiors.
Urban Designers
Instead of focusing on specific buildings, urban designers have a specialization in the planning and designing of entire cities. They choose the potential locations for building facilities as well as the designs that will work there. They might also be needed to decide whether or not certain structures, streets, and bridges belong in the city.
Landscape Architects
Gardens, parks, campuses, and other outdoor areas that the public uses for recreation or entertainment are the focus of the work of landscape architects. They might not always design buildings, but they might lay out walkways and choose the plants that will go in these spots. Being an expert in horticulture will help you become a more effective landscape architect because you’ll know what kinds of plants can flourish in various climates and environments.
Green Design Architects
Designing eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings is the main responsibility of green design architects. Their main duty is to create environmentally friendly design strategies that have little to no effect on the environment. You might need knowledge and expertise in aerodynamics and shading to become a green design architect.