All Careers Advice

  • There is no hiding from the fact that the architectural job market is tough at the moment, with a high number of good applicants for all advertised jobs.

  • The strength of your CV and portfolio will be key to your ability to get the job you want.

  • Most employees will not respond well to unusually large portfolios.

  • When sending your portfolio in digital form, make sure that it is in a format that can be read on any computer system.

  • Before you write any covering letter, make sure you have some knowledge about the practice.

  • Architectural salaries vary around the country and can depend on the size and reputation of an individual practice.

  • To qualify as an architect you will need to complete a part I undergraduate degree, a part II postgraduate degree or diploma, two years of practical experience and finally part III examinations.

  • After completing the part I undergraduate architecture degree, students will need to decide if they wish to continue their education to become a fully qualified architect.

  • After your part II degree, you should look for practical experience that is relevant to the type of role you would like to find once you have fully qualified.

  • There are a number of scholarships, bursaries and grants available to architecture students, as well as competitions aimed at students which offer cash prizes that can help fund your studies.

  • Urban design covers a number of different disciplines within the built environment and construction industries.

  • An interior designer is concerned with the decoration, design and renovation of a building's internal spaces.

  • An architectural CAD (computer aided design) technician or 3D visualiser is an individual that specialises in creating digital images of architectural projects.

  • A landscape architect designs open spaces such as gardens, public squares and parks.

  • An architectural technician is junior to an architectural technologist. A technician will be involved in the mechanics of the design, applying technology to design to ensure that all the information needed for the building to be safely constructed and work well is collected and investigated.

  • An architectural technologist is responsible for the technical development of an architectural design, ensuring that the building is safe and built to schedule.

  • An architectural assistant is an individual who has not fully qualified and registered as an architect but can help a qualified architect with the design of a building or scheme.

  • So what is working in architecture about?

  • An architect is a qualified professional who plans and designs buildings and structures. They should ensure that a building is safe and works for the people that have to use it as well as being attractive.

  • There are approximately 30,000 registered architects in the UK today, designing all sizes of built structure from small loft extensions to ocean-spanning bridges, skyscrapers, schools and hospitals.