Careers

Architecture Courses After 12th: B.Arch, NATA, JEE Paper 2 & Colleges

Design buildings and shape cities through architecture and urban planning.

Architecture & Planning

Design buildings and shape cities through architecture and urban planning.

Entrance exams for B.Arch. programs at IITs, NITs and architecture colleges across India.

Entry pathways

Government & Public Sector government
Written exam required
Government Organization / Public Sector government
Indian Civil Services government
Written exam required
Public-Sector Architecture & Planning government

Specializations in Architecture & Planning

Architecture

Core
Architecture
15 core subjects

Planning

Core
Planning
13 core subjects

Courses & degrees

Course Level Duration Eligibility
B.Arch Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor Degree 5 years 10+2 any Stream
B.E. Architecture
Bachelor of Engineering
Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 any Stream
B.Plan. Planning
Bachelor of Planning
Bachelor Degree 10+2 any Stream
B.Tech. Architecture
Bachelor of Technology
Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 any Stream
B.Tech. Facilities and Services Planning (FSP)
Bachelor of Technology
Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 any Stream
Certificate Planning
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Certificate Urban Planning
Certificate
Certificate 10th Pass
Diploma Architecture
Diploma
Diploma 10th Pass
Diploma Planning
Diploma
Diploma 10th Pass
Diploma Transportation Planning
Diploma
Diploma 10th Pass
Integrated B.P. and M.P. Planning
Bachelor of Planning, Master of Planning
Integrated 5 years 10+2 any Stream
M.Arch. Architecture
Master of Architecture
Master Degree Bachelor in respective field
M.Des. Architecture
Master of Design
Master Degree Bachelor in respective field
M.E. Architecture
Master of Engineering
Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.Plan. Planning
Master of Planning
Master Degree Bachelor in respective field
M.T.P.M. Transportation Planning
Master in Transportation Planning and Management
Master Degree Bachelor in respective field
M.Tech. Architecture
Master of Technology
Master Degree 2 years Bachelor in respective field
M.U.P. Urban Planning
Master of Urban Planning
Master Degree Bachelor in respective field
Ph.D. Architecture
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Planning
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Transportation Planning
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Ph.D. Urban Planning
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Master in respective field
Post Graduate Diploma Planning
Post Graduate Diploma
PG Diploma Bachelor in respective field
B.Arch
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor Degree 5 years 10+2 with PCM
M. Arch
Master of Architecture
Master Degree 2 years B.Arch
B. Plan
Bachelor of Planning
Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM
M. Plan
Master of Planning
Master Degree 2 years B.Plan
B.Tech in Planning Bachelor Degree 4 years 10+2 with PCM
Ph. D. / D. Phil.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral 2+ years Master in respective field
D. Sc.
Doctor of Science
Post Doctoral PHD

Entrance exams

All exams
Exam Conducting body
JEE Mains
Joint Entrance Examination (Mains)
National Testing Agency (NTA) Details
AP EAPCET
Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Pharmacy Common Entrance Test
JNTUK on behalf of APSCHE Details
GUJCET
Gujarat Common Entrance Test
Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Details
TS EAMCET (E)
Telangana State Engineering Common Entrance Test (Engineering Stream)
JNTU Hyderabad on behalf of TGCHE Details
KIIT EE
KIIT Entrance Examination
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar Details
NATA
National Aptitude Test in Architecture
Council of Architecture (COA) Details
AAT
Architecture Aptitude Test
Indian Institutes of Technology (via JEE Advanced) Details
AMU AAT
AMU Architecture Aptitude Test
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Details
MAH B.Planning CET
Maharashtra B.Planning Common Entrance Test
State CET Cell, Maharashtra Details

Top colleges

Showing 1–10 of 141 ranked colleges
# Institution Type State Ranking
1 FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, BHOPAL
Urban
Constituent / University College Madhya Pradesh #1
Top 26 Planning Colleges
1 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (IIT), ROORKEE
Urban
Institute of National Importance Uttarakhand #1
NIRF Architecture and Planning
1 SIR. J. J. COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, MUMBAI
Urban
Affiliated College Maharashtra #1
Top 100 Architecture Colleges
2 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CALICUT
Rural
Institute of National Importance Kerala #2
NIRF Architecture and Planning
2 SCHOOL OF PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE, NEW DELHI
Urban
Institute of National Importance Delhi #2
Top 100 Architecture Colleges
3 FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE & REGIONAL PLANNING, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KHARAGPUR Institute of National Importance West Bengal #3
Top 100 Architecture Colleges
3 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (IIT), KHARAGPUR
Rural
Institute of National Importance West Bengal #3
NIRF Architecture and Planning
3 SCHOOL OF PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE, BHOPAL
Urban
Institute of National Importance Madhya Pradesh #3
Top 26 Planning Colleges
4 DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ROORKEE Institute of National Importance Uttarakhand #4
Top 100 Architecture Colleges
4 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SHIBPUR
Urban
Institute of National Importance West Bengal #4
NIRF Architecture and Planning

Career roles after Architecture & Planning

Technical Careers 18

Architect
Designs and plans buildings and spaces balancing aesthetics, safety, functionality, cost and sustain…
private self employed
Architectural Engineer
Applies science and technology to integrate building systems - structural, electrical, mechanical, l…
private
Commercial/Residential Surveyor
Handles management, purchase, sale, leasing, valuation and surveying of residential and commercial p…
private
Construction Manager
Oversee construction site operations from planning to completion, managing budgets, tasks and teams.
private self employed
Economic Development Planner
Leads economic development planning, projects and funding initiatives, using strong research, writin…
private government
Extreme Architect
Designs structures for extreme weather and climatic conditions, an increasingly demanded area of pra…
private
Furniture Designer
Sketches and prototypes furniture such as chairs, tables and shelves for manufacturers, often using…
private self employed
Industrial/Product Designer
Designs mass-produced products, including toys, focused on innovative large-scale manufacturing.
private
Interior Designer
Makes interior spaces functional, safe and beautiful by planning space, lighting and decorative mate…
private self employed
Landscape Architect
Designs parks, gardens, campuses and public spaces, planning outdoor environments and related infras…
private
Project Manager
Leads planning, execution and delivery of projects within scope, time and budget, coordinating teams…
private
Research Architect
Uses BIM, computational design and advanced tools to research and advance architectural practice.
private academic
Resources Planner
Organizes and lists the resources - equipment, materials, time and people - needed to deliver a proj…
private
Restoration Architect
Specializes in preservation and conservation of historic buildings and monuments without altering th…
private government
Spatial Designer
Works on the design or renovation of internal spaces, including structural alterations, fittings and…
private self employed
Structural Engineer
Analyses and designs gravity support and lateral force resistance of structures.
private
Town Planner
Works on development, regeneration and sustainability across large and diverse population scales.
private government
Urban/Regional Planner
Develops land-use plans and programmes to build communities and manage urban growth across towns, ci…
private government

Other Technical Professions 1

Building Surveyor
private

Government Services 1

Inspector/Conservation Officer
Represents conservation issues to planning and development policymakers and guides works affecting h…
government

Academic & Research 1

Teacher (Architecture)
Teaches in architecture schools, training the next generation of professionals.
academic

Frequently asked questions

Average B.Arch. fees range from about INR 2 lakh to 8 lakh per year and vary by college, location and facilities. A top government college such as Sir J.J. College of Architecture can cost roughly INR 20,000-25,000 per year, while CEPT University is around INR 3.5 lakh per year. Scholarships and education loans are available. Check the official college website for current fees.

Yes. As prescribed by the Council of Architecture, you need 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or a 10+3 diploma of any stream with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.

Opportunities are wide and growing with rapid urbanization. Common paths include architect, interior designer, urban planner, construction manager and real estate developer, along with emerging areas such as sustainable design, green building design and architectural technology.

Popular options include M.Arch. (Master of Architecture), M.U.P. (Master of Urban Planning), M.Des. (Master of Design), M.C.M. (Master of Construction Management), an MBA, and research degrees such as a Ph.D. in Architecture.

Build strong skills in design, spatial thinking, problem-solving, mathematics and creative visualization. A solid grounding in history, construction, materials and environmental considerations helps, as does proficiency in digital tools such as CAD, Revit and 3D modelling software.

Technology is central to modern practice. Architects use software such as AutoCAD, Rhino and Revit for drafting and 3D modelling, while VR and AR help visualize designs and BIM enables efficient project management and coordination.

Urban planning is the process of designing and organizing the physical, social and economic structure of cities and communities. It addresses land use, infrastructure, zoning, transportation and public spaces, and is vital to keep cities functional, sustainable, inclusive and resilient to challenges like population growth and climate change.

Urban planners work in government agencies, private firms, non-profits and real estate. Roles include city planner, transportation planner, environmental planner, housing specialist and policy analyst, often shaping public policy and managing zoning and land use.

Architecture focuses on the design and construction of individual buildings, while urban planning addresses the broader framework of how cities and regions are organized - zoning, transportation, infrastructure and land use. Studying both helps students connect individual structures to the wider urban environment.

Graduates can work as urban designers, city planners, architectural planners, sustainability consultants and in real estate development, bridging design and planning to create spaces that are functional, sustainable and contextually relevant.

They work together so buildings are not only attractive and functional but also aligned with the city's broader goals. Planning addresses infrastructure, transportation and social needs, while architecture creates spaces that fit into this framework and enhance the overall urban experience.

Common tools include AutoCAD and Revit for architectural design, SketchUp for 3D modelling, GIS and ArcGIS for spatial and land-use analysis, Rhino and Grasshopper for parametric design, and BIM for integrated project planning.

Tags

B.Arch NATA JEE Paper 2 Urban Planning COA Design
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