In order to obtain the skills and knowledge required to design, plan, and oversee a diverse range of projects, Architects are required to obtain extensive, specialized, formal education coupled with a reasonable amount of Professional practice in Architecture.



The requirements for Architectural practice vary from place to place. In India, an Architect is required to have completed a 5 year Bachelor of Architecture Course (B.Arch.) and be registered with the Council of Architecture in order to practise.









B.ARCH. COURSE IN INDIA:

In India, Architecture is taught through diploma or degree courses in the different colleges/schools of Architecture throughout the country. The Architecture degree course (B.Arch.) is of a minimum period of 5 academic years or 10 semesters and includes 6 months or 1 semester of practical training in a Professional Architect’s office.


Some of the subjects taught in the Architectural Course are Architectural Design; Architectural Drawing and Graphics;  Surveying and Levelling;  History of Architecture; Structural Mechanics;  Principles of Human Settlements;  Estimating and Costing; Workshop Practice for model making;  Building Construction;  Building Materials and Specifications;  Building Services;  Humanities;  Theory of Structures;  Town Planning;  Landscape Design;  Building Bye-Laws.




M.ARCH. (SPECIALIZATION COURSE) IN INDIA:

On completion of the graduate course, if interested, one can study Architecture at the post graduate level (M.Arch) which will be for a minimum period of 2 academic years or 4 semesters.


Further specialization in this field can be in Industrial Design, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Town Planning/ Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Building Engineering and Management, Transport Planning, etc. These courses are open to B.Arch. degree/diploma holders.


ELIGIBILITY FOR B.ARCH IN INDIA:

The candidate seeking admission in the Architecture course must have passed 10 +2 or equivalent higher secondary / pre-university examinations in the science group of any recognized University/Board with Mathematics as a subject of examination with at least 50% aggregate marks.

The candidate with a good academic background in physics and mathematics is better suited for the study of Architecture, as the work involves complex designing problems, building economies and cost estimations.





NATA, APTITUDE TEST FOR ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA:

The National Institute of Advanced Studies in Architecture (NIASA), Pune, an Academic Unit of the Council of Architecture (CoA), conducts a National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) for admission to the first year of the 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree course, for all Architectural Institutions in the country.It is mandatory for every Architectural Institution imparting 5-year B.Arch degree course in the country to join the NATA and to admit students on the basis of valid NATA marks.


Candidates, who are not admitted on the basis of valid NATA marks, will not be considered for registration as an "Architect" under the Architects Act, 1972 with the CoA irrespective of their obtaining a B.Arch degree. Registration as an "Architect" with the CoA is mandatory for pursuing the profession of Architecture and employment in Central/State Governments Services in the country