Image
This career guide is designed to help University of Portsmouth students and recent graduates explore job options, key employers, and entry routes into the architecture sector.
In this guide
The architectural profession is varied with opportunities in construction, property development and private practice.
Private practices can vary enormously in size, and you may find yourself working alone or as part of a large team. Many experienced, qualified architects opt to work freelance and as sole traders.
Potential Job Roles
Prospects has a useful list of job profiles, each containing relevant information about key responsibilities, skill requirements, starting salaries, entry requirements, career prospects with links to major employers and current graduate vacancies. Some roles include:
Professional Qualifications
In the UK, the title ‘architect’ is legally protected. To use it, you must register with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
The standard route to qualification includes:
- Part 1: Undergraduate degree (typically BA or BSc)
- Practical experience: Usually 1 year in practice
- Part 2: Postgraduate degree (typically MArch or Diploma)
- More experience: At least another year in practice
- Part 3: Professional practice qualification
These qualifications must be recognised by ARB for registration, and often validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for membership.
Learn more about the routes to becoming a fully-qualified Architect through the RIBA website.
Gaining Experience
Gaining work experience while you study is essential to show employers you’re serious about your future career. It also helps you decide what areas of architecture interest you most.
Creating a Portfolio
Building a portfolio is crucial. Capture your projects, drawings, and design thinking clearly. Tailor your portfolio to the roles you're applying for.
Types of opportunities
Below are some examples of the different types of opportunities to gain experience while you study.
Placements are a great way to gain substantial experience, help you to build contacts and gain an understanding of an organisation.
On some degrees, work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules.
To learn more about completing a placement, you can contact the Placements team in the Careers and Employability Service.
Learn more about completing a placement year
You can also choose to take a Self-Employed Placement. This allows you to work for yourself during your placement year and receive support from the University's Student Startup Team. You will have access to funding opportunities, networking events and workshops.
It's worth considering the voluntary sector for work experience. Seize any opportunity to get involved in local community projects to help you develop your work experience. Our Volunteering Bank provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies.
You can also get involved in relevant university projects through the different groups and societies via the Student Union. This is a good way of demonstrating your motivation and interest in this area of work.
Internships are usually for a fixed period and give you more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat interns in the same way as full-time employees, so when future job roles ask for 'at least one year's experience' you can include an internship in this type of experience.
Architect practices tend to offer internships over the summer break, which can be a great opportunity. But since a lot of them are small businesses, they might not advertise their opportunities as much as some other graduate employers, so you have to be more proactive.
This is an opportunity for you to spend time with an experienced professional and learn about what they do and their role.
Whatever experience you gain will help your understanding of the skills required in the architecture field. It will also give you an idea of the challenges and triumphs of the creative process.
You can also speak to your tutors in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries about potential contacts and opportunities for work experience over the Easter period or summer vacation.
Where to find opportunities
Some key platforms for finding work experience in all sectors include MyCareer, HigherIn, Bright Network and Targetjobs.
There is no centralised list of architectural practices that offer work experience, so you need to approach employers directly. Remember to think about smaller companies as well as large organisations, contact architects in your local area for 1-2 weeks of experience and don’t just limit yourself to architectural practices - remember the range of areas related to architecture e.g. construction, landscaping, interior design.
Finding a job
We recommend starting your search using our online jobs board, MyCareer. You can also find general online job boards and advice through our Graduate Jobs page.
Job Boards for Architecture
Recruitment agencies
Recruitment consultants work with individuals to help them find suitable work to match their skills. Agency Central is the UK's leading recruitment agency directory. An advanced search and filter system finds the agencies which match your needs. Some specialist Architecture recruitment agencies include:
-
Bespoke - Recruitment agency specialising in architecture and design.
-
Hays - Recruitment agency jobs across all civil engineering, property and construction
-
Hunter Dunning - Architectural recruitment specialists providing architecture jobs for architects, technicians, and assistants at all levels across the UK
-
Mustard - Specialist recruitment agency working across the design sector in the UK and internationally
-
EdenBrown - Technical recruitment agency for jobs in architecture, interior design, building services, engineering, town planning, charities, construction, education, housing and social care.
-
Stock Harvard - Specialises in Architecture and Interior Design jobs. Cover London, the South East and East Anglia.
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Start your own business
Freelancing is another popular career path for those in Architecture. Many rely on their portfolio, self-promotion or networking to generate work. Our Student Startup team can offer further support with freelancing and starting your own business.
Keep up-to-date
As part of your job-hunting strategy, you will need to keep up to date on developments in this sector and keep track of any vacancies that are coming up. Below are some key resources to help you research opportunities available. The knowledge gained through your research may help you to target your applications and will help when preparing for interviews.
- Royal Institute of British Architects - The Royal Institute of British Architects professional body has jobs, career advice, news and events.
- ArchDaily - Latest architectural news: projects, products, events, interviews and competitions, among others.
- The Architects Newspaper - Source of information on the latest projects and commissions, unfolding politics and debate, and cultural developments related to architecture.
- The Guardian - Architecture news from the Guardian.
- bdonline.co.uk - Architecture news and commentary. Also lists job openings.
- Dezeen magazine - Architecture and design blog which provides a carefully edited selection of the best architecture, design and interior projects from around the world. Also lists job vacancies.
- The Architects' Journal - An industry journal with news, information and the latest architectural ‘Competitions’.
- Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists - The qualifying body for architectural technologists and technicians. The website includes a careers and jobs section.
Explore more from Careers and Employability
Portfolio guide
Our advice on creating a strong portfolio that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Creative and alternative CVs
Learn how to use alternative CV formats to help you stand out from the crowd in creative industries.
Building work experience
Get hands-on industry experience and showcase your knowledge before you graduate!
Graduate job search guide
Learn about the types of roles you will encounter, and how to search for roles.
Enable University alerts
Turn on notifications for critical updates like closures, safety alerts, and urgent service disruptions.