Architecture
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
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.
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.
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.
Where to find opportunities
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.
Explore the Architecture Career Guide
Getting started in architecture
Take the first steps to beginning your career in architecture.
Gaining experience in architecture
Find out how to build your experience in the architecture industry while you study.
Finding a job in architecture
Explore different ways you can find employment in architecture after you graduate.
