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All careers

Design & Built environment

Architect

Design buildings and spaces that are beautiful, safe and sustainable.

Key skills

CreativitySpatial thinkingTechnical drawingClient skills

Ways in

UniversityApprenticeship

Typical prerequisites

  • Portfolio
  • Usually ARB-prescribed degree + practice; architect apprenticeships exist

Alternative routes

  • Architectural technologist
  • Interior designer
  • Urban planner

Route milestones

  1. 1

    Part 1 (degree)

    Around year 0–3

  2. 2

    Year out in practice

    Around year 3–4

  3. 3

    Part 2 & 3

    Around year 4–8

  4. 4

    Associate / own practice

    Around year 10+

Progression: Assistant → registered architect → associate → director or own studio.

Indicative pay bands

Starting out£24,000 – £30,000
Experienced£40,000 – £55,000
Senior / top end£60,000 – £90,000

Indicative example estimates compiled October 2026 for planning conversations only. Pay varies by region, employer, sector and hours. Always verify with official sources such as the National Careers Service.

Verify on National Careers Service

Contribution & impact

Shapes how people live, work and feel in their surroundings.