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Architect Green Job

Architects design new buildings and the spaces around them, and work on the restoration and conservation of existing buildings.

Annual Salary

£30,000 to £60,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

35 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Architect jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you could:

  • create hand sketches, 3D models and technical plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
  • create a plan that follows building laws, safety regulations and is within budget
  • manage construction projects, choose materials and visit sites to check on progress
  • write reports and job proposals and complete planning applications
  • communicate and share ideas with clients, other architects and architectural technologists and technicians

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a creative studio, in an office or visit sites.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

To become an architect, you'll need to complete:

  • a degree recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB)
  • a year of practical work experience
  • a further 2 years' full-time university course like BArch, Diploma, MArch
  • a year of practical training
  • a final qualifying exam

You'll need a portfolio when you are interviewed for degree courses. Course providers will want to see a portfolio that includes hand drawn sketches, photographs and models.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through an architect degree apprenticeship.

This typically takes 48 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and academic study at an approved university.

You can find out more about architecture apprenticeships from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could qualify to become an architect through a foundation course with RIBA Studio which can offer a more flexible route.

More information

Career tips

Work experience could be useful when applying for university courses or jobs. You can gain relevant skills in the construction and design industry as well as in an architectural firm.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Institute of British Architects for training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an architect from the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Architects Registration Board and Go Construct.

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With experience you could:become a partner or associate if you work for a private architectural firm; move into a lead architect job if you work in the public sector; work on projects as a freelance consultant; set up your own business or work overseas

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Architects are needed to design new sustainable, low carbon domestic and commercial buildings in the West of England region.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Maths, Physics, Art & Design A-levels

Click here to find a local provider

Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers

Click here to search for other university courses

For more information on the different routes you can take to get into working as an architect, take a look at the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Local employers 

  • Turner and Townsend
  • Ove Arup and Partners 

As an architect you could work for one of the many local architect firms in the West of England that are involved in the new sustainable building developments locally or for the regional office of a larger organisation.

For more local employment opportunities see the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Click here to view a profile of Dr Tariq Umar, a lecturer in Project Construction Management at UWE Bristol Department of Architecture and the Built Environment

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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