Do architects earn less than engineers?
I am a Class 11 student studying physics, chemistry, math and computer science. I want to make my career in architecture. I have heard that architects struggle and are not paid huge salaries as compared to engineers. Please guide.
-Sudipto
You must not decide on a career just on the basis of the salary you will earn. Money is a strong factor in the career decision process but it shouldn't be the main criterion. There are so many other aspects you need to think about when choosing a career, particularly your abilities, interest, the work environment and the kind of work it involves. You can excel and do well only if you do what you / enjoy doing and for which you have the natural ability. While it is true that architects do go through a bit of a struggle when they enter the profession, not all engineers start on high salaries. A career as an architect may be the preferred option for you if you are creative and have good sketching skills, a high level of practicality, accuracy, understanding power, the capacity to observe and conceptualise.
As a qualified architect, you can work in a firm of architects, in partnership with other architects, or set up your practice after some years of experience and earn a fat income.
In the last five years, there has been a huge demand for good architects as new complexes, housing projects, shopping malls, educational institutes, hospitals, as well as huge infrastructure projects come up in the country.
Admission to any architecture programme in India is based on the results of a National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) conducted by the Council of Architecture.
The test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportions, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking, related to the field of architecture. NATA is offered year round at designated centres, usually at colleges/ schools of architecture in India. The basic requirements for NATA include 60% marks in Class 12 exams in any subject combination, including maths. Some architecture institutes have their own tests. Entry into the School of Planning and Architecture (www.spa.ac.in), New Delhi and to architecture programmes offered by engineering institutes is through the All India Engineering Entrance Examination.
Other prominent institutions offering architecture include:
- School of Architecture, Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad
- Sir JJ School of Architecture, Mumbai
- Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh
- School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai
- Faculty of Technology & Engineering, MS University, Baroda
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Check the requirements of each institute
Author: Usha Albuquerque (HT Horizons)
Date: 28th April 2011
