📐 Architecture
PUC Science · after SSLC (Class 10)
Duration
5 Years
Entrance Exam
NATA / JEE Main Paper 2
Degree
B.Arch
Job Roles
7 mapped
What it costs to get there
Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka
Government seat
₹1.5–4L
about ₹55,000 a year
Private / management seat
₹8–20L
about ₹2.8L a year
Tuition for the full 5 years. Government and aided colleges sit at the low end; private architecture schools in Bengaluru commonly charge ₹1.5–3.5L a year, plus studio and materials costs.
Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.
Who can apply
Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths and at least 50% aggregate. Note that NATA restricts eligibility to recent Class 12 batches, so check the current year rule before applying.
How to apply
Apply for NATA at nata.in, or use JEE Main Paper 2 (jeemain.nta.nic.in) for NITs and centrally funded institutes via JoSAA. NATA carries 200 marks — a drawing section and an MCQ section. All 5 years are compulsory: you cannot register as an architect in India without completing the full B.Arch.
The journey, step by step
SSLC through to leadership.
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years🔬 PUC — ScienceTwo years of pre-university study in the Science stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 NATA / JEE Main Paper 2Entry to B.Arch is through NATA / JEE Main Paper 2. JEE Main is run by National Testing Agency (NTA) and leads to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and the JEE Advanced qualifier for IITs. NATA is run by Council of Architecture (CoA) and leads to B.Arch, the 5-year professional architecture degree. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
- 4Degree · 5 Years📘 B.ArchArchitecture: 5 Years. You can specialise in Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Design, Conservation and more.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 ArchitectCommon starting roles include Architect, Urban Designer, Interior Architect.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 M.Arch (2Y)You can continue with M.Arch (2Y), M.Plan Urban Planning (2Y), PhD.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 M.Arch dissertationM.Arch dissertation · PhD in architecture or planning · Building-science research
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ Architect in PWD and town planning departmentsArchitect in PWD and town planning departments · BBMP and city corporation posts · CPWD architect cadre · Housing board and development authority posts
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Own architecture practiceOwn architecture practice · Design-build firm · Interior design studio
- 10Leadership · Long term⭐ Principal ArchitectPrincipal Architect · Chief Town Planner · Head of Design
Job roles and salary ranges
Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.
Higher studies
- ›M.Arch (2Y)
- ›M.Plan Urban Planning (2Y)
- ›PhD
Research routes
- ›M.Arch dissertation
- ›PhD in architecture or planning
- ›Building-science research
Government jobs
- ›Architect in PWD and town planning departments
- ›BBMP and city corporation posts
- ›CPWD architect cadre
- ›Housing board and development authority posts
Start your own
- ›Own architecture practice
- ›Design-build firm
- ›Interior design studio
Senior roles later
- ›Principal Architect
- ›Chief Town Planner
- ›Head of Design
Specialisations
- ›Urban Design
- ›Landscape Architecture
- ›Sustainable Design
- ›Conservation
- ›Interior Architecture
Where it is taught
- ›SPA New Delhi
- ›BMS College of Architecture Bengaluru
- ›RV College of Architecture Bengaluru
- ›IIT Roorkee
Where these facts come from
Council of Architecture (CoA), which regulates architecture education under the Architects Act 1972 — B.Arch is a 5-year professional degree and registration with CoA requires the complete programme; admission via NATA or JEE Main Paper 2