What can you do with an architecture and built environment degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after an architecture and built environment degree

Knowledge and skills

Presentation skills.
Written and verbal communication.
Teamwork and collaboration.
Creativity, with proficiency in drawing and modelling.
Awareness of industry trends and adherence to regulations.
Flexibility and the ability to problem solve.
Project management and efficient time planning.
Attention to detail, particularly with data interpretation and analysis.
IT skills (such as CAD/AutoCAD, or computer-aided design) and digital literacy.
Researching and writing project proposals.
Decision-making and negotiation.
Personal development, through professional performance reflection.

Career options

15 months after graduating*

96% of our architecture graduates are in work or further study

89% of our architecture graduates said their current activity is meaningful

94% of architecture graduates say their degree was a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage

Architects and surveyors work in a variety of organisations, and it is typical for graduates to be employed within smaller, localised firms to begin with before moving on to bigger practices. Regardless of the size of the company, you might benefit from drawing on your work experiences and degree specialisms to determine what would suit you. Planning, construction, urban design and environmental services are just some of the departments that built environment graduates can work within, and these can occur across the sectors.

You must register with the statutory body, the Architects Registration Board (ARB), to legally use the title 'architect' in the UK. Chartered architect status is available through membership of RIBA. It is not a legal requirement to be registered with RIBA to practise, though most do take up membership with the body. The typical entry route into the architecture profession involves seven years' training in total, made up of five years' university study and two years' practical experience.

To find out more about this route and alternative routes into this career, such as the RIBA Studio practice-based route or an architecture apprenticeship please visit the Prospects website.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Researching your career options

With such a wide range of careers open to you as a graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Take a look at the Prospects and the design association websites for inspiration:

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth architecture graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to other roles by providing relevant workplace experience.

Architect
Architect Technician
Architecture Assistant Part 2
Building Surveyor
CAD Designer
Construction Site Manager
Development Director

Freelance Designer
Graduate Design Engineer
Graduate Project Manager
Graphic Designer
Landscape Designer
Mechanical Building Services Engineer
Planning Officer

Project Officer
Site Manager
Surveying Technician
Technical Construction Manager
Technical Designer
Urban Designer

Employers

ADG (Architect Design Group)
AECOM
Atkins
Babcock International
Bazeley Partnership
Buro Happold
Design Engine Architects

Ercle Architects
Gardiner Architects
Haworth Tompkins
Hydrock
Kier Construction
KTA Architects
Mace Group

Bob Massey Associates Surveying Services
Morgan Sindall Construction
Roberts Limbrick Architects
Sanderson Construction Group Ltd
Saunders Boston Architects
Somerset Council
Taylor Wimpey

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying an architecture and built environment degree

Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with an architecture or built environment degree and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.
We encourage you to:

undertake career planning and research
build your networks, meet employers and graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend industry events
continually develop your professional portfolio
get involved with relevant clubs and societies
visit the Careers Service for advice.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University offers the following postgraduate study options related to architecture and built environment:

MA Architectural Design

MA Communication Design

MA Experience Design

MDes Design

MSc Low Carbon Architectural Engineering

MSc Planning

PhD Built Environment

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.
Some useful websites to help you find a suitable post-graduate programme:

It is also worth investigating what

further study options the University has to offer

as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni –

find out your funding options

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the

Student Hub

or access our

24/7 online resources

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or

come to one of our workshops

Other advice and guidance

Gain work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities

Clubs & societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to architecture (e.g. Plymouth Architecture Society) or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.