An architecture degree can be considered more than just a piece of paper that you put in your portfolio, it can be a way to refresh your career or start one. With the rise of technology and companies relying heavily on software for their business processes, there is a constant need for people with architectural skills.

In fact, according as ADEC estimates, over half of all architects currently working are entering into retirement within five years!

The average architect doesn’t last too long in this field due to the high demands on his or her time spent practicing while also educating future generations. It is very common to see advertisements looking for someone with experience in designing kitchens, bathrooms, and floor plans.

Architects design everything from skyscrapers to homes, so having some basic knowledge about every area is essential to success. Unfortunately, many students don’t get much exposure to those areas during school, leaving them unprepared when they enter the workforce.

Luckily, there are several ways to level up your architectural game without needing to drop out and become a professional designer! Here are our top tips for achieving that goal. Read on for these and other ways to gain practical expertise in the realm of buildings and construction.

Four years of study

In fact, it is not quite true to say that you need to be rich to become an architect. An architecture degree can usually be completed in four years depending on how many courses you choose to take. This means you could earn your bachelor’s degree at a relatively young age (think twenty-something) while still enjoying most of the benefits of being an architect.

However, before you start planning on opening your own architectural firm or taking on more clients as a freelance designer, there are several things you should consider. First, the number of jobs available for architects varies from region to region and season to season.

Second, even if you have a job waiting for you, living costs play a big role in whether or not you can afford to live close to where you work. A good way to prepare for this is by limiting how much debt you carry and keeping an eye on spending limits.

Five years of study

In general, most architecture students are educated for at least five years. Some schools offer six or even seven depending on what degree program you have. This is due to many factors such as differences in how fast each school’s curriculum can be completed.

Some courses don’t require too much studying beyond taking the course twice, while others may only be studied once but take a long time to complete. Technology however, makes it possible to access almost any information anywhere at anytime so this isn’t quite as true anymore.

The average student doesn’t stay in academia very long. Only about half of all graduates work full-time in their field within the first year after graduation. The rest either find another career or they drift before finding something that fits them better.

For example, someone who works in finance might move into business management instead or marketing instead. A person working in construction could become a property developer or manager. A gardener could expand their skills to include designing gardens or landscaping.

Six years of study

In fact, it is not easy to get six years’ worth of education in architecture unless you are willing to spend a significant amount of time studying. Most undergraduate programs require at least six years to complete, so planning your career with this assumption will help you plan more effectively.

Most students can expect to graduate within six years if they are focused on their studies and keep up-to-date on current trends in the field. However, some students may want to go into practice right after graduation which could take close to one or two years depending on whether they choose to learn a trade like construction or design.

Alternatively, some architects start from the ground up as associate professionals and work their way up through the ranks. This is considered a better route for those who prefer working under their own leadership rather than being given orders by higher authorities.

Seven years of study

In fact, it is not quite accurate to say that there are “an architecture degree” or "a bachelor's in design". An architect's degree really consists of three separate but related degrees — each one requiring seven years to complete.

That means a student can spend anywhere from just under eight years studying architectural theory, skills, and concepts, to almost nine years if they include their practical training as an apprentice.

The term Bachelor of Design (BDes) is typically used for students who have completed only the first two years of their degree program.

However, due to the nature of how most schools structure their curriculum, some BArch candidates do take longer than others to achieve their degree. This can result in graduates with different levels of expertise at the end of their studies.

Eight years of study

An architecture degree takes eight to nine months depending on whether you are taking part in formal courses or not, so most students have two to three years after they graduate before they must look for employment. This is because many firms will give you training or a position while you search for your own job, and then you can pick up where you left off when you find employment!

Some specializations may take longer than others due to their depth. For example, landscape architects and urban planners can be five to seven years long, whereas interior designers only require about one year.

Landscape architects design everything from parks to buildings, including roofs and swimming pools. Urban planners work with city governments to develop new areas and ways to grow the community.

Architects also need to be trained in building codes, which vary by country and state. Some states do not use the word architect to describe someone who designs homes, instead using licensed professionals such as home designer or builder. These people are still practicing the art of designing houses, however.

There are several routes to become an architectural professional. You can either get educated at a university, join a professional organization, or both.

Nine years of study

An architecture degree takes at least nine years to complete, if not longer depending on how you go about your education. This is due to the nature of the profession- it constantly changes.

Most students will spend four or more years in school studying foundations like interior design, furniture making, construction science, and business. These are the undergirding skills that every architect needs, and most architects need them all!

The next two years usually involve specialties such as industrial engineering, landscape architecture, urban planning, or any combination thereof.

Then there’s the one to three years after that where architects must pass both state and national exams to be licensed. Beyond that, employers typically give significant latitude for professional growth and self-development.

Overall, then, most people who call themselves architects have spent around ten to twelve years learning the basics and developing their career.

Ten years of study

For most architecture students, completing their undergraduate degree takes at least three to four years depending on whether you are taking courses online or not, how many hours per day you devote to studying, and what kind of schedule you have to maintain.

That’s ten full years that you are spending paying close attention to something that makes money! It is important to note that even though tuition costs for college have increased considerably over time, the cost of an architectural degree has stayed relatively stable.

This means that even if you are living under budget right now, as soon as you add up all of your student loan debt (which can easily add up to several hundred thousand dollars!), You will be spending more than you make.

Furthermore, most architects actually earn very good salaries once they graduate- around $60-$100k per year+. This income varies greatly by area and employer, but it is never low enough to completely pay off student loans.

Eleven years of study

An architecture degree takes around eleven years to complete, depending on how many additional courses you choose to take beyond your bachelor’s level qualification. Most students are in their second or third year of professional practice when they graduate.

Most people only think about what it costs to go to university for two or three months during the summer break, but this is not taking into account all of the other fees that students have to pay throughout the rest of the academic year. These include things like student loans, housing, food, and tuition at affiliated colleges and universities.

Architecture graduates can expect to earn anywhere from $40-60K per annum, making it one of the more lucrative degrees. This income varies greatly dependant upon where you live and what kind of career path you want to pursue.

For example, someone working as an architect in New York will make far more money than if they did the same job in India. There are several reasons for this!

Weed out these five myths about how expensive college is to see why attending university isn’t necessarily the best investment for everyone. But if you cannot afford to drop off education then you should consider going to a less competitive school or investing in online learning so you don’t spend too much money on campus.