Looking for a career that gives you the chance to unleash your creativity? Then architecture could be for you!
What do architects do?
Architects design new buildings so people have practical, attractive, and safe places to live and work. Architects also restore older buildings so they can be used for new purposes.
As an architect, you would be responsible for a building project from the early stages right through to completion, including designing the land around the building.
You would talk with clients about their needs and expectations and then draw designs for them to see and approve.
Why become an architect?
There aren’t too many careers that offer the opportunity to express yourself as much as architecture does. Designing a building is, in itself, a fulfilling creative pursuit but the industry also encourages people to be creative individuals and have their own distinctive styles.
Architects get to very clearly see the fruits of their labour. Seeing a building you created from a blank sheet of paper come to life can be extremely satisfying while there is also the knowledge that your work will likely stand for generations to come.
It can be a financially rewarding career too with the average UK salary for an architect around £47,000 a year.
With a seven per cent increase in the number of jobs in the area predicted over the next six years there is no better time than now to start your career in architecture.
Lay the foundations of your architecture career at Fife College
Here at Fife College we offer a number of ways to start building towards your career in architecture.
A varied two-year course, our HND: Architectural Technology course provides a valuable insight into the diverse technical aspects which are fundamental to the profession.
You will undertake 15 credits in your first year which will give you the equivalent of an HNC in Built Environment. Following this, you will progress to year two where the remaining credits will see you achieve an HND in Architectural Technology
You can also choose to take Architectural Technology as an HNC on a part-time basis, allowing you the chance to fit your studying around your work, family, and other commitments.
What will I study?
The courses are mainly theory-based, giving you important knowledge and skills which can lead successful employment in architecture field. Classes are context of practical and theoretical classes and include the following:
- Computer aided design (REVIT/AutoCAD)
- Building information modelling (BIM) processes
- Construction technology
- Building science
- Design and sketching
- Architectural procedures
- Construction contracts
Move onto university study – with direct access to second or third year of a degree
Not only will our HNC and HND courses set you up for your career, we also offer progression to year two or three of the following degrees on completion of the HND:
- BSc/BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University
- MEng Architectural Engineering at Heriot-Watt University
- BSc/BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology at Robert Gordon University
Find out more about Fife College’s Architectural Technology courses and how to apply by visiting our Built Environment subject pages.
