Architecture, Town and Regional Planning Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope

What is Architecture, Town and Regional Planning

Architecture, Town and Regional Planning- The fundamental process of planning, designing, constructing structures or buildings is known as architecture. It is sometimes referred to as an art because a piece of construction eventually becomes a part of the cultural heritage. However, as a field of study, architecture, town and regional planning is both art and science as it requires both artistic skills and knowledge of science.

Urban planning, also termed as town planning, is more of a technical process of design and development aimed at optimal use of land and building of infrastructure in public areas. The most important concern out here is public welfare along with the protection of the environment. The planning mostly helps to build rural and suburban areas, settling up communities by facilitating the supply of water and other resources. Regional planning is nothing but urban planning but on a broader scale. It covers aspects like the optimal use of land, protection of farmland, creation of industrial space, transportation hubs and cities, etc.

The basic principle of architecture, town and regional planning at the macro level is to resist any kind of development in the floodplains and earthquake vaults and utilize them in some other ways. Allocation of land for different purposes, laying down regional level policies and even-zoning of laws and policies for the best use of the land- all come under the purview of this course.

Architecture, Town and Regional Planning: Degrees and Levels

Undergraduate level (5 years): This course spans over 5 years and can be pursued after the completion of class 12. It is an integrated course. At the end of it, a student is awarded a B.Arch degree in architecture, town and regional planning.

Postgraduate level (2 years): A few institutes offer a full-time 2-year post-graduation course. One has to possess a B.Arch degree to be eligible for getting admission in an M.Arch course. A postgraduate architecture, town or regional planning course trains students with the professional skills required to sustain and shine in the industry.

PhD level: Aspirants can choose from a wide range of subjects from the field of architecture, town and regional planning for doing research and earn a doctoral degree. It is mandatory for a student to have a postgraduate degree to do a PhD. One must choose colleges and courses approved by AICTE, Council of Architecture, New Delhi, and Institute of Town Planners, India for this level of study.

Architecture, Town and Regional Planning- Minimum and Maximum Duration

Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) is an undergraduate programme which is for 5 years i.e., 60 months. The postgraduate course of M.Plan in urban and regional planning is a 24 months’ course which consists of 4 semesters. This is a full-time programme expanding the limits of the town and regional planning theories. P.hD in urban planning is also a 24 months’ (minimum) doctorate programme which conducts research in the town and regional planning field. Some architecture colleges also offer a 3-year course of this degree and it usually has a semester format. 

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Architecture, Town and Regional Planning

Students must complete 10+2 or equivalent exams from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% marks in total to become eligible for getting admission in a B.Arch programme. Or else, they must complete a 3-year diploma course from a recognised institution, after class 10, in any stream.

To get admission in the master’s degree in urban and regional planning, a candidate must have a B.Arch degree or B.Planning or B.E. in civil engineering. A degree in M.A. /M.Sc or an equivalent degree in geography, economics, statistics or sociology will also render the candidate eligible.

To be eligible for the doctoral programme, one must complete post-graduation in architecture/planning or equivalent. The students who have a master degree in technology with a basic degree in architecture/planning are also eligible for the P.hD course.

Admission Criteria for Architecture, Town and Regional Planning Courses after Class 12

For admission into undergraduate courses, the candidates must have physics, mathematics and chemistry as the subject combination in 10+2 level. The aggregate must be a minimum of 50% of the total marks.

Individuals with a diploma in architecture can also get an admission into the undergraduate course. But in that case, one must complete a 3-year diploma course from an accredited institution, after class 10.

For admission in a postgraduate degree in architecture, urban and regional planning, the candidates must possess a graduate degree in architecture and planning or in civil engineering. The candidates must have scored minimum 55% marks in the graduation.

Those with an M.A. or M. Sc degree in geography, statistics or economics must also have a minimum score of 55% marks in the aggregate to get admission into a post-graduate course of architecture, town and regional planning.

If candidates wish to pursue a P.hD in fields related to architecture, town and regional planning course, they must score 55% in post-graduation from an AICTE or similar body-approved institutes. 

Entrance Examination for the Architecture, Town and Regional Planning Courses    

For admission in an undergraduate course, the marks obtained in class 10+2 level are taken into consideration. However, the National Aptitude Test in Architecture or NATA is held annually as the entrance examination for all UG courses in this subject. The exam has questions from class 12 physics, chemistry and mathematics syllabus. Higher marks in NATA ensures placement in leading architecture, town and regional planning colleges of India.

For admission into postgraduate programmes, an aspirant has to again appear for entrance exams as held by individual institutes, colleges or universities. These exams are generally followed by a personal interview and group discussion.

For P.hD in architecture, urban and regional planning, a candidate must fulfil the required eligibility criteria, the minimum of which is a postgraduate degree in a related field. Only upon meeting the criteria, one can sit for the entrance test conducted by the specific institute. The test is then followed by a round of personal interview. Based on the total marks obtained, admission is granted to the candidate.

Architecture, Town and Regional Planning- Fees and Expenses

The average course fee for a bachelor in architecture is Rs.4-8 lakhs. But it depends on the colleges also. Mentioned below is the fees and expenses of various colleges and universities:

Required Skillset for Architecture, Town and Regional Planning

Creativity and designing skill: Building and planning is all about designing from scratch. A whole building or a complete town must be developed with minutely calculated designs. The design skill should be inclusive of both to-the-point and accurate design and elegance at the same time.

Skill in science and math: Though architecture, town and regional planning jobs are all about design, it is based on the scientific skills of the engineer and his mathematical skills as well. The individual should be apt in algebra, geometry, principles of physics, programming, engineering.

Team building: After completing architecture, town and regional planning courses, aspirants have to work with others in a diverse work environment. Engineers, designers, other architects all will be a part of a team handling projects. Thus an aspirant must possess the skill of being a team member and a leader altogether.

Problem-solving skills: Analytical skills and that of problem-solving are essential. With these skills, problems can be identified and ways to fix them can also be modulated.

Communication skill: A diverse workforce to work with, different working environments, projects of various levels of complexity call for excellent communication skills. Communicating with people to continue the flow of information, acquiring knowledge etc can be achieved through effective and active communication skills.