World famous American architect, designer, writer and educator Frank Lloyd Wright Sr. who lived in the 20th century had famously remarked: “The mother art is architecture. Without architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilization.” It is this essence of architecture, i.e. a blend of practicality and artistic expression which makes the final product successful and gain acceptance among masses, and also in every sphere of life.

Students pursue the Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) course to familiarize themselves on delivering the aesthetic and practical needs of customers and plan, design, and construct physical structures. It is one of the most in-demand jobs in real estate sector, construction industry, etc. There are endless opportunities for both personal and professional growth for those who take up architecture as a career and follow their passion.

Passion is a driving factor for those who want to make a mark in this field especially if they find resonance with building things that have a positive effect on the environment. The iconic skyscrapers, cosy homes, or sustainable public spaces, are results of such visions. As in any other field attention to detail and hard work is highly important for those who pursue a career in architecture. Good architects need to balance multiple aspects of a design, from aesthetics to safety standards, environmental concerns, and within budget limits.

Education, hands-on experience, commitment to continuous learning while on job is all highly important to succeed in this endeavour. So, who should pursue an Architecture course? Are you someone who loves problem-solving, enjoy doing mathematics and apply scientific principles, and then you are the right student for architecture. To be successful in this rigorous academic and professional field you need to be patient, diligent, and detail-oriented.

Once you are certain that you have this talent then the next step is to find the right college, a crucial decision that can impact your academic and professional career. Students who aspire to find their feet in this career need to consider some key factors while selecting a college for architecture education:

• Accreditation and affiliation: Ascertain whether the college is accredited by the Council of Architecture (COA) and approved by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). When you have this your degree will be valid and accepted both nationally and globally.
• Curriculum and specializations: Check the syllabus and programme structure. It should reflect the most recent architectural styles and technologies. Some institutions provide specialist courses in fields such as urban design, landscape architecture, and sustainable architecture. Select as per your need and interest.
• Faculty and teaching quality: Look for colleges with experienced faculty who have practical experience and strong academic backgrounds. Teachers who can teach well will bring the best out of students and it is this learning that you would apply when you start working.
• Infrastructure and facilities: Architecture is a hands-on field, and hence look if the college has well-equipped design studios, model-making workshops, computer labs, and access to cutting-edge software.
• Reputation and rankings: Check the college's reputation in both national and international rankings. Top institutions may offer additional networking opportunities and exposure for students.
• Internship and job placement opportunities: A reputable architecture institution should maintain strong ties with architecture firms, construction companies and other industry professionals to give internship and job possibilities.
• Study abroad opportunities: Some colleges provide exchange programs with foreign universities. This can lead to great international exposure, learning possibilities, and finding jobs overseas.

Top 20 architecture institutions in India:

1. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
2. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
3. National Institute of Technology Calicut
4. National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
5. School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi
6. Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University
7. Jamia Millia Islamia
8. Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur
9. School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal
10. Malaviya National Institute of Technology
11. College of Engineering, Trivandrum
12. S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology Chennai
13. Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi
14. M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
15. BMS College of Architecture Bengaluru
16. Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, MAHE, Udupi
17. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi
18. Chandigarh University, Mohali
19. Anant National University
20. Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management