
Content Writer | Updated on - Dec 31, 2020
Master of Architecture or M.Arch is a postgraduate Architecture Engineering course which deals with the principles of design and construction of buildings and also gives way to research concepts.
It is a 2-year program which is generally divided into four semesters and can be pursued through regular batch or distance education. The minimum eligibility for an M.Arch course is a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture with a minimum aggregate score of 50%, completed from a recognized institution.
Some of the Best Colleges for Master of Architecture (M.Arch) according to the NIRF rankings are listed below:
NIRF Rank | College | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees (in INR) |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Entrance Exam | 30,500 |
4 | School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi | Merit Based | 1,31,600 |
6 | School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal | Merit Based | 50,000 |
7 | National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli | Entrance Exam | 1,11,250 |
8 | Jamia Millia Islamia | Entrance Exam | 40,750 |
The average course fee for M.Arch course ranges from INR 60,000 to 2.6 lakh per annum depending on the specialisation of the course and also upon the mode of entrance exam. The Council of Architecture in India regulates the curriculum and professional applications of this field.
Check the list of top M.Arch entrance exams in India.
Successful M.Arch postgraduates are hired in capacities such as Town Planner, Draughtsman etc. The average annual salary offered to M.Arch postgraduates varies between INR 3 and 10 Lakhs based on their skills and areas of specialization.
M.Arch explores on an advanced level, the goals of sustained development, planning, and urban and rural physical and social dimensions.
M.Arch Admission Process
Admission to Master of Architecture (M.Arch) is based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance examination, such as GATE, CEED, TANCET etc.
Also, there are some colleges and universities that conduct their own entrance tests for admission to the M.Arch , while some offer direct admission too.
M.Arch Eligibility Criteria
- Any Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) passed students from a recognized university are eligible for M.Arch Degree course. B.Arch final year appearing candidates can also apply.
- The eligible candidates need to acquire a minimum of 50% in the entrance examination.
- Some Institutes require an aptitude test and an Interview for admission into the Master of Architecture degree.
M.Arch Entrance Exams
Some of the entrance exams for M.Arch are stated below along with college name, eligibility to sit in the exam and the last date of application.
Exam Name | Conducting Body | Eligibility | Application Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
GATE | Indian Institute of Science and IITs. | Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering/ Technology and those who are in the final year of such programmes. | December 15, 2020 |
TANCET | Anna University | Bachelor’s degree exam in the relevant field by obtaining a minimum of 50% marks | February 4, 2020 |
CEED | IITs and the Indian Institute of Science | Bachelors in design, fine arts, or engineering from a recognized institution | November 17, 2020 |
TS PGECET | Osmania University, Hyderabad | Engineering, architecture and pharmacy graduates with 50% marks. | April 30, 2020 |
Karnataka PGCET | Karnataka Examination Authority | GATE Score (OR) Bachelor’s Degree of minimum 3 years (+) 50% marks (45% marks for SC/ ST/ Category-I of Karnataka candidates) | June 20, 2020 |
Tips to crack M.Arch Entrance Exams
- Aspirants should be familiar with the syllabus and exam pattern of the entrance exams.
- Candidates should go through all original previous years papers and solve them in the stipulated time and analyze the mistakes.
- Candidates should keep a track of the latest happenings in the related fields and read newspapers regularly.
- Aspirants should solve mock tests regularly to keep a check on the progress.
- Aspirants should focus on time management and make a proper timetable covering all the topics in the syllabus.
M.Arch Course Highlights
The following table shows some major highlights about the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) course as a whole.
Course Level | Post Graduation |
---|---|
Duration | 2 years (4 semesters) |
Examination Type | Semester System |
Eligibility | Graduation in Architecture (B.Arch.) |
Admission Process | Based on merit at the graduation level, 50% in entrance tests and interviews in case of some institutes |
Course Fees | INR 70,000 to 3 lakhs |
Average Salary | INR 5,95,000 per annum |
Top Recruiting Organizations | DLF, L&T, Sahara Group, Eros Group |
Top Job Profiles | Design Architect, Project Architect, Architect, Landscape Architect, Urban Designer, Assistant Professor, Project Manager, Sr. Associate Architect, Senior Project Architect, Urban Planner etc. |
M.Arch: What is it About?
Architecture is a discipline of designing and constructing buildings which involves concepts of planning, architecture, and design fundamentals.
- Master of Architecture (M.Arch) incorporates elements of both rural and urban, residential and commercial infrastructure, imparted through a professionally oriented curriculum.
- The Council of Architecture (COA) is the regulating body concerned with education and practice of this profession.
- The Master of Architecture or M.Arch course also involves designing or construction of Parks, Museums, Garden, Theme Parks, etc.
- There are several specializations in this field like Landscape Architecture, Green Architecture, Naval Architecture and many others.
Course Comparison
The table below shows the differences between M.Arch and its alternative course M.Plan.
Overview | Master of Architecture [M.Arch] | Master of Planning [M. Plan] |
---|---|---|
Objective | Master of Architecture (M.Arch), is a postgraduate course dealing with the advanced way to approach the design, planning and structures and also giving way to research concepts. Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning, | Masters of Planning (M.Plan) is a postgraduate course in planning urban, rural, environment, transport, etc. settlements and resources |
Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
Eligibility | Candidates must have passed B.Arch, B.Plan with 55% marks in aggregate Candidates must also have a minimum one year of work experience (depends on the colleges) | Candidates must have passed B. Arch. / B. Plan. OR B. E / B. Tech in Civil Engineering with a minimum 55% aggregate OR M.Sc. / M.A. in (Geography/ Economics / Sociology) with a minimum 55% aggregate |
Course Fees | INR 50,000 to 2 lakhs | INR 1 to 3 lakhs |
Average Starting Salary | INR 3 Lacs to 10 Lacs | INR 2.5 to 4 Lakhs |
Why Study M.Arch?
- Master of Architecture [M.Arch] is an advanced and detailed study of Architecture which is tangible.
- As demand for commercial space increases, there is strong growth in non-residential construction.
- Architectural course (M.Arch) enables one to design any kind of structure system which includes a wide variety of buildings, such as office and apartment buildings, schools, churches, factories, hospitals, houses, and airport terminals.
- An Architect acquires a multi-dimensional role whose guidance is required in the execution of construction projects, client discussions, and preparation of the blueprint, budget decision, and supervision.
M.Arch Specializations
Master of Architecture is a postgraduate programme with specializations in different fields:
- Urban Design: M.Arch in Urban Design is a 2-year post graduate program dealing with the design and construction of fine buildings. This program is divided into 4 semesters that vary from institute to institute.
Average Fee | INR 1.25 lakhs per annum |
Average Starting Salary | INR 1 to 6 lakhs per annum |
Top Colleges for Master of Architecture [M.Arch] (Urban Design)
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Urban and Rural Planning: M.Arch in Urban and Rural Planning is a postgraduate course which teaches basics of planning and applications of planning in daily life.
Average Fee | INR 1.14 lakhs |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2.9 to 3.7 lakhs per annum |
Top Colleges for Master of Architecture [M.Arch] (Urban & Rural Planning)
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Landscape Architecture: M.Arch in Landscape Architecture is a two year postgraduate program, focused on the tools and methods used to plan the development of a land and designing the outdoor environment.
Average Fee | INR 50,000 to 2 lakhs |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2 to 8 lakhs per annum |
Top Colleges for Master of Architecture [M.Arch] (Landscape Architecture)
M.Arch Syllabus and Course Structure
M.Arch syllabus provides specialization in one's chosen line. The Master of Architecture does not only involve just buildings; but also designing a variety of environments like Gardens, Parks, and Theme Parks etc.
Each architectural field has a specialist, thus we have Green Architect, Landscape Architect, Museum Architect, Naval Architect, Theatre Architect etc. The following table gives a brief description of M.Arch Syllabus.
Semester I | Semester II |
---|---|
Contemporary Processes in Architectural Design I | Contemporary Processes in Architectural Design II |
Urban Conservation and Practice | Performance Evaluation of Buildings |
Traditional and Contemporary Landscapes | Services in High Rise Buildings |
Sustainable and Green Building Design | Urban Landscape Design |
Urban Design Studio | Web Design and Portfolio Production |
Landscape Ecology and Planning | Advanced Architectural Design Studio I |
Semester III | Semester IV |
Emerging Practices in Housing | Building Information Modelling |
Research Methodologies in Architecture | Thesis |
Architecture and Critical Theory | Building Management and Control Systems |
Dissertation | Appropriate Technologies and Sustainable Construction |
Advanced Architectural Design Studio II | GIS Modelling in Urban Planning |
Sustainability and Energy Conservation in Landscape Architecture | Material Conservation |
M.Arch Colleges
Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the Master of Architecture (M.Arch) course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by each of them.
NIRF Rank | Name | Location | Annual Fees (in INR) | Placement Package |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Uttarakhand | 30,500 | INR 5 to 7 lakh per annum |
4 | School of Planning and Architecture New Delhi | Delhi | 1,31,600 | INR 6 to 8 lakhs per annum |
6 | School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 50,000 | INR 10,000 to 60,000 as stipend |
7 | National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu | 1,11,250 | INR 4.2 lakhs per annum |
8 | Jamia Millia Islamia | Delhi | 40,750 | INR 5 lakhs per annum |
9 | School of Planning and Architecture Vijayawada | Andhra Pradesh | 1,56,800 | INR 3.6 lakhs per annum |
12 | Anna University | Tamil Nadu | 60,000 | INR 6 lakhs per annum |
15 | BMS College of Architecture | Karnataka | 80,000 | - |
College Comparison
There is quite a difference between the government and private M.Arch colleges. The table below is a comparison between two top Master of Architecture colleges of india.
Parameters | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee | School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada |
---|---|---|
Overview | The Institute offers undergraduate courses in 10 disciplines and postgraduate degrees in 55 disciplines. The college offers doctoral programs in management, science, engineering, and architecture streams. | SPAV is one of the leading institutes in the country known for its quality of education and focus on research . SPAV offers courses in planning and architecture at undergraduate and postgraduate level. |
Location | Uttarakhand | Andhra Pradesh |
Specialization Subjects | Offers only the general course | Sustainable Architecture |
Average Course Fees | INR 53,000 | INR 2,23,800 |
Average Salary | INR 5 to 6 lakhs per annum | INR 3.6 lakhs per annum |
M.Arch Jobs and Career Prospects
The scope of Architecture has varied applications even in non-related areas as it is interdisciplinary in nature. Since M.Arch relies on principles of science, arts, mathematics etc., it makes one somewhat skilled and can have many M.Arch job opportunities, including other fields as well.
Most M.Arch graduates find lucrative career opportunities in areas such as:
- Central and State Public Work Departments
- Urban Development Corporations
- State Housing Boards
- Town and Country Planning Organization
- Department of Railways
- National Institutes of Urban Affairs and Housing
- National Building Organization
- City Development Authorities
Successful M.Arch postgraduates of the course are hired in capacities such as Architectural Consultant, in organizations such as DLF, L&T, Sahara Group, Eros Group etc.
The table below provides an idea of the sought after professions on successful completion of a M.Arch Degree.
Job Role | Job Description | Annual Average Salary (in INR) |
---|---|---|
Architectural Technician | Architectural technicians work with architects and other building professionals and provide architectural design services and solutions on construction projects. | 11,79,172 |
Project architect | A Project Architect oversees the architectural aspects of the development of the design and production of construction documents and specifications. | 6,01,688 |
Landscape Architect | Landscape architects create natural and built environments that are aesthetically pleasing as well as practical, in both urban and rural areas. | 3,95,646 |
Design Architect | Design Architects create plans and gather design requirements for new structures and focus on the style and look of the project while adhering to all building requirements and codes. | 3,76,763 |
Architecture Professor | Architecture Professors teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. | 3,60,000 |
Architectural Conservator | Architectural Conservators assist in activities related to research and planning and to execute preservation and conservation projects through coordination of disciplines and by following principles of scientific methods of conservation, mainly dealing with materials. | 4,88,832 |
Building Inspector | Building Inspectors determine the structural soundness of buildings and construction projects. | 7,25,000 |
Building Control Officer | Building control officers examine and comment on plans for new buildings, alterations or extensions, oversee the work of building surveyors and provide them with supportive management. | 5,35,704 |
The graph below gives an idea of the salary trends of M.Arch graduates.

Source: Payscale
M.Arch Higher Studies
Doctoral Degree programs are much more advanced than Master’s and PG Diploma courses of Architecture. M.Phil. and PhD are Doctoral Degree level courses after completing relevant Master’s Degree in Architecture (Specialization or General) OR Completed Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Art History or Civil Engineering. M.Phil/PhD in Architecture in India takes about 4 years to complete and the providing institutes follow a merit based admission process.
Check the list of top colleges for M.Phil. and PhD in Architecture
M.Arch: FAQs
Ques. What are the career benefits of completing an M.Arch after a B.Arch?
Ques. Is it good to earn an MBA after B.Arch or go for M.Arch?
Ques. Can students do M.Arch after B Tech in civil?
Ques. Who can do a PhD in architecture?
Ques. Is there a demand for architects in the future?
Ques. Is M.Arch necessary?
Ques. How difficult is a M.Arch degree?