M.Arch vs Master's in Urban Planning - Which is the Best Option after B.Arch?
A lot of confusion has prevailed in the past regarding which between M.Arch and Masters in Urban Planning is the best postgraduate degree study option after B.Arch until now. Check the article below for detailed information regarding both.
Students from all across the country every year appear in various undergraduate level Architecture entrance exams like NATA, COMEDK UGET etc to pursue this prestigious course. Some opt for a job after completing their studies whilst the rest plan to opt for a masters degree programme in architecture. The problem of plenty begins here as there are so many postgraduate degree programmes that a B.Arch candidate can pursue. And usually, the time gap to determine the best possible higher studies options after completing B.Arch is pretty less considering each postgraduate degree programme is quite detailed and it is possible that a few decisive factors might get overlooked.
Two such programmes are Masters in Architecture and Masters in Urban and Rural Planning or Masters in Urban Planning which creates a lot of confusion among Architecture graduates who wish to obtain a Masters degree. In this article, we will deal with these two postgraduate degree programmes in a detailed fashion.
Table of Contents
M. Arch vs Master's in Urban Planning: Course Comparison
Name of the Course | ||
Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
Eligibility | Must have pursued a degree in B. Arch or equivalent with 50% aggregate from a recognised institute. | Must have pursued a degree in B.E. Civil or equivalent with 55% aggregate from a recognised institute. |
List of Entrance Exams | GATE CEED OJEE | |
Admission Process | The admission is done on the basis of entrance exam or merit of the student in the qualifying degree exam. The qualifying candidates will be called for the counselling process where they will be allotted seats for admission. | The admission is done on the basis of entrance exam or merit of the student in the qualifying degree exam. The qualifying candidates will be called for the counselling process where they will be allotted seats for admission. |
Fees | 70k to 3 lakh | 50k to 3.6 lakh |
Top Job Roles after Graduating | Architect, Interior Designer, Architectural Technologist, Town Planner, Production Designer, Structural Engineer | Architect, Design Engineer, Building Surveyor, Project Manager, Urban Designer, Urban Planner |
Top Recruiting Organizations | L&T Sahara Group Eros Group DLF Randstad India | L&T Sahara Group Eros Group DLF Randstad India |
Career Growth (basic Details) | The demand for Architectures is not only higher in India but also in foreign. The candidates can opt for a career in top companies of India as well as international. The career growth is higher for M. Arch. | The career growth for Masters in Urban Planning in India is very higher and the students can get high paying jobs in this sector. Urban planners are responsible for various core urban planning and are in higher demand in India. |
Highest Salary Range | 8 LPA | 7 LPA |
Average Salary | 3 LPA to 8 LPA | 2 LPA to 6 LPA |
List of Government Jobs | Mizoram Public Service Commission Recruitment PSUs UPPSC Metro Rail Corporation Limited | Public Policy Research Institute State Health Society Indian Institute of Remote Sensing Region Development Authority |
List of Government Recruitment Tests | Engineering Services Examination(IES) Combined Defence Services Examination(CDSE) National Defence Academy Examination(NDA) Special Class Railway Apprentice(SCRA) | Combined Defence Services Examination(CDSE) Naval Academy Examination Combined Medical Services Examination Special Class Railway Apprentice(SCRA) |
Related Links | Get all the details for M.Arch Admissions 2020 in India Top Private Colleges for M.Arch Admission 2020 List of SPA (School of Planning & Architecture) Institutes in India | Civil Engineering vs Architecture: Which one to Choose? |
All About Masters in Architecture (M.Arch)
Masters in Architecture or M.Arch is a two-year postgraduate degree programme offered by the top and reputed Architecture institutes in the country. Anyone who has obtained a B.Arch degree from a reputed (meaning CoA recognised institute/college) with a minimum of 50% aggregate and a valid GATE score is eligible for M.Arch admission in India. There are some state-level and University-level masters level architecture entrance exams as well.
Some Popular M.Arch Specialisations
Here is a list of some of the popular specialisations than an M.Arch aspirant might want to opt from -
Transportation Planning & Design
Town & Country Planning
Rural Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Architecture
Regional Planning
Environmental Architecture
A glimpse of M.Arch Syllabus
The table below will give the M.Arch aspirants a fair bit of idea regarding what is taught at the M.Arch programme -
S.No | Particulars |
Semester - I |
|
Semester - II |
|
Semester - III |
|
Semester - IV |
|
In addition to the ones mentioned in the table above, the students are also required to study some elective subjects during the first term or first semester like Theory of Architecture Education and Architecture Conservation.
Career Scopes for an M.Arch Graduate
An M.Arch graduate after completing his/her studies can become a -
Landscape Architect
Senior Project Architect
Urban Planner
Assistant Professor
Design Architect
Project Architect
Top Colleges in India for M.Arch
Some of the top colleges in India for M.Arch courses are listed in the table below:
Name of the College | Annual Fees (INR) |
| Anna University | 50,000 |
| School of Architecture and Planning | 1,32,000 |
| Jamia Milia Islamia | 80,500 |
| NIT Tiruchipillai | 1,11,000 |
| IIT Roorkee | 30,500 |
All About Masters in Urban Planning (M.Plan)
Masters in Urban Planning is also a two-year postgraduate degree programme where the students imbibe precise qualities like skills and theoretical knowledge to plan and develop urban areas. B. Arch or B.Plan graduates from a recognised College or Institute with a minimum aggregate of 55% are eligible for the Masters in Urban Planning programmes in India provided they also possess a valid GATE score. Several other entrance exams are also conducted by colleges or states for admission into the Masters in Urban Planning programme.
Masters in Urban Planning Syllabus Highlights
The table below contains all the information regarding the syllabus for Masters in Urban Planning -
S.No | Particulars |
Semester - I |
|
Semester - II |
|
Semester - III |
|
Semester - IV |
|
Career Prospects after completing a Masters in Urban Planning
After the Masters in Urban Planning, a student can choose to pick any of the following job profiles -
Urban Manager
Urban Planner
GIS Expert
Top Colleges in India for Masters in Urban Planning
Some of the top colleges in India for Masters in Urban Planning courses are listed in the table below:
Name of the College | Annual Fees (INR) |
| CEPT University | 3,78,000 |
| 1,11,000 | |
| IIT Madras | 40,000 |
| IIT Varanasi | 50,000 |
| Lovely Professional University | 2,18,000 |
Conclusion
All the important details of both M.Arch and Master’s in Urban Planning have been shared in the sections above and hopefully, it has eradicated some of the common doubts and confusions. If the CollegeDekho experts are to be believed, then a student must choose a higher study option according to their own wish and preference no matter how tough the going could possibly be or the challenges it might pose during the duration of the course. The final decision should be totally put on the aspirants’ shoulders. Good Luck!