M.Arch vs Master's in Urban Planning - Which is the Best Option after B.Arch?

Abhik Das

Updated On: August 04, 2020 08:37 am IST

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.

M.Arch vs Masters in Urban Planning

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 ComparisonAll About Masters in Architecture (M.Arch)
Some Popular M.Arch SpecialisationsA glimpse of M.Arch Syllabus
Career Scopes for an M.Arch GraduateTop Colleges in India for M.Arch
All About Masters in Urban Planning (M.Plan)Masters in Urban Planning Syllabus Highlights
Career Prospects after completing a Masters in Urban PlanningTop Colleges in India for Masters in Urban Planning

M. Arch vs Master's in Urban Planning: Course Comparison

Name of the Course

M. Arch

Master's in Urban Planning

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

TANCET

CUCET

GATE

CEED

OJEE

TS PGECET

Karnataka PGCET

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?

Career in Architecture: Know Everything

Top Architecture Colleges as per NIRF Rankings

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

  • Low Cost Building Design & Techniques

  • Research Techniques in Architecture & Planning

  • Contemporary Architecture Trends and Theories

  • Urban Design

  • Design Studio

Semester - II

  • Intensive Humanities Communication

  • Research Methodology

  • Digital Applications in Architecture

  • Instruction Methodology & Classroom Management

  • Introduction to Architecture Pedagogy

  • Dissertation

Semester - III

  • Psychology of Learning & Development

  • Thought Synthesis for Architecture Students

  • Education Management

  • Education Technology

  • Practice Teaching

  • Dissertation - II

Semester - IV

  • Thesis

  • Internship

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

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 University50,000
School of Architecture and Planning1,32,000
Jamia Milia Islamia80,500
NIT Tiruchipillai1,11,000
IIT Roorkee30,500

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

  • Planning Techniques

  • Evolution of Human Settlements

  • Sociology/Economics

  • Area/Town Planning Schemes

  • Development Plan

  • URP - I Physical Planning

  • Interaction with Town/City Managers/Planning Officials

Semester - II

  • Urban Finance

  • Planning Legislation

  • Project Formulation & EIA

  • Research Methods

  • Land Economics & Location Theory

  • URP - II Physical Planning

  • Summer Internship

Semester - III

  • Legal Issues & Professional Practice

  • Urban Management

  • Infrastructure Planning

  • Housing Policies & Finance

  • Dissertation Approval

  • URP - III Physical Planning

  • Documentation & Field Trip to Metro City

Semester - IV

  • Seminar, Dissertation & Elective

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

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 University3,78,000

BIT Mesra

1,11,000
IIT Madras40,000
IIT Varanasi50,000
Lovely Professional University2,18,000

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!

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