A new survey by The Architects’ Journal paints a bleak picture of the route into architecture in the UK. The Into Work survey gathered responses from more than 400 students and early-career professionals, and its headline finding is stark: 60 percent of newly qualified architects would not recommend the profession to people currently in education.
The AJ began the investigation in June, partly in response to a government review that found close to a million young people between 16 and 23 outside education, work or training. It also came after JTP revealed it had been sent 2,600 applications last year for just nine Part 1 roles.
Ten warning signs for the next generation
The survey sets out ten red flags. The first is attrition: 93 percent of student respondents wanted to qualify when they started their studies, but only 64 percent still plan to. Among those who have given up, 57 percent said architects are not paid enough.
- Competition: 79 percent named competition for jobs as one of the biggest barriers, and over half of students (52 percent) had sent more than 20 applications for a job or placement within twelve months.
- Debt: 64 percent expect to owe more than £50,000 by the end of Part 2 or its equivalent, compared with 23 percent in 2015, and 22 percent of newly qualified architects owe more than £100,000.
- Family support: 35 percent of students received more than £5,000 a year from family or friends.
- Unpaid overtime: 80 percent of students working in practice are never paid for overtime, rising to 92 percent of newly qualified architects.
- Preparation: 68 percent of newly qualified architects say their education did not prepare them for practice.
- Mental health: 28 percent of students have sought, are receiving or are waiting for help because of the stress of finding work.
- Apprenticeships: 60 percent of students would have taken an apprenticeship route had one been available.
The AJ also estimates the average annual cost of studying architecture in England and Wales at £27,767, with tuition fees of about £12,887 and accommodation of about £7,490 making up the bulk.
Pay, debt and a gap between school and practice
Tamsyn Curley of recruitment agency Place told the AJ that a 60 percent rejection rate among new architects points to a structural problem rather than a perception issue, while noting that nearly two-thirds of students still intend to qualify despite the debt, long hours and technological uncertainty. Del Hossain, an associate professor at UCL, argued that students are not falling out of love with design but are weighing heavy debt against starting salaries of around £30,000.
Sally Lewis, principal at BM Stitch, said education and recruitment habits share the blame, citing a Part 1 student who described school as a bubble where Revit is discouraged and fire safety barely covered. Her advice to applicants is to send fewer, carefully researched applications rather than mass-produced ones, and to make personal contact count.
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