Careers
Employability Service
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
- Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Choose to study architecture and you'll gain more varied skills and employability than almost any other professional subject. Our central London location is the perfect place to find inspiration, as well as build your professional networks and take advantage of work experience opportunities. Our strong design and academic reputation creates excellent links into practice.
Your career
To qualify as an architect, you need to complete a 3 year (or part time equivalent ) bachelor's degree, plus a 2 year postgraduate master's degree (or part time equivalent), and two years' (minimum) professional practical experience, followed by the final RIBA part 3 course and examination. Whilst it’s a long process, once you’ve qualified your starting salary could be around £30,000 a year, rising with experience.
As an LSBU graduate you can apply for further study at any RIBA recognised schools both nationally and internationally. We also offer a MArch: Master of Architecture full-time and part-time course, along with our Level 07: Architect Apprenticeship course, all validated by the RIBA and prescribed by the ARB.
Each year, we hold an End of Year Exhibition in the LSBU Hub. This is an opportunity for students from across all years and Architecture programmes to showcase their creativity and network with future employers from leading architecture firms in the UK and overseas.
RIBA mentoring scheme
Working with the RIBA, the mentoring scheme gives our third year students an insight into architecture as a profession, and is another boost to your employability.
Our central London location is a great place from which to build professional networks – opportunities are concentrated in London and south east England.
We put considerable energy into developing quality professional links, inviting practitioners to contribute to teaching and studio sessions and holding lectures where external guest speakers include established and emergent architects and internationally recognised design researchers. These links help you gain the skills that employers really want.
Guest lecturers from the 2022/23 academic year included:
- Prof Iain Borden, Professor of Architecture and Urban Culture at University College London
- Dr Andrew Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at University of Queensland
- Sophie McCarthy, Design Director at Atomik Architecture
- Ian Bogle, Creative Director at Bogle Architects
- Stephen Hadley, Associate Director at Stanton Williams
- Kevin Coello, Architecture Assistant at Stanton Williams
Accreditation
Our courses are validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and prescribed by the Architects Registration Board for RIBA part 1, RIBA part 2 and RIBA part 3.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is the professional members' organisation for architects that champions better buildings, communities, and the environment through architecture. They provide guidance on professional standards, training, support, and recognition that puts their members around the world at the peak of their profession.
- The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the UK's statutory body for architects.
Placements
As a graduate of the BS(Hons) Architecture course, you will be ready for professional practice and typically undertake a placement as an Architectural Assistant, RIBA Part 1.
You arrange this yourself, but our staff are on hand to help and your graduate design portfolio should support in your search for professional experience.
