Top Benefits of GATE Architecture You Must Know

GATE Exam or “Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering” is a National examination for graduates in various fields to test their learning and understanding of various areas of subjects in their respective fields.

It provides opportunities to pursue a Master’s in various fields, get a job in the Public Sector Job opportunities, and also become a Ph.D. GATE is conducted jointly by prestigious IITs & Indian Institute of Science on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

“AR” code in GATE subjects stands for Architecture & Planning in which B.Arch & B.Plan students, Architects and Planners are eligible to apply. Students are eligible to give the exam after the 3rd year of B.Arch & the score holds valid for up to 3 years. After enrolling in a post-graduate course, MHRD provides a scholarship worth 12,400/- to students every month for 22 months.

As an architecture student or a working architect, the first step would be to identify why you want to attempt the exam and what are the future prospects.

Let’s look into it:

1. Higher Degree in Architecture Specialization - Strengthen your Foundation

This is the most common reason why architects choose to attempt the exam. Over the course of B.Arch., if you have gained interest in any specific area, you might consider going for higher studies to get specialization. There are various fields which can look into and apply in prestigious institutes like IITs, NITs, SPA, Cept, etc. if you get a good score.

Some of the courses are:

- Masters in Architecture (M. Arch)
- Masters in Planning (M. Plan)
- Masters in Urban Design
- Masters in Urban Planning
- Masters in Landscape Architecture
- Masters in Interior Design
- Masters in Architecture Conservation
- Environmental planning
- Masters in Regional Planning

Moreover, along with studying these courses, you also get a fixed monthly scholarship stipend within the range of 12,000 – 14,000 if you have a valid GATE score.

Before you move ahead, I suggest you to read How to Choose the Specialization to Pursue Masters in?

2. Masters in Technological Fields - Enter into Technological Domains

Suppose you have had a technical background and still have an inclination towards it, or want to diversify your portfolio. In that case, it might be a bright option to consider technical fields which may or may not directly be related to Architecture, but have a great demand in the industry. MTech in Civil backgrounds can also be a way to back your architectural learnings with engineering and implementation parts of the project and enter the corporate world.

Some of the options are:

- Masters in Construction Management/ Infrastructure Design & Management (Other Synonymous names of the courses depending on the institute)
- Masters in Transportation Engineering
- Masters in Geoinformatics
- Master in Structural Engineering
- Masters in Building Engineering & Management
- Masters in Disaster Management
- Masters in Sustainable Development

It is advisable to go through the course curriculum provided by each university & analyze what best suits you.

3. Jobs Scope in Firms & Organisations - A Sustainable Career Path

Although Public Sector Companies for Architecture open vacancies very few to a minimum, having a valid GATE score is always advantageous.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) recruited students directly based on GATE scores in 2018. There’s always a chance that other PSUs might start recruiting through GATE Architecture, there is also an upside advantage to it.
The knowledge you get through the preparation of the exam is beneficial and a premium boost to the preparation for other exams In the Government sector.

DDA, ISRO, DMRC and similar organizations have their separate exam, the preparation of which is based on core architecture subjects that are covered during the preparation of the GATE Exam.

A good Architecture GATE score on a resume will always make you stand out while applying for a job in the private sector. Some firms directly give direct preference to candidates with a score.

Here are 6 Best Ways to Apply for Job & Internship in Architecture

4. International Universities - Gain a Global Perspective

Two of the best-known universities in Singapore – the National University of Singapore (NUS) and National Technological University (NUT) consider GATE score for direct admission for post-graduate studies.

Other Universities include Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Technical University of Germany, and RWTH ACHEN Germany. There are also possibilities for various Universities to start considering GATE scores in the future.

For Architects, the options are limited to civil-related education courses so you can go to the university websites & check out their latest requirements.

5. Interdisciplinary Fields - Step out of the box

With architects involved in other industries like tech and IT, there are certain interdisciplinary fields for higher studies that one can study and are growing in the industry. Good placements, fast-paced, high advancements are the few reasons why people are switching to these fields.
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- M.Design in Product Design
- Communication Design
- Interaction Design
There is a significant rise in the demand for these professions and if anything clicks, you can apply for these in various universities through your score.

6. Teaching Prospects- Always in Demand

There will always be a demand for good teachers in Architecture. With more and more institutes being set up, there have been numerous vacancies in prestigious institutes for professors. If you have a keen interest in teaching or mentoring, according to industry standards it is mandatory to have a master's degree, and soon a Ph.D. as well. GATE score enables you to apply for both and pave a path for the post of a professor in institutes and organizations which at the moment are highly paid. You can also enrol in research programs and pursue research in various fields. There are also fellowship programs at IIMs available which take into consideration GATE scores.

The preparation will not only give you job benefits but also a lot of knowledge benefits.

The reasons to start preparing for the GATE Exam are plenty, you just have to start searching for a “Why”. Not only the opportunities, but the exam also makes you prepare for core architecture subjects which will help you become a better architect in terms of knowledge.

Many students intend to crack the GATE exam because it not only helps intensify and accelerate career growth but also ensures a bright future. The preparation makes you disciplined, puts you through pressure, and more importantly makes you want to understand basic concepts of architecture which are extremely important in the profession.

We would certainly love to read about your thoughts and experiences regarding the benefits of giving the GATE exam. Please feel free to share them with us in the comments below!

Also, take a read to "Importance Of Professional Experience For An Architect"

and Top Things To Know Before Starting Architecture Programme