Architectural and town planning technician - requirements

If you're interested in design, construction and buildings, you might want to consider a career as an architectural and town planning technician. This role supports architects with technical assistance and design. Learn more about this role including salary expectations, required skills and more.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be an architectural and town planning technician?

A degree related to architecture or design will go a long way. Subjects to consider include:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be an architectural and town planning technician?

You don’t always need a postgraduate degree to become an architectural and town planning technician. However, this would definitely boost your employment prospects.

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at the postgraduate level include MAs in:

  • Architecture
  • Architectural engineering
  • Building surveying
  • Architectural technology
  • Built environment

What skills do you need to be an architectural and town planning technician?

To succeed in this profession, you need to be personable, creative and thorough. You must be detail-oriented and highly organised.

Hard skills usually include:
  • Understanding planning permission
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Building information modelling
  • Computer-aided design
  • Technical drawing
  • Architectural drawing
Soft skills include:
  • Communication
  • Organisation
  • Enthusiasm
  • Public speaking
  • Self-motivation

Do you need work experience to be an architectural and town planning technician?

Work experience is extremely desirable in this field and will set you apart from other candidates when applying for a degree or a job. Some university courses offer placement years, so you can gain experience before you’ve even graduated. Reach out to the planning department of your local authority to ask about work experience opportunities.

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