Studying Architecture after 10+2

Ranjan K Baruah *

We have published about medical, engineering, defence and hotel management entrances and how one can appear in those examinations. This time we shall publish about architecture entrances which can be appeared after passing senior secondary exams. We are thankful to our readers for their calls and feedback to make this column better.

Architecture Entrance: There are about 423 institutions, which impart architectural education in India leading to recognized qualifications. The standards of education being imparted in these institutions (constituent colleges/departments of universities, deemed universities, affiliated colleges/schools, IITs, NITs and autonomous institutions) is governed by Council of Architecture (Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 1983, which set forth the requirement of eligibility for admission, course duration, standards of staff & accommodation, course content, examination etc.

Some of the institutes take admission through JEE marks like some of the IITs and some NITs. Students have to appear in JEE for getting admission into these leading institutes of the country. After qualifying in JEE aspirants need to qualify in AAT or the Architectural Aptitude test. The paper consists of an Aptitude test that is mandatory to clear for admission to B.Arch. colleges. Apart from JEE, students may also take admission in some of the architectural institutes through NATA.

NATA: National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) is being conducted by the Council of Architecture, being the competent & final authority for the purpose of fixing norms and standards for architectural institutions and having the necessary expertise to hold a Common Aptitude Test in Architecture, at national level to provide a single window system for appearing in aptitude test and to facilitate institutions, students and public at large for admission to First year of 5 year B.Arch Degree Course at all recognized Institutions all over country.

The purpose of conducting NATA is to provide a single scheme of examination for holding aptitude test and to facilitate prospective students all over the country to apply for admissions in architecture seats in institutions spread across the country while the actual admissions shall be carried out only by the concerned designated authorities of the respective states/institutions based on NATA.

The NATA also ensures that the eligibility criteria for admission to five year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) degree course, as prescribed by CoA and duly approved by the Central Government, are strictly adhered to and followed all over the country in Architectural Institutions.

It measures the aptitude of the applicant for specific field of study, i.e. Architecture. The test measures drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are related to specific field of study, i.e. Architecture.

MAT: Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardised test being administered since 1988 to facilitate Business Schools (B-Schools) to screen candidates for admission to MBA and allied programmes. Govt. of India, Ministry of HRD approved MAT as a national level test in 2003.

Any B-School – national or international – can consider MAT Score as an admission input based on the Score Cards issued to the candidates. Candidate can choose any one of the two options to take the test: Paper Based Test or Computer Based Test and the test would be held on 1st and 7th May. Last date for filling up of the form is 16th April.

Inlaks Scholarships: Inlaks Scholarships provide the opportunity to young people with exceptional talent in any field to broaden their vision abroad and improve their skills to operate in society, thus making them a future vehicle of change in their environment. The scholarships are of two types: university courses and specific programs.

Scholarships are granted at top American, European and UK institutions, for funding requirements including tuition fees. Last date for applying is 15th April.

Rotary Peace Fellowship: Each year, Rotary selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of our peace centers. These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.

In just over a decade, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 900 fellows for careers in peace building. Many of them go on to serve as leaders in national governments, NGOs, the military, law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. Two types of peace fellowships are available which includes master’s degree or professional development certificate.