Major changes introduced to architecture curriculum by Council of Architecture

With the National Education Policy (NEP) setting the main theme of overall educational reforms and also reforms in professional courses such as engineering and pharmacy, the Council of Architecture (CoA) has come up with major changes in the architecture curriculum.

These revised regulations will be operative from the academic session 202627 and will bring major alterations to the structure of the Bachelor of Architecture programme.

According to sources, CoA usually reviews and revises the academic framework after the completion of a full cycle of 10 semesters. After the policy of 2020 came into effect, CoA brought out a revised framework focusing more on modern technology, practical exposure, and skill-based learning.

The new program structure, which is a five-year programme spread over ten semesters, will demand students to acquire a total of 276 credits for completion. To meet this, students will have to earn between 26 and 30 credits every semester. Among the most significant changes introduced is the passing criteria. Students will be mandated to obtain at least 50 percent marks in each component of every subject to pass. Previously, the passing criteria were different for various subjects, but the new rule aims at standardizing the evaluation system.

Keeping up with the rapid changes in technology, the updated syllabus will offer a separate course in Artificial Intelligence (AI). This will become a mandatory subject for all architecture students, reflecting the dependence of design and planning on digitally-enabled tools.

The entire ninth semester will be devoted to internship or hands-on training, a noteworthy piece of the overhaul, helping students learn from work situations. Besides engaging in hands-on training, students finishing the program will be tasked to do a Capstone Project where they will showcase a thoroughly researched and well thought out design.

Moreover, students will no longer write two separate question papers but only one that carries 50 marks. These changes are likely to help in making architecture a more hands-on discipline and being in line with international norms.