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Architect Student CV Example

An architecture student CV highlights your design portfolio, technical drawing skills, and experience gained through academic projects and placements.

Recommended template: MinimalPro

Key Skills to Include

Architectural DesignAutoCADRevitSketchUpAdobe Creative SuiteModel MakingTechnical DrawingBuilding Regulations Knowledge

Quick Tips

  • Include a link to your design portfolio showcasing your best academic projects.
  • Highlight proficiency with industry-standard software such as Revit, AutoCAD, and Rhino.
  • Detail any Part 1 or Part 2 placement experience in architectural practices.
  • Showcase collaborative design projects and your role within design teams.

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How to Write Your Architect Student CV

An architecture student CV should complement your design portfolio by presenting your technical skills, practical experience, and academic achievements in a clear, professional format. Employers at architectural practices want to see evidence of software proficiency, design capability, and the ability to contribute to a project team. Your CV should demonstrate both creative flair and technical competence.

CV Structure

Use a reverse-chronological format with your profile, placement experience, education, and skills sections. Include a prominent link to your online portfolio. If you have completed a Part 1 placement, describe it in detail. List your software skills clearly, as these are frequently used as screening criteria. Keep the CV to one or two pages.

CV Format

As an architecture student, the visual quality of your CV matters. Choose a template that is well-designed but not over-complicated. Use clean typography, appropriate white space, and a layout that demonstrates your graphic design sensibility. Save as a PDF to preserve formatting.

CV Profile Examples

Part 1 Architecture Student

Third-year architecture student at the University of Sheffield with a strong design portfolio and practical experience from a six-month Part 1 placement at a regional practice. Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite with a passion for sustainable design and community-focused architecture. Seeking a Part 1 architectural assistant position to develop professional skills before progressing to Part 2 studies.

Design-Focused Student

Second-year architecture student at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, with a first-class portfolio mark and a keen interest in parametric design and digital fabrication. Skilled in Rhino, Grasshopper, and physical model making through studio projects exploring adaptive building envelopes. Looking for summer work experience at an innovative architectural practice.

Technically Minded Student

Final-year architecture student at the University of Edinburgh with a predicted 2:1 and strong technical drawing skills in Revit and AutoCAD. Experienced in producing construction detail drawings and specification schedules during a Part 1 placement at a commercial architecture firm. Targeting a Part 1 assistant role in a practice with a strong technical and delivery focus.

State your degree, university, year of study, and predicted classification. Mention your key software skills and any placement experience. Include a link to your portfolio. Conclude with the type of role you are seeking.

Key Skills for Your Architect Student CV

Architectural Design

Developing design concepts from brief analysis through to detailed design, considering context, function, and aesthetics.

AutoCAD

Producing precise two-dimensional technical drawings, plans, and sections for architectural documentation.

Revit

Creating building information models for design development, coordination, and construction documentation.

SketchUp

Producing quick three-dimensional massing studies and conceptual design models for early-stage design exploration.

Adobe Creative Suite

Using Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator for presentation graphics, portfolio layout, and rendered visuals.

Model Making

Constructing physical presentation and study models using laser cutting, 3D printing, and hand-crafting techniques.

Technical Drawing

Producing construction details, sections, and assembly drawings that communicate design intent to contractors.

Building Regulations Knowledge

Understanding Part B, L, and M of the Building Regulations and their application to architectural design decisions.

Design Presentation

Communicating design ideas through drawings, models, renders, and verbal presentations to academic and professional audiences.

Work Experience Examples

Detail your Part 1 placement experience thoroughly, describing the project types, RIBA stages, and deliverables you contributed to. Mention specific software used and any independent work you completed. For studio assistant or demonstrator roles, highlight teaching and communication skills.

Part 1 Architectural Assistant (Placement)

CODA Architects, Sheffield

Completed a six-month Part 1 placement at a 25-person practice specialising in residential, education, and community projects.

Responsibilities

  • Produced detailed design drawings and construction details in Revit for residential and school building projects at RIBA Stages 3 and 4.
  • Prepared planning application packages including site plans, elevations, floor plans, and design and access statements.
  • Assisted with the coordination of consultant drawings, checking structural and services information against architectural layouts.
  • Attended client meetings and site visits, recording minutes and photographing construction progress.
  • Created presentation materials including rendered visuals, physical models, and layout boards for client and planning presentations.

Achievements

  • Independently produced the planning submission drawings for a residential infill project that received planning approval without amendments.
  • Developed a Revit family library for the practice's standard door and window details, saving an estimated four hours per project on drawing production.

Design Studio Assistant

University of Sheffield, School of Architecture

Assisted first-year students with design studio projects, providing guidance on drawing techniques, model making, and design presentation.

Responsibilities

  • Supported first-year students during weekly design studio sessions, offering feedback on concept development and spatial arrangement.
  • Demonstrated model-making techniques including laser cutting, 3D printing, and material selection for physical presentation models.
  • Helped students develop technical drawing skills in AutoCAD and Revit during software workshops.
  • Provided constructive critique during informal desk reviews, helping students refine their design narratives.

Achievements

  • Received consistently positive feedback from first-year students for clear explanations and an encouraging teaching style.
  • Created a step-by-step laser cutting guide that was adopted by the workshop technicians as a standard student resource.

Education & Qualifications

List your architecture degree with predicted classification and any studio project highlights. Include A-levels with grades and any art or design qualifications. Mention academic prizes or commendations for studio work.

BA/BSc Architecture (RIBA Part 1)

An undergraduate degree validated by RIBA, providing the first stage of the architectural qualification pathway.

ARB/RIBA Part 1 Exemption

Exemption from the Part 1 examination based on an accredited degree programme.

CSCS Card (Optional)

A construction site safety card useful for architecture students visiting or working on construction sites.

A-Levels including Art/Design

Advanced-level qualifications demonstrating creative ability and academic aptitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find Part 1 placement experience?
Start by contacting local practices directly with a speculative application including your CV and a link to your portfolio. Use RIBA's job board and architecture-specific recruitment platforms. Attend university career events where practices recruit placement students. Network through RIBA student membership events and architecture society contacts. Be persistent, as many placements are filled through direct applications.
Should I include my portfolio link on my architecture CV?
Yes, always. Your portfolio is the most important document in an architecture application, and your CV should direct employers to it. Include a clearly visible link to your online portfolio, such as an Issuu, Behance, or personal website. Ensure the portfolio is up to date, well-organised, and demonstrates your strongest work across a range of project types.
What software should I prioritise learning as an architecture student?
Revit is essential for most UK practices, as BIM is now the industry standard. AutoCAD remains important for two-dimensional drawing work. Adobe Photoshop and InDesign are vital for presentation graphics. Rhino and Grasshopper are valued by practices working on complex geometry. SketchUp is useful for quick massing studies. Prioritise the software most used by your target practices.
How important is model making for architecture student CVs?
Physical model making remains valued in architecture, particularly for practices that use physical models in their design process. Mention your model-making skills and the techniques you use, such as laser cutting and 3D printing. However, digital skills are increasingly prioritised, so balance your model-making abilities with strong software proficiency on your CV.

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