Take the test

Architect

An architect imagines what homes, schools, parks and whole neighbourhoods will look like, and makes sure they are comfortable, safe and beautiful. They sketch, build 3D models, prepare projects and check that builders bring the design to life. If you love drawing, making models or noticing which buildings in your city work well and which do not, this career could suit you.

Architect

Architecture brings together art and exact sciences: a beautiful facade means little if the building is uncomfortable or unsafe. The work takes patience, because a project can last for months and changes come constantly. The reward is that you can see the result with your own eyes and show your friends: that is a building I worked on.

What the job involves

  • Studies the site, the client's wishes and building regulations
  • Draws sketches and creates 3D models of buildings
  • Prepares drawings and project documentation
  • Agrees design decisions with engineers and the client
  • Visits the construction site to check how the project is being built

Skills you need

  • Spatial thinking

    Helps you picture a building in three dimensions before it exists.

  • Drawing and composition

    You need them to share ideas quickly and feel proportions.

  • Software skills

    Architects work in drafting, 3D modelling and visualisation programs.

  • Technical knowledge

    It is important to understand structures, materials and building codes.

  • Presentation skills

    You have to explain convincingly to clients and colleagues why a design is the way it is.

Who it suits

Personality types

Strong intelligences

  • Spatial
  • Logical-mathematical

UNT subjects to take

State grants 2026

Main competition, full-time study. Quotas and separate state orders can have lower scores. Check your chances

Where to study

In Kazakhstan, you enter an architecture programme based on your UNT results and a creative exam that tests your drawing skills and spatial thinking. It is best to prepare in advance, for example at an art school or on preparatory courses. Related construction programmes, such as building design, more often require maths and physics.

A bachelor's degree in architecture usually lasts four to five years depending on the programme. Architects are trained, for example, at the International Educational Corporation (formerly KazGASA) in Almaty, Satbayev University and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. You can also start at a college with a construction or design profile after grade 9.

Outlook

Architects in Kazakhstan work at design institutes and architecture firms, construction and development companies, local akimats and city planning departments, and as freelancers. Cities keep growing and renewing, so specialists are needed not only for new buildings but also for landscaping, renovation and the design of public spaces.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to take on the UNT to become an architect?

For architecture you take the compulsory UNT subjects and a creative exam focused on drawing. Check the exact exam format on the website of your chosen university.

Do architects need to be good at drawing?

Basic drawing skills are very important both for admission and for working with sketches. But drawing is a skill that grows with practice, not only an inborn talent.

What is the difference between an architect and an interior designer?

An architect designs the whole building, including its shape, structure and layout, while an interior designer works with the inside space: finishes, furniture and lighting. The two often work together.

Is this career right for you?

Take the MBTI and Gardner tests: the report shows which directions fit you personally.

Take the free test