Architect Graduate

Job Description - Architect Graduate (047092)

Organisation

HR Director

Job

Architect

Position Type - Full Time

Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Graduate Scheme.

We’d like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether you are eligible. It is important that you take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made.

Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Graduate schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.

Quote

“My experience on this scheme could not have been better. I found that this team offers the benefits of a small architectural practice (plenty of hands-on experience and responsibility on a project from feasibility to construction) with the addition of projects that are often only experienced in the context of very large practices (with sites that span several city blocks).

Our involvement in both architectural delivery and as a client advisor offers a rare insight into project development and management and lays the groundwork for a strong understanding of the skills and role of qualified Architect. The benefit of this experience certainly paved the way for my development in the architectural profession and gave me a lot more confidence in myself and my abilities over the years.

For me, the most rewarding aspect was seeing how our work directly improves (even in very small ways) the everyday lives and experiences of people living, working, and travelling throughout London.”

Tim Williams, Architecture Scheme Graduate

Fun Fact / What makes us differ

We are an RIBA award-winning in-house architecture department. Fewer than 1% of architects work in local government in-house departments – but back in 1979 nearly half of all architects were employed by councils.

£31,000, rising to £32,250 in the second, with a final salary of £36,000 in the final year of the scheme.

Location

London (there might be some hybrid working involved depending on a placement)

The Architecture team operate a hybrid working model, we have dedicated discipline days in the office, and some days working from home. You will also go to construction sites and survey and inspect our existing buildings.

What we offer

You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

1. Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
2. Final salary pension scheme
3. Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
4. 30 days Annual leave (Pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays.
5. Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more

Duration: 4 years

Entry requirements

As a minimum you will need an ARB (Architect’s Registration Board)-prescribed Part 1 qualification or Part 1 equivalent as prescribed by the ARB. Candidates in their final year of study will need to be on track to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 in a degree prescribed by the ARB.

Candidates must not already hold or be working towards a qualification at the same level or higher in a closely related subject.

Proposed start date: 8th September 2025

Job overview

The Built Environment & Architecture team in TfL Engineering works across all modes of transport in TfL – with a wide variety of Architectural, Civil Engineering, and Urban Landscape projects of different scales and complexities. Currently, some of our L7 Architecture Apprentices – for instance – are on site at Old Street Station and Kentish Town Station upgrades.

Other examples of the projects our existing Architectural assistants are working on include:

1. London Underground Station enhancements – this could be everything from new step-free access projects to reconfiguring entrances for existing stations
2. The Modernisation of Victoria Coach Station – preparing new concept designs for the iconic Grade II listed building to bring it up to the needs for the 21st Century.
3. Staff Welfare – a substantial programme of upgrading existing buildings and building new facilities for our people – two of our architects have passed their Part III (first time) with their own design of one of these buildings
4. The commercial development of our assets ie. railway arches

You’ll work on a portfolio of projects, assisting in the preparation of design information including surveys preparation and assisting the architects during construction. You're also likely to work on:

1. On-site works on major projects
2. Preparation of feasibility reports
3. Design work associated with infrastructure projects
4. Preparation of detailed design packages
5. Developer led third-party schemes (working with external architectural practices)
6. Refurbishment schemes being undertaken by our maintenance teams
7. Working in a multi-disciplinary team to deliver infrastructure projects – with other Engineering disciplines in TfL Engineering.

Sustainability

Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work and ethos towards Net Zero Carbon in 2030.

We follow the TfL Corporate Environment Plan (CEP), are guided by our Net Zero Matrix team targets and follow all Statutory requirements and TfL Standards.

We are currently developing a Built Environment Strategy informed by the TfL CEP and industry best practice. We ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world.

What will I be doing?

As a graduate, your 4-year development programme will be made up of a number of placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career – as well as give you a chance to see how we work across each of the different transport modes and at different parts of the RIBA plan of work. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every graduate’s journey is unique.

The scheme will require you to rotate between design teams working on different modes of transport (e.g. London Underground, London Buses, etc.) You might also go onto placement in Major Projects - for example, the Piccadilly Line Upgrade. It will be essential that you do at least 1 year in total within an area where you can deliver/closely observe a building design/delivery for the case study component of your RIBA Part III. You will also need to run a case study project under the supervision of your mentor.

The scheme will also be run alongside the L6 Building Surveying apprenticeship programme. We propose there will be shared events where the RICS and RIBA criteria align (e.g. inspecting buildings, writing specifications for repairs, etc.)

What Qualifications will I gain?

A post-graduate level qualification in architecture (RIBA Part 2) that must be prescribed by the ARB.

A post-graduate level qualification in architecture (RIBA Part 3) that must be prescribed by the ARB.

On conclusion of these two parts (together with the RIBA Part 1 required to join the scheme) the candidate will be eligible to join the ARB Register of Architects; and apply to the RIBA to join the register of Chartered Architects.

Please be advised that should you be successful in getting an offer for this graduate scheme, your offer will be subject to a satisfactory medical, which may include but is not limited to, drugs and alcohol screening, eye test and hearing test.

Where can this career take me?

On completion of the scheme, you will have the relevant skills knowledge and experience to undertake a role as an Architect within the Built Environment & Architecture team in TfL Engineering. As an architect, you would lead your own projects, as a designer or as the client’s architect.

From here your career can take you multiple ways – within TfL Engineering there are routes to:

1. Senior Architect/Engineer
2. Principal Architect/Engineer
3. Project Engineering roles

Outside of TfL – many great architects started their career in Local Government Architecture departments – and as an Architect the skills you have acquired at TfL will be greatly sought after.

What training and support will you get?

Our award-winning teams will support your ongoing development, through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements. We'll support your professional development through a combination of training, mentoring, and networking.

You'll also receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from your:

Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development

Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical and professional adviser and has line manager responsibility

Buddy: Usually, an apprentice or graduate who gives support to you and ensure that you feel welcomed in the organisation

Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL

What do we look for?

Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:

1. Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work
2. Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together
3. Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate

Application process

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.

If you already hold your qualification certificates, please upload copies of these to your application. If you are due to sit final exams or need to replace any certificates, these can be provided at a later stage.

Inclusive recruitment process

We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for disabled candidates.

We're a Disability Confident employer, and we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum criteria for skills, knowledge and experience have been met.

Our candidate experience continues to be underpinned by a fair and robust reasonable adjustments process, in collaboration with our Occupational Health colleagues, and other expert organisations.

Contact us

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

You may contact the recruitment team by:

Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30) or,