How long does it take to become an architect?

[mushroomed]

Back in 1990, when I was a 1st year student at Liverpool uni, I remember having a conversation with two architect students at a freshers event. I'm convinced they told me it was a 7 year degree. It stuck in my mind, so that when a young person I know recently said they were thinking of doing Architecture, I looked it up online, and can see it is actually a 3 year degree. Did something change, or is my 1990 memory just wrong? (Or maybe it was a wind-up that worked too well 😁).

It's 8 years :

What qualifications do I need to be an architect?
To become an architect, you'll need to complete:

• a degree recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB)
• a year of practical work experience.
• a further 2 years' full-time university course like BArch, Diploma, MArch.
• a year of practical training.
• a final qualifying exam.

Same as you aren't a solicitor or barrister after a law degree, you still have a further 3 years at least or 4 if non law degree.

Are there any Architects on here? Would you recommend the profession? Thanks 🙏

My DH has worked with loads of Architects down the years. As you might expect, some absolutely love it. Some have been very successful by running their own practices. Others have found it a slog. In times of the economy nosediving, architects get made redundant. It isn't always easy to get or keep a good job. Some architects are immensely talented, others are not that great. DH has mostly been involved with architects of residential buildings for the well off. They seem a reasonably happy bunch. A few friends were architects but never made any money as poor at business decisions. It's a mixed bag really.

The three year BA is only the first aspect of the training. You then need to work in the industry for a year or two, and go back to full time study for the MArch which is two years I think. Then after that, I'm not sure if there are professional exams to pass too. It's a long slog anyway.
The BA has a reputation of being full on and time consuming and not everyone goes on to do the rest of the qualification - some treat it as a stepping stone to something else.

A friend’s son did the 3 year element, did a year in industry, decided it wasn’t for him and didn’t continue. He is not qualified as an architect as a result but does have a degree that is recognised by many employers for careers in project management, built environment, etc.