Are you interested in a career in architecture?

The route to qualification

PART 1: University degree eg BA or BSc. Three years full-time to develop a broad range of skills and architectural understanding. You are eligible for free RIBA Student Membership from your first year. Some Part 1 graduates gain further qualifications in related fields such as planning, urban design or conservation. Other Part 1 graduates move on to work in something different with the skills they have developed at this level.

PART 2: University degrees vary from school to school eg BArch, Diploma, MArch. Two years full-time studying architecture and project management. Students are still undergraduates but should seek clarification on fees. Students may return to the school where they completed Part 1 or apply for Part 2 at another school. There will be opportunities for students to carry out specialist study and research, possibly abroad.

STAGE 1 PAID PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: Students are monitored by a Professional Studies Advisor (PSA) from their university and an employment mentor from their practice. The RIBA provides model contracts for students and employers. Students gain experience under the supervision of an architect, or other qualified industry professional. Some students choose to work for longer than one year – to save money or gain a wider range of professional experience. Other students take time out to work in the wider construction industry, to work overseas, to volunteer or to travel.

STAGE 2 PAID PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: 24 months experience in total is required to sit the Part 3 examination, of which 12 months minimum should be undertaken in the EEA, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, under the direct supervision of an architect. At this stage, graduates will be given more responsibility on projects and begin studying aspects of practice, management and law on a Part 3 programme. RIBA Associate membership offers a range of services and benefits appropriate to the needs of graduates at this stage in their careers.

Part 3: The final qualifying examination is taken at an RIBA validated course provider. Candidates will be assessed on the following elements:
• 24 months of practical experience recorded on the PEDR website
• Professional C.V. and career evaluation
• Case study
• Written examination
• Final oral examination

ARCHITECT: Having gained the Parts 1, 2, and 3 qualifications you can register as an architect with the Architects Registration Board (ARB); the title “architect” is protected by law, so that the public can always be sure that they are dealing with a properly qualified architect. At this point you are eligible to become a Chartered Member of the RIBA. This gives you access to a wide range of services and benefits, and entitles you to become part of, and an influence on, a national and international network of architects.

WORK EXPERIENCE: Write to architects in your local area. Many architects, including ADAM Architecture, will take school or college students for one or two weeks’ work experience to help in career and university course decisions. Consult the RIBA Directory of Practices for a list of
practices and a short description of their work: www.architecture.com working-with-an-architect.

There is no list of architects who offer work experience, so you need to approach practices directly. Your RIBA regional office may be able to advise you. When you approach an architectural practice, try to make your letter stand out – you could include a drawing or photograph which shows your interest in architecture. Remember to give them plenty of notice and follow up with a phone call. Ask your careers teacher to help you prepare a letter.

JOINING AN APPRENTICESHIP: Apprenticeship may suit you if you have never previously considered a career in architecture or been to university. As well as enabling practices to develop existing staff, apprenticeships are a step towards a more socially inclusive profession. The Institute for Apprenticeships has approved two apprenticeship standards. These are:

Architectural Assistant, including Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications

Architect, which includes Part 3 qualification

Apprenticeships combine practical experience with academic training provided by any UK university offering a prescribed course. A minimum of 20% of contracted hours must be spent in formal, off-the-job training. A number of universities are now developing their offer and linking up with practices with the expectation of being ready to deliver these courses in September. Further information will be published in due course.

If you have any queries, please contact us here.