Professional Practice

Entry requirements

To apply for this course, you should have a BA (Hons) Architecture or BSc (Hons) with exemption from RIBA Part 1 or equivalent. Postgraduate diploma in Architecture with exemption from RIBA Part 2 or equivalent.

For candidates who have gained a degree(s) in architecture at a European or other overseas university/institution, their degree qualifications must first be approved by the Architects Registration Board of the United Kingdom to be determine that they are the equivalent standard of the Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications above.

Candidates cannot be admitted to the examination until they have acquired at least two years of satisfactory experience, one year of which must be after the final degree or diploma (Part 2). It may well require much more than two years to obtain a sufficient coverage of experience and candidates are advised not to present themselves for examination until they are confident that their experience is appropriate for entry to the profession.

All candidates are expected to hold a position of reasonable seniority within an Architects’ practice in the United Kingdom, and to demonstrate a minimum of 12-months experience in practice in the United Kingdom since gaining their Part 2 qualification. Candidates are therefore expected to be fully competent in written and spoken English within their practising environment.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Take the final stage of professional and academic training to demonstrate your competency and qualify as a Chartered Architect in the UK.

Our course is the final step towards completing your studies in Architecture and becoming a qualified Architect in the UK. Our 12-month, part-time programme allows you to study the RIBA part 3 to prepare for final examination. This intensive, practice-based approach gives you the opportunity to enter the profession within a year.

Our course complements your ongoing professional experience. It builds on your knowledge, understanding, ability and skills to deal with the challenges of working in practice. It’s validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) so by successfully completing our course, you are exempt from RIBA’s part 3 examinations. Our course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to enable you to qualify to register as a Chartered Architect. The structure follows the framework set out by the RIBA/ARB criteria for part 3.

As part of your course, you will access teaching sessions and complete examinations online and remotely, making it easier to balance your work alongside studies. This includes an online five-day intensive taught lecture course, covering a range of subjects that meet the RIBA/ARB criteria. You’ll also be able to arrange virtual individual tutorials with our Director of Studies during semester 2.

You’ll learn from academics based in our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering. Their experience in practice, industry and academia feed into our teaching and contribute to your learning. You’ll also attend lectures given by visiting specialists in parallel professions such as law, construction law and statutory legislation.

You will:

• develop your commercial awareness, integrity and knowledge of processes and management
• explore working with a range of stakeholders including clients, employers and industry
• gain expertise in how to lead architectural and construction projects professionally

When you graduate, you'll be able to prove your competency to practice as an Architect.

Information for international students

English language requirements

You will normally need one of the following:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Learn more via the fees and funding page.