International Professional Practice (Part 3) Architecture

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you’re an international student or architect without UK qualifications and want to enter the UK Register of Architects, our International Professional Practice (part 3) Architecture course is the last step in becoming a professional architect registered with the ARB.

You need to be in full-time employment to be eligible for this course, preferably in a UK architectural practice.

Ideally, you’ll have studied architecture, surveying or civil engineering in the past, and have completed RIBA parts 1 and 2 or their international equivalents. You should have a minimum of two years in architectural practice, with 12 months of that experience in a UK or EU practice.

You'll learn about current practice issues, legal and building legislation, and contractual issues in the industry as you improve your knowledge of the environment and sustainability, the social and economic side of the construction industry, and develop your practice and project management skills.

Supported by staff with extensive academic and architectural practice experience, you’ll use a combination of lectures and workshops with real case studies to inform your learning. You'll practice specific skills including contract administration skills in workshops which use a JCT Standard Building Contract, and work towards being a fully qualified architect when you graduate.

Uniquely to Portsmouth, our studio-based course offers a range of design studios which you can choose to join. Each has its own design ethos, theoretical positions, design briefs, and investigation methodologies. Use your professional judgement and problem-solving skills to develop your professional experience and practice, and benefit from top-class facilities, hardware, software, and 3D modelling.

As you study, you’ll gain knowledge and experience to help you to enhance your future career, whether you want to continue with your current employer or find alternative employment.

• Be eligible to apply for the Final Certificate in Architecture (Part 3) ARB/RIBA and practice as a qualified architect when you graduate
• Complete a case study of a live project, relevant to your current professional role
• Study Practice Management, Law and Contract, as set out in the ARB/RIBA syllabus
• Use our design studios, featuring advanced architectural computer facilities, CNC milling machine, laser cutting machines, a virtual reality suite and professional printers
• Access our Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR), the UK’s first integrated facility to support innovation in the creative and digital technologies of virtual, augmented and extended realities
• Benefit from our nurturing teaching environment and a mix of lectures and workshops, supported by staff with extensive academic and architectural practice experience, and construction industry experts
• Hear from industry experts working in UK construction, including barristers (Crown Office Chambers), lawyers (Fenwick Elliot), solicitors, architects (National practices such as AHMM and local practices), and planning consultants (Savills)

Career planning

During your course you'll have expert career support from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Business and Law Career-Ready Programme. This support will continue for 5 years after you graduate.

Career support

You'll benefit from:

- Networking events

- Regular emails from the Career Ready Programme sharing job opportunities, application tips and events

- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council

- Workshops to enhance your employability skills

- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair

- 1-to-1 appointments

- CV and cover letter advice

- Interview preparation and practice

- Support starting your own business

• architectural design
• interior design
• landscape architecture
• urban design and master planning
• architectural technology
• project management
• construction management