The typical route to qualifying as an architect in the United Kingdom is a combination of academic studies at a university and practical experience. It involves training for five years at university and a minimum of two years experience before final qualification.
The table below illustrates the typical route to qualification. Please also refer to our 'Think Architecture'| booklet providing full information on becoming an architect. We have also addressed some frequently asked questions| below.
RIBA Part 1
University undergraduate
degree e.g. BA or BSc
Three years full time. Gives students the opportunity to develop a broad range of skills and architectural understanding.
You are eligible for free RIBA Student Membership| from your first year of study.
Some UK architecture courses run exchange programmes with universities abroad for up to a year of study (e.g. Erasmus programme).
Some part 1 graduates gain further qualifications in specialist related fields such as planning, urban design or conservation.
Other part 1 graduates move on to work in something different with the skills that they have developed at this level.
Image © Welsh School of Architecture, Kieran Ridley
Stage 1 professional experience/year out
Practical experience:
Typically one year in duration.
Students record their experience on the PEDR website|, 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 on the PEDR website, and encourages students to gain experience either under the supervision of an architect or another qualified construction industry professional at this stage.
Some students choose to work for longer than one year to save money or to gain professional experience. Other students take time out to work in the wider construction industry, work overseas, volunteer or travel.
Image © Kent School of Architecture, University of Kent
RIBA Part 2
University degree: Varies from school to school e.g. BArch, Diploma, MArch
Two years full time. Will provide students with enhanced architectural knowledge and project complexity.
Students are still regarded as undergraduates in the architectural education process, but should seek clarification on fee status at individual schools.
Students may choose to return to the school where they completed part 1, or apply to study for part 2 at another school.
There will be opportunities for students to carry out specialist study and research, possibly abroad.
Image © Department of Architecture and Spatial Design, London Metropolitan University
Stage 2 practical experience
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 of their career.
Image © Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University
RIBA Part 3
The final qualifying examination in professional practice and management is taken at an RIBA-validated course provider.
Candidates will be assessed on the following elements:
Image © Niall McLaughlin Architects
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 have influence over, a national and international network of architects.
Image © Noah da Costa - John McAslan + Partners
Studying architecture|
Where can I study?|
Entry requirements|
Alternative routes to qualification|
Preparing for interviews|
Preparing your portfolio|
Architectural studies differ from many other subjects and courses. Most of your studies will be based in the studio for design work, tutorials and 'crits' (critiques). The crit, a common term in art and design education, is where you present your design project work to tutors (and other students), who provide feedback. You will also attend lectures and computer-aided design tutorials, have essays to write, site visits to go on and visits to buildings and places of interest.
Some schools provide opportunities for hands-on building projects, others offer specialist areas of study or have developed strengths in particular disciplines - for example, sustainability, town planning, technology or management. Skills in problem solving and team work are also developed through project work.
The approach to architectural education differs between schools so you should thoroughly research available courses to see what suits you and your interests, as well as your qualifications, before applying. Try to attend the open days or the degree shows (student exhibitions) of the universities you are interested in. Open days are a great time to ask current students and tutors lots of questions about the course. The degree shows allow you to examine the work of graduating students and usually take place from late May to early July. They will give you an excellent idea of the focus and orientation of work in a particular school.
Architecture is a wide-ranging discipline based on a large body of design, technical and professional knowledge, in which students develop a high level of skill. The training prepares students to make sound professional judgements in difficult, often pressurised situations. It is a long course because turning knowledge into ability, through successive design projects over the duration of the course, is a lengthy but exciting process.
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The RIBA currently validates courses at over 40 schools of architecture in the UK. The entry requirements and the set-up of the validated courses vary from school to school. You are advised to contact individual schools of architecture to ascertain their specific entry requirements, as well as their course structure. That way you will be able to find out which schools are suitable for you to apply to, and which schools appeal to you.
Find out more about RIBA validation|
The RIBA does not rank schools or issue a list of 'best schools'. The RIBA visits and recognises courses at schools of architecture every five years. Therefore, if a course is recognised by both the RIBA and ARB, it has met the UK's minimum required standards.
The best way to find out if a course will suit you is to read the school's prospectus and website carefully, ask questions about course content and structure, and visit the school on an open day or at the end-of-year degree show. That way you can find out what sort of work the school produces and get a sense of the place where you may choose to study.
You may also like to consult general sources of information about higher education in the media, such as the websites of The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, the Architects Journal or Building Design.
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Many subjects studied at school and college are relevant to architecture, giving you the flexibility to choose the subjects you are strongest in and enjoy. Ideally, you should have gained a broad secondary education encompassing a mixture of arts and sciences. Although it is not always necessary to study art, you should enjoy drawing freehand and have an interest in design and making 3D work; most schools will require you to present a portfolio at interview.
Schools of architecture will express their offer in terms of the UCAS tariffs, but typically you will need at least two subjects at A level, or one A and two AS levels. In addition, you must generally have passed at least five GCSEs, which normally include English language and mathematics.
Many schools of architecture also recognise other further education qualifications. If you are a mature student it is worth remembering that even if you do not meet the usual admissions requirements, most schools are happy to assess a mature student on other grounds, especially your portfolio.
Once you have applied, you may or may not be invited for interview. Many schools of architecture ask to see a portfolio of work. However, some schools make conditional offers on the basis of the information you include on your UCAS form.
This is most likely to be the case when your A level subjects are seen to be particularly relevant. In the absence of an interview, an open day is an opportunity for you to find out about the school's approach to architectural education before you make your final decision.
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Alternative routes to qualification |as an architect are available - for example, if you are already working in practice, the RIBA office-based examination |may be a more appropriate route for you.
If you have studied or qualified to be an architect outside the UK|, your qualification(s) will need to be assessed for equivalence to the UK Parts 1 and 2 by the Architects Registration Board |(ARB). The RIBA recognises ARB recommendations at this stage. You will then have to undertake a Part 3 |qualification once you have met the required criteria.
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Once you have applied to a school of architecture you may or may not be invited to interview. Many schools of architecture ask to see a portfolio of work. However some schools make conditional offers on the basis of the information you include on your UCAS form. This is most likely to be the case when your A level subjects are seen to be particularly relevant. In the absence of an interview, open days are an opportunity for you to find out about the school's approach to architectural education before you make your final decision.
At interview, university tutors will ask questions and discuss your portfolio with you. This is to help them to determine your skills and interests. It is therefore important to have found out about the world of architecture and to also feel confident and happy to talk about your own work in your portfolio. Some example questions are:
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Why do you want to study architecture?
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Is there a particular architect or specific building that you admire?
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Why do you want to study at this school?
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Have you visited any architects' practices or undertaken any relevant work experience?
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If invited to interview at university you will be expected to present a portfolio of your work, and for many schools this is an important factor in offering you a place on an architecture course.
The portfolio is a tool used throughout a career in architecture, and at entry level stage it should demonstrate a broad mixture of your work, especially sketches and freehand drawings, although it can include anything you think is relevant such as photographs, life drawings, paintings, models or collages.
Drawing is the essential skill of architecture, and you will be taught at university how to do the necessary technical drawing and computer-aided design, so you need not learn these beforehand. Schools are not looking in your portfolio for highly skilled architectural work, but for evidence that you have the potential skills to benefit from an architectural education.