​​Young People: Skills development and social events

Events, courses and opportunities for ages 15 to 18.

We offer a range of opportunities for young people to learn more about architecture and the architectural profession. Our programmes focus on knowledge building and skills development. Collaborating with peers and practitioners, young people explore architecture in real world contexts and in relationship to other artistic and creative practices.

Skill Up for ages 15 to 18

Designed to ‘Skill Up’ teenagers who are thinking about studying architecture or design, in past workshops participants have learnt how to work to an architectural brief, improve portfolios, use photography effectively and develop architectural drawing skills using traditional and digital media. Participants work individually and collaboratively to think about how to design sustainable and responsible architecture.

Skill Up workshops are currently being delivered online through Microsoft Teams and are led by architects and artist-educators. See future Skill Up workshops.

More programmes for young people

RIBA Learning Young People’s Programme aims to be both inclusive and informative. The programme has been designed to respond to young people’s needs and interests whilst introducing them to architecture, the built environment and to a range of creative industries.

RIBA's Young People’s Programme is made up of several strands including;

1. Digital resources, activities and events that explore what architecture and the built environment are and routes into careers linked to architecture and the built environment.
2. Creative workshops taking place throughout the UK aimed at introducing young people to an exciting array of creative mediums, techniques, processes, industries and careers.
3. Work experience and mentoring programmes for young people who want to become architects and/or built environment professionals with workshops and advice focusing on portfolio and interview preparation and writing successful UCAS letters and CVs.
4. Networking opportunities to enable young people to meet like-minded peers, academics and professionals working in the sector and to form connections that can help them to achieve their academic and career aspirations.

To ensure that the Young People’s Programme is appealing and relevant, and to ensure that participants can have agency over their own learning, we have established a Young People’s Forum made up of young people from across London who can give feedback on RIBA’s programmes, activities and resources for young people and who can share their own ideas for programme themes and content.

We are currently recruiting for new Youth Forum members.

Members of the Young People’s Forum will be expected to commit the following time to the programme;

• Attend meetings at RIBA (66 Portland Place in London) between 2pm and 4pm on the following dates:
  • 1 June 2024
  • 6 July 2024
  • 3 August 2024
  • 7 September 2024
  • 5 October 2024
  • 2 November 2024
  • 7 December 2024
  • 4 January 2025
  • 1 February 2025
  • 1 March 2025
  • 5 April 2025
  • 3 May 2025
• Participate in regular email and social media correspondence with fellow Young People’s Forum members and RIBA Learning staff.
• Attend any activities or events that forum members would like to (this will not be compulsory)

Key dates

• Expression of interest deadline: 3 May 2024
• Selection of Young People’s Forum members: 17 May 2024
• First meeting of Young People’s Forum: 1 June, 2pm to 4pm.

Expression of interest

If you are interested in being considered for RIBA’s Young People’s Forum, please send your expression of interest no later than 3 May 2024 by 5pm.

Please email or Wetransfer your expression of interest to sophie.draper@riba.org. You can also email with any questions you have about the project.

Your expression of interest should include the following;

• Either an A4 page of writing or a 30 to 60 second video introducing yourself, what you like about architecture and/or the built environment, why you are interested in being a member of the Young People’s Forum, information on your studies, paid or voluntary work, hobbies and interests that might be relevant.
• Please also include either a short written or film critique of either your favourite building, piece of architecture or of your local neighbourhood.

We will be looking for candidates who can communicate imaginatively with fellow young people, who can motivate curiosity, passion and excitement about the built environment, and whom are confident in expressing and listening to ideas, opinions and aspirations.

Digital resources

Are you considering studying architecture at university? See our list of digital resources below for more information about what it’s like to work as an architect:

• RIBA Study Architecture Well - this downloadable PDF shows what it’s like to study architecture at university
• A guide to architectural practices - this downloadable PDF from RIBA Future Architects explains how to identify different types of architectural practices when looking for a job or work experience
• Meet the architects - this downloadable PDF from RIBA Future Architects profiles different architects and explores how they got their start in the sector
• Found Futures - demystifies the architecture industry and presents young people with insights from leading professionals from diverse backgrounds. Explore their video resource library.