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RIBA Validated schools in the UK

RIBA Validation

The RIBA validates programmes at over 50 schools of architecture and other course providers in the UK. We have a history of promoting high quality and innovative architectural education throughout the world.

This year marks 100 years since RIBA validated its first architecture course at the University of Liverpool in 1924.

Through validation, the RIBA identifies courses and examinations which achieve the standards necessary to prepare students for professional practice.

RIBA cannot give validation to individual students or professionals and only validates programmes of architecture/examinations run by education providers (such as universities) or examining bodies. To gain a RIBA validated qualification, you need to study a RIBA validated course.

In the UK, RIBA is not the licensing or registration body; that function is performed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB). You should contact ARB directly for further information. If you’re an Architect registered and practising outside the UK and EU, you can apply for RIBA Chartered Membership through MEAP. This is a process to gain international Chartered Membership status only.

Below is a list of RIBA Validated UK courses. You can download a PDF of all schools and courses at the bottom of the page. 

UK RIBA validated courses

Institution or examining body Courses/examinations validated by the RIBA RIBA visiting board report
Architects' Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland (APEAS) Ltd
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The Architects’ Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland (APEAS) Ltd administers the Part 3 Examination in Scotland. Previously the Part 3 courses run by each School of Architecture in Scotland were validated individually. While Part 3 courses continue to be run by the Schools, the validated award is owned and administered by APEAS.

View 2023 report (PDF)

 

The Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen)
The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice and Management (Administered by APEAS)
View 2023 report (PDF)

 
University of Bath
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice

View 2019 report (PDF)

The Queen’s University of Belfast
School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
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Part 1 BSc Architecture with Honours
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Architecture
View 2021 report (PDF)

 
University of Ulster
The Belfast School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
View 2019 report (PDF)
Birmingham City University
Birmingham School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice
Part 2 and 3 Architect Apprenticeship (Level 7) MArch/PGDip

View 2018 report (PDF)

The Arts University Bournemouth
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
View 2019 report (PDF)

University of Brighton
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Management, Practice and Law in Architecture
View 2022 report (PDF)

University of the West of England (Bristol)
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture and Planning
Part 1 BEng Architecture and Environmental Engineering
Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 Bachelor of Architecture/MArch; Level 7 Architect Apprenticeship
Part 3 PG Certificate: Professional Practice and Management in Architecture
View 2021 report (PDF)
University of Cambridge
Department of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice

View 2019 report (PDF) 

University for the Creative Arts
Canterbury School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 Master of Architecture

Part 3 Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Architecture

View 2019 report (PDF)

View 2022 report (PDF)

University of Kent (Canterbury)
Kent School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice

Architect Apprenticeship L7:
Master in Architecture (L7 Architecture Apprenticeship – Part 2) leading to award Master in Architecture
Architectural Practice (L7 Architect Apprentice – Part 3): Postgraduate Diploma

View 2019 report (PDF)

View 2022 report (PDF)

View 2023 report
(PDF)


Cardiff University
The Welsh School of Architecture
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Diploma/MA in Architecture: Professional Studies
View 2021 report (PDF)

Anglia Ruskin University
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture   View 2021 report (PDF)
Coventry University
School of Art and Design
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture View 2018 report (PDF)

University of Dundee
School of Environment
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Part 1 BA Architecture
Part 2 M.Arch
Part 2 Masters in Architecture with Urban Planning
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice (Administered by APEAS)
View 2022 report (PDF)
 
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)
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Part 1 Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Part 1 Master of Arts (Honours) in Architecture
Part 2 Master of Architecture
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice (Administered by APEAS)
View 2022 report (PDF)

University of Strathclyde (Glasgow)
Department of Architecture
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Part 1: 3 years
BSc Architectural Studies (ordinary)
BSc Architectural Studies with International Study (ordinary)

Part 1: 4 years
BSc Architectural Studies (hons)
BSc Architectural Studies with International Study (hons)

Part 2:
PgDip/MArch Advanced Architectural Design
PgDip/MArch Architectural Design (International)
View 2020 report (PDF)
The Glasgow School of Art
The Mackintosh School of Architecture
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Part 1 Bachelor of Architecture
Part 1 Bachelor of Architecture (Honours)
Part 2 Diploma in Architecture
Part 2 Master of Architecture
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice (Administered by APEAS)
View 2023 report (PDF)
The University of Hertfordshire
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Part 1: BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 1: BA (Hons) Architecture (Sandwich)
Part 1: BA (Hons) Architecture with Year Abroad

View 2020 report (PDF)

View 2021 revisit report (PDF)

The University of Huddersfield
School of Art, Design and Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture (International)
Part 2 M.Arch
Part 2 M.Arch (International)
Part 3 Certificate of Professional Practice in Architecture
View 2021 report (PDF)

University of Leeds
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
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Part 1 MEng, BEng Architecture, MEng, BEng Architecture (Industrial)
View 2022 report (PDF)

Leeds Beckett University
School of Arts

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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Professional Studies             
View 2021 report (PDF)

De Montfort University
The Leicester School of Architecture Visit website

Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice

View 2021 report (PDF) 

University of Lincoln
The Lincoln School of Architecture
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Part 1 BArch (Hons)
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Practice & Management in Architecture
View 2022 report (PDF)

University of Liverpool
Liverpool School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (RIBA Part 3)
View 2023 report (PDF)
RIBA North West Region, Liverpool
Part 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (RIBA P3)
View 2022 report (PDF)

Liverpool John Moores University
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 M.Arch
Part 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (RIBA P3)
View 2022 report (PDF)

Architectural Association
(London)
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Part 1 Intermediate Examination
Part 2 Final Examination
Part 3 Professional Practice and Practical Training Examination
View 2020 report (PDF)
The London School of Architecture 
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Part 2 MArch in Designing Architecture View 2022 report (PDF)
University College London
The Bartlett School of Architecture
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Degree in Architecture
Part 1 MEng Engineering and Architectural Design
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Certificate in Professional Practice and Management in Architecture
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice and Management in Architecture
Candidate Course status for Parts 1 and 2 Architecture MSci (a five year integrated degree)
Candidate Course status for Part 1 BSc (Hons) Degree in Architecture and Practice (exit award of MSci)             

View 2021 report (PDF)
University of the Arts, London
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
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Part 1 BA (Honours) Architecture
Part 2 MArch Architecture Spatial Practices Programme 

View 2018 report (PDF)

View 2017 report (PDF)

The University of East London
School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
View 2022 report (PDF)

Falmouth University
School of Architecture, Design and Interiors
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture  View 2018 report (PDF) 
University of Greenwich (London)
School of Design
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice
View 2022 report (PDF)

Kingston University (London)
School of Architecture and Landscape
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 MArch
Part 3 PG Diploma in Professional Practice Architecture
View 2017 report (PDF)

London Metropolitan University
School of Art, Architecture, and Design
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 Professional Diploma in Architecture/MArch (from 2019 graduating cohort)/Level 7 Architecture Apprenticeship 
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice: Architecture
View 2022 report (PDF)

Royal College of Art (London)
School of Architecture
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Part 2 MA Architecture
View 2019 report (PDF)

London South Bank University
Engineering, Science and the Built Environment
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture; BA (Hons) Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship (Level 6)
Part 2 MArch; Level 7 Architect Apprenticeship
Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice
Part 2 and 3 Architect Apprenticeship (Level 7) MArch/Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice
View 2018 report (PDF)

The University of Westminster (London)
Department of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture and Environmental Design
Part 2 M.Arch Master of Architecture
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture

View 2022 report
(PDF)

Loughborough University
School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
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Part 1 Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
Part 2 Master of Architecture (MArch)
View 2023 report (PDF)

View 2021 report (PDF)
University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University
The Manchester School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 M. Arch Master of Architecture 
Part 3 Postgraduate Certificate in Architecture and Contemporary Practice 

View the 2021 report (PDF)

View the 2023 report (PDF)

University of Newcastle upon Tyne
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 M.Arch
Part 3 Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice and Management
View 2022 report (PDF)

Northumbria University (Newcastle upon Tyne)
Architecture Department, School of the Built Environment
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture with Year Abroad (from 2017/2018)
Part 2 Master of Architecture (MArch); Level 7 Architect Apprenticeship

View 2023 report (PDF)

University of Nottingham
Architecture and Built Environment
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Part 1 BArch (Hons) in Architecture
Part 1 M.Eng. Architecture and Environmental Design
Part 2 MArch
Part 2 MArch Architecture with Collaborative Practice Research (ARB/RIBA Part 2)
Part 3 Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Architecture
Architecture Degree Apprenticeship Level 7
MArch Architecture with Collaborative Practice Research (ARB/RIBA Part 2)
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (Part 3)

View 2023 report (PDF)

Nottingham Trent University
School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
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Part 1 Bachelor of Architecture with Honours (BArch (Hons)
Part 2 M.Arch
View 2023 report (PDF)
Oxford Brookes University
School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 M.ARchD Applied Design in Architecture
Part 3 Examination in Practice and Management
View 2022 report (PDF)

Lancaster University
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Part 1: BA (Hons) Architecture
Master of Architecture, MArch: Candidate Course for Part 2
 
View 2023 report (PDF)
University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
(Preston) The Grenfell-Baines School of Architecture, Construction and Environment
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture
Part 2 Master of Architecture (MArch)
View 2021 report (PDF)
RIBA Studio
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RIBA Certificate in Architecture, Part 1
RIBA Diploma in Architecture, Part 2             
NB These are self-study examination programmes for candidates working in practice, minimum time in practice requirements apply
View 2020 report (PDF)

University of Plymouth
Plymouth School of Architecture, Design and Environment
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture
Part 2 M.Arch
View 2022 report (PDF)

University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) in Architecture; Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship
Part 2 M.Arch; Level 7 Architect Apprenticeship
Part 3 Final Examination in Professional Practice
Part 1 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship (Level 6) BA (Honours) Architecture
Part 2 and 3 Architect Apprenticeship (Level 7) Master of Architecture and Professional Practice
View 2021 report (PDF)

Ravensbourne University London
View website
Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 1 BA (Hons) Interior Design Environment Architectures (IDEAs)
View 2023 report (PDF)
 
University of Reading
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BSc (Hons) Architecture Part 1
Master of Architecture MArch, Part 2 

View 2019 report (PDF)

View 2021 MArch report (PDF)

University of Salford
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BSc (Hons) Architecture Part 1 
Master of Architecture MArch, Candidate Course for Part 2
View 2023 report (PDF)
University of Sheffield
Sheffield School of Architecture
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Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture
Part 1 BA (Hons) Architecture and Landscape
Part 1 MEng (Hons) Structural Engineering and Architecture
Part 2 MArch in Architecture
Part 2 MArch in Architecture: Collaborative Practice
Part 2 MArch Architecture and Landscape Architecture
Part 2 MArch in Architecture and Town & Regional Planning (discontinued)
View 2022 report (PDF)

Sheffield Hallam University
Department of Architecture and Planning
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture
Part 1  Bachelor of Architecture, BArch (from June 2026)
Part 2 M.Arch / L7 Architect Apprentice Part 2 and 3             
View 2022 report (PDF)

University of Suffolk, Ipswich
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Candidate Couse for Part 1: BA (Hons) Architecture               View 2021 exploratory report (PDF)

University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea
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Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture View 2021 report (PDF)
University of Wolverhampton
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 Part 1 BSc (Hons) Architecture View 2021 report (PDF)

Terminology: The designation 'Candidate course for validation' implies that the proposals for this course are judged to have the potential to meet the RIBA criteria, if implemented as anticipated. It is not equivalent to RIBA Validation, which can only be granted once the standards of the work produced have been assessed and found satisfactory. For more information about RIBA Validated courses or schools, or to enquire about applying for validation, contact the team.

Contact us

For enquiries regarding validation, please contact:

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