​RIBA Future Architects student mentoring scheme

RIBA champions architects at all stages with education, professional development, support and opportunities for a better future.

We facilitate a mentoring programme for architecture students every year, bringing practices into education to support the next generation. In 2023/24, 1500 students across 45 RIBA-validated Schools of Architecture participated in our scheme, collaborating with 375 Chartered Practices.

This flexible programme is a great way to gain invaluable experience in practice, providing you with a unique insight into the profession, alongside helping build your network for the future.

“I’m so pleased to have had the chance of taking part in the RSAW mentoring scheme. I have begun to understand the continuity of what we learn in school and what will be done in practical works." Yuxi Xin, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University

For architects working within RIBA Chartered Practices, the Future Architects mentoring scheme is an opportunity to connect with RIBA Schools of Architecture and support students of architecture to prepare for a life in architectural practice. By taking part, you will also be eligible to record this for CPD points.

I'm an architecture student, how can I take part?

If you are a RIBA Student Member studying in England or Wales, or have recently applied for your RIBA Student Membership, then you will be eligible for this programme if your school and year group are taking part.

In 2024, many RIBA-validated Schools of Architecture in England and Wales will be continuing with the current scheme. Each school offers mentoring to a different year group, please check below to find out if your year group is taking part.

Mentoring is a great way to gain invaluable experience and insight into the profession.

How does it work?

Generally, the programme consists of an initial meet and greet, followed by three sessions (approx. two hours per session) with your architect mentor. The mentoring sessions will be run online, face-to-face, or hybrid.

As a mentee, you will:

• Be introduced to life in practice and gain practical advice on working as an architect.
• Have the opportunity to reflect on your goals and direction.
• Develop key skills and access one-to-one support.
• Gain advice and guidance on future employment and after successful completion of the scheme, receive a reference for CV inclusion.

Mentoring will take place across the 2024/25 academic year with different start/end times for universities. Applicants will be contacted in advance of your relevant semester with further details on how and when to register, along with timescales.

Registration for participating Schools of Architecture for 2024/25 is now open.

Students taking part in the programme during 2024/25, please register your interest here.

How do I become a mentor?

If you are an architect working at a RIBA Chartered Practice and/or are a RIBA Chartered Member, you are eligible to mentor on this programme.

This year, all mentoring sessions can be run either online, in person, or hybrid. Please note that you will still be able to work with multiple students as before, just let us know your preference so we can match you with mentees who have the same preferences.

As a mentor, you will:​

• Introduce students to the realities of practice, so that they’re well-prepared for their year out​.
• Help them to think about their future career direction​.
• Give mentored students support and guidance from someone more experienced.

Registration for 2024/25 is now open.

Architects, please register your interest here.

Mentoring is available for Part 1 Year 3 students, unless stated as Year 2.

East Midlands 

• Leicester De Montfort University (start tbc) 
• Loughborough University (start tbc) 
• Nottingham Trent (start tbc) 
• University of Lincoln (start tbc) 
• University of Nottingham (start tbc) 

 East of England 

• Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford (start tbc) 
• University of Cambridge (start tbc) 
• University of Hertfordshire (start tbc) 
• University of Suffolk Ipswich (start tbc) 

 London 

• Kingston University (start tbc) 
• London South Bank University LSBU (start tbc) 
• Ravensbourne University London (start tbc) 
• University College London The Bartlett (start tbc) 
• University of East London (start tbc) 
• University of Greenwich 
• University of the Arts (Central St Martins) London (start tbc) 
• University of Westminster London (start tbc) 

 North East England 

• Northumbria University (start tbc) 
• University of Newcastle (start tbc) 

 North West England 

• Lancaster University - Year 2 (start tbc) 
• Liverpool John Moores University - Year 3 (start tbc) 
• Manchester School of Architecture - Year 2 (start tbc) 
• University of Central Lancashire - Year 3 (start tbc) 
• University of Liverpool - Year 2 (start tbc) 
• University of Salford - Year 3 (start tbc) 

 South/South East England 

• Oxford Brookes University (start tbc) 
• University of Brighton (start tbc) 
• University of Kent (start tbc) 
• University of Reading (start tbc) 
• University of Portsmouth (start tbc) 
• University of the Creative Arts Canterbury (start tbc) 

 South West England 

• Falmouth University (start tbc) 
• The Arts University of Bournemouth (start tbc) 
• University of Bath (start tbc) 
• University of Plymouth (start tbc) 
• University of Western England (UWE) (start tbc) 

 Wales 

• University of Wales Trinity Saint David 
• Welsh School of Architecture 

 West Midlands 

• Birmingham City University (start tbc) 
• Coventry University (start tbc) 
• University of Wolverhampton (start tbc) 

 Yorkshire 

• University of Sheffield (January start) 
• Sheffield Hallam (January start) 
• University of Leeds (January start) 
• University of Huddersfield (January start) 

Want to know more?

For more information on mentoring at a particular school, please get in touch with the relevant regional contact below:

• East: riba.east@riba.org
• East Midlands: riba.eastmidlands@riba.org
• London: ribalondon@riba.org
• North East: riba.northeast@riba.org
• North West: riba.northwest@riba.org
• South/South East: riba.sse@riba.org
• South West: riba.southwest@riba.org
• West Midlands: riba.westmidlands@riba.org
• Yorkshire: riba.yorkshire@riba.org
• Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW): rsaw@riba.org

We champion architects at all stages with education, professional development, support and opportunities for a better future. Join us as a RIBA Student Member or view our Future Architects resource page.