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 2024/25 1200 students, across 44 RIBA-validated Schools of Architecture participating in our scheme, collaborated with 380 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.
"The best part of the programme was definitely getting the opportunity to hear from architects practising in the real world and understanding the challenges that come with this but also all the great aspects too! It was really nice to hear more on the part 2 and 3 qualifications and the different routes into these stages of the architectural profession." Aoife Coyle, 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 2025/26, many 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, an initial meet and greet with your architect mentor is followed by three sessions (approximately two hours per session). Mentoring sessions can 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 receive a reference for your CV after successfully completing the scheme
Mentoring will take place across the 2025/26 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 2025/26 is now open.
Students taking part in the programme during 2025/26, 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 2025/26 is now open.
Architects, please register your interest here.
Mentoring is available for Part 1 Year 3 students, unless stated as Year 2 below.
East Midlands
- Leicester De Montfort University
- Loughborough University
- Nottingham Trent
- University of Lincoln
- University of Nottingham
East of England
- Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford
- University of Cambridge
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Suffolk Ipswich
London
- Kingston University
- London South Bank University LSBU
- Ravensbourne University London
- University of East London
- University of Greenwich
- University of the Arts (Central St Martins) London
- University of Westminster London
North East England
- Northumbria University
- University of Newcastle
North West England
- Lancaster University (Year 2)
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Manchester School of Architecture (Year 2)
- University of Central Lancashire
- University of Liverpool (Year 2)
- University of Salford
South/South East England
- Oxford Brookes University
- University of Brighton
- University of Kent
- University of Reading
- University of Portsmouth
- University of the Creative Arts Canterbury
South West England
- Falmouth University
- The Arts University of Bournemouth
- University of Bath
- University of Plymouth
- University of Western England (UWE)
Wales
- University of Wales Trinity Saint David
- Welsh School of Architecture
West Midlands
- Birmingham City University
- Coventry University
- University of Wolverhampton
Yorkshire
- University of Sheffield
- Sheffield Hallam
- University of Leeds
- University of Huddersfield
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.
