Registering as an architect with UK qualifications

You can apply through this route if you have: 

• an accredited UK Part 1 qualification, or sat and passed the Prescribed Exam at Part 1 level;

• an accredited UK Part 2 qualification, or sat and passed the Prescribed Exam at Part 2 level; and

• an accredited UK Part 3 qualification 

See here for a list of qualifications that are currently accredited by ARB. If you hold a qualification that is not listed but you believe was accredited at the time that you completed it, please contact us.

Under ARB’s new education framework, qualifications are accredited against the Competency Outcomes for Architects rather than the previous ‘Parts’ criteria. 

The new framework includes: 

• Academic Outcomes, which set out the competencies expected through academic education, and will normally be gained through an ARB-accredited master’s level qualification  

• Practice Outcomes, which set out the competencies expected through practice education and training, and will normally be gained through an ARB-accredited practice-level qualification 

You will be able to apply for registration when you have completed the ARB-accredited qualifications and practical training required for your route to registration. This will normally be through the achievement of a master’s level qualification covering the Academic Outcomes, and a practice-level qualification covering the Practice Outcomes, but the Outcomes can also be achieved through combined qualifications. 

See here for a list of qualifications that are currently accredited by ARB. If you hold a qualification that is not listed but you believe was accredited at the time that you completed it, please contact us.

You can apply for registration through this route if you do not hold a full set of accredited UK qualifications as described above. 

You can apply for registration through the partial qualifications route if you have: 

• an accredited UK Part 2 qualification, or sat and passed the Prescribed Exam at Part 2 level; and

• an accredited UK Part 3 qualification or Practice Outcomes qualification 

See here for a list of qualifications that are currently accredited by ARB. If you hold a qualification that is not listed but you believe was accredited at the time that you completed it, please contact us.

If you are applying with qualifications under the previous framework, you will normally need to provide evidence of your recognised qualifications, such as Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 certificates or relevant ARB Prescribed Examination results. 

If you are applying with qualifications accredited under the new framework, you will need to provide evidence of your accredited qualifications and any other information required to demonstrate that you have met the Academic and Practice Outcomes and practical training requirements. 

Your qualification evidence should be the official qualification document issued by the awarding institution, bearing its official stamp, seal or logo, and show:

• your full name (as it appears on your passport or national identity document) 
• the full title of the qualification 
• the date the qualification was awarded 
• the name of the awarding institution

If the name on your qualification documents is different from the name on your identity document, you may need to provide evidence explaining the difference.

Don’t have your qualification certificate? 

If you do not have your final certificate, contact your university or awarding institution to request official evidence of your qualification.

Not all providers of Practice Outcomes / Part 3 qualifications issue a certificate. In these circumstances, and where a certificate has not been offered, we may accept alternative official evidence, such as an official letter, transcript or Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). We will accept an official letter as evidence for the completion of a prescribed exam.

In addition to the evidence requirements specified above, you must also provide:  

• a CV; and 

• a written reference from a registered architect. 

Your CV

Your CV should, as a minimum, outline your qualifications and work history to date. 

It must demonstrate that you have worked in the architecture sector on relevant work for at least two of the last three years. 

A reference from a registered architect

You must provide a written reference from an architect who is registered with ARB. 

The reference must confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, you have been working in the architecture sector on relevant work for at least two of the last three years. 

The architect providing the reference must be registered at the time they provide the reference and when your application is submitted. They do not need to have worked with you throughout the full period covered by the reference. 

The reference must include the following wording: 

I can confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, [CANDIDATE] has been working in architecture for at least two of the last three years. I am aware that ARB may carry out independent checks of the accuracy of this information. 

The reference must also include: 

• the architect’s full name
• their ARB registration number
• the date the reference was provided

In addition to the evidence requirements specified above, you must also provide:  

• a CV; and 

• a written reference from a registered architect

Or:

• a personal statement

Your CV

Your CV should, as a minimum, outline your qualifications and work history to date. 

It must demonstrate that you have worked in the architecture sector on relevant work for at least two of the last three years. 

A reference from a registered architect

You must provide a written reference from an architect who is registered with ARB. 

The reference must confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, you have been working in the architecture sector on relevant work for at least two of the last three years. 

The architect providing the reference must be registered at the time they provide the reference and when your application is submitted. They do not need to have worked with you throughout the full period covered by the reference. 

The reference must include the following wording: 

I can confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, [CANDIDATE] has been working in architecture for at least two of the last three years. I am aware that ARB may carry out independent checks of the accuracy of this information. 

The reference must also include: 

• the architect’s full name
• their ARB registration number
• the date the reference was provided

Alternative evidence option (personal statement)

Applicants who choose this alternative evidence option are not required to submit the usual CV or a reference from a registered architect. Instead, they must provide a personal statement. This must include:

• Any identified gaps in their UK-specific knowledge, skills or experience;
• Details of the CPD they have undertaken to address any gaps identified;
• A reflective statement demonstrating that they are ready to practise in a UK context;
• A summary of the type of work they anticipate undertaking.

Applicants will not be provided with a prescriptive template for their personal statement, and do not need to meet a minimum word count.

Applicants who have not identified any gaps in their readiness to practise must explain why they consider that they have no gaps.