Applications for Accreditation of Qualifications

Requirements for registration

In order to be eligible to join the Register under the outgoing prescription framework for initial education and training (IET), individuals need to achieve ARB’s Criteria through prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, and complete ARB’s practical training requirements.

Under the new IET accreditation framework, individuals will need to demonstrate ARB’s Competency Outcomes for Architects (the Outcomes) by achieving accredited qualifications – a master’s-level qualification (encompassing the Academic Outcomes) and a practice qualification (encompassing the Practice Outcomes), or a combined qualification (encompassing both the Academic and Practice Outcomes) – and completing the practical training requirements.

For those with a Part 2, a prescribed Part 1 will continue to be a requirement for registration.  To join the Register, such individuals will need to have prescribed Parts 1, 2 and 3 qualifications in addition to the required practice experience; or have prescribed Parts 1 and 2 and a (new) practice qualification, as well as the necessary practice experience.

Students/graduates of the new qualifications will be able to apply to join the Register if they have ARB accredited master’s-level and practice qualifications (or an ARB accredited combined qualification) and have completed the required practical training.  An individual with an ARB accredited master’s-level qualification and ARB prescribed Part 3 and who has fulfilled the practical training requirements will also be eligible for registration (the master’s-level must be completed before undertaking the practice qualification or Part 3).  In these cases, if an individual has a prescribed Part 1 as well this will not be required as part of an application to join the Register.

See the Find My Registration Route page for information about requirements for those with non-UK qualifications.

Applying for accreditation of qualifications

Learning providers (providers) – the organisations, institutions or universities responsible for delivering qualifications – must apply to ARB for accreditation of their qualifications.

There are two routes for this – the new qualification application route or the transition application route – through which the providers must demonstrate compliance with the Standards for Learning Providers (the Standards) and show how a proposed qualification will deliver the Outcomes.

New qualification applications

• Applications for accreditation of qualifications that have not previously been prescribed/accredited by ARB.
• Application statuses: Stage 1 (two years before the intended start date); Stage 2 (before internal validation/approval of the proposed qualification); Stage 3 (a year before the intended start date); Stage 3 minded to position (the decision ARB is likely to make); application outcome (accredited/rejected).
• Accreditation must be in place before any students start a qualification.
• Refer to the Accreditation Process for New Qualifications section of the Accreditation Handbook for information about the various application stages.

Transition applications

• The application process through which providers of prescribed qualifications (qualifications that deliver the outgoing Criteria) will seek to retain accreditation by revising those qualifications to deliver the new Outcomes and comply with the Standards for Learning Providers.
• A transition application consists of three submissions over a two-to-three year period – transition change application, Standards 3 and 6 submission, Standards 4 and 5 submission – each of which must be approved by the Accreditation Committee.  Once the transition change application is approved, the provider will be permitted to commence the revised qualification from the intended start date if it wishes.  However, accreditation of that qualification remains subject to ARB approval of any outstanding transition submission(s) and cannot be guaranteed until all three submissions have been approved.
• Refer to the Transition of Prescribed Qualifications to Accreditation section of the Accreditation Handbook for information.

Current applications

The table below indicates which providers are currently seeking accreditation for their qualification(s), through which route (new qualification/transition), and the progression of each application through the relevant process (the status).

ARB is unable to supply further information to that shown below.  You should contact the individual provider if you have queries about a qualification and/or the status of an application.  Click on the provider’s name for their details and currently prescribed qualification(s) – this information can also be accessed from the Schools and Institutions of Architecture page.  In the case of new providers (with no currently prescribed qualifications and so no link), you should refer to those providers’ own websites for contact details.

* Mode(s) of study: full-time (FT), part-time (PT), apprenticeship (App).