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One of ARB’s functions is to ensure only those who are suitably competent are allowed to practice as architects. We do this by accrediting the qualifications required to join the Register of Architects.
To call yourself an architect in the UK, you must be registered with ARB. To be eligible to join the Register, you must demonstrate that you have met our Competency Outcomes, which describe the competencies required for registration as an architect and consist of ‘Academic’ and ‘Practice’ Outcomes.
Most people applying for registration will demonstrate that they have met the Outcomes by gaining UK qualifications accredited by ARB. These are an ARB-accredited master’s-level qualification and an ARB-accredited practice-level qualification.
ARB-accredited qualifications must:
- teach and assess the Outcomes at the relevant level; and
- be delivered in accordance with our Standards for learning providers.
Successfully completing both qualifications demonstrates that an individual has achieved the required Outcomes and standard of competence to be eligible to apply for registration with ARB.
If you plan to complete your initial education and training in the UK and apply for registration with ARB, you should complete qualifications accredited by ARB. You can check the accredited status of a qualification here. The pages below provide information for students and trainees, learning providers and employers about ARB-accredited qualification and the different routes to registration.
ARB does not accredit qualifications awarded outside the UK. Different routes to registration are available depending on your qualifications and experience. You can find more information about these alternative routes here.
Transition to the new Framework
ARB is transitioning from its previous education framework to a new framework for accreditation. This transition will be completed by December 2028.
Some qualifications are already accredited against the new Competency Outcomes and Standards for Learning Providers, while others remain accredited under the existing framework. From December 2028, ARB will no longer accredit qualifications under the old framework.
If you are planning to study an ARB-accredited qualification you should check whether it has been accredited under either the previous framework or the new accreditation framework. Your chosen learning provider will be able to confirm this, and ARB publishes a list of accredited qualifications here.
If you hold a qualification that was accredited by ARB when you completed it, you can continue to use it to apply for registration. The changes only affect the accreditation of qualifications delivered under the new framework and do not affect the validity of previously accredited qualifications.
Qualifications may transition earlier as part of the planned accreditation process and some practice-level qualifications may be approved under the new outcomes-based framework before December 2028. As part of this new framework, we’ll remove the existing requirement that applicants for registration need to have at least two years of practical experience. Where a practice-level qualification is accredited before December 2028, we will confirm as part of the accreditation process whether trainees completing that qualification will be subject to the existing practical experience requirements or the new outcomes-based approach. We will publish information identifying which practical experience requirements apply to each qualification during the transition period.
The pages below can provide further information on how the transition affects trainees and learning providers.
Background to the new Framework
The transition to the new framework began in 2023 and will be completed by December 2028.
The changes are being introduced in stages to ensure that no student or trainee is disadvantaged during the transition.
The new framework has been developed following several years of research, stakeholder engagement, and public consultation.
Useful links: