ARB and HKIA Memorandum of Understanding - Architects Registration Board

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) allows for the mutual recognition of relevant qualifications, making it easier for eligible individuals to have their qualifications recognised in both the UK and Hong Kong.

It allows individuals to access further study and apply to join the Register in both jurisdictions.

Applicants are asked to follow the relevant instructions below in terms of seeking recognition of their accredited qualifications and/or registration.

Applicants with HKIA-accredited bachelor’s and master’s qualifications and an ARB-accredited Part 3

Applicants who have all the required certificates and qualifications stated below will not need to use this MoU route and instead can apply for UK registration directly through the standard route on the MyARB portal.

You are eligible to apply for UK registration through the standard route if you have:

HKIA-accredited bachelor’s and master’s level qualifications
A HKIA certificate confirming your qualifications are equivalent to ARB-accredited qualifications
An ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification

Apply for UK Registration

Information for Hong Kong graduates

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HKIA-accredited bachelor's and master's qualifications only

Hong Kong graduates with both HKIA-accredited bachelor’s and master’s qualifications will only need to complete an ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification to be eligible to join the UK Register.

See below in the Hong Kong to UK section for information on how to obtain confirmation that we have recognised your qualification if you wish to undertake further study in the UK.

HKIA-accredited bachelor's qualification only

Hong Kong graduates with only a HKIA-accredited bachelor’s qualification will need to complete ARB-accredited Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications.

See below in the Hong Kong to UK section for information on how to obtain confirmation that we have recognised your qualification if you wish to undertake further study in the UK.

Information for UK graduates

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ARB-accredited Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications only

UK graduates with both ARB-accredited Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications will only need to complete the HKIA/ARBHK Professional Assessment (PA).

Please see below in the UK to Hong Kong section for information on how to obtain confirmation that HKIA have recognised your qualification if you wish to undertake further study in Hong Kong.

ARB-accredited Part 1 qualification only

UK graduates with only an ARB-accredited Part 1 qualification will need to complete a HKIA-accredited master’s level qualification and the HKIA/ARBHK Professional Assessment (PA) to be eligible to join the Hong Kong Register.

Please see below in the UK to Hong Kong section for information on how to obtain confirmation that HKIA have recognised your qualification if you wish to undertake further study in Hong Kong.

The Architects Registration Board Hong Kong (ARBHK) will also accept the relevant ARB-accredited Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications for the purpose of establishing eligibility for the PA to pave the way of registration in Hong Kong.

This MoU replaces former arrangements under which graduates holding HKIA-accredited qualifications were required to make applications for Part 1 and/or Part 2 equivalence through ARB’s Prescribed Examination route as well as completing any additional requirements for registration in the UK.

Please note that this MoU only operates at bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels. Graduates will still be required to undertake further relevant ARB or HKIA-accredited qualifications to satisfy registration requirements in full. 

Before applying, check your eligibility below:

Who is eligible to apply for recognition?

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Recognition of HKIA-accredited bachelor's and master’s level qualifications in the UK

The MoU provides for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of HKIA-accredited bachelor’s and master’s level qualifications issued in Hong Kong. Those wishing to apply to ARB to have their HKIA-accredited qualifications mutually recognised should also hold a certificate or statement from HKIA confirming that their qualification or qualifications are in scope of the agreement.

Recognition of ARB-accredited bachelor’s and master’s level qualifications in Hong Kong

The MoU provides for the recognition of ARB-accredited UK Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications by HKIA. Those wishing to apply to HKIA to have their ARB-accredited qualifications mutually recognised should also hold a certificate from ARB confirming that their qualification or qualifications are in scope of the agreement.

Applicants holding ARB-accredited qualifications at bachelor’s and master’s level must be able to provide copies of both qualifications when requesting certification from ARB. Additional certification fees will be chargeable for any qualification requiring certification which is not provided at the time of application.

How to apply

Hong Kong to UK

Uk to Hong Kong

ARB & HKIA MoU FAQs

Hong Kong to UK

1 Confirm eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria on the HKIA website and contact HKIA to begin the certificate application process.

Who: Applicant | Queries: HKIA

2 Complete the HKIA certificate application form

Having checked that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can complete your HKIA certificate application form on the HKIA website.

There is a fee payable to HKIA for provision of a certificate. For more information, contact HKIA at joinhkia@hkia.org.hk

For details of the ARB fees that will apply to your application after you have completed all of the registration requirements, please see our fees page here.

Who: Applicant | Queries: HKIA

3 HKIA review and certificate preparation

HKIA will review your application and your qualifications, and will confirm whether you meet the relevant MoU requirements. HKIA will then issue you a certificate confirming that your qualification or qualifications are in scope.

Who: HKIA | Queries: HKIA

4 ARB confirmation

Having received your certificate, you must send it to ARB, along with your request for recognition of your qualification or qualifications.

ARB will reply with a letter confirming our recognition of your bachelor’s level and/or master’s level qualifications, along with more information about how you can progress your study and go on to apply to join the Register.

If you have had a HKIA-accredited bachelor’s level qualification recognised, you will need to complete a Part 2 and Part 3 qualification to apply to join the UK Register.

If you have had a HKIA-accredited bachelor’s level qualification and master’s level qualification recognised, you only need to complete an ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification to make an application to join the UK Register.

If you hold a UK Prescribed Part 3 qualification you are eligible to make an application to join the UK Register of Architects. You do not need to request a letter from ARB at this time, we will recognise your qualifications during the registration process. You can learn more about registering for the first time here.

Who: ARB | Queries: ARB

Download this as a PDF

UK to Hong Kong

1 Confirm eligibility

Review the list of ARB-accredited qualifications here to make sure your bachelor’s level qualification or bachelor’s level and master’s level qualifications are ARB accredited and thus in scope.

If you cannot find your qualification listed but still think it may be ARB-accredited, please contact us by email at info@arb.org.uk

Who: Applicant | Queries: ARB

2 Complete the ARB certificate application form

Having checked that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can complete your ARB certificate application form on the MyARB portal.

There is a fee of £80 payable to ARB for provision of a certificate.

Who: Applicant | Queries: ARB

3 ARB review and certificate preparation

ARB will review your application and your qualifications, and will confirm whether you meet the relevant MoU requirements. ARB will then issue you a certificate confirming that your qualifications are in scope.

Who: ARB | Queries: ARB

4 HKIA Confirmation

Having received your certificate, you must send it to HKIA, along with your request for recognition of your qualification or qualifications. HKIA will inform you of the next steps you need to take to progress your study or to go on to join the Hong Kong Register of Architects.

If you have had an ARB-accredited Part 1 qualification recognised only, you will need to complete a HKIA-accredited master’s level qualification and HKIA/ARBHK Professional Assessment (PA) to be eligible to make an application to join the Hong Kong Register.

If you have had ARB-accredited Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications recognised, you will only need to complete the PA to be eligible to make an application to join the Hong Kong Register.

Who: HKIA | Queries: HKIA

Download this as a PDF

ARB & HKIA MoU FAQs

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What is the relationship between the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board Hong Kong (ARB HK)?

HKIA and ARBHK are independent organisations, however the relationship between HKIA and ARBHK means that HKIA’s acceptance of a qualification will automatically lead to ARBHK also accepting that qualification for registration. Registration can only be secured once any additional requirements necessary for registration in Hong Kong have been satisfied.

I hold HKIA-accredited bachelor's and master’s level qualifications and have already completed and ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification, what do I need to do to register with ARB?

You are eligible to apply to join the Register of Architects by making an online application through our application portal at MyARB. You will need copies of your HKIA-accredited bachelor’s and master’s level qualifications together with HKIA’s certificate confirming your qualifications are within the scope of the MOU and a copy of your ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification. Your qualifications will be recognised during the process of application, you do not require prior approval from ARB in order to apply.

Will my ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification/Hong Kong Professional Assessment qualification be recognised under the MoU?

No. The MoU only operates at bachelor’s level and/or master’s level. This provides for graduate mobility, not professional mobility.

For example, you may use the MoU to work towards your HKIA-accredited Professional Assessment qualification, based on the recognition of your UK bachelor’s and/or master’s level qualifications. This will eventually allow you to register and practice architecture in Hong Kong provided you complete all other requirements necessary for registration in Hong Kong. However, if you then wished to practice in the UK, you would still need to obtain an ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification.

I have an overseas qualification which has been recognised by ARB or HKIA. Will this be recognised under the MoU?

No. The scope of the MoU does not include provisions to recognise ‘third country’ qualifications that have been deemed equivalent by ARB or HKIA.

How will I receive my MoU certificate?

Once your application form has been reviewed and accepted, your certificate will be emailed to the address you provide by either ARB or HKIA.

Does ARB accredit qualifications issued outside of the UK?

No. However, some UK providers deliver some elements of their ARB accredited qualifications from overseas locations. For example, the Advanced Diploma in Architectural Practice, which is run by the RIBA’s North West Region, includes a pathway which is delivered in Hong Kong. This qualification is accredited by ARB but does not fall within the scope of the MoU.

Where can I see the full text of the Memorandum of Understanding?

The full text of the MoU can be downloaded here.