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UK Adaptation Assessment (UKAA)

Information about the UK Adaptation Assessment for international architects

Purpose and scope

The UK Adaptation Assessment (UKAA) has been put in place to make sure those qualifying through mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) understand what is necessary for safe and effective practice in the UK. If you have applied for ARB registration through one of ARB’s MRAs, you will need to pass the UKAA before we are able to confirm that you are eligible to join the UK Register of Architects and use the title ‘architect’ in the UK.

The UKAA is open only to individuals who are within the scope of a registration-level MRA, i.e., ARB’s MRA with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the USA, and its MRA with the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB). Having qualified as an architect and being certified by one of ARB’s MRA partner organisations, individuals will need to undertake the UKAA before joining the UK Register of Architects.

Relocating to the UK

Before you make your application, we advise that you check with the UK Visas and Immigration to determine whether you are required to secure a visa, work permit or other permission, if relocation to the UK is your objective. We are unable to provide any advice on this process as the UK Visas and Immigration is the responsible authority.
Please see the UK Visas and Immigration website for more information about relocating to the UK.

1

Confirm eligibility

Contact the relevant MRA partner organisation from whom you hold your certificate or license. They will be able to advise on whether your qualifications and professional status fall within the scope of the MRA. ARB will not be able to provide advice to you on your eligibility.

If our MRA partner organisation confirms you are eligible, you will need to obtain a certificate or statement from them to confirm you are within the scope of the MRA. You may be required to pay a fee for this document. Our MRA partner organisation will issue a certificate or statement confirming your eligibility directly to us. We will then confirm by email that we have received your certificate or statement and that you are eligible to take forward your application for the UK Adaptation Assessment and provide you with an application reference number and application form.

If our MRA partner confirms that you do not fall within the scope of the relevant MRA, their decision on this point is final and we will not be able to take an application forward. Please see this webpage for information on our alternative route for those holding unrecognised qualifications.

2

Applying for the UKAA

Please note that you must have been issued a valid MRA certificate from an MRA partner organisation and have had your eligibility confirmed as set out in step 1 above before applying for the UKAA.

To apply for the UKAA, you will need to return your completed application form to us, together with a completed Reflective Career Summary. A template for your Reflective Career Summary is available to download here. The template includes guidance about the information you should include and the format in which it should be provided, including the permitted number of words.

We have also put together a list of resources to assist you in preparing for your UKAA, which may be downloaded here. This will also enable you to identify where further reading or research might be helpful prior to you making an application. Once your application has been checked, we will issue you with a short, written scenario, describing a situation that could arise during UK practice, together with five related questions. These will facilitate our assessment of your knowledge and understanding of the UK context for practice. A scenario and associated questions will normally be issued within three weeks of receipt of your application. You must respond to these in writing and return the responses to us before the next steps in your application may be undertaken. It is therefore important that you have reviewed our list of resources and undertaken any additional learning and preparation that you judge necessary prior to this time, so as not to delay your application.

For an example of a UKAA scenario, along with the associated questions and guidance on responding to these, please see here.

After you’ve submitted your written responses, we will contact you with the earliest available date for your professional interview. This will usually take place online, via a video conferencing link we provide. Once the date has been confirmed you will not be able to update any of your application documents. If the earliest date is not suitable you will be able to rearrange. This must be done within seven working days.
Your application and responses to the scenario-based questions will then be issued to the application assessors and independent assessor at least two weeks prior to the day of your Professional Interview, so that they have time to take account of the information provided.

If English is not your first language, you may be required to provide an IELTS certificate with a band score of 7.0 or above. Please email info@arb.org.uk for guidance, or with any other questions you may have.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you when making your application, please contact us using the most suitable means of communication from the details set out here.

 

3

The Professional Interview

On the day of the Professional Interview, you will need to use the video conferencing link provided, to join the assessors. The interview will generally be for a period of up to 60 minutes.

Please join the video conference five minutes before the interview is due to begin, so that document checks can be undertaken.

You will need to have your passport or another acceptable form of identity to hand. Staff facilitating the Professional Interview will introduce you to the two assessors and the independent assessor shortly before the interview will take place. The assessors and the independent assessor are drawn from ARB’s pool of Associates and are trained experts who have been appointed to carry out the assessments. 

The assessors will introduce themselves to you and briefly explain their roles, as well as the purpose of the Professional Interview. You will have an opportunity to introduce yourself and outline recent experience, and to ask any questions that you may have before the interview begins.

The assessors will have decided on the questions they need to ask you in advance of the Professional Interview. These will be informed by your responses to the scenario-based questions, as well as the projects outlined in your Reflective Career Summary. Your responses to these questions, and any further clarifications that may be required, will form the basis of the assessors’ decision as to whether you have met the UK Adaptation Assessment Criteria.

4

Following the Professional Interview

After the Professional Interview, our assessors will take time to discuss and record their decision. You will generally be notified of the result within three weeks.

If your responses have met the UK Adaptation Assessment Criteria, the assessors will inform the Registrar that you are eligible to apply to join the Register. You will also be given details of how to apply, as you will need to pay the annual retention fee at that time.

If your responses did not satisfy the UKAA Criteria, the assessors will notify the Registrar accordingly. We will confirm this result by email and provide a copy of the assessment record, which will include feedback that you will be able to use to inform your preparation for a further application, should you wish to make one. Further applications will be chargeable at the full UK Adaptation Assessment fee.
In the event that the assessors were unable to agree a decision, you will be required to re-apply, which may be undertaken at any time following notification of that outcome. In such instances you will not ordinarily be required to pay an additional fee, but this will be at the discretion of the Registrar.

FAQs

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When can I sit the UK Adaptation Assessment?

The assessments normally take place during the last week of every month, and assessments are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long will my MRA certificate be valid for?

These certificates are valid for no more than 12 months from the date of issue. It is important that you do not apply to our MRA partner organisation until you are ready to apply to sit the UK Adaptation Assessment (UKAA). If your certificate expires before your UKAA application is received, you may be required to obtain an updated certificate.

How much does the UK Adaptation Assessment cost, when do I pay and how do I pay?

The fee for the UK Adaption Assessment (UKAA) is £2950. We will contact you after your completed application form has been received, using a telephone number you provide, to take payment for the UKAA. You will need to have a valid credit/debit card to hand to make payment.

Once I have passed the UK Adaptation Assessment, how much is the registration fee?

The fee varies according to the time of year in which an application is made. Please see our fees page for more information.  

Can I re-apply if I’m unsuccessful in my application?

Yes. If you are unsuccessful following the Professional Interview, you may apply to be re-assessed.  You must wait six months following receipt of the notification that you were unsuccessful before re-applying. You may only apply for re-assessment twice following an initial unsuccessful application. The Registrar may vary the maximum number of attempts permitted if, following receipt of evidence, they are satisfied that there has been a material improvement in an applicant’s competence.

How long will my Professional Interview take?

The interview should take no more than 60 minutes, but may be extended at the discretion of the assessors.

Who will my assessors be?

Your assessors will be architects drawn from ARB’s pool of Associates who have relevant expertise in conducting criteria-based assessments. Your assessment will be undertaken by two assessors, who will make a decision as to whether you meet the relevant criteria.  An independent assessor will also be present to ensure that the assessment process is run in accordance with ARB’s procedures.

Where can I see more information to assist me in preparing for my UK Adaptation Assessment?

Please see our list of candidate resources here. This list is indicative and other resources will be available elsewhere. For example, many UK architects maintain practice libraries that will include suitable material.

What does ARB accept as evidence of identity?

You will need the following: 

  • a passport, or 
  • a national identity card or biometric residence permit, or UK certificate of naturalisation, or birth/adoption certificate or UK Driving Licence. 

Is ARB able to assist with requirements relating to visas and work permits etc.?

We are unable to provide advice on these matters. Please see the UK Government’s information resource here.