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What qualifications do I need to have to become an architect?
Currently, you need to hold Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications that we have accredited, in addition to completing the minimum two years’ professional experience.
Under the new system, you will need to hold an ARB-accredited master’s-level qualification and an accredited practice qualification (or an accredited combined qualification) that show you have met the necessary Competency Outcomes (the threshold competencies that we expect of all architects on the Register) and have the practice experience required to join the Register of Architects and become an architect.
I’m doing my A-Levels and I want to have a career as an architect. How do the reforms affect me?
Under the new system we will no longer accredit undergraduate degrees, and we won’t require you to have an undergraduate degree in architecture to become an architect. However, most people considering a career as an architect at A-Level will choose to begin their journey to registration through an undergraduate degree, and we expect this to continue even as we move to the new system. ARB expects that an undergraduate degree in architecture (or a related subject) will continue to be a requirement for entry to the qualifications needed to become an architect.
I’m going to start my Part 2 this year. How does this affect me?
Our changes won’t affect your Part 2. Depending on when you wish to progress your journey to the Register after graduating, you will need to apply for either a Part 3 or a practice qualification (which will replace Part 3 from 2028 onwards).
The new practice qualification will replace the Part 3 as soon as they are developed by the schools. In some cases, they may be available before 2028 depending on how quickly they can be developed.
I’m currently eligible for £9,250 per year in tuition loans for Part 1 and Part 2. Will this change under the reforms?
No. The UK Government are introducing the Lifelong Learning Entitlement which will replace the current tuition loan system. The key change is that instead of £9,250 being paid out each year to students, the same amount will be paid out on a per-module basis.
Students studying an undergraduate degree in architecture who then study an accredited master’s-level qualification in architecture will still be eligible for the same amount under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement; the fact that we won’t be accrediting undergraduate degrees under the new system doesn’t affect this.
The UK Government will release more information on how and when the changes will come in due course.
I hold an undergraduate degree that isn’t in architecture, but I hope to become an architect in the future. What routes are available for me to join the Register and become an architect?
Under our new system you won’t need an accredited undergraduate qualification in architecture to join the Register. From 2028 onwards you will need an ARB-accredited master’s-level qualification and a practice qualification, which will replace the Part 2 and Part 3, respectively. You will also need to demonstrate that you’ve completed at least two year’s professional experience. We expect that Part 2 and Part 3 will be fully phased out from the end of 2028 onwards. It will be at the discretion of individual universities and learning providers to decide what the entry requirements are for the courses they run, including what undergraduate degrees they seek for master’s-level courses.
When does the new system come into effect?
The new system will be phased in and it is expected that new master’s-level qualifications, practice qualifications and combined qualifications will start to be offered in the second half of 2026. Accreditation of Part 1 qualifications is expected to cease from December 2027 onwards, and accreditation of Part 2 and Part 3 will cease from December 2028. Universities and learning providers will be free to continue to deliver what will by then be old-style Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications after that time, but they will be unaccredited.
Will I still need to complete the mandatory period of practical experience under the new system?
Yes – you will still need to demonstrate you’ve completed at least two years of practice experience. An independent Professional Practical Experience Commission is currently reviewing these rules and will be recommending changes to us, so we expect to make changes from 2025 onwards. We will publish information about any changes once they have been confirmed, and until that time the current practical training requirements and rules remain in place.
I will graduate from a Part 1 degree prior to December 2027. Can I start a new master’s-level qualification?
Yes, but entry to an accredited master’s-level qualification is at the discretion of the learning provider.
I have a Part 1 and my Part 2 will finish by December 2027. Can I start a new practice qualification?
Yes, but entry to an accredited practice qualification is at the discretion of the learning provider delivering that qualification.
What is happening to the Prescribed Exam process? If you will no longer require a Part 1, do I have to take that exam in order to join the Register?
The Prescribed Exam process will be changed to align with the new rules. Instead of a Part 1 and a Part 2 exam there will be a single exam. This will allow those without an accredited master’s–level qualification in architecture to demonstrate that they have met the Academic Outcomes. You will still require a practice qualification to join the Register.
Can I join the Register with experience only, gained in the UK or abroad?
You cannot access the Register with experience only; you will need to hold appropriate qualifications that we have accredited. If you hold qualifications as an architect in countries that have a mutual recognition agreement with ARB you will be able to apply for mutual recognition with us so you can practice as an architect in the UK.
I took my Part 3 more than 2 years ago. How do I join the Register?
Our rules require that you complete your Part 3 up to two years in advance of joining the Register. If you completed your Part 3 more than two years ago, you don’t need to repeat it; instead, you can apply to join the Register via the Competency Standards Group (CSG) Process.
Can I complete a practice qualification before completing a master’s-level qualification?
No. The Academic Outcomes must be achieved (in a master’s-level qualification) before the Practice Outcomes (in a practice qualification). Therefore, an accredited master’s-level or equivalent qualification will be a requirement for entry to a practice qualification. Alternatively, you may choose to participate in a combined qualification that covers both the academic and practice outcomes.
I’m planning to do a level 7 architect apprenticeship. How do the changes affect me?
The changes won’t impact apprenticeships. Whether you complete an architect apprenticeship now or under the new system, it won’t affect your eligibility to join the Register and become an architect.
In which countries of the UK will these reforms take effect?
ARB is the regulator for the architect’s profession for the whole of the UK, and these reforms will take effect in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Glossary
Academic Outcomes |
The knowledge, skills and behaviours developed during a master’s-level qualification and that an individual must be able to demonstrate in order to graduate and receive the award. |
Accreditation Handbook |
The area of ARB’s website that gives information for providers about requirements and processes for the accreditation of UK architecture qualifications. |
Awarding body |
The institution – usually a university or other higher education institution – with degree awarding powers that confers the qualifications of a learning provider that does not have degree awarding powers. |
Combined qualification |
A qualification that encompasses both the Academic Outcomes and the Practice Outcomes in a single qualification. |
Competency Outcomes for Architects (the Outcomes) |
The threshold competencies – knowledge, skills and behaviours – required for entry to the profession. There are 44 outcomes across five competency areas that individuals must achieve through ARB-accredited qualifications to be eligible for registration as an architect. Some of the outcomes (the Academic Outcomes) are achieved in a master’s-level qualification, and some of the outcomes (the Practice Outcomes) are achieved in a practice qualification. All of the Outcomes are achieved in a combined qualification. |
FHEQ |
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. |
Integrated master’s-level qualification |
See master’s-level qualification below. |
Learning provider (provider) |
The organisation or institution responsible for delivering a qualification. May also be referred to as the ‘delivering’/’delivery provider’ or ‘applicant provider’ where there is a different awarding body that confers the provider’s qualifications. |
Master’s-level qualification |
In the context of our work, this is a qualification to FHEQ Level 7/SCQF Level 11 that encompasses the Academic Outcomes (see above and also Competency Outcomes). Includes integrated master’s-level qualifications, which combine bachelor’s degree-level (FHEQ Level 6 or below/SCQF Level 10 or below) and master’s-level study in a single qualification. |
The practice experience required for registration as an architect in the UK, in addition to the necessary ARB accredited qualifications. An individual must have recently completed a minimum of 24 months’ practical experience under the direct supervision of a professional working in the construction industry which should include at least 12 months working in a relevant European territory, under the direct supervision of an architect. These requirements must be fulfilled by the end of the practice qualification. Much of the experience is typically gained during a period (12-18 months) between the qualifications and completed while also undertaking the practice qualification. See the practical training requirements page for details. |
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Practice Outcomes |
The knowledge, skills and behaviours developed during a practice qualification and that an individual must be able to demonstrate in order to graduate and receive the award. |
Practice qualification |
A qualification that encompasses the Practice Outcomes and that must be taken after completing a master’s-level qualification (see above). An individual must achieve master’s-level and practice qualifications – both accredited by ARB – and fulfil the practical training requirements to be eligible for registration as an architect in the UK. |
SCQF |
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. |
Standards for Learning Providers (the Standards) |
The Standards that must be met by a provider in order for a qualification to be accredited. There are six Standards, each underpinned by a number of measures. Individual measures are also referred to as ‘Standard X.X’ (e.g. ‘Standard 1.1’ is the same as measure 1.1). |