Traditional journey to qualifying as an Architect in the UK

If you are looking for more information on how to qualify as an RIBA accredited Architect UK, you’re in the right place.

Below I will explain the steps following the 'traditional' approach to qualifying as an Architect. Talking from personal experience as this is the route I am on! I am currently enrolled on a Part 3 course and working as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant learning as much as I can in and out of the office in preparation for the 'final' stage of my architectural education. ⁠

It's been a long road but I am definitely learning to enjoy the journey and the process of learning more and more about the career I chose nearly 10 years ago (luckily it's still want I want to do!) ⁠

Follow along on Instagram and on YouTube for more on my journey to qualification!⁠

Before Uni

GCSEs

For anyone not from the UK or if you just aren’t aware, GCSE’s are qualifications normally taken between the ages of 14 and 16. You can take a variety of subjects but the main subjects to ensure you pass to move on are Maths and English.

GCSE’s are helpful qualifications to get into your chosen school or college but they become a lot less important after you have your A-Levels (providing you have passed Maths and English)

A-Levels

A-Levels are similar to GCSE’s in that you can choose from a variety of subjects but they are taught in much more detail and really, are what universities look at in applications. From my experience and research architecture courses at universities look for a combination of maths, science and art. For reference, I took Maths, Physics, Art and Design and Economics.

The A-Levels you choose and the grades you get will have a direct impact on the university you can anc choose to go to so choose wisely. If you are hoping to qualify as an Architect ensure the course is RIBA accredited to start but also look at the course itself to see what you’ll learn, how and where you’ll learn it. As a baseline as well, make sure youre happy and comfortable in the new city or campus! A key part that students forget!

RIBA Accredited Architecture Course List

University - Part 1

Once you have chosen your university and course, applied and got your grades you’ll start your Architecture degree. Bare in mind there are variations, it could be Architecture and Design, Architecture and the Environment – just as I mentioned, make sure they are RIBA accredited.

Whatever degree you start the course will usually be 3 years or possibly 4 if your course includes a placement year (an important factor to consider when you are making your choices). The course will normally cover 4 main modules, covered in varying complexities depending on your year of study.

Architectural Communication (or similar) is where you will learn how to communicate your ideas like an architectural designer. How to read and draw different types of drawings, what to include on a drawing sheet so that your drawing can be understood etc etc.

Architectural Context (or similar) is all mainly about the history of architecture where you will learn about different architectural styles, the importance of site and context and how to research and present an argument in essay form discussing an idea or question.

Architectural Technology (or similar) is focused on how buildings are constructed, what materials to use, how to be more sustainable, how to reduce fire risks – it’s a key element of your architectural education to ensure that you design a building that can actually be built rather than a buidling that would need so much input from an engineer for example, that it barely resembles your design.

Architecture Studio (or similar) is the biggest module, This is where you learn how to design and present your work using the previous 3 modules. You’ll be taken through site analysis, concept design, design development and the presentation of your final designs which you will then present to a panel in a ‘crit’ or ‘review’.

Basically, in Part 1 you will learn the basics, especially considering this will most likely be your first exposure to architecture. Of course projects will get more complex as your progress through the year but it should be a natural progression.

Part 1 Placement

After you have graduated from your Bachelors of Architecture Degree you will be able to look and hopefully find a Part 1 Architectural Assistant job.

These are usually 12 month placements before you go back to university for your Masters in Architecture degree e.g Part 2.

In the office you'll be assisting Part 2 Architectural Assistants, Architects, Associates or Principals. It really depends on how big the firm is, in big firms you might do small jobs for Architects, but in a smaller firm you could be doing big jobs for the Principal Architect or Director.

Jobs and tasks you may be asked to do might include feasibility studies which is basically an exercise to see if the project is possible based on the site, client, use etc, you might/should also get the chance to do some design work on real projects – usually in the development stage – whatever you do you will be supervised and it is very unlikely that you will be asked to run a project.

During this placement you should also be filling in your PEDR - Personal Experience and Development Record. This is basically just a record and reflection of what you do in practice. This will eventually contribute to your Part 3 course!

Just a tip as well, you can do this placement anywhere so consider an international job! I personally went to NYC for 12 months for my placement!

University - Part 2

After 12 months, or when you feel ready it’s time for your Masters of Architecture course – Part 2. You can choose the same uni, or a different one depending on what you want to get out of the university experience, where you want to live etc.

The course is usually 2 years, expectations are lot higher and there will be more complex design work and more research. Good universities at this stage will start to introduce practice management and projects that focus on working in practice.

Part 2 Placement

After your graduation from your Masters in Architecture, you are qualified to apply and start a job as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant. At this point you can actually start your Part 3 course but more on that later.

As a Part 2 Architectural Assistant, again there will be more expectation based on the assumption that you have already been in practice for a year and will have learnt how to conduct yourself in the office and how it works to an extent. In a lot of practices you will be doing similar tasks/jobs as a Part 1 but a good practice will be teaching you and supporting you on how to run a project like an Architect. This might include various responisbilties as sending out emails on behalf of the firm or attending meetings and being expected to partcipcate more – this will all prepare you for the final stage.

Again your PEDR sheets need to be completed during this placement and these are considered a lot more important by examiners at Part 3 level.

Part 3

The last part - the part that I am starting again this year! If you’re curious as to why I’m restarting - check out the video below!

For your part 3 course you can choose a university you have been to before or you can go to a new university. I personally did my Bachelors and Masters at the same university but then moved to a different university as my previous university did not offer the course.

This is quite common so do your research! Different Part 3 courses have requirements, different assignments, exams – you need to find a course that fits you best.

For example, my course has 4 assignments to work on throughout the year that should prepare me for the final hand in/finish to the course which consists of: