Part 2 and Part 3 are being abolished by the ARB. The new course is based on their new Academic Outcomes, which are the equivalent to the Part 2 and the taught sessions of the Part 3. A graduate of the course who wishes to become an architect will then need to achieve the ARB’s Practice Outcomes through employment experience. Because the course content is almost identical to the apprenticeship, we understand that it is currently validated by the RIBA until at least 2029.
The number of credits is 180.
The course structure is identical to that of the apprenticeship but without the Part 3 element, so it will be a block-taught part-time course with three fortnight-long residential sessions a year for each of three years.
The course does not include the ARB’s Practice Outcomes. This is a separate course to be offered by the and can be sat separately at the end for those wishing to register as architects in the UK. As this is a part-time course, students have time to work outside the course to gain practical experience. If they can find an employer and get the right range of experience they could complete the Practice Outcomes during the three years of the course, but that would depend on the employer and the experience they gained. It is thus theoretically possible to qualify immediately after the completeion of this course.
An applicant will need to have a bachelor’s degree in Architecture or in a comparable course such as engineering or design, not necessarily from a British university. They will be asked to submit a portfolio of work which can include both university and practice projects.
While it is advantageous to combine this course with work experience, there is no requirement to do so. An applicant who wishes eventually to complete the ARB’s Practice Outcomes and register as an architect in the UK is advised to find an employer for the duration of the course where there is at least one UK registered architect who can act as mentor.