FAQ’s for students

Under rule 13 (b) of ARB’s General Rules you are eligible to apply for registration if in addition to the required prescribed qualifications (listed in Schedule 2 of the Rules) you have also:

‘..completed at least two years’ practical training experience working under the direct supervision of an architect registered in the EEA, 12 months of which must be undertaken in the UK under the direct supervision of a UK registered person. A minimum of 12 months of the prerequisite practical training experience must be undertaken after completion of a five year course of study and award of a qualification of the type described in sup-paragraph (a) of this Rule’

ARB sets out the general framework of practical experience required for registration purposes but you will find that schools and validating bodies (eg the RIBA) have more specific requirements for entry to courses and examination purposes. In the first instance you should discuss any queries with your professional studies adviser (PSA) who will be able to advise you about the suitability of a placement and whether it is likely to satisfy ARB’s and the schools own requirements, but the following FAQ’s might help to clarify some points.

1. Is there a typical pattern for training to become an architect in the UK?

There are a number of acceptable variations but the most straightforward route to qualification takes a minimum of seven years. A student would typically:
0. Take a three year first degree in architecture which is prescribed by ARB (often referred to as Part 1).
0. Followed by at least one year of practical experience
0. Then a further two years’ full time study (or part time equivalent) towards a prescribed diploma or second degree in architecture (often referred to as Part 2).
0. Followed by at least one further year’s practical experience
0. You would then take a prescribed professional practice exam (often referred to as Part 3).

2. Can I count experience gained elsewhere in Europe?

Yes – under the General Rules up to one year (12 months) may be spent working under the supervision of an architect registered in the European Economic Area ( EEA - this includes all countries in the EU plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein).

3. Does it matter which year is spent working in the UK?

No – ARB’s rules are flexible on this so either of the two years could be spent in the UK. However, if you are planning to study for your professional practice exam, you should check whether your school has any regulations covering this. You may also find it easier to prepare for your exam and to gain the required experience if you are working in the UK immediately prior to sitting the examination.

4. Does working in a country outside the EEA (eg USA, Australia, South Africa) on UK projects count asoverseas or UK experience?

If you are working under the supervision of a UK registered architect and you are working on UK projects, this will count as UK experience. You should check that your supervisor has maintained his/her registration while overseas.

5. How is ‘UK’ defined? Does it include the Channel Islands?

In line with the Interpretation Act 1978, ARB defines the UK as England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales but does not include territories like Gibraltar, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. Gibraltar is included within the member states of the EEA, however, and so up to one year’s experience in Gibraltar would count as ‘European’ experience provided you are supervised by an EEA registered architect. The Channel Islands and Isle of Man are not part of the EEA, so you would have to apply to the Registrar to use his/her discretion to include experience gained in these areas (see below for more information).

6. Can I count the two years I spent working in an architect’s office before I went to university towards my practical experience?

ARB’s rules are flexible about the timing of your first year’s experience so up to one year gained before starting your course could be included. You would then need at least one year’s experience gained after your Part 2. It will, however, be for your school to decide whether the experience is acceptable to them for the purposes of the professional practice exam and you are advised to discuss this with your PSA.

7. I want to go straight from Part 1 to Part 2 and then work for two years before taking my Part 3, is that acceptable to ARB?

Yes – this would be acceptable under ARB’s rules. Many schools, however, prefer students to have somepractical experience before starting their Part 2 qualification and you would need to check this with your PSA.

8. Does time spent working in the summer holidays count?

ARB does not set minimum limits but normally schools and validating bodies like the RIBA will not accept periods of less than three months and ARB would normally respect this. You are advised to discuss this with your PSA.

9. If I have to do 12 months’ experience after my Part 2 qualification – when does the timing start?

You can count the time from the date your qualification is conferred. This date will usually appear on your certificate but if it isn’t clear, your school should be able to provide this information. If you have a qualification that is not recognised by ARB and have taken the prescribed examination, the relevant date would be the date your original qualification was conferred (and not the date of the ARB examination).

10. If my employer can’t provide the breadth of experience I need, can I work under the supervision of another professional, like a structural engineer?

Work with another professional may be acceptable provided you remain under the direct supervision of a UK registered architect. If this is not the case – it is possible for the Registrar to use discretion in certain circumstances including variations to the supervising person (see below for more information).

11. Do I submit my log book or PEDR to ARB with my application for registration?

No – ARB does not look in detail at the work you have been doing. Your professional practice examiner will assess the content and quality of your experience as part of the assessment for your professional practice (Part 3) exam. (ARB ensures that the school does this to a standard that meets its criteria as part of its prescription process).

12. Do I have to record my practical experience in a particular format?

No – ARB rules don’t specify a format but your school or PSA may ask you to use their own recording system or the RIBA PEDR for example. You should check this with your PSA.

13. I didn’t complete a record of my first year of practical experience at the time, can I do this now?

ARB rules would permit this, however, you should speak to your PSA because they would have to be satisfied that the experience is genuine and of the required quality in order for it to be approved and assessed for your professional practice exam.

14. If I am self employed and working on my own, can my ‘supervisor’ be a registered architect from another practice?

The supervising architect must have direct knowledge of your work and take responsibility for it, as this is unlikely to be possible where the supervisor is working for another practice this would not be acceptable to ARB.

Use of Discretion

The practical training requirement set out in rule 13(b) can be varied by the Board in relation to the supervising person under guidelines published by the Board. The guidelines provide for the Registrar to use his or her discretion in certain circumstances – these include experience outside the EEA and where the supervisor is not an EEA registered architect.

1. I have been offered a job outside the EEA, will this count towards my two years’ practical experience?

Up to one year’s experience outside the EEA may be approved as long as the principal of the practice is willing to accept the responsibilities of an employment mentor. It would be helpful if your supervisor is an architect registered in that country or a member of an appropriate professional body.

2. I spent a year working in a large multi-disciplinary practice, under the supervision of a civil engineer, is that OK?

The Registrar may use his discretion to approve experience where you are supervised by another professional or member of the building team provided that the work you have been doing is related to architecture.

3. When should I contact ARB about approving experience that doesn’t fall within the usual rules?

You could either write to us before you finalise your plans to get an ‘in principle’ approval of what you are thinking of doing or after you have completed the placement. Obviously final approval can’t be given until the end of your period of training and we know exactly what you have been doing but it might be useful for you to know in advance whether it is likely to be approved.

4. What sort of information do I need to send to the Register if I want him or her to consider experience gained outside the EEA?

Your application should include:
0. if you have completed the placement, original references to confirm the exact periods of employment
0. information about the practice (eg the size, number of staff employed, turnover) in the form of an original letter on headed paper from a principal or director of the practice (if an ARB –registered architect is employed this would also be acceptable)
0. whether the supervising architect is registered and if so, where
0. you should say where the experience fits within the education you have competed so far at Part 1 and/or Part 2 and whether this is your first or second year
0. information about the type of work you have done - If appropriate, it could be broken down by the stages and responsibilities used in a practical training logbook or PEDR

5. Do I need to send a log book or PEDR record?

No – ARB does not look in detail at the work you have been doing. In using his or her discretion the Registrar is concerned about who has been supervising your placement and the general nature and quality of the experience. Your professional practice examiner will look at the detailed content and quality as part of the assessment for your professional practice (Part 3) exam. (ARB ensures that the school does this to a standard that meets its criteria as part of its prescription process).

6. How long will it take to get a response?

It should take no longer than 6-8 weeks, although you would usually get an answer more quickly than this.

7. What happens if the Registrar recognises my practical experience but the PSA at my school says it doesn’t satisfy the school’s requirements?

The Registrar’s decision relates only to ARB’s requirements for registration purposes – this does not bind the school which is entitled to set its own entry requirements and make decisions about the acceptability of practical experience for examination purposes. The Board cannot compel the school to uphold its decision and the school has the final say in these situations.
If having spoken to your PSA and looked at the questions and answers above, you are still unsure of the acceptability of your experience or the steps you should take next, please contact us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.arb.org.uk/news/information-leaflets/practical-experience-guidelines.shtml