Program Overview

Introduction to the Architect Degree Apprenticeship

The Architect Degree Apprenticeship is a comprehensive program designed for professionals aiming to achieve postgraduate qualifications equivalent to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) / Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Parts 2 and 3. This apprenticeship allows individuals to continue gaining relevant experience in practice while pursuing their academic goals.

About the Course

This program is suitable for RIBA Part 1 qualified architectural assistants looking to obtain their RIBA Parts 2 and 3 qualifications, as well as those whose employers have undertaken to support them as apprentices over the four years required to complete the Degree Apprenticeship course.

Why Choose a Degree Apprenticeship at NTU?

• Through new government funding, your employer will be responsible for apprenticeship course fees, meaning that you will not pay University tuition fees.
• As well as gaining a degree, you'll also benefit from on-the-job training, provided by your employer, opening up early opportunities for career development and progression.
• You'll have the added advantage of years of relevant work experience, while making industry connections along the way, which could enhance your future employability and boost your career progression.

Course Details

The course has been prescribed by the ARB. Following completion of the programme, which will be subject to periodic review by the ARB, apprentices will be eligible to apply to join the ARB Register and then may be permitted to designate themselves as 'architects' – a legally protected title available only to those named on that register.

Course Structure

During their first three years of the programme, students will study for an MArch Architecture in Practice degree award, which provides a Part 2 qualification. Year four will then be spent undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice course, which represents a Part 3 qualification, giving you eligibility to register as an architect in the UK.

Modules

The modules are designed to equip students with a wide range of knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in architecture. These include:

• Architectural Technology and Construction Methods
• Vertical Studio 1
• Intervening in the City
• Architectural Theory and Research Methods
• Management, Practice and Law
• Dissertation/Research Project
• Research Implementation
• Vertical Studio II
• Design Thesis
• RIBA Part 3 Exam 1: Practice Management
• RIBA Part 3 Exam 2: Project Management
• Record of Practical Experience (RPE) sheets
• Case Study: Design Challenge Report
• Professional Interview: Career Appraisal

Assessment

Assessment methods vary by module but throughout the programme you'll be assessed through a range of coursework and exams. Coursework includes a mixture of design projects and written work. Year four begins with two exam-based modules (30 credits each), followed by the 60-credit EPA in which Professional Examiners will interview you in respect of your portfolio contents and Career Appraisal, Record Sheets, and Case Study.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this course, you must:

• Be 21 or under on 31 July 2026
• Be a UK resident or have the right to work in the UK
• Have a job or a job offer from an employer who will support you to complete your apprenticeship
• Spend at least 50% of your working week in England over the duration of the apprenticeship
• Have achieved a good qualification equivalent to a RIBA Part 1 accredited course (for example, a BArch award with minimum 2.2 Honours)
• Have secured employment in an Architectural Practice and have secured your employer's agreement to support you through the degree apprenticeship course

Fees and Funding

Your employer will pay your tuition fees. For more information on fees and funding, please refer to the university's website.

Careers and Employability

NTU is ranked Top 5 in the UK for the number of Architecture graduates in graduate-level jobs, further HE or professional study within 15 months of graduating. Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice.

Campus and Facilities

As an architecture student at NTU, you'll have access to dedicated design studios equipped with a range of facilities, including computers, display screens, visualisation and projection equipment, pinboards, A3 printer, A2 scanner, A1 plotter, infinity curve with photography lamps. You'll also have access to our model-making workshop equipped with power- and hand-tools, bandsaws, sanders, a heliodon and spray booths, with full-time technical assistance available.