Professional Practice in Architecture (Part 3) PGDip

Program Overview

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Professional Practice in Architecture (Part 3) PGDip

Overview

This is a distance learning course and is taken by students who have completed their Part 2 during a final 12-month period in industry (relevant experience required). It draws upon their experience gained during their time in practice as a vehicle for demonstrating that they have the necessary knowledge, skills, understanding, and behaviours required of a professional Architect.

Course Details

• Duration: 14 months (part-time)
• Start Date: September 2026
• UK Fees: To be confirmed
• International Fees: To be confirmed
• Entry Requirements: Part 1 and 2

Course Overview

The course runs from September-November each year and is structured into two defined parts, with part A (running September-May) focussing on delivery and assessment of academic inputs, and part B (running June-November) based in practice. During part B, candidates use a Case Study project to demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, behaviours and understanding across all criteria, supported by a critical reflection of their experience in practice and the wider profession.

Why Choose This Course?

• Top 100 in the world for architecture and built environment (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
• 1st in the Russell Group universities for ‘overall satisfaction’ in Architecture (The National Student Survey 2022)
• 8th in the UK for architecture (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

Modules

• Year one
  • Professional Studies
  • Professional Competencies
  • Professional Practice

Learning and Assessment

• How You Will Learn: Lectures, seminars, and independent observation, analysis, and reading.
• How You Will Be Assessed: Essays, assignments, case studies, presentations, reports, oral exam, and workplace-based assessment.

Entry Requirements

• Home / UK Students: Part 1 and 2, and experience of working in an approved practice.
• EU / International Students: Part 1 and 2, and experience of working in an approved practice. IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6 in any element).
• Alternative Qualifications: We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

Applying

• The programme, Professional Practice in Architecture K10G, is available to Part 2 graduates from any UK ARB/RIBA prescribed and validated school of architecture.
• Candidates who completed their Part 2 qualification at the University of Nottingham should apply for the MArch Conversion K109.

Fees

• Qualification: PGDip
• Home / UK: To be confirmed
• International: To be confirmed

Funding

• There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.
• We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Careers

• We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.
• Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.
• International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This is a distance learning course and is taken by students who have completed their Part 2 during a final 12-month period in industry (relevant experience required). It draws upon their experience gained during their time in practice as a vehicle for demonstrating that they have the necessary knowledge, skills, understanding, and behaviors required of a professional Architect. Taught content is delivered through a combination of in-person recall days, online lectures, workshops, and study group activities, and is structured around the Professional Criteria set out by the ARB (Architects Registration Board) in their Prescription of qualifications: ARB Criteria at Part 3. The course runs from September-November each year and is structured into two defined parts, with part A (running September-May) focussing on delivery and assessment of academic inputs, and part B (running June-November) based in practice. During part B, candidates use a Case Study project to demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, behaviors and understanding across all criteria, supported by a critical reflection of their experience in practice and the wider profession. The course programme is prescribed by ARB (Architects Registration Board), is validated by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and successful completion of the course allows exemption from the Part 3 entry requirements to the UK Architects Register (ARB) to enable the legal use of the title Architect. The programme aims to prepare students for entry to the UK Architects Register by providing them with the requisite knowledge, skills, understanding and behaviors required to demonstrate their competency within a professional context, using the five professional criteria, as set out by ARB as a framework. They will develop their ability to evaluate, communicate and reflect on how the required level of competency has been met and applied through their experience in practice, which is supported by a range of lectures and assessments, alongside study group sessions and tutorials.

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Outline:

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Modules

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Year one

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Professional Studies

This module contains the taught components of the Professional Studies Part 3 course structured around the Professional Criteria set out by the ARB (Architect’s Registration Board) in their Prescription of qualifications: ARB Criteria at Part 3. The module forms part of the overall professional studies programme which is validated by the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to meet and provide exemption from the entry requirements to the UK Register of Architects. Content covers professional practice from the macro to the micro level; the way political/social/economic changes affect the profession and practice, down to detail such as the use of contract administration forms and day-to-day job-running in the office. Combined with self-led/independent learning and activities within study groups, the taught components of the module aim to provide an overview of the following: Professionalism Clients, users and delivery of services Legal framework and processes Practice and management Building procurement The module will build on knowledge and understanding gained within the workplace and gives context and theory to experiences in practice.

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Professional Competencies

This module runs alongside the Professional Studies module and aims to locate and test knowledge and understanding to practical scenarios and practice context. Structured around the Professional Criteria set out by the ARB (Architect’s Registration Board) in their Prescription of qualifications: ARB Criteria at Part 3, the module forms part of the overall professional studies programme which is validated by the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to meet and provide exemption from the entry requirements to the UK Register of Architects. Based around the professional criteria outlined below, content covers professional practice and competency as set out by the ARB and RIBA. Using 'factional' and/or practice-based scenarios, the module aims to apply knowledge and understanding of the programme's taught components in a real-life context. Combined with self-led/independent learning and activities within study groups, the module will also investigate current competency requirements within the profession and allow students to demonstrate an awareness of the required knowledge, skills and behaviors as required of the profession. Professionalism Clients, users and delivery of services Legal framework and processes Practice and management Building procurement The module will build on knowledge, skills and behaviors gained within the workplace and gives context and theory to experiences in practice.

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Professional Practice

This module contains the practice-based components of the Professional Studies Part 3 course structured around the Professional Criteria set out by the ARB (Architect’s Registration Board) in their prescription of qualifications: ARB Criteria at Part 3. The focus of the module is the case study which uses a live design project as a vehicle for candidates to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, behaviors and understanding across the criteria. The module culminates in a viva with representatives from within the profession as well as independent academic staff. The module forms part of the overall professional studies programme which is validated by the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to meet and provide exemption from the entry requirements to the UK Register of Architects. Following on from the Professional Studies, and Professional Competency modules, this module allows students to apply their knowledge to the work they are undertaking in practice. Through critical analysis and reflection, with reference to RIBA work stages, students will indicate best practice, illustrate professional judgement and evidence the requisite knowledge, skills and behaviors required of a competent member of the architectural profession.

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Assessment:

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How you will be assessed

Essays Assignments Case studies Presentations Reports Oral exam Workplace-based assessment

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Teaching:

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How you will learn

Lectures Seminars Students are expected to augment the formal teaching sessions and readings with independent observation, analysis and reading.

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Careers:

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Careers advice

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students. Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers. Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

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Other:

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Top 100

and 5th in the UK for Architecture QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

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1st

in the Russell Group universities for ‘overall satisfaction’ in Architecture The National Student Survey 2022

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9th

in Architecture Times Good University Guide 2023

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UK fees: £2,600 International fees: £2,850