The RIBA Certificate in Architecture (Part 1) is for students working in practice who are looking for an affordable and flexible route towards qualification as an Architect. Unlike any studio and lecture based programme in architecture, students work towards Part 1 qualification whilst working full-time in practice, under the direct supervision of an architect. This course allows students to continue earning a salary whilst studying towards gaining registration as an Architect.
RIBA Certificate
Part 1
Work towards Part 1 qualification whilst working full-time in practice.
We regularly hold live webinars to explain more about the RIBA Studio programme. The webinars provide an opportunity to meet the RIBA Studio team and ask any questions you may have about studying on our courses. The programme includes:
- RIBA Foundation in Architecture
- RIBA Certificate in Architecture (Part 1)
- RIBA Diploma in Architecture (Part 2).
Register now for one of our 2025 webinars.
This is a truly unique programme and the original route to registration in the UK for students working full time (24+ hours/week in practice) living and working anywhere within the EEA / UK. The course brings together the value of practice-based learning and academic learning. Supported by an office mentor in practice, and in conjunction with a self-chosen personal tutor (subject to approval), students investigate chosen themes and curate design briefs in academia which have a direct influence on their capabilities in practice. The course is accredited by the ARB and validated by the RIBA and recognised across the EU.
This is an affordable and flexible route into the profession. Contact with the RIBA Studio team, coursework submissions and examinations all take place online, meaning proximity to Oxford Brookes is not an obstacle to studying on this course.
Upon graduating from the course, students will be eligible to apply for a Part 2 qualification such as the RIBA Diploma in Architecture. Students who qualify to Diploma through this route are then eligible to take the UK Part 3 which leads to:
- full chartered membership of the RIBA
- recognition by the Architects' Registration Board (ARB) for UK architects' registration.
All applicants must be working at least 24 hours per week in a suitable architectural practice within the UK, EU or EEA and be directly supervised by a registered Architect (this is the office mentor). Although the practice itself does not need to be RIBA Chartered, the office mentor must be registered as an Architect in the country where the student is working. Students must be employed in the same practice as the office mentor.
An applicant is eligible to apply to join the course if they meet the following academic qualifications:
- 3 O-level/GCSE passes including English Language and Mathematics
- 2 A-level passes or equivalent qualifications, eg. HNC, T-levels
or - RIBA Foundation in Architecture at Merit level or above.
The annual course fees for 2026-27 RIBA Certificate will be £3,650 (there is a £260 commitment fee for course materials and to join the applicant events).
Annual fees will be subject to a 5% increase each year.
The RIBA Studio is a unique system of practice-based study, in which formally assessed academic work is supported by learning through experience in the student's place of employment, with the academic syllabus sequence mirroring the development and realisation of design projects in architectural practice.
Students will:
- develop their awareness of architectural precedent, in particular through reference to contemporary projects and emergent ideas
- learn how to evaluate design projects including their own, being more aware of their individual position in the sphere of architecture.
There is an emphasis on expanding the methods of developing, testing and presenting ideas, placing high value on the iterative design process.
There are 5 subjects covered across each course, 4 of which require the digital submission of coursework including technology, cultural context, professional studies and dissertation.
The design subject work is assessed in person through design examinations.
There are no lectures or seminars, but there are a number of workshops supporting the development of specific submissions. The syllabus contains a series of reading lists to guide on the important preliminary resources. The work is developed in conjunction with a personal tutor through tutorials that take place very regularly and on a one-to-one basis.
We will be accepting Eligibility Forms starting 2 April 2025. We will notify those registered to join a live webinar when we start accepting applications. Interviews will take place in September.
The application process consists of 3 stages:
Stage 1: Submit the Eligibility Form
Complete the Stage 1 Eligibility Form.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their Eligibility Form as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the pre-course online workshop sessions.
If you wish to be notified when our application window is open, you can complete a form to be added to our mailing list.
Stage 2: Full application and supporting documents
Subject to meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants will be provided with the information needed to complete the Stage 2 application.
This stage of the application process is the completion and return of a full Application Form and supporting documents including:
- a personal statement of 200-300 words explaining applicant's suitability for office-based study, and the reasons for choosing to apply
- digital copies of all previous academic qualifications
- an extract of the applicant's personal portfolio
- examples of current work in practice that demonstrates the applicant's contribution to project work and current level of experience
- written studies and reports: for example essays, or a dissertation, written as part of previous coursework, or practice-related planning reports for which the applicant had sole responsibility
- an academic and a professional reference.
Applicants will also be invited to attend an online session, which aims to offer more guidance on completing this stage of the application process.
Stage 2 applications are due approximately 5 weeks following receipt of the Stage 1 Eligibility Form.
Stage 3: The interview day
Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an online interview day which includes a private interview with each applicant; this should be regarded as having the status of an entrance examination.
Applicants invited to interview will be required to have the information and documents outlined on the Stage 2 Application Form available for discussion.
The ARB is the registration body from Level 7 onwards (which is Part 2 and 3). The RIBA regulates the educational journey at Levels 5, 6 and 7. These responsibilities are outlined by the following table:
| Regulating Bodies | Stage of Study | |
|---|---|---|
| RIBA | ARB | Part 3 |
| ARB | Part 2 | |
| RIBA only | Part 1 | |
| NCFE | Foundation | |
The Part 1 continues to serve as preparation to enable students to thrive at Part 2 level and beyond into Part 3 and into practice.
The RIBA Studio route is a very unique route. The entryway is also quite unique in that all applicants are reviewed for the appropriate starting point on the programme based on a combination of their evidenced practice experience and academic learning outcomes to date.
Banner image credit: Lucinda Prophet (2019)