The RIBA Diploma in Architecture (Part 2) 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 2 qualification whilst working full-time in practice, under the direct supervision of an Architect.
RIBA Diploma
Part 2
Work towards Part 2 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 course allows students who have already completed Part 1 qualification to undertake Part 2 qualification while remaining in full time practice and without having to return to education full-time. Students are required to remain in full-time employment (min 24 hours per week), continuing to earn a salary, whilst working towards RIBA Diploma in Architecture Part 2 qualification.
This unique 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.
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 your proximity to Oxford Brookes is not an obstacle to studying this course.
Students who qualify 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
- country by country strategy for recognition in Europe which was formerly under the European Union (EU) Professional Qualifications Directive.
All applicants must be working at least 24 hours per week in suitable architectural practice in the UK, EU or EEA and be directly supervised by a registered architect, the Office Mentor (although the practice itself does not need to be RIBA Chartered), employed in the same practice, and meet the following academic qualifications:
- Part 1 qualification in architecture prescribed by the ARB or validated by the RIBA.
- ARB Prescribed Examination at Part 1.
The annual course fees for 2026-27 RIBA Diploma 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 deepen their skills for synthesis of architectural precedent, while becoming 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.
The dissertation is a key element of the Diploma, enabling students to raise their cultural, technological or professional understanding of architecture and encouraging a culture of research based work. Students will also sit one formal written examination in Management, Practice and Law that will be delivered online.
There are 5 subjects covered across each course, 4 of which require the digital submission of course work 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 workshop 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. Applicants to the Diploma (Part 2) will also be required to provide independent evidence of their Part 1 qualification
- an extract of the applicant's personal portfolio. Applicants for the RIBA Diploma (Part 2) should include their final Part 1 project
- 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 five 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.
Students remain in full-time practice while on the course so we often find that they have progressed within their practices becoming Project Architects, Associates and often creating their own architectural practices. The blended learning means that they put into practice the confidence, knowledge and skills they are developing through their academic studies which helps advance both their potential in practice as well as their growth within academia.
Applicants should be aware that in order to register as an architect in the UK, they will typically need to hold all of the following:
- An ARB-prescribed Part 1 qualification.
- An ARB-prescribed Part 2 qualification.
- 24 months practical experience, which comply with Rule 12b of ARB’s General Rules.
- An ARB-prescribed Part 3 qualification.
Banner image credit: Vjosa Bytyqi (2019)