RIBA Foundation in Architecture

The course is designed to develop the important skills and sensibilities that form part of the creative and conceptual thinking of architecture through the development of course work which assembles into a portfolio of work required for further studies in the field of architecture.

The course will support students to:

• evolve the receptors and sensibilities to observe like an architects
• develop the skills in creative and conceptual reasoning for architectural study
• build a portfolio of work that will enable access to the profession
• build on the experience and confidence required to begin pursuing a career in a creative field including architecture
• search for, apply and prepare for a first salaried placement in creative practice.

On this part-time course, students will meet the RIBA Foundation team on a regular basis throughout the 34 weeks of the course. Students will meet separately with their personal tutor. At some point during and exceptionally beyond the course, students undertake their first salaried work in practice in a creative field for a minimum of 200 hours. If students do not already have a placement opportunity, the RIBA Foundation course includes employment sessions and other workshops to work with students in finding the 200 salaried practice hours which form part of the experience of the course.

For the purposes of defining work in practice, we define a design practice as either:

• architecture practice
• interior design practice
• landscape or urban design firm
• theatre production company
• furniture or fashion design practice / production firm
• a range of other closely related design fields.

A professional in the practice will act as a mentor to ensure your range of experience helps prepare you for further studies in architecture. We welcome exceptional recent graduates from the Part 1 and Part 2 courses to act as mentors in practice.

Applicants are required to have:

• Maths and English GCSE Grade C or level 5 or above, or 
• Functional Skills, Key Skills or Skills for Life Certificates in Number and Communication at Level 2.

The above applies mainly to school leavers. For applicants with previous studies in higher education including certificate or degrees, these would be considered in lieu of the GCSE and Level 2 requirements.

Being online, this course allows students to remain in their current employment (usually unrelated to a creative field). For the RIBA Foundation, students do not have to be British citizens and they do not need to be based in the UK and can be of any nationality and be based in any country in the world. The same course fees apply to all students.

(Note that in the next stage of study on the RIBA Certificate (Part 1), students do not need to be British citizens but must be working in a practice within the UK / European Economic Area / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Switzerland.)

The course fees for 2026 RIBA Foundation will be £1,900 (the £160 applicant commitment fee will be dedicated from the course fees).

There is a commitment fee required to attend the applicant events but this will be deducted from the overall course fees.

Fees are expected to rise by 5% per annum.

Students will study 6 modules on the course. Each one covers a different area of thinking within architecture and will encourage the development of the skills and critical thinking required at Part 1 level. These modules include:

• learn to research people and place
• learn how to develop conceptual ideas 
• practice transferring concepts into design responses
• establish expectations in academia and practice
• gain the awareness of an architect
• learn to represent ideas like an architect.

Students create a study schedule that works for them and incorporate time to meet their tutor. At induction before the course begins, tutors introduce themselves and a best match is made for each student from a diverse group of exceptional Part 1 and Part 2 graduates. All of the course work is developed in conjunction with the personal tutor who meet with students on a one-to-one basis every 10-14 days. When it comes to submitting work for assessment, students will use Oxford Brookes University’s platform which students gain access to upon registering to take the course.

For the design modules, this work is presented at twp stages in live online meeting with reviewed with two design examiners. This is a great opportunity to get feedback on the work from both academics and professionals in the industry in order to further personal and professional development.

Upon completion of the course, students graduate with a portfolio of work which enables them to take the next steps in their career including progression onto a Part 1 Architecture qualification. Students who complete the RIBA Foundation course with merit or distinction are offered automatic entry to the RIBA Studio Certificate (Part 1) course. Those with a passing to fair grade will be in good standing and invited for an interview after applying.

The course is modeled on the RIBA Studio and directly prepares students for the Certificate Part 1 course. Students also use the course to prepare for other Part 1 routes including the Apprenticeship and the full time taught routes. We discuss the details of these applications as part of the course.