Whether you are looking to continue your studies, a new career or a more flexible route into the architecture profession, RIBA Studio offers the opportunity for you to work full time in practice, retain your salary and gain your RIBA Part 1, RIBA Part 2 or Foundation qualifications.
RIBA Studio
Courses in architecture for students working in practice.
Practice-based study
The RIBA Studio is a unique programme in that formally assessed academic work begins to directly impact the learning in the student's place of employment. The design proposals in particular are designed with milestone submissions which mirror the development and realisation of design projects in architectural practice from an academic, conceptual, and technological perspective.
Online and in-person learning
Coursework submissions or examinations whilst studying the course take place online. Thus students will not need to travel to Oxford Brookes University whilst studying on this programme. The online design reviews also allow for students to observe the work of students in the years ahead of them. There are several opportunities for in person meetings both at Oxford Brookes University and at the RIBA London Headquarters through the academic year. This expands the learning, experiences and exposure for students as well as encouraging peer engagement opportunities.
Flexibly operated
The RIBA Studio is offered as an alternative route to qualification for those that may not be looking for traditional full-time degree courses and for those who learn best while practicing. The programme is operated flexibly to accommodate fluctuations in students' circumstances and is managed through a system of annual learning contracts. The programme allows students to take a year of suspended studies to make room for a range of circumstances, like family changes or work pressures, while remaining registered on the course and continuing to attend virtual live events through the academic year.
Office mentors
Individual study for both courses must be supported by day-to-day learning and experience of architectural practice. To facilitate this, each student appoints a registered Architect from their practice to be their office mentor (the practice itself does not need to be RIBA Chartered). The office mentor Architect would be registered in the country where the student is working (within the UK / EEA). The office mentor ensures that the practice experience is wide ranging and contributes to the student’s career development and their learning on the course.
Personal tutors
Tutors are appointed by students for the duration of the course and must be completely independent of the student’s office. The personal tutor is chosen by the student and where the tutor meets the RIBA Studio criteria for selection they will be approved to act as personal tutor for the student. As part of the criteria for selection of a personal tutors, they must currently be tutoring in design, in an architecture studio with a substantial role within a School of Architecture.
Professional qualification
Students who qualify to Diploma level through this route are then eligible to take the UK Part 3 which leads to:
- full chartered membership of the RIBA
- country by country strategy for recognition in Europe which was formerly under the European Union (EU) Professional Qualifications Directive
- recognition by the Architects' Registration Board (ARB) for UK architects' registration.
Students on the RIBA Studio programme also participate in the Oxford School of Architecture Digital Exhibition. Architecture is a professional practice and the courses on this route bring the value of practice-based learning and academic learning together. RIBA Studio students are self-directed, committed and deeply inspired by the issues in the world and opportunities the profession offers to study and approach these. Supported by their office mentor in practice and in conjunction with their personal tutor, students investigate chosen themes and curate their design briefs in academia which have a direct influence on their capabilities in practice. There is a strong correlation between the learning on the courses and the student’s professional progression.
RIBA Studio final year projects have been strong contenders for the RIBA President’s Medals. Explore our students’ work and visit the digital galleries created from their projects by visiting our online exhibition. RIBA Studio students have won a number of awards including RIBA Part 1 Bursary and the RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarship as well as a number of drawing prizes, artist in residence awards, and a range of research awards.