Professional accreditation
The title “architect” is protected by law and can only be used by those registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Our BSc Architectural Studies, BSc Architectural Studies with International Study and MArch/PgDip in Advanced Architectural Design are currently prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) subject to period review for the purposes of entry into the United Kingdom Register of Architects.
The BSc Pass Degree gives exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 1 examinations. Completion of the Honours Degree (Year 4) and the PGDip (Year 5) give exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 2 examinations.
This programme is also validated & recognised by LAM/PAM Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia/Board of Architects Malaysia
There are two opportunities to take exchange: Students on our BSc Architectural Studies degree may go on international exchange in Year 3. This converts their degree title to BSc Honours Architectural Studies with International Study (ARB/RIBA Pt1). Post-graduate students may have the opportunity to go on exchange in the final Year 5, (either on the Pg Dip in AAD or the second year of the two-year Masters programme.)
The PgDip in Advanced Architectural Design gives exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 2.
The Master’s route to ARB/ RIBA Part 2 for UK, European and international students is the MArch in Advanced Architectural Design. If you hold overseas qualifications obtained outside the EU or hold a non-recognised UK qualification you will need to pass ARB’s Examination for Equivalence to Prescribed Qualifications (also known as the ‘Prescribed Examination’) to obtain ARB Part 1 and progress towards registering as an architect in the UK. Please note, this is not guaranteed and there is a financial cost to this process. Learn more from the ARB website.
The Master’s route of interest for students from Malaysia is the MArch in Architectural Design (International). This course is validated and recognised by LAM/ PAM Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia/ Board of Architects Malaysia. The course also has RIBA Part 2 exemption, however does not provide exemption from ARB Part examinations.
We offer annual Professional Examinations for Architects in Scotland - Part 3 joint short course.
After gaining Part 2 and completing the requisite years in practice you may sit the professional exam that gives exemption from Part 3. On successful completion of these stages you can become a registered architect with ARB and a member of RIBA.
Specialist accreditation
The MSc in Architectural Design for the Conservation of Built Heritage course is fully recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). The IHBC is the principal professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment specialists working in United Kingdom.
The course also conforms to the internationally recognised Guidelines for Education and Training in the Conservation of Monuments, Ensembles and Sites adopted by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). These criteria are used by professional institutes for the assessment of evidence and professional accreditation in conservation.