What do Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 mean if I want to register as an architect in the UK?
Registering as an architect in the UK traditionally follows the RIBA pathway: Part 1 degree, Part 2 master's-level qualification and Part 3 professional practice assessment. The Architects Registration Board regulates registration and is moving to a competency-based framework, with Part 1 prescription ending after 31 December 2027.
To register as an architect in the UK, you traditionally move through three stages under the RIBA pathway: an architecture degree, a master's-level qualification and a professional practice assessment. You then register with the Architects Registration Board.
The three RIBA stages
| Stage | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Architecture degree |
| Part 2 | Master's-level architecture qualification |
| Part 3 | Professional practice and final assessment |
Registration with ARB
- Architects must register with the Architects Registration Board to legally use the title architect in the UK.
- Registration depends on completing the required qualifications and the professional assessment stages. ARB regulates registration and is moving to a competency-based framework, and Part 1 prescription ends after 31 December 2027.
- An M.Arch abroad does not always allow you to practise straight away, so check how your qualification maps to these stages.
My Advice
If you are studying outside the UK, ask the regulator how your degree will be assessed before you plan your career timeline. That one step saves you from repeating coursework later.
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