Architectural Practice, PGDip (ARB/RIBA Part 3 Exemption)
Our part-time postgraduate diploma (PGDip) in Architectural Practice will bring you to the final stage of your training, preparing you for the realities of architectural practice.
The architectural practice course is rooted in the description, explanation and analysis of current professional practice, pushing you to examine and debate your own methods of working. You'll cover areas including the architect and society, architectural management, and a Janus paper where you review your experience and consider your future development. Applicants are usually engaged in full-time architectural practice in the UK.
This part-time course is taught over one evening per week in our new state-of-the-art Stockwell Street Building, which is designed by renowned architects Heneghan Peng. Successful completion will give you exemption from ARB/RIBA Part 3 examinations, eligibility to join the ARB register, and the opportunity to join the UK's register of architects. These allow you to continue into professional practice.
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School
Location
Duration
1-5 years
Start month
September; January
Fees information
For fee information related to this course, please see fees section below
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice (the ARB/RIBA Part 3 course) is taught by a small, highly experienced team. It is led by an architect and a barrister with many decades of professional practice experience and supplemented by visiting lecturers.
The course leader is Tony Clelford, an Architect who has been a professional or external examiner on various Part 3 courses across the UK, as well as an examiner and specialist advisor to the ARB and RIBA. Ivan Clarke is a practicing Barrister. Both have decades of experience teaching Part 3.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualifications recognised by Architects Registration Board (ARB) at Part 1 and Part 2 levels.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
- Applicants should complete a short questionnaire about their employment and professional development.
- Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
Teaching is largely conducted through informal seminars where you are expected to share and reflect on your own professional experience.
You will meet the academic one evening per week (autumn and spring terms), with one or two full days for specialist input - such as the Contracts Workshops or Viva Preparation session. Tutorial slots are also available in the preparation of your case study.
Class sizes
You will study in a small, informal student cohort, with an emphasis on comparisons across, and drawing lessons from, current architectural practice.
We use seminar-based teaching in a small groups, rarely larger than 30 students. You will address, understand and assess trends in architectural practice, preparing you for registration as architects in the UK.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study. This may involve further reading, research and preparing coursework and presentations. Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities.
You can use Stockwell Street library and online resources to support further reading and research.
In addition, during the week you can also:
- Attend additional support classes in some modules
- Attend guest lectures from industry experts
- Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
- Join student societies.
Overall workload
If you are studying part-time you should expect the workload to be in proportion with the number of modules you are studying at the time.
Assessment
Assessment is via essays during the course rather than written exams. The course concludes with the submission of your case study and supporting material to external professional examiners before your professional interview and viva voce examination.
On satisfactory completion of this course you will be eligible to register with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) as an Architect.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
Academic year: September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | N/A | £3,675 per year | N/A |
| International | N/A | £5,775 per year | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Our one-time fee covers everything - no further fees are payable if you extend the duration of the course beyond one year. There are no examination fees. The fee also includes a PSA signature on 4 PEDR sheets.
The only possible additional fees are PSA signatures on additional PEDR sheets and resit fees that may be charged by the university for individual modules that you do not pass.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The course prepares students for future careers as national and international architects.
Do you provide employability services?
The School of Design has an Employability Officer for postgraduate students to speak to about career opportunities. They work closely with professionals in industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.
The central Employability and Careers Service also provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
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