The RIBA Diploma in Architecture (Part 2) is for students working in practice, who are looking for an affordable and flexible route towards qualification as an architect. Unlike any studio and lecture based programme in architecture, students work towards Part 2 qualification whilst working full-time in practice, under the direct supervision of an Architect.
RIBA Diploma
Part 2
Work towards Part 2 qualification whilst working full-time in practice.
We regularly hold live webinars to explain more about the RIBA Studio programme. The webinars provide an opportunity to meet the RIBA Studio team and ask any questions you may have about studying on our courses. The programme includes:
- RIBA Foundation in Architecture
- RIBA Certificate in Architecture (Part 1)
- RIBA Diploma in Architecture (Part 2).
Please see the following links for our upcoming webinars.
This course allows students who have already completed Part 1 qualification to undertake Part 2 qualification while remaining in full time practice and without having to return to education full-time. Students are required to remain in full-time employment (min 24 hours per week), continuing to earn a salary, whilst working towards RIBA Diploma in Architecture Part 2 qualification.
This unique course brings together the value of practice-based learning and academic learning. Supported by an office mentor in practice, and in conjunction with a self-chosen personal tutor (subject to approval), students investigate chosen themes and curate design briefs in academia which have a direct influence on their capabilities in practice. The course is accredited by the ARB and validated by the RIBA.
This is an affordable and flexible route into the profession. Contact with the RIBA Studio team, coursework submissions and examinations all take place online, meaning your proximity to Oxford Brookes is not an obstacle to studying this course.
Students who qualify through this route are then eligible to take the UK Part 3 which leads to:
- full chartered membership of the RIBA
- recognition by the Architects' Registration Board (ARB) for UK architects' registration
- country by country strategy for recognition in Europe which was formerly under the European Union (EU) Professional Qualifications Directive.
Applicants must contact their Competent Authority to establish in advance whether UK qualifications are automatically recognised or if further study must be completed in order to obtain architect license/registration.
All applicants must be working at least 24 hours per week in a suitable architectural practice in the UK, EU or EEA, Channel Islands or Switzerland and be directly supervised by a registered architect, the Office Mentor who is employed in the same practice. Neither the practice itself, nor the mentor, need to be RIBA Chartered but must be registered in the country where the students is living and employed within the region mentioned above.
The students must meet the following academic qualifications to be able to take up an offer to join the Diploma Part 2 course:
- Part 1 qualification in architecture from a course that was prescribed by the ARB and / or validated by the RIBA.
- ARB Prescribed Examination at Part 1.
The annual course fees for 2027-28 RIBA Diploma will be £3,650.
There is an additional £260 commitment fee for applicants to receive course materials and to join the applicant events. The commitment fee is non refundable but will be deducted from the course fee for those who are offered a place and join the course.
Annual fees may be subject to an inflation 5% increase each year.
The RIBA Studio is a unique system of practice-based study, in which formally assessed academic work is supported by learning through experience in the student's place of employment.The course syllabus enables the academic development of the skills, knowledge and experience that the student then applied in practice in their place of employment.
Students will deepen their skills for synthesis of architectural precedent, while becoming more aware of their individual position in the sphere of architecture. There is an emphasis on expanding the methods of developing, testing and presenting ideas, placing high value on the iterative design process.
The dissertation is a key element of the Diploma, enabling students to raise their cultural, technological or professional understanding of architecture and encouraging a scholarly approach to research based study. Students will also sit one formal written examination in Professional Studies that will be delivered online.
There are 5 subjects covered across this course, all of which require the digital submission of course work including design, technology, cultural context, professional studies and dissertation.
The design subject work is also assessed live online through portfolio presentation.
There are no mandatory lectures or seminars, but there are a number of workshops supporting the development of specific submissions. The syllabus contains a series of reading lists to guide on the important preliminary resources. The work is developed in conjunction with a personal tutor through tutorials that take place very regularly and on a one-to-one basis.
Applications are now open.
The application process consists of 3 stages:
Stage 1: Submit the eligibility form
Applicants are encouraged to submit their eligibility form as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the pre-course online workshop sessions.
Stage 2: Full application and supporting documents
Subject to meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants will be provided with the information needed to complete the Stage 2 application.
This stage of the application process is the completion and return of a full application form and supporting documents including:
- a personal statement of 200-300 words explaining applicant's suitability for office-based study, and the reasons for choosing to apply
- digital copies of all previous academic qualifications. Applicants to the Diploma (Part 2) will also be required to provide independent evidence of their Part 1 qualification
- an extract of the applicant's personal portfolio. Applicants for the RIBA Diploma (Part 2) should include their final Part 1 project
- examples of current work in practice that demonstrates the applicant's contribution to project work and current level of experience
- written studies and reports: for example essays, or a dissertation, written as part of previous coursework, or practice-related planning reports for which the applicant had sole responsibility
- an academic and a professional reference.
Applicants will also be invited to attend an online session, which gives more guidance on completing this stage of the application process.
Stage 2 applications are due approximately five weeks following receipt of the Stage 1 eligibility form.
Applicants who have not yet secured full time work in practice (defined as 24 hours per week under the supervision of a registered Architect) are welcome to apply and will be invited to the applicant events which support their search for work in practice within the UK / EEA / EU region
Stage 3: The interview day
Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an online interview day which includes a private interview with each applicant; this should be regarded as having the status of an entrance examination.
Applicants invited to interview will be required to have the information and documents outlined on the Stage 2 Application Form available for discussion.
All applicants are reviewed for the relevance of prior credits from previous degree at postgraduate level. Advanced standing reviews follow an ARB / RIBA approved process and are undertaken after the interview stage is completed.
Students remain in full-time practice while on the course so we often find that during their studies they will have advanced within their practices often becoming Project Architects, Associates and other leadership roles. The blended learning means that they put into practice the confidence, knowledge and skills they are developing through their academic studies which helps advance both their potential in practice as well as their lifelong learning skills.
Applicants should be aware that in order to register as an architect in the UK, they will typically need to hold all of the following:
- An ARB-prescribed Part 1 qualification.
- An ARB-prescribed Part 2 qualification.
- 24 months practical experience, which comply with Rule 12b of ARB’s General Rules.
- An ARB-prescribed Part 3 qualification.
Banner image credit: Vjosa Bytyqi (2019)