Architecture RIBA Part 3 PGDip
Introduction
Our Management, Practice and Law in Architecture PGDip ensures that those who practise architecture have achieved an appropriate standard of professionalism through conduct and responsibility.
A Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 3 course, it comprises lectures and seminars covering the key subject areas, together with scenario-based workshops offering opportunities for considering real-life issues and for role-playing.
Fees for this course 2012/13 are £1,710 for home students and £2,975 for the Channel Islands.
Overview
Introduction
This course is for students wishing to prepare themselves for the final Part 3 examination leading to registration as an architect.
The Part 3 examination ensures that those who practise architecture have achieved an appropriate level of competence in knowledge and ability, and of professionalism through conduct and responsibility. The course equips students with the appropriate level of knowledge, skill, ability and judgement to practise as an architect, and to provide and fulfil their professional responsibilities when they enter the profession, including the organisation of practise structures to accomplish this.
The course and the examination are structured to meet the objectives of the Part 3 criteria as set out by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Assessment is against the ARB/RIBA criteria and is through an experience-based case study, evidence of appropriate professional experience, a personal career appraisal and CV, and a written and oral examination.
Students attend three two-day events at the school in December, March and June, and a one-day event in September. Most students on this course find that this arrangement of structuring their Part 3 studies over shorter, more intensive periods works well with their full-time employment.
The course comprises lectures and seminars covering the key subject areas, together with scenario-based workshops offering opportunities for considering real-life issues and for role-playing. Students are supported in their work experience through tutorials and other contact arrangements.
The examination is held at the school every year and takes place over a five-week period between August and September, culminating with the oral exam in October.
The course team comprises practising architects, active in a variety of fields, and architectural academic staff, ensuring ensuring currency and relevance to contemporary issues. Contributors to the course are drawn from a wide range of related professions, all operating in the construction industry.
Course structure
Students have the opportunity to engage with the course team and with each other at the school-based events. Each of the two-day events typically starts with group-based tutorials concentrating on professional experience, when this is verified by the course team, and the development of personal case studies. Tutorials are followed by lectures, seminars and workshops, with further opportunities for individual engagement and advice.
Study is supported through the university's virtual learning environment, studentcentral, where all course documentation, guidance, lecture notes and previous papers are made available to enrolled students. For those wishing to take the examination, guidance is provided on examination technique.
The final one-day event coincides with the date for the documentary submissions of those taking the examination that year, and seminars focus on the issues raised by the examination and preparation for the oral examination.
Areas of study
To reflect and address the ARB/RIBA Criteria, the course is set out under four subject areas:
- Context for Practice
- Management of Architecture
- Management of Construction
- Practice Management and Business Administration.
In addition to lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials, the course is also focused on private study, revision and learning through work experience.
Syllabus
The syllabus is structured around the ARB/RIBA criteria and comprises three modules:
- Principles of Professional Management, Practice and Law, assessed through the open-book examination and oral examination
- Planning and Recording Professional Experience and Development, assessed through the PEDR record, the CV and career statement
- Case Study, assessed through a 8-10,000 word case study.
All modules are mandatory, and all modules must be passed to achieve an overall pass.
Career and progression opportunities
Graduates of the course are entitled to use the title of 'architect', to practise as a UK-registered architect, to become a Chartered Architect, and subject to other statutory provisions, to establish themselves as an EU registered architect.
Although many graduates choose to continue in professional practice, others embark on academic architectural careers or on careers in related professions.
Key facts
UCAS code
Duration 
Distance Learn.:
Part-time: max 4 years
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
Location Moulsecoomb
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.0 in writing.
Degree and/or experience:
Minimum requirement:
Architecture BA(Hons) or BSc(Hons) with exemption from RIBA Part 1, or equivalent.
Postgraduate diploma in Architecture with exemption from RIBA Part 2, or equivalent.
Individual offers may vary, but without change to the minimum requirement.
Fees
The fees listed here are for full-time courses for the upcoming academic year only. Further fees are payable for subsequent years of study.
The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, whether you study full- or part-time and whether or not you already have a higher education qualification. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - contact the course team for up-to-date information.
Visit www.brighton.ac.uk/money for more information, including advice on international and island fee paying status, and the government's Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) policy.