Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Architecture 2020-21

Who is the course designed for?

The Postgraduate Certificate is aimed at individuals who have completed ARB/RIBA Parts 1 and 2 with at least two years' practical training experience in architectural or related practice under the direct supervision of an Architect registered in the EU. At least 12 months of this supervised practice must be undertaken in the UK, under the direct supervision of a UK-registered Architect. 

Students may apply to the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Architecture in their second year of practical experience, but must have 2 years of supervised practice in order to undertake the examinations.

Aims of the programme

The aim of the programme is to enable candidates to successfully present themselves to the examiners through the various required submissions and to receive an endorsement of competency to practice as an Architect. The programme will act as a forum for a wider discussion of issues affecting the profession and the construction industry in the UK and further afield. Further information can be found at the Department of Architecture.

Teaching and learning

Course structure and content

Teaching dates for 2020-21

7 and 8 January 2021

24, 25 and 26 March 2021

23, 24 and 25 June 2021

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2:1 honours degree or overseas equivalent.

To be eligible for the Part 3 examination at the University of Cambridge candidates must have:

• ARB/RIBA Parts 1 and 2 (or confirmed equivalence see below)
• Recently completed a minimum of 24 months’ practical experience under the direct supervision of a professional working in the construction industry. 
• At least 12 months of the 24 months experience should be completed in the UK, under the direct supervision of a UK-registered architect.
• Each period of practice must normally have lasted at least 3 months.

Students may register for the Course in their second year of practical experience but must have 2 years of supervised practice in order to qualify to take the examinations.

As part of the assessment process this experience will be documented by Professional Experience Development Record (PEDR) and be approved and countersigned by each candidate’s Professional Studies Adviser (PSA).

Each student is allocated a PSA once accepted onto the course. It is anticipated that any Part 1 experience intended to count towards practical experience will already have been countersigned by the PSA appointed by the Part 1 provider.

Before they apply, applicants are advised to consult the following links for further information on practical training requirements and PEDR:

ARB: Practical training requirements

RIBA: Professional Experience and Development Record

Please note that the University of Cambridge differs from some other Part 3 providers in ONLY accepting candidates who have ALREADY OBTAINED confirmed equivalence of their qualification from the ARB. This policy has been adopted in the interests of the candidates as the ARB equivalence process have proved extremely unpredictable. Applicants are required to submit their equivalence documents as part of the application process.

Non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion will be asked to produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course. 

Language requirements

For students for whom English is not their first language, we will require evidence of having met the required level in a recognised test.

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
• CAE: Grade A
• CPE: Grade A, B or C

Fees and funding

For the year 2020-2021 the Course Fee will be £3300.00. The full fee will then be payable by successful candidates by 11th December 2020. There is an application fee of £65.

Students will be expected to cover any costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence during residential sessions in Cambridge.

How to apply

Only fully completed applications will be considered and must include:

• Copies of relevant qualification certificates and transcripts
• Language proficiency if required
• Letter of support from your employer

The application deadline is Friday 30th of October 2020. 

Graduate work in Cambridge is intense and very intellectually demanding and so the University has high academic entry requirements. You are normally expected to hold:

• At least a 2i honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent standard from an overseas university; and
• Completion of, or release from, any current training or education course.