RIBA agree to largest education change in 50 years

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have agreed to one of the biggest changes to architectural education in over 50 years, voting to eliminate the three-part system which is currently in place. For students and young architects, the changes will mean that there will be around three years taken off the average amount of time that it takes to fully qualify. And rather than going through a three-part system, students will instead be offered an integrated system with the chance to gain valuable experience.Many RIBA members, students, academics and architects came together last month in Portland Place to discuss and recommend changes, which include a minimum of two years of professional practical experience (PPE) and an award that combines study and PPE resulting in a level 7 masters degree. If schools of architecture and universities choose to adopt these recommendations, it could mean students are able to join the Architects Registration Board (ARB) three years earlier than they currently can.The change will see students learning and experiencing the industry first hand, enabling them to understand the business side of the industry during their second year of study rather than having to wait until after they graduate. Director of Education at RIBA, David Gloster, has said that this change will provide more significant opportunities for students to graduate not only with more experience and qualifications, but knowing that their course is giving them great value for money. It will help fulfil the promises that have been made to students since they enrolled that they will leave as qualified architects.To follow this, the next stage will be to discuss the implementation of these recommendations with ARB and schools of architecture, who have both been involved in the two year review. It is the most rigorous change in architectural education for over half a century and is said to ensure that future generations will be inspired by architecture. We look forward to seeing what these developments will mean for the future of commercial and residential architecture in London and across the world.