module specification

This single module encompasses the prescribed components which a student must pass separately in order to be put forward for registration as an architect to the Architect's Registration Board as having passed Part 3.

The four components comprise: / PEDR extended CV / Career Evaluation/ Case Study/ Written Examination.  Each component is partly assessed in a summative and conclusive oral exam.

As a single module course, the aims for the module mirror those of the course. The primary aim is to assess the candidate against the RIBA/ARB Criteria for Part 3. These criteria ask the candidate to demonstrate awareness, understanding, knowledge and ability against a set of key requirements through the mechanisms of the PEDR, a Case Study, a Career Evaluation – as well as their performance in both written and oral examinations. The intention is to ensure that those successful candidates who may use the protected title Architect, in accordance with Architects Act 1997, have achieved a threshold level of competence (in terms of knowledge and skill) and professionalism (in terms of conduct and responsibility) against Nationally approved standards, in order to safeguard clients, the users of buildings and wider society.
Beyond these fundamental criteria and their own experience, this course requires its students to think critically about the role of the architect in European society, questioning what it means to act both effectively and ethically within the legal, social and commercial structures of the UK in particular.

The Syllabus will cover the following areas:

- The responsibilities of registration as an architect
- The Code of Conduct
- Land and Property Law / The Party Wall Act
     - Forms of Appointment
     - The Financial Organisation of Private Practice
     - Risk Management
     - Tendering Procedures
     - Contractual Relationships
     - Standard forms of Contract
     - Development and Building Control Processes
     - Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations
     - Contract Administration
     - The Future of the Profession LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5,LO6,LO7,LO8,LO9,LO10,LO11,LO12,LO13,LO14

There are general modes of study as follows. The balance can be calculated for the hours:

1. interactive lectures with extensive Q+A - 40 hrs;
2. reading Email correspondence from the course leader to the class = 60 hrs;
3. reading and writing E mail correspondence including draft coursework with the course team = 100 hrs;
4. self-formed study group sessions = 0-50 hours;
5. independent study = 300-400 hours;
6. group tutorials and Viva practice ( often with study groups ) = 0-50 hrs.

The hours above are indicative.

The successful student will, on completion of the course, have been able to demonstrate that they have undertaken sufficient relevant experience and have attained sufficient Awareness, Knowledge and Ability, as required by the RIBA/ARB criteria for Part 3 as set out below

PC1 Professionalism
LO1 Demonstrate overall competence and the ability to behave with integrity, in the ethical and professional manner appropriate to the role of architect.

LO 2 Skills necessary to undertake effective communication and presentation, organisation, self-management and autonomous working.

LO3 A clear understanding of the architect’s obligation to society and the profession, and a sufficient awareness of the limits of their competence and professional experience to ensure they are unlikely to bring the profession into disrepute.

PC2 Clients, users and delivery of services
LO4 Demonstrate understanding of the business priorities, required management processes and risks of running an architectural practice, and the relationship between the practice of architecture and the UK construction industry.

LO5 Skills necessary to engage in business administration
and ability to resource, plan, implement and record project tasks to achieve stated goals, either individually or within a team.

LO6 Knowledge of the nature of legal business entities, office systems, administration procedures and the relevant legislation.

PC3 Legal framework and processes
LO 7 Demonstrate understanding of the legal context within which an architect must operate, and the processes undertaken to ensure compliance with legal requirements or standards.

LO 8 Skills necessary to positively interact with statutory and private bodies or individuals, and competently deliver projects within diverse legislative frameworks.

LO9 Knowledge of the relevant law, legislation, guidance and controls relevant to architectural design and construction.

PC4 Practice and management
LO10 Demonstrate understanding of the business priorities, required management processes and risks of running an architectural practice, and the relationship between the practice of architecture and the UK construction industry.

LO11 Skills necessary to engage in business administration and ability to resource, plan, implement and record project tasks to achieve stated goals, either individually or within a team. This will be supported by knowledge of the nature of legal business entities, office systems, administration procedures and the relevant legislation.

PC5 Building procurement
LO12 Demonstrate understanding of UK construction and contract law, construction procurement processes and the roles of built environment professionals.

LO13 Skills necessary to plan project-related tasks, coordinate and engage in design team interaction, execute effective contract communication and resolve construction-related challenges and disputes.

LO14 Understanding of contractual relationships, the obligations upon an architect acting as contract administrator, job-related administrative systems and the management of projects in the context of the candidate’s professional experience.

The module is assessed through three distinct coursework components, each submitted in .pdf format, and a written examination component. These 4 components are each subject to two types of assessment, one of which is a Viva Voce Examination. This results in 8 assessment components overall. The Viva Voce Examination is defined as the final professional 'gateway' by the RIBA. It is assessed by a pair of EU registered architect examiners, at least one of whom will be drawn from an RIBA National List of RIBA3 examiners. Both the 4 Viva Voce Examination assessment components and the aggregate of each of the 3 coursework and one written examination components must be passed at minimum 50% to achieve a pass overall.

Relevant UK legislation is published free by HMG at www.legislation.gov.uk.
The following Acts ( as amended) are all relevant
The Town and Country Planning Act 1990
This Act is too long to read in its entirely but some experience of its highly procedural flavour is useful
The Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996
Only the Construction part is relevant to the RIBA 3 course. It sets up mandatory adjudication in ‘construction’ contracts. This Act also includes the Architect’s Act 1996 that set up the ARB.
Contracts ( Rights of Third parties ) Act 1999
This is very well-drafted and is a better guide to these issues than any commentary on them
Land Registration Act 2002
This is a good example of modern legislation, it may soon be supplemented by ‘Household Inspector’ legislation and house ‘passports’
The Limitation Acts
Are not published free by the OPSI because of their age but the Northern Island version which is published gives a clear picture of their intention and methodology
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended 2003 including SENDA legislation)
This Act has to deal with difficult ethical concepts and adjectives such as disability, intimidating, hostile, offensive and degrading. It is worth reading for this reason.

UK regulations particularly the Building Regulations are also relevant

The entire contents to the CIS ( Construction Industry Service ) as available to candidates free via the Londonmet library website are of interest but in particular the following forms of contract should be studied in detail and brought into the exam room

The RIBA’s Standard Form of Agreement ( SFA 2010 )

The JCT’s  MWD, ICD and D+B forms of Construction Contracts

Information on professional and quango websites is the most up to date source information on the subject areas covered in this course: The following are of particular value

www.arb.org.uk  The Architect’s Act 1996  and the ARB Codes of Conduct and Practice are published here. The proceedings of the Professional Conduct committee are of particular interest in the context of definitions of ‘serious professional incompetence’ and the use-of-language appropriate to a professional and contractual context.

www.architecture.com  This is the RIBA’s website
The following documents are available for free download
The ‘Code of Professional Conduct 2005’
‘Problems with Building Project and / or Appointed Architects’ this document tabulates dispute resolution pathways.
‘ Criteria for Validation ‘ – this has the syllabus for RIBA 3 . The RIBA’s regulations for

www.communities.gov.uk. This website provides a wealth of information on Environmental, Planning, Building Regulations, Sustainability and Party Wall matters. it can be used it to keep up to date on UK planning policy and to access local planning authority websites to read UDPs etc. 
Recent amendments to the Building Regulations are often published free on this site. 
All published Planning Policy statement should have been browsed by candidates
The ‘Party Wall etc. Act 1996 Explanatory booklet’ should be downloaded by all candidates

www.landregistry.gov.uk This website gives useful information on the doctrine of ‘boundaries’ in English Land Law
The OPSI publishes free most statutory instrument including Acts of Parliament not more then 20 years old.