module specification

RIBA3 is a 60-credit module that encompasses the prescribed components which you must pass separately register as an architect to the Architect's Registration Board as having passed Part 3. When you can use the protected title Architect, in accordance with the Architects Act 1997, you will 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.

As a single module course, the aims for the module mirror those of the course (see Course Specification for more details). The primary aim is to assess you against the RIBA/ARB Criteria for Part 3. These criteria ask you to demonstrate awareness, understanding, knowledge and ability against a set of key requirements through four components: the PEDR, a Case Study, a Statement of Experience and Intent (i.e. a career evaluation) as well as your performance in both written and oral examinations.

Beyond these fundamental components and your own experience, this course requires you to think critically about the role of the architect in society, questioning what it means to act both effectively and ethically within the legal, social and commercial structures, and context for practice, of the UK in particular.

The RIBA3 syllabus prepares you for the Part 3 examination that is recognised by the ARB and RIBA and delivers the core content of the five Professional Criteria held in common by both ARB and the RIBA as well as exploring and examining broader current professional issues in the dynamic construction environment.

In addition, ARB and RIBA publish guidance under each of the criteria headings. You are advised to read the guidance summary relating to each Criteria to ensure you are also able to respond to the guidance topics. The Syllabus will cover the following areas:

Professionalism (PC1)
• The responsibilities of registration as an architect (LO1-12)
• Ethical practice (LO1-LO12)
• Sustainability/ Climate Change (LO1-LO12)
• Building and Life Safety (LO1-LO12)
• The Codes of Conduct (LO1-12)

Clients, Users and Delivery of Services (PC2)
• Forms of Appointment (LO1, LO4, LO5, LO6)
• Roles and Responsibilities (LO1, LO4, LO5, L10, L11)
• Risk Management (LO10, L11)
• Insurances (LO1, L10, L11)

Legal Framework and Processes (PC3)
• Land and Property Law / The Party Wall Act (LO1, LO6, LO7)
• Development and Building Control Processes (LO1, LO6, LO7)
• Building, Fire & Life Safety (CDM Regulations, Building Safety Bill) (LO1, LO6, LO7)
• Equality, Inclusivity, Sustainability LO1, LO6, LO7)
• Employment Law (LO1, LO7)

Practice Management (PC4)
• The Financial Organisation of Private Practice (LO1, LO5, LO6)
• Practice structure and organisation (LO1, LO9)
• Resources and skills (LO1, LO5, LO6, L09)
• Risk Management (LO1, L09)

Building Procurement (PC5)
• Tendering Procedures (LO1, LO2, L12)
• Contractual Relationships (LO3, LO4, L12)
• Standard forms of Contract (LO7, LO8, L12,)
• Contract Administration (LO10, L11, LO12)

The general modes of study for RIBA3 are tabled below. Different activities with indicative hours are as follows:

1. Interactive lecture programme with extensive Q&A = 40 hrs.
2. Reading email correspondence, learning materials, guidance and feedback provided from the course leader to the class = 60 hrs.
3. Reading and writing email correspondence - including draft coursework submissions - with the course team = 100 hrs.
4. Peer to peer self-formed study group sessions = 0-50 hours.
5. Independent study – research, reading, design, editing and preparation of documentation = 300 hours.
6. Group tutorials and viva voce (oral examination) practice (often with study groups) = 0-50 hrs.

Scheduled teaching provides the guidance and foundation to ensure that independent study is effective in addressing the module’s learning outcomes and assessment tasks and take account of varied student-centred approaches so that individual learning styles are accommodated. Lectures provide a weekly forum for discussion and exploration of key topics between students as well as with a range of presenters and contributors representing the diversity of architectural practice, the profession as well as within the construction industry more widely. Weekly lectures and follow-up discussions are recorded live and made available to students through the VLE along with supporting or supplementary materials. Information is provided through a range of means and sources to minimise and remove barriers to successful progress through the module. The course team seeks to embed the University’s Education for Social Justice Framework in fostering learning that is enjoyable, accessible, relevant and that takes account of the social and cultural context and capital of its students.

Peer-to-peer community building and support for learning is fostered through regular group work sessions and self-formed study groups. Reflective learning is promoted through interim formative feedback points published within the course programme for students to make draft submissions, reflect on their progress, receive help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes and set out objectives for their own future development. Throughout the module, you will build a body of work providing written reflections on progress, lessons learned and application to future practice.

As you progress through scheduled learning, your own study and concurrent work experience, you will be increasingly able to understand the environment of architecture along with various and further practice/ project experience opportunities available to you, and how to shape your professional development activities according to your ambitions.

You will, on successful completion of RIBA3, be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient relevant experience and have attained sufficient Awareness, Understanding, Knowledge and Ability/ Skill as required by the RIBA/ARB criteria for Part 3. The core content of the five Professional Criteria held in common by both ARB and RIBA are: Professionalism (PC1); Clients, Users and Delivery of Services (PC2); Legal Framework and Processes (PC3); Practice and Management (PC4); Building Procurement (PC5).

PC1 Professionalism
• LO1 You will demonstrate overall competence and the ability to behave with integrity, in the ethical and professional manner and with the wider duty of care appropriate to the role of architect.
• LO 2 You will have the skills necessary to undertake effective communication and presentation, organisation, self-management and autonomous working.
• LO3 You will have a clear understanding of the architect’s obligation to society and the profession, and a sufficient awareness of the wider impacts of your work and limits of your competence and professional experience to ensure that you are unlikely to bring the profession into disrepute.

PC2 Clients, users and delivery of services
• LO4 You will have the requisite knowledge and understanding of the range of services offered by architects and the delivery of those services in a manner prioritising the interests of the client and other stakeholders.
• LO5 You will have the skill to engage in the briefing process, forms and terms of appointment and the means of professional renumeration either individually or within a team supported by the knowledge of relevant legislation and the execution of appropriate programmed and co-ordinated project tasks.

  PC3 Legal framework and processes
• LO 6 You will understand the legal context within which an architect must operate, and the processes undertaken to ensure compliance with legal requirements or standards  supported by the knowledge of the relevant law, legislation, guidance and controls relevant to develop and deliver safe and sustainable architectural design and construction
• LO7 You will be able to positively interact with statutory and private bodies or individuals, and competently deliver projects within diverse legislative frameworks and with consideration of the wider impact of their work.

  PC4 Practice and management
• LO8 You will understand 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.
• LO9 You will be able 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
• LO10 You will understand UK construction and contract law, construction procurement processes and the roles and responsibilities of built environment professionals.
• LO11 You will be able to plan project-related tasks, coordinate and engage in design team interaction, execute effective contract communication and resolve construction- related challenges and disputes.
• LO12 You will understand 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.

RIBA3 is assessed through four items: three coursework components and one written examination. The coursework is as follows: recorded work experience (PEDRs); extended CV and critical self-appraisal (Statement of Experience and Intent); critical appraisal project report (Case Study). The written examination addresses the module’s learning outcomes through tasks and criteria as set out in the assessment brief. These will be detailed at the start of each academic year.

These items are each subject to two types of assessment: an internal assessment by the course team followed by reading and assessment through viva voce by independent professional examiners. This results in eight assessment components overall. Further guidance on the content and format of the assessment components is detailed at the start of each course and in the lecture programme and is available through Weblearn, the Virtual Learning Environment.

The viva voce examination is defined as the final professional 'gateway' by the RIBA. It is assessed by a pair of ARB registered architect examiners, at least one of whom will be drawn from experienced RIBA 3 examiners in the UK. The requirement for a 45 – 55 min. prepared viva voce examination by two registered architect peers who have absolute discretion to pass or fail a candidate is a requirement of the RIBA and is met by this course’s stringent and non-aggregated pass/fail assessment regime (see assessment below).

The viva element of each assessment component must achieve a minimum mark of 50% from the viva voce examiners for that component to be passed, regardless of the internal mark. In addition, the aggregate internal + viva voce (VVX) mark for a coursework submission must be 50% or more to achieve a pass overall.

Coursework or written exam components that are passed in an initial overall fail may be carried unaltered to a subsequent re-sit. All components are required to be passed to pass the module overall.

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