Royal Institute of British Architects

January Commentary, UK
RIBA Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Architecture (Part 3)
Your first study pack comprises the following information:
a) Information sheet on the course and examination
b) Programme for 2017
c) The RIBA Part 3 Handbook 2017
d) A suggested reading list (at rear of RIBA Part 3 Handbook 2017)
e) Examination papers for March and September 2016
f) A set of short questions (you are not expected to know all the answers at this
stage but it will help to give you some indication of the scope of subjects that
will be covered on the course). Please do NOT send us your answers, these
will be provided in the next study pack but you are encouraged to attempt the
questions in the meantime.
g) RIBA Information Sheets
a. Quality Management Toolkit Overview
b. Project Quality Plan for Small Projects

The scope of the course and examination is wide ranging, the effort required to cover
the material in the nine months of the course is considerable and should not be under
estimated.
Three areas of study are involved:
a) the monthly study packs
b) the two 4 day residential courses at the University of Chester 8th 11th April
and 8th 11th July 2017.
c) private office based study in consultation with office mentors and course
tutors.
It is also of great value to form study groups with your fellow Part 3 candidates
The requirements of the course and examination are set out in the Regulations.

Objective of the Course and Examination

RIBA
c/o RIBA North,
21 Mann Island,
Liverpool, L3 1BP, UK
Tel: +44 (0)151 707 4381
Part3@riba.org
www.architecture.com
Incorporated by Royal Charter
No: RC000484
Registered Charity No: 210 566
VAT Registration No: 232 351 891

The objective of the Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice Course and

Examination is to establish a high base line of competence for entry to the profession
and to form a sound basis for further and continuing professional development.
In assessing the competence of candidates the examiners are primarily concerned
with:
the candidates professional development to date
the candidates ability to apply theoretical knowledge and technical
information to practical problems and

an awareness, knowledge and understanding of professional practice matters

as indicated in the RIBA/ARB Criteria, a copy of which is in the course
handbook.

Examiners are becoming increasing aware of the candidates site and contractual
experience and it is therefore important that your office should be aware of this
requirement and if gaining this experience is of concern to you please contact me.
The multifaceted format of the examination is devised in order to provide the
candidates with a range of opportunities to demonstrate their competence and
experience in relation to the concerns of the examiners. In preparing for the
examination and in drafting their submissions, candidates may find it helpful from
time to time to review their development and experience it is suggested that
candidates enter evidence of their experience on the criteria spreadsheet that can be
found in the handbook and again on the website.
Technical competence is not in itself sufficient; it is also a matter of professional
attitudes, maturity and responsibility, independence and integrity and the ability to
make professional judgements and to give sound impartial advice.
The examination is about competence in practice. Candidates have to be able to
show that they understand and appreciate the obligations and responsibilities that the
architect has to an employer, to a client, to the profession, to other members of the
building team and to society and that they have the abilities necessary to fulfil these
requirements.
In assessing their preparedness for the examination candidates should take into
account everything that has contributed to their formation and development as an
architect from the time when their interest in architecture first began, in many cases
starting long before they went to university, to the present day. In most cases
candidates will have been involved for at least seven years and often for very much
longer. It is important that candidates consider their professional development over
the whole of their careers and do not confine themselves to the nine months of this
course.
Your attention is drawn to the critical dates of the course programme; it is suggested
that the dates should be transferred to your personal diary and at the same time
appropriate arrangements should be made for study leave.

Scope of Professional Practice

The scope of the subject can be overwhelming and even intimidating. It is essential
that candidates fully understand the nature of the subject; it is about the practical
realisation of design and the procurement of buildings and the effective conduct and
management of practice in order to make this possible.
The list of relevant topics that might be involved or have a bearing on professional
practice is almost endless but it is helpful to consider them in relation to the key areas
of the RIBA/ARB Criteria i.e. PC1 Professionalism, PC2 Clients, Users and delivery
of services, PC3 Legal framework and processes, PC4 Practice and Management,
PC5 Building procurement.

Practical Experience and Practical Training

The importance of practical training and practical experience cannot be
overestimated; without sound experience and training success in the examination is
unlikely. It needs positive direction and purpose and has to be seen as structured
development not just employment. In order to be able to monitor their development
and to demonstrate the scope and quality of their experience to examiners,
candidates must maintain an effective record of their experience. In most cases the
most appropriate form of record will be the electronic PEDR. As these documents
whilst essential can be rather dull it is suggested that the occasional progress
photograph, sketch etc. could be included where it is relevant. The onus is on the
candidate to ensure that they have obtained the necessary experience and
candidates should take the initiative in seeking opportunities for that experience. The
completion and signing of record sheets is the opportunity for self-appraisal of
progress and for discussion of ways in which any inadequacies or omissions can be
addressed. Candidates are urged to discuss their experience and progress with their
Office Mentors on a regular basis, generally at least once a month. If the candidate
has a concern over the quality of experience this should first be discussed with the
Office Mentor but also with the Course Director.
Office Mentor
The Office Mentor has a very important role to play in advising the candidate on
Practical Training matters generally and in overseeing the Practical Training Record
or PEDR. The onus is on the candidate to find an appropriate person within the office
who would be willing to undertake this role. Normally the person is a well-experienced
principal or senior member of staff who is familiar with the requirements of the
examination. The person nominated as the candidates Examination Supervisor can
also undertake the role of Office Mentor but ideally it should be a different person.
Please advise the Course Director of the name of your Office Mentor as soon as
possible.
Office Visits (upon request)
Upon request and so far as is reasonably possible the Course Director will endeavour
to visit candidates, who have been unable to attend the inductions, at their offices
during the course.
The objective of the office visit is to discuss; the practical training and experience
requirements; the preparation of the documentary submission especially in relation to
the preparation of the C.V. the self-evaluation, the record of experience and the case
study; the Practice Problem component of the examination and arrangements for the
writing of the candidates responses to the Practice Problems; and to discuss any
other matters of mutual concern relating to the examination.
Office visits can be arranged over the first few months of 2017. If you are concerned
about your practical training experience please contact the Course Director as soon
as possible to arrange a visit to discuss the situation with your office mentor.

Study Packs
The monthly study packs are an essential component of the course. Candidates are
expected to familiarise themselves with the contents of each pack and to use the past
Practice Problems as a means to expand their knowledge and familiarize themselves
with the format of the examination, they are particularly useful when working within a
study group.
The study packs are devised in order to extend the candidates experience beyond
that of their immediate day-to-day work. The variety of contemporary practice and the
procedures of procurement now in use means that candidates have to be aware of
the wide range of options available: for example candidates engaged in traditional
procurement have to understand the principles of non-traditional procurement such
as design and build and vice versa.
The study notes should be supplemented by the candidates own reading, the
lectures at the residential courses, resources within the office etc. There is also the
opportunity to attend the RIBA CPD lectures at a reduced rate.
Case Studies
At this stage it would be prudent to decide upon a subject for the case study.
At the latest a synopsis should be submitted to the Course Director at the first Part 3
seminar in Chester but ideally e-mailed prior to this to Part3@riba.org
Reference Material
See Recommended Reading List in RIBA Part 3 Handbook.
Contact Details
Part 3 Director
Alison Mackinder Tel. 0151 707 4381
E-mail alison.mackinder@riba.org
Mobile 07764 828015
Part 3 Programme Manager
Daniel Crellin Tel. 0151 707 4381
E-mail daniel.crellin@riba.org
Part 3 Administrator
Johanna Booth Tel. 0151 707 4381
E-mail johanna.booth@riba.org
Part 3 Administrative Assistant
Emma Cathie Tel. 0151 707 4381
E-mail emma.cathie@riba.org