Study
Postgraduate
PgCert Architecture and Contemporary Practice (RIBA Part 3)

PgCert

Architecture and Contemporary Practice (RIBA Part 3)

Preparing you to take the RIBA Part 3 examination and supporting you on your journey to becoming an architect.

Course overview

The Architecture and Contemporary Practice programme at Manchester Metropolitan University comprises a short course that prepares candidates for their RIBA Part 3 examination, followed by the Architect Registration Board’s (ARB) Professional Practice examination. Upon completion, successful candidates who have also completed their RIBA Part 1 and Part 2 examinations will be eligible for registration under the Architects Registration Act 1997 and for Chartered membership of RIBA.

Consistently ranked as one of the UK’s top schools of architecture and located in a key city for architects and practices in the North, Manchester School of Architecture (MSA) is the perfect place to complete your formal architectural education. Led by practising architects - many of whom have experien...

What you need to know

When does the course start?
What is the length of the course?
9 months part-time (September start)
12 months part-time (January start)
Where will I study this course?
On campus and online

Features and benefits

Course information

Candidates enrolled on the Architecture and Contemporary Practice programme will also receive the following benefits:

Support from Peer Study Group and online learning platforms
Access to physical and digital library and campus facilities at Manchester Metropolitan University
Minimum of 6 individual tutorials with an assigned Professional Studies Tutor
PPE certification (PEDR or equivalent) for the duration of the programme
Office briefing
Directed study modules (assessed via 2x office based, open-book exams, PPE document submission and final Professional Interview)

To find out more about the features of the course and how it is delivered, download our programme overview (PDF).

To make an informal enquiry, or to request an office briefing please contact Rachel Newton at [email protected]

The scheduled content will be delivered through a combination of online and in-person lectures, seminars and workshops, timetabled over a period of months with all content being available online for candidates for the duration of their study. In-person sessions will be prioritised and recorded, with online content making up no more than 40% of study.

The programme is assessed via 2 written examinations (30 credits) followed by a professional interview supported by 2 documentary submissions (30 credits).

Candidates are required to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of the professional criteria in parallel to the lecture series and workshops in preparation for the examination.

Core modules

Contemporary Practice

Following induction, you will be supported by Professional Studies Advisors (PSAs) in the review and drafting of your experience records to date at key points in the timetable. This guided reflection enables you to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding of the Professional Criteria. This will be done in parallel to the lectures and workshops that consolidate and synthesise the knowledge you have gained in practice in readiness for your Part 3 examination.

Professional Perspectives

The Professional Perspectives module comprises self-directed reflection with support from Professional Studies Advisors. Building on the process that was started in the Contemporary Practice module, you will develop and complete documentary submissions before attending an interview (oral examination). Candidates who successfully complete the examination at the end of this module are eligible for registration under the Architects Registration Act 1997 and for Chartered Membership of the RIBA if they also have ARB Part 1 and Part 2 recognition. This examination in Professional Practice is required by the Architects Registration Board.

Study and assessment breakdown

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A masters qualification typically comprises of 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits and an MFA 300 credits. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be:

Study

Part-time 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 75% independent study

Assessment

Part-time 50% coursework; 0% practical; 50% examination

Additional information about this course

The Manchester School of Architecture is a vibrant school with an international reputation, that is consistently within the top 3 UK schools of Architecture according to QS World University Rankings. MSA students are presented with a rich and diverse set of opportunities to learn from each other, professionals, the city and the society around them.

Our Professional Studies Team is led by permanent members of staff who maintain roles in practice. All MSA's Professional Studies Advisors are registered architects, some of whom have many years of experience as RIBA Part 3 examiners.

Meet us

Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.

We offer:

Meet us

Taught by experts

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Meet your tutors Discover your department

Entry requirements

NOTE: Although the ARB (Architects Registration Board) does not require that candidates take Parts 1, 2 and 3 sequentially, it is recommended that candidates have been awarded a UK RIBA validated Part 1 qualification, and are enrolled on a UK RIBA validated Part 2 course.

Alternatively, candidates should have one of the following:

International qualifications equivalent to the Part 1 and Part 2, and completed the Architects Registration Board (ARB) Prescribed Examination at Part 1 and Part 2; (With other relevant overseas qualifications, the candidate should undertake the ARB prescribed exams before registration with ARB).
Registration on an Architect Apprenticeship Level 7 at Manchester School of Architecture.

In addition, all candidates are required to:

Be on track to complete their 24 months practice experience in accordance with ARB/ RIBA regulations.
If English is not the applicant's first language, submit a valid (awarded within at least 2 years prior to application) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate of 6.5 or above in each of the band scores, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

The Programme leader will review the suitability of the application, generally without an interview requirement, though informal conversations will be welcomed pre-application.

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

Part-time fee: £3,167 studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.

EU and Non-EU International students

Additional information

A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).

Additional costs

specialist costs

Optional estimate: £1100

It is advised that students own a laptop for collating and developing written and visual research, for producing written submissions and presentations, and to facilitate flexible independent working.

Indicative cost of Laptop PC: £800

Indicative cost of MacBookPro: £1500

Specialist software and IT equipment that can support study is available on campus and solutions to providing students with access to these off-campus are currently being explored. Indicative cost of software -£300

other costs

Compulsory estimate: £250

Students may wish to purchase printed materials/publications to assist with learning but all essential printed material is available in the on campus library or via the CIS subscription accessible via our digital databases. Indicative print costs –up to £150.Indicative book binding costs –up to £50. Candidates should allow a budget of approx £250 for additional materials.

Postgraduate Loan Scheme

Loans available for many of our postgraduate courses

Find out more

Alumni Loyalty Discount

Rewarding our graduates

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Career prospects

Completion of the RIBA Part 3 - following completion of Part 1 and Part 2 - will allow candidates to register with the Architects Registration Board and for Chartered Membership of RIBA, opening up a wide range of career possibilities across both public and private sectors:

Architecture
Landscape architecture
Interior design
Urban planning
Project management

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Want to know more

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Got a question?

How to apply

Please contact our course enquiries team.

Please read the Part 3 Application Guidelines (PDF) before applying.

Application deadline

30th June 2024 for September 2024 entry
31st October 2024 for January 2025 entry

Please note, all places are subject to availability, and we reserve the right to close to applications earlier than the stated deadlines. As such, early application is advised.

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

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Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions.

Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.