ARB Consults on Prescription of Qualifications

ARB Consults on Prescription of Qualifications (30/08/2002)

View Prescription of Qualifications: Procedures Consultation Document

At its meeting on 29 August, following extensive discussions with the RIBA, the ARB decided to publicly consult on the proposed arrangements for prescribing architectural qualifications in the UK.

In debates leading to the Architects Act 1997, Parliament made recognition of the predominant role played by the RIBA in architectural education and it expressed a wish that it did not want the ARB to duplicate that function. However, it felt that the right of the Board to determine the qualifications and experience necessary for registration as an architect should be preserved in the legislation.

The proposed new procedure for prescribing qualifications take due account of Parliament’s concerns – it enables the Board to carry out its statutory function for prescribing qualifications in a way which does not duplicate the work of RIBA. It will replace the current validation procedures of December 2000.

Institutions are able, under the new proposals, to submit material which Higher Education Institutions use for their own quality assurance. The new system should not, therefore, increase the documentary burden on institutions.

The period of consultation runs to 14 October 2002 and those wishing to respond should contact Dr Jon Levett (ARB, 8 Weymouth Street, London, W1N 5BU). The Board will consider responses at its meeting on 28 November 2002 and then decide how to proceed.