Overview
Develop competence and integrity
As the final stage of architectural education, the Professional Practice Part 3 course at LSBU prepares you for registration with the Architects Registration Board (ARB), allowing them to legally practice as an Architect. Successful completion also provides eligibility for membership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Run in tandem with the Level 7 Architecture Apprenticeship, the Professional Practice Part 3 course offers pioneering, progressive, and comprehensive content that evolves to meet the changing demands of the profession. Well-respected across architectural practice and among its alumni, the course provides a structured framework for students to develop their skills, knowledge, and professionalism, ensuring they meet the ARB and RIBA criteria for final assessment.
This part-time course begins with a 14-week online lecture series during the autumn term, followed by an open-book exam completed off-campus over a seven-day period. At this stage, you also submit your Professional Experience Development Records (PEDR). In the spring term, you undertake a focused case study and career appraisal in preparation for a professional interview with experienced examiners.
The course begins in early August and we encourage prospective students to apply at a first opportunity to secure a place on the course.
If you have any questions, please contact Jon Bush, the Course Leader. E: bushj5@lsbu.ac.uk
You can view previous LSBU Architecture catalogues here:
Architecture Catalogue 2022-2023
Architecture Catalogue 2021-2022
Why take the RIBA Professional Practice Part 3 at LSBU?
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- Located in the heart of London, London South Bank University has a rich history of delivering quality education for professional qualifications, including over 100 years of architectural education.
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- Established and informed Professional Practice course and examination, commended by the RIBA.
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- Students have the choice of online or in-person contact as they progress through the course, and LSBU provides an integrated PEDR review service as part of the course fee.
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- Individual or multiple lectures can be taken for CPD, subject familiarisation or refreshment, without taking the exam.
| ModePart-time | Duration10 months | Start dateAugust | Application code6017 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Course Accreditations
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RIBA
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ARB
Watch our video to see how you can make yourself at home studying at LSBU.
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.
The course and examination are open to students who have obtained their ARB/RIBA Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications, or their equivalents as recognised by the Architects Registration Board.
At the time of entry into the examination, candidates should have recently completed a minimum of 24 months' suitably recorded appropriate professional experience under the direct supervision of a professional working in the construction industry which should include at least 12 months working in the EEA, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, under the direct supervision of an architect.
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
United Kingdom
£3100
Tuition fees for home students
International
£3100
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Part-time
part-time
RIBA Professional Practice Part 3 (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £3100 International fee: £3100 AOS/LSBU code: 1089 Session code: 1PS01 Professional Practice Part 3 (PT) - Year 1
UK fee: £3100 International fee: £3100 AOS/LSBU code: 6017 Session code: 1PS00
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.
See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).
Possible fee changes
The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.
The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.
Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study
If you are starting a Masters course, studying either full- or part-time, you may be entitled to apply for a postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.
Scholarships
We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on funding your studies on the scholarships and fee discounts page.
Fee status
Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.
The writing up fee:
A student can change to writing up status for the purpose of a lower fee when the examination arrangements have been submitted and approved. Examination arrangements are submitted 3 months prior to submission of the thesis for examination. A student only has one year of writing up at the reduced fee that covers submission, viva, and minor corrections. The writing up fee 25/26 is £1,246
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Home and International entry
| Mode Part-time | Duration 10 months | Start date August | Application code 6017 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,520 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).
Accommodation
Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
The course comprises the following modules.
- Lecture Series and Written Examination
The Part 3 lecture series is currently delivered on Fridays between August to November by expert academics and professionals in practice. With over 30 subject areas as defined by Professional Criteria at Part 3, topics include architectural practice management, the law, regulations, construction procurement, contracts, and more besides. The lecture series aims to develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours of the architect in practice. Content contextualises the principles and procedures of the role of the architect in the built environment. Attendees can expect key information on business and financial management, the legal and legislative framework in support of the fundamentals of good practice and successful commissioning, procurement, and delivery of architectural projects. The lecture series is followed by a single written examination. Formatted to simulate real world conditions, the exam is completed off-campus in the student’s own time over a 7 day timeframe. - Professional Experience Development Records
Students are required to have completed a minimum of 24 months of professional experience development record (PEDR) before the final examination. As part of the Part 3 criteria, 12 months of experience are to be under the direct supervision of a registered architect in the UK. Each PEDR covers 3 months, and must be reviewed and signed by both the student’s supervisor in practice and a Professional Studies Advisor (PSA) at the university. For enrolled students, the PEDR review service is included within the fee structure of the course, and covers PEDRs during the period of which the student is enrolled. LSBU provides a separate PEDR service for those not enrolled / PEDRs previous to enrolment at a fee of £250 per 4no. PEDRs. Please reach out to the Course Leader if you would like to use this separate service. Please also refer to the RIBA PEDR website for information on the subscription to the PEDR portal (which is payable by the student) and logging of PEDRs. - Case Study Report
The Case Study Report is an illustrated 10,000 word description, analysis of and critical reflection on a project undertaken in the workplace. Group seminars and individual tutorials are provided and topics of focus include professionalism, delivery of services, clients and users, legal framework and processes, practice management, and building procurement. Ideally, a case study project is live at the time of writing, and will have covered all work stages up to construction by the time of submission, with the author involved for the majority of work stages. However, the above is a guide only. It is possible to split the case study across two separate projects and the project(s) may be outside the UK, while the practice must be UK-based. Students need to agree the case study with the Course Team before they start work on it. - Career appraisal + professional interview
In tandem with the case study report, students are to prepare a Curriculum Vitae and an illustrated 4,000 word career appraisal reflecting on their academic and practical experience and future aspirations. This will also include how their experience demonstrates that each of the relevant Part 3 criteria has been achieved. The professional interview, or viva voce, is the concluding component of the examination. It is the opportunity for the examiners to assess the student’s knowledge, competencies and professional judgement against the Part 3 Criteria through a 45-minute interview orientated around the examination submissions and experience.
Careers
LSBU CareerSmart
LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:
- AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
- Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
- Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.
We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.
The final qualification in the study of architecture is the Part 3, in which 5 years’ academic education and a minimum of 2 years’ professional experience is crystallised and evaluated against the minimum standards set by the profession for the competence and conduct of an architect.
The RIBA Professional Practice Part 3 course is prescribed by the ARB and validated by the RIBA, and validation cycles ensure that course content and outputs remain completely relevant and retain close appropriateness to professional practice. The course was commended by the RIBA in its re-validation in 2018.
Whilst the university has no means to ensure the economic situation nationally and globally will guarantee employment, the work graduates will have completed at the end of this course is intended to make them competitive in employment.
Professional accreditation
Successful completion of the course and passing all parts of the RIBA Professional Practice Part 3 enables candidates to register as an architect with the Architecture Registration Board (ARB) , and join the RIBA as a chartered member.
- The professional membership organisation the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities, and the environment through architecture. The RIBA provides guidance on professional standards, training, support, and recognition that puts members around the world at the peak of their profession.
- The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the UK's statutory body, and operates a register of architects, ensuring that graduates from our courses are competent to practice.
Teaching and Assessment
Please refer to the Course Content tab above for specific information regarding the course teaching and assessment structure.
Students are supported throughout their studies by a range of approaches to teaching and learning. Small group tutorials provide a high degree of contact with students to assist the development of their case studies, and reviews of their experience. Further support is provided through large group seminars, tutorials and role-playing workshops at which role-play.
Students are strongly encouraged to set up informal study groups with others planning to take the Part 3 examination. The Course Director will provide contacts at the start of the course, but individual candidates should take the initiative in setting up such groups, which are known to be helpful in sharing experience and understanding of practice issues, providing mutual support in examination revision and focussing effort on priorities.
Alongside the support offered by academics and technicians in the school, the University offers a range of services to help with learning support needs.
The Skills for Learning Team (S4L) is a division of the Centre for Research Informed Teaching (CRIT). The team provides a flexible service to all students enrolled at LSBU and supports you to develop your academic literacy and enhance your academic and professional performance to achieve your full potential. Our academic practices, English language development and maths and stats provisions are taught by experienced teachers.
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