PG Dip
Professional Practice and Management in Architecture

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Key Information

Start Date

September 2024

Typical Offer

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Part-time

1 year

Academic Year

Course Overview

Lincoln's Postgraduate Diploma incorporates the architectural professional practice employed in the management of the design process and construction of projects. Students are required to be in full-time employment, typically within an appropriate UK-based design practice (or similar) under the direction of a UK Registered Architect, who acts as an Employment Mentor.

The programme, which is taught online, has been designed to enable students to develop their knowledge, understanding, ability, and skills of the professional practice and management of architecture. Students are able to develop a comprehensive understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as a professional to clients, the profession, and society at large.

This qualification is developed in accordance with the Professional Criteria requirements of the Architects Registration Board and the Royal Institute of British Architects for the Part 3 Professional Practice and Management examination in Architecture.

Successful completion of this programme of study will enable students to apply to the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for inclusion on the Register of Architects and henceforth use the title Registered Architect; and in addition apply to the RIBA for Chartered Membership and be able to use the title Chartered Architect.

Why Choose Lincoln

Prescribed by the Architects Registration Board

Validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects

Opportunities to develop professional practice skills

Course designed to meet the needs of those currently in full-time employment

Delivered online via Microsoft Teams

Students sat at a table with a lectuer

How You Study

The programme is taught online via Microsoft Teams. This programme relies on a combination of taught and professional experience-related modules which aim to develop students' knowledge, understanding, ability, and skills in the Professional Practice and Management of Architecture.

The Postgraduate Certificate Stage taught modules are delivered once a month in the form of workshops, lectures, and seminars which are designed to develop and reinforce theory by placing it in a professional and practical context.

Students are expected to undertake their own independent study and research in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of the subject, and are encouraged to discuss problems they encounter in the workplace.

Postgraduate Diploma Stage modules are undertaken in the workplace simultaneously with the Postgraduate Certificate Stage taught modules. Students are required to be in full-time employment typically within an appropriate UK based design practice (or similar) under the direction of a UK Registered Architect, or other approved professional, who acts as an Employment Mentor. The mentor should be able to assist the student in gaining appropriate professional experience through involvement in real-world business activities and project management throughout all stages of the project life cycle.

The Postgraduate Certificate stage taught modules require attendance over eight weekends (i.e. Friday and Saturday) throughout the academic year. They take the form of workshops, formal lectures, and seminars which reinforce theory and place it in a professional and practical context. Teaching is supported by appropriate practitioner guest lecturers.

Students are expected to undertake their own independent study and research in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of the subject and are encouraged to discuss challenges they have previously encountered in the workplace. Seeking the knowledge and professional experience of others will assist in the student's professional development.

The Postgraduate Diploma stage work-based modules are undertaken in the workplace simultaneously with the Postgraduate Certificate taught modules, during which time candidates can gain valuable appropriate real-world architecture-related professional experience.

For more detailed information, please contact the Programme Leader.

Accreditations

This professional programme is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Letters A R B and Architects Registration board next to them

Modules

              † Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

              Case Study 2024-25ARC9168MLevel 72024-25This module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate by means of a case study, an ability to critically analyse the processes and procedures used on a project with which they have been personally involved from project inception through to completion. Additionally, evidence of their personal involvement must be clearly documented in the Professional Experience and Development Record (PEDR Logbook).CorePost-Contract Studies 2024-25ARC9167MLevel 72024-25The construction phase of a project sees the culmination of the pre-construction design and contractor selection process and leads to the implementation stage of the project life-cycle, when the initial abstract and conceptual design ideas can become a reality. This module consequently deals with the preparations needed to enable the construction team to commence on site and the contract/project administration processes and procedures necessary to enable the parties to fulfil their contractual obligations. However, not all contracts will run entirely smoothly and consideration must be given to contract claims and any consequential dispute resolution procedures. Finally this module will consider those professional services which can be offered following practical completion of a project, such as the initial occupation/facilities management of a completed development and post occupancy and buildings in use studies which can help to determine how successful a project is at achieving its initial aims and objectives.CorePre-Contract Studies 2024-25ARC9166MLevel 72024-25Following satisfactory completion of a project appraisal and design brief, the design team needs to develop a coherent and effective project brief, in order to produce sensible and realistic design proposals and therefore realise the client’s objectives and expectations. At the same time, such proposals must be fully compliant with all necessary legislative and regulatory requirements. As important as the design is, there is a need to generate appropriate detailed production information and tender documentation for the type and scale of the project in order to ensure a suitable contractor with the necessary experience and capabilities is appointed to construct the development. All in accordance with the time, quality, and cost constraints imposed by the client and the design team.CoreProfessional Experience and Development Stage 2 2024-25ARC9169MLevel 72024-25The Professional Interview Examination is the culmination of the Stage 2 period of Professional Experience and Development. This provides the candidate with the opportunity to build upon their Stage 1 period of professional experience and further demonstrate their ability to critically analyse their professional experience and development. As in the Stage 1 period of professional experience, this is achieved by means of the continued use of the RIBA’s online Professional Experience and Development Record (PEDR Logbook). In addition, Part 3 Candidates are required to complete a detailed Personal Development Plan and a Professional CV.CoreProfessional Practice and Management 2024-25ARC9163MLevel 72024-25In today’s constantly changing and highly volatile competitive business environment, if a design practice is to survive, it is essential that architects have a thorough understanding of the construction industry and the value of its contribution to the UK economy. A design practice can no longer rely upon designing interesting buildings alone, but must do this in an efficient and effective manner. This can only be achieved by being fully conversant with contemporary business management strategies, how organisations behave, an understanding of project management, all of which must be undertaken in compliance with current legislation, regulations and codes of conduct within both the UK and European context. This module seeks to address these issues.CoreProject Inception 2024-25ARC9165MLevel 72024-25This module will consider in greater detail the professional issues relating to the provision of a design team’s professional services and the need to have in place a written agreement defining the scope of work, the extent of the professional services to be provided, and the basis of the professional fees to be charged prior to the commencement of any project work. If a design team is to realise a client’s aspirations for a proposed construction development, it is absolutely imperative that they undertake a comprehensive appraisal of the project and establish a workable and achievable design brief. This module has been designed to recognise that the boundaries between the project appraisal and the more strategic design briefing stages of a project overlap. Hence, these two stages contain certain combined elements of a sensible project proposal which ensure continuity of project development.Core

              What You Need to Know

              We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.

              How you are assessed

              Assessment on this programme is through a combination of individual assignments, a case study report, a minimum of 24 months appropriate professional experience (which must be recorded using the RIBA Professional Experience and Development Record), a Personal Development Plan, and a professional CV. The final Examination is the Professional Interview Examination (Viva Voce).

              Modules are assessed in three parts:
              - Paper A: a pre-prepared briefing paper.
              - Paper B: practice scenario presentation with written and illustrative
              justifications.
              - Paper C: discursive theory essay.

              How to Apply

              Postgraduate Application Support

              Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.

              How to Apply
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              Entry Requirements 2024-25

              Entry Requirements

              Part 3 Entrants must hold appropriate prescribed academic qualifications which provide exemption from the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 1 and Part 2 "Examination in Architecture".

              Any Part 3 Entrant who does not hold the appropriate qualifications outlined above, will be required to the sit the ARB's "Prescribed Examination in Architecture", prior to enrolment on the programme.

              Students are required to be in full-time employment, typically within an appropriate UK-based design practice (or similar) under the direction of a UK Registered Architect, or other professional, who acts as an employment mentor. The mentor should be able to assist the student in gaining appropriate professional experience through involvement in real-world business activities and project management throughout all stages of the project life-cycle.

              Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

              Interviews

              Formal interviews are not conducted when a prospective Part 3 Candidate has previously completed their Part 1 and 2 with the School, as we are aware of their suitability for the programme. However, a more informal interview with new prospective Part 3 Candidates applicants is conducted by telephone.

              Where an interview may be required, these can be conducted online, or other suitable means.

              Course Fees

              You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.

              Course Fees

              The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

              Course -Specific Additional Costs

              In addition to the programme fees, Part 3 Candidates will be required to register with the RIBA in order to document their professional experience and development using the online PEDR Logsheets.

              With regards to textbooks, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list. The University’s extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts, however, some students may prefer to purchase their own and will be responsible for covering this cost.

              Funding Your Study

              Postgraduate Funding Options

              Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.

              Explore Funding Options
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              Career Development

              Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business. Successful completion of this programme will enable students to apply to the Architects Registration Board for inclusion on the Register of Architects.

              Why Postgraduate Study?

              Postgraduate Events

              To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.

              Upcoming Postgraduate Events
              A group of students sat around a table, working together on a project
              The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.