Course summary
The Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice at the Leicester School of Architecture – one of the oldest schools of architecture in the UK – prepares you for registration and chartership. You will reflect on the evolution of the professional architect, relevant legislation and alternative approaches to practice and management. The course will develop your professional acumen in business organisation, management and commerce, advocacy, ethics and marketing, contracts and interpersonal skills. The course offers a flexible learning programme comprising three study units, each lasting three days, typically running from October to October. Study units cover the following topics: Marketing, Management and Practice, covering the skills and knowledge needed to understand the set-up, professional and economic management, and marketing of professional architectural practice in various forms. Building Contracts, covering the range of common building contracts, their application and the contractual relationships between contracted parties. Architect and the Law, covering legislation affecting contract law, planning and development, and the wider regulations related to architecture and the building industry. Key features:
- Successful candidates gain eligibility to join the register at the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB) and chartered membership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
- The long-standing Leicester School of Architecture is one of the oldest architectural schools in the UK. Our approach draws on years of experience to challenge conventions and redefine the future of the architectural practice.
- Learn the key aspects of the role of the architect such as setting up, marketing and managing a practice, and gain an understanding of legislation and contracts related to the building industry.
- Learn from established practitioners, academics and consultants, who will ensure you are responding to contemporary, real-world issues grounded in theory and practice.
- Our award-winning Vijay Patel building has been designed to provide the space and facilities where all of our art and design students can develop their ideas and flourish.
Assessment method
You will receive lectures from practising architects, academics, and consultants in seminars, and in consultation on an individual basis relating to case studies. Work assignments are based on your practical experience. Assessment is through work assignments relating to the study units, a written examination taken in your place of employment, documentary submission comprising practical training record (log book/ PEDR), case study, evaluation of practical experience, and an employer’s report. This culminates in the professional interview. The written examination is taken over two days and assesses the candidates' understanding and application, based on scenarios that replicate legal, management and contractual problems that arise in professional practice. The case study and evaluation of professional experience are components assessed by professional examiners.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Architects Registration Board
- Architects Royal Institute of British
How to apply
International applicants
This course is not suitable for international students
Entry requirements
You must have ARB/RIBA Part 1 and 2 exemption. You must also be in full-time work in a practice with an ARB registered architect. You will automatically be enrolled on the PEDR course. You are required to have at least eight PEDR sheets completed by the time you take the professional interview in November, four of which must be post-part 2. The qualification leads to access in the UK register with title and access to market. Please note that the qualification may have no bearing on registration in a legal jurisdiction other than the UK. If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9BH