The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is consulting on proposals to update and modernise the exam, which evaluates the education of non-UK architects wishing to join the register
The ARB prescribed examination proposals are designed to make the route to registration clearer and more transparent to architects without ARB-accredited qualifications, offering an opportunity to demonstrate an equivalent standard of academic confidence.
The consultation is now seeking views on these proposals and opinions on how the examination would operate.
Simplifying the process
The proposed updates to the ARB Prescribed Examination would split the examination into three stages, as follows:
- An application stage to determine eligibility
- A review of a self-assessment and portfolio of evidence demonstrating the Academic Outcomes
- An online interview with examiners to explore the applicant’s evidence and understanding of the Academic Outcomes
Clearer eligibility requirements are also being proposed, meaning that applicants would need to hold a qualification comparable to a UK Level 7 (RQF) qualification in architecture or a relevant discipline. This is intended to give a more transparent and objective approach to determining an applicant’s eligibility and to reduce the need for case-by-case assessments.
These proposals, if implemented, will align the Prescribed Examination with the ARB’s outcomes-based framework for initial education and training to assess the Academic Outcomes.
Alan Kershaw, chair of the Architects Registration Board, said: “The Prescribed Examination plays an important role in providing access to registration for people who have followed different educational routes but can demonstrate the knowledge and academic competence expected of architects.
“These proposals are designed to create a more modern, transparent and outcomes-focused assessment that aligns with our wider reforms to architectural education and training. We want to ensure the examination remains robust while making the process clearer and more accessible for applicants.
“We encourage everyone with an interest in architectural education and registration to share their views through the consultation and help shape our final approach.”
Investing in the future
The ARB is undergoing a transformation to modernise their operations and the architectural profession in general. In July, the Board’s Annual Report and Financial Statements were laid in Parliament.
One of the Board’s headline achievements is the launch of three new Master’s-level qualifications within a new education and training framework, designed to create a more flexible route to aspiring architects while upholding rigorous standards of competence and public protection.
The Architect’s Code of Conduct and Practice was also published in September 2025, setting out a new framework for professional behaviour and ethics and reinforcing the standards expected of architects.
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