Qualifications of architects

Objective – Maintaining the qualifications of architects

Objective

To have engaged with institutions, students and other stakeholders regarding the prescription process and Criteria to inform, to obtain feedback and to promote an understanding of ARB’s role with regard to qualifications; and to maintain a high quality service for institutions, students and EU Member states

Delivery against objective

  • Delivered
  • 2013 saw a continued focus on maintaining constructive, open dialogue and good working relationships with all relevant external stakeholders in order to deal with forthcoming challenges effectively.
  • We spoke at the Standing Conference of Heads of Schools of Architecture and the Association of Professional Studies Advisors in Architecture forums regarding the Qualifications Directive and the Prescribed Examinations process. This provided an opportunity to share information and to discuss developments which were valued by both organisations.
  • We undertook 9 planning meetings (fulfilling all requests for meetings), including one to an institution notifying a qualification to Europe, during the 2012/2013 prescription cycle.
  • We undertook 47 university liaison visits. Positive feedback was received from stakeholders as to the continuing value of planning and university liaison sessions.

Objectives

On behalf of the UK, and in its capacity as the UK’s Competent Authority for Architects, scrutinise and review European qualifications which are notified to the European Commission for listing under the PQD

Delivery against objective

  • Delivered
  • ARB reviewed and processed all 14 European notifications it received within the European Commission’s deadlines. A number of European counterparts also complimented ARB on the professional way in which it handled the notifications. Other Member States have modelled the format of their notifications on that of the UK/ARB.
  • ARB provided support to the UK’s Nominated Expert in Architecture, who was responsible for considering Member States’ notifications to the European Commission.

Objectives

Continue exploring the possible development of a process to deal with the prescription of qualifications offered overseas by both UK institutions and overseas institutions.

Delivery against objective

  • Delivered so far as external factors have allowed
  • We explored this process. Progress was made in relation to UK schools which offer prescribed qualifications overseas and clear guidance has been issued to schools where this has arisen.

Objectives

Continue exploring the possible development of a process to deal with the prescription of qualifications offered overseas by both UK institutions and overseas institutions.

Delivery against objective

  • Delivered so far as external factors have allowed
  • We explored this process. Progress was made in relation to UK schools which offer prescribed qualifications overseas and clear guidance has been issued to schools where this has arisen.

Objectives

Prepare for changes to the European notification/listing process, requirements for professional practice and ARB Criteria following revisions to the PQD

Delivery against objective

  • Delivered
  • Staff continued to monitor the position vis-à-vis the approval and issuance of the final Directive text and have begun working out the likely implications in this area.

Objectives

Explore whether enhancements should be made to ARB’s approach to the prescription of qualifications to reflect ARB’s risk-based approach to the process which sees ARB focus greater attention on qualifications with compliance issues

Delivery against objective

  • Delivered
  • A risk-based exercise of identifying whether any institutions due to renew prescription could be offered a one-year extension.
  • Four institutions were granted extensions to their prescription periods.
  • Staff undertook an annual review of the operation of the prescription process in July 2013 to identify if there were any further initiatives that could develop the risk-based approach. This was reported to the Prescription Committee and further Committee discussions will take place during 2014.