Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 3 exemption)
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Diploma
DURATION
12 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** international full-time study |£3,990: home full-time study. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Boost your architectural career with expert training
This course is your gateway to becoming a fully qualified architect.
Complete the final stage of formal education before gaining qualification and registration as an architect in the UK.
Achieve ARB/RIBA Part 3 accreditation and gain critical professional skills in architectural law, project management, and contract negotiation.
Taught by industry experts and established practitioners, the programme focuses on real-world application of knowledge. Gain the necessary insight and confidence to succeed in the fast-paced architectural field.
Glean the legal, procedural, professional and managerial competencies needed to engage in architectural practice. Apply to become a critical and reflective practitioner.
Why choose this course
Kingston University's PG Dip in Professional Practice in Architecture is designed for graduates ready to take the next step in their career. This course helps you to meet the requirements for Part 3, qualifying as an architect in the UK.
The RIBA has described this course as 'rigorous, thorough and offering a high level of detail'. With no examinations, our focus is on scenario-based coursework to prepare you for professional architectural practice.
The curriculum is designed to support and inform your work-based professional experience. Key highlights of this programme include:
- Real-world learning: Develop skills in contract law, project management and professional ethics through case studies and scenarios.
- Tailored support: Benefit from a professional studies advisor to guide you through your professional development.
- Flexible learning: Study part-time, enabling you to work while you complete your qualification.
Accreditation
This course is prescribed by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) at Part 3 for the purpose of registration in the UK, and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for the purpose of eligibility for membership of the RIBA.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Kingston University’s Professional Practice in Architecture PgDip equips you with the expertise to explore roles such as:
- Registered Architect
- Project Leader
Kingston University’s links with the profession mean you’ll graduate with a competitive edge.
This course is a part-time course designed for candidates who are working in practice. Your professional relationship to the industry and contemporary work experience is an important element of this.
Course leaders and tutors are experienced architects and expert guest speakers present lectures on a regular basis. Part 3 assessors are drawn from renowned architecture practices and partner universities. Guest lectures have included: Orms, JTP, Foster Lomas, BDP, Hawkins\Brown, Amin Taha, Edwin Heathcote, Wilkinson Construction Consultants, ARB, Sense Studio, Bow Arts Trust, Allies & Morrison, DMH Stallard LLP, John Robertson Architects, Robin Lee Architecture.
The curriculum has been devised to support and inform your work-based professional experience, providing modules in law, professional practice and relevant management issues. You will undertake a variety of individual assignments throughout each module; however, you must supplement this learning with your work-based experience in practice. You will be provided with scenarios and taken through the progress of several projects. These will extend and test your knowledge base and its application. You will build on and further develop the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired during your first degree, subsequent graduate education and periods of work-based learning.
You are expected to complete four compulsory modules, valued at 30 credits each.
Modules
The course consolidates your existing skills and learning: you gain core legal, procedural, professional and managerial competencies throughout the year. The course is one of continuous assessment and offers opportunities for you to critically evaluate your professional experience.
Core modules
- Law and the Professional
- Professional Services and Business Management
- Building Procurement and the Management of Projects
- Critical Practice
Teaching and assessment
You'll be assessed through coursework, enabling you to get a thorough grounding in the issues throughout the year.
Guided independent study (self-managed time)
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically involves reading and analysing articles, regulations, policy documents and key texts, documenting individual projects, preparing coursework assignments and completing your PEDRs, etc.
Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the University's online virtual learning platform.
Support for postgraduate students
At Kingston University, we know that postgraduate students have particular needs and therefore we have a range of support available to help you during your time here.
Your workload
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 8% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
How you will be assessed
Assessment comprises coursework (such as essays and reports), volumes of professional development and case studies, as well as the final viva. The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:
Type of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your timetable and class sizes
This course normally enrols 30 to 40 Part 3 candidates. However this may vary.
For students interested in studying Professional Practice in Architecture PgDip at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
- Inspire the Future Scholarship
- International scholarships
- Progression Scholarship
- Discounts for Kingston University alumni