ARB Qualification Status 2026: What Qualifications Are Currently Valid?

With ARB's education reforms in transition, understanding the current status of different qualifications is essential. This guide provides a clear overview as of February 2026.

Currently Prescribed Qualifications (Valid for Registration)

Part 1 Qualifications (until December 2027)

All existing ARB-accredited Part 1 qualifications remain prescribed. These include:

• BA (Hons) Architecture and equivalent undergraduate programmes
• BSc (Hons) Architecture
• Diploma programmes at FHEQ Level 6

Part 2 Qualifications (until December 2028)

All existing ARB-accredited Part 2 qualifications remain prescribed. These include:

• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture
• Part 2 equivalent programmes at FHEQ Level 7

Part 3 Qualifications (until December 2028)

All existing ARB-accredited Part 3 qualifications remain prescribed. These include:

• Professional Practice examination programmes
• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Professional Practice
• Part 3 programmes offered by schools of architecture

Qualifications in Transition

Some learning providers have already begun transitioning their qualifications to the new Outcomes framework. These may be offered as:

Master's-Level Qualifications (New Format): Delivering Academic Outcomes under the new framework. Students completing these will have met the master's-level requirement for registration.

Practice Qualifications (New Format): Delivering Practice Outcomes under the new framework. Students completing these will have met the practice qualification requirement.

Combined Qualifications: Some providers may offer qualifications that deliver both Academic and Practice Outcomes together.

Prescribed Examination Route

For candidates with overseas qualifications who do not hold ARB-accredited qualifications:

Part 1 Prescribed Examination: Currently available but will be withdrawn coinciding with the end of Part 1 accreditation (expected December 2027).

Part 2 Prescribed Examination: Currently available. Will be modified to become a single Academic Outcomes examination under the new framework.

Part 3 Examination: Candidates must still complete an ARB-accredited Part 3 qualification or equivalent.

Important Notes

Qualification Validity: Your completed prescribed qualifications do not expire. If you completed an ARB Part 1 in 2015, it remains valid indefinitely for registration purposes.

RIBA Validation: RIBA-validated qualifications maintain their status for RIBA membership and international recognition regardless of ARB accreditation changes.

Student Funding: The changes do not affect student funding access for those pursuing ARB-accredited degrees at master's level.

Practical Experience: Those currently completing practical experience after Part 2 are minimally affected. The two-year practice experience remains the expected duration.

Checking Qualification Status

To verify whether a specific qualification is currently ARB-accredited:

• Visit the ARB website's list of prescribed qualifications
• Contact your learning provider directly
• Check the ARB's transition guidance for learning providers