The new Postgraduate Certificate in Architecture and Contemporary Practice (RIBA Part 3) at Manchester School of Architecture has achieved validated status following a visit from the  RIBA Education Committee.

The RIBA Part 3 course is for students aiming to achieve the status of fully qualified architects in the UK, and is final step before students can formally register under the Architects Registration Act 1997, and for RIBA Chartered Membership.

The new course will be the first in the city of Manchester to offer students the opportunity to complete their RIBA Part 3 qualification. Candidates may choose from January and September starts, and will benefit from separate units and assessments spread throughout the course of the year, a Professional Studies Advisory service to support graduate outcomes, and MSA’s strong relationships with practices within Manchester and beyond.

The Board commended the School for the development of a ‘holistically considered Part 3 course, particularly in relation to the flexibility of the course structure and tailored support plans for candidates’, in addition to the courses collaborative ethos on the course between students, academia and practice.

“MSA is now proud to be able to offer all 3 parts of architectural education to students, drawing upon our well-established links with practice, academia and professional expertise” said Programme Leader Rachel Newton, The programme has been developed to focus on contemporary practice, offering a new model for Part 3 in the region. We are particularly pleased to receive RIBA’s commendations in relation to the flexibility of the course structure and a tailored support plan for candidates.”

“We are thrilled to have received RIBA validation for our Part 3 programme, Architecture & Contemporary Practice in what is a landmark for the Manchester School of Architecture.” Said Head of School Professor Kevin Singh. “Students will now be able to qualify as an Architect solely in the School, via our BA, M.Arch, and this programme. The programme will also enhance our already strong relationships with the city and region’s architectural practices, and offer an alternative route to qualification for students in the North West.”

“We are grateful to the RIBA for their support in our journey to validate the programme and I’m very proud of our staff team for achieving this success, namely, Stephen McCusker who led the exploratory work and wrote the original approval, and to Programme Leader Rachel Newton for taking it forward to the approval. We are very excited about how our new Part 3 programme, with it’s very deliberate name will be a game changer for the city and the region.”

We look forward to welcoming any prospective candidates to our Part 3 programme. For an informal discussion, or to make an application, contact Programme Leader Rachel Newton via email, at R.Newton@mmu.ac.uk.