Frequently Asked Questions about Working in Practice

Above all, remember that professional experience is intended to be practical and technical rather than purely creative. It is intended to supply graduates with skills that they will need as architects to realise their designs.

Stage 1 - to determine if architecture is the right career; to apply some theory to practice, to then take back to theory for part 2.

Stage 2 - to apply all theory from part 2 to practice; to prepare for part 3 exam and "coming of age". As the part 3 qualification entitles architects to set up in practice and run client's projects, then, by the end of the stage 2 experience, graduates ought to be able to run a small project with minimal supervision

A small practice is likely to offer more "hands on" experience at both stages 1& 2. However, projects likely to be smaller/ simpler and graduates may be asked to take on responsibility for which they are inadequately prepared.

Medium to large practices may offer better experience of office-based systems/ procedures. Check to see whether the large office is divided into small design teams which may offer positive experience.

Large practices may offer experience on larger projects but of smaller scope. Graduates' roles may be more observational, they will be part of a larger team

A specialised practice may be able to offer a more in-depth experience, with observation and participation in that specialisation.

Graduates should check whether the experience will be suitable for part 3, e.g. A practice specialising in overseas work is unlikely to offer overseas travel to graduates, and they may have problems gaining the necessary on-site experience.

Practice may have to be flexible to allow graduates to gain more rounded experience in another practice.

It might be best for graduates who are interested in specializing to try to gain a broader experience during stages 1 and 2 and then specialise post part III.

There is a need for graduates to understand that they are unlikely to be unleashed on a major design in the office. However, they will learn that there is an element of design in detailing - which will be offered. Graduates may be asked to design small components of a project - furniture, railings, etc. Remember - design in an office has to be produced according to a resources programme - there may not be as much time as graduates are used to from college! Graduates should look to participate in development of concept sketches and detailing.

It is possible, depending on the experience gained, and whether graduates have previously worked in the sector. However, it is very common to take two or more stage 2 years prior to sitting the exam. This is because the best sort of experience will be gained from following a project through the entire production information and construction phases (RIBA E-J, and if possible to L)

Depending on the economy, certain opportunities may not be available and may have to be supplemented by others - graduates should consult their PSA

A project which is likely to provide best overall spread of types of experience.

Ideally see project through all RIBA work stages, although this is more likely to be confined to RIBA E-J. It is essential to gain experience in these latter stages.

Some schools advise on the size of project … discuss further with your PSA.

Part III courses tend to concentrate on JCT contracts as a model for understanding how building contracts operate. Graduates are likely to encounter a number of alternative contracts in use. Project using other contracts may broaden graduates' experience, and in any case, graduates will have to study a contract in more depth for the exam than they would be able to simply through the project experience