The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has denounced a reform from the Architects Registration Board (ARB) on qualification awarding powers
The ARB has announced that they will be maintaining the decision to reform the wording from qualification awarding powers to degree awarding powers in Accreditation Rule 4.2: Degree awarding powers.
RIBA has previously responded with disapproval to the proposal, saying that it “risks haemorrhaging talent.” In the wake of the ARB announcement, RIBA have again condemned the decision.
The change would make for easier ARB disqualification
RIBA condemns the ARB reform that means any learning provider that is applying for accreditation of a master’s level qualification or equivalent would need degree awarding powers, i.e. a formal agreement with a body that holds degree awarding powers.
This means that learning providers without degree awarding powers or do not have a formal agreement are immediately disqualified from ARB qualifications.
As it currently stands, RIBA qualifications are recognised for ARB qualifications.
RIBA condemns the ARB decision a second time
Chair of RIBA board of trustees, Jack Pringle, said: “Since 1837, our Royal Charter has enshrined our ability to award our own qualifications, granting us the independence to award certificates and diplomas in our own right. Our current RIBA Studio diploma is already recognised as a master’s level equivalent qualification and our external examiners recognise this in their reports. ARB’s decision is a direct assault on the powers granted to us in our charter.
“We are pleased to partner with Oxford Brookes University for the delivery of RIBA Studio, and the terms of our arrangement mean that we continue to satisfy Accreditation Rule 4.2. However, ARB’s decision fetters our ability to seek further different routes to qualification, that we may wish to devise in parallel. This is of great concern.
“In addition, this ill-advised move could disproportionately affect future alternative learning providers, preventing them from offering new qualifications that could particularly benefit students who face barriers to accessing education due to finances or caring responsibilities.
“We continue to advocate for an inclusive architecture education system that works for all.”
At the time of the original proposition, Pringle said: “ARB’s proposal will seriously hamper the development of new pathways into architecture – at a time when the need for more flexible routes to qualification have never been greater. The change risks haemorrhaging talent and threatens the future diversity of our profession.
“We support ARB moving to an outcomes-based approach to education, just as RIBA has always done, to widen access to the profession in a robust and well-regulated way.
“However, this elitist and ill-judged proposal is a barrier to learning providers that supply innovative and diverse routes to the required professional qualifications. Indeed, such alternative routes are welcomed and nurtured in the accountancy and legal professions.
“RIBA Studio is a lifeline for those working in practice with financial, family or other commitments that prevent them from returning to full-time or even part-time university study to become an architect. It has the flexibility to suspend studies when needed, demonstrating the value of different routes to registration.
“We continue to advocate for our members, students and schools of architecture, holding ARB to account on educational reform – and working together to deliver a robust education system for all.”
