The Architect Registration Board (ARB) has revoked the prescription of two architecture qualifications which are provided by Hull College and validated by The Open University
The qualifications are the BA (Hons) Architecture at Part 1 and the Master of Architecture MArch at Part 2. The revocation will take effect on the 31 October 2019. Both architecture qualifications were initially prescribed in 2016 with a renewal date in January 2020.
As a regulator of the profession, the ARB prescribes the UK qualifications and training necessary to join the Architects Register and become an architect in the UK. As such, it is integral that the ARB ensures the “qualifications meet the standards appropriate to practise as an architect in the UK”.
Institutions are required to provide an annual monitoring submission each year to ensure that conditions for prescription are being fulfilled. ARB requires assurance that an institution’s systems and resources are adequate to ensure every student obtaining the relevant architecture qualifications meets its criteria.
The decision to revoke prescription was made on the basis that the institution did not comply with annual monitoring requirements and that ARB no longer had confidence that the institution had adequate resources to deliver the architecture qualifications in a way which ensured all criteria would be met.
The decision for the revocation will take effect from 31 October 2019 was made on the basis that while the students who will graduate in October were exceptionally able to achieve the required standards, evidence gathered as part of ARB’s review processes did not provide assurance that the institution’s systems and resources would be sufficient to enable future students to meet the required standards.
Staff from Hull College cooperated fully with the process and representations concerning improvements underway were carefully considered. It was also noted that the 2019 graduating cohort was of a high standard with no pass at less than an upper second.
ARB says there are 11 students currently undertaking the architecture qualifications who will not have graduated before revocation. It has offered to provide support and advice on the options available to this group.
Emma Matthews, ARB’s head of qualifications and governance, said: “Such decisions are undertaken after careful consideration of the issues and are not made lightly.
“Revocations are rare, however we take our duty to ensure standards are maintained very seriously and are willing to make such decisions when necessary to ensure trust is maintained in the profession.”
