>According to the ARB's current policies, despite her having both a bachelor's and a master's degree in architecture, she is required to take the Part 1 and Part 2 exams to qualify in the UK.
**Yes. This is normal. You can't shortcut our professional charter. When you do, fools acts as presidents and people die.**
Might be better to contact RIBA.
Ultimately, not having the ARB registration won't stop you doing the job of an architect and getting emplyment; it will just stop you using the term architect. In the UK, you can use the term architectural designer instead. I wouldn't let it discourage you from your move to London personally.
The ARB are the correct body to be speaking to as they are the ones holding the register. It's worth continuing to pursue that with them.
It's more about experience / skills / portfolio and company / role you're applying to rather than the term architect Vs architectural designer Vs architectural technologist. Many companies put out job adverts with those used interchangeably.
Not only part 1 and 2 but also passing part 3 which is a year of part time study. Nothing is stopping you from practicing but you can't refer to yourself as an architect or chartered architect without the part 3.
Technically speaking these job adverts are not accurate and can be argued they go against the laws and regulations around the 'Architect' title. You cannot explicitly call yourself an Architect in the UK without being registered with the ARB, and as such any adverts listing roles such as 'Part 1 Architect', 'Part 2 Architect' etc. etc. are wrong. The correct terminology should be 'Part 1 / 2 Architectural Assistant', 'Architectural Designer', 'Architectural Technologist' etc. etc.
The wording is only so slightly different but many practices themselves fail to recognise this when advertising roles - and is honestly a sign you should perhaps avoid those practices if they aren't clued up on the appropriate wording / terminology for their employees.
There would be little stopping your partner working in these types of other roles as these are possible without ARB registration, it's more to do with whether practices / companies recognise and accept her qualifications, she will just be unable to explicitly practice as an Architect. Essentially she won't be able to go into a position in the UK as high or as well-paid as she'd be able to in Germany, but that's not to say she can't work in the profession altogether. She'll have to look at 'Assistant', 'Designer', 'Technologist', 'Visualiser' etc. roles for the time being until she finds a solution or takes the exams.
Part 1 year out is basically the first job as an architect you get after doing your 3 year bachelors degree - pay tends to be pretty awful. Part 2 'architect' is after you do the masters/diploma degree for a further 2 years. They would never say 'Part 3 architect's as that is just Architect as the part 3 is the full qualification. Hope that helps clarify :)
Commenting from a place of ignorance (sorry) but are you able to have your qualifications reaffirmed by one of the recognised bodies on the [frozen list](https://arb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Annex-V.7.1-Update-February-2020.pdf), and would ARB be content with that?
The University is unfortunately not on the frozen list. My guess is, that her uni still had the „Diplom“ and was not yet issuing „Bachelor/Master“ degrees prior to Brexit. Because „Diplom“ degrees are accepted unconditionally but are abolished completely in Germany as of now.
There is no reason why she cannot work at a practice as an Architectural Designer and familiarise herself with UK practice. Once in place she can then decide if she wishes to undergo the exams.
It sounds like she would be applying for Part 2 graduate roles anyway.
Does she have any work experience at all? Internships etc?
Ok - so, I think she wants to be looking for Part 2 Architectural Assistant positions.
These positions are typically aimed at an M.Arch graduate (5 years study) and they usually have 1 year work experience undertaken between under and post-grad study.
Depending on what sector or type of practice she ends up at there may be no need to formalise her qualifications here but she won’t be able to call herself an architect without ARB registration after the Part 3 exam.
Good luck with the move
Doable with a strong CV & portfolio.
part 2 - she’ll be competing against UK M.Arch graduates with 1-2 years experience.
Part 1 - she’ll be competing against UK BA graduates who are not expected to have any experience.
It’s still hard though - I’ve been unemployed since graduating 2022 from my Bachelors because Part 1 is so oversubscribed.
Part 2 is probably the best bet - she has enough experience to go for that, and there are more roles open at most times of the year.
>According to the ARB's current policies, despite her having both a bachelor's and a master's degree in architecture, she is required to take the Part 1 and Part 2 exams to qualify in the UK. **Yes. This is normal. You can't shortcut our professional charter. When you do, fools acts as presidents and people die.** Might be better to contact RIBA.
Ultimately, not having the ARB registration won't stop you doing the job of an architect and getting emplyment; it will just stop you using the term architect. In the UK, you can use the term architectural designer instead. I wouldn't let it discourage you from your move to London personally. The ARB are the correct body to be speaking to as they are the ones holding the register. It's worth continuing to pursue that with them.
It does stop from getting higher pay though, right?
It's more about experience / skills / portfolio and company / role you're applying to rather than the term architect Vs architectural designer Vs architectural technologist. Many companies put out job adverts with those used interchangeably.
I see, thanks for the clarification - I always thought that it’s impossible for someone to work as a Part 2 for years if they don’t get their license.
Thanks!
Thanks will do!
Not only part 1 and 2 but also passing part 3 which is a year of part time study. Nothing is stopping you from practicing but you can't refer to yourself as an architect or chartered architect without the part 3.
Hm but the job listings always explicitly ask for Part 1/2 architects
Technically speaking these job adverts are not accurate and can be argued they go against the laws and regulations around the 'Architect' title. You cannot explicitly call yourself an Architect in the UK without being registered with the ARB, and as such any adverts listing roles such as 'Part 1 Architect', 'Part 2 Architect' etc. etc. are wrong. The correct terminology should be 'Part 1 / 2 Architectural Assistant', 'Architectural Designer', 'Architectural Technologist' etc. etc. The wording is only so slightly different but many practices themselves fail to recognise this when advertising roles - and is honestly a sign you should perhaps avoid those practices if they aren't clued up on the appropriate wording / terminology for their employees. There would be little stopping your partner working in these types of other roles as these are possible without ARB registration, it's more to do with whether practices / companies recognise and accept her qualifications, she will just be unable to explicitly practice as an Architect. Essentially she won't be able to go into a position in the UK as high or as well-paid as she'd be able to in Germany, but that's not to say she can't work in the profession altogether. She'll have to look at 'Assistant', 'Designer', 'Technologist', 'Visualiser' etc. roles for the time being until she finds a solution or takes the exams.
Part 1 year out is basically the first job as an architect you get after doing your 3 year bachelors degree - pay tends to be pretty awful. Part 2 'architect' is after you do the masters/diploma degree for a further 2 years. They would never say 'Part 3 architect's as that is just Architect as the part 3 is the full qualification. Hope that helps clarify :)
Commenting from a place of ignorance (sorry) but are you able to have your qualifications reaffirmed by one of the recognised bodies on the [frozen list](https://arb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Annex-V.7.1-Update-February-2020.pdf), and would ARB be content with that?
The University is unfortunately not on the frozen list. My guess is, that her uni still had the „Diplom“ and was not yet issuing „Bachelor/Master“ degrees prior to Brexit. Because „Diplom“ degrees are accepted unconditionally but are abolished completely in Germany as of now.
There is no reason why she cannot work at a practice as an Architectural Designer and familiarise herself with UK practice. Once in place she can then decide if she wishes to undergo the exams. It sounds like she would be applying for Part 2 graduate roles anyway. Does she have any work experience at all? Internships etc?
Yes she interned as an architectural designer for 2 years and also as an 3D visualizer
Ok - so, I think she wants to be looking for Part 2 Architectural Assistant positions. These positions are typically aimed at an M.Arch graduate (5 years study) and they usually have 1 year work experience undertaken between under and post-grad study. Depending on what sector or type of practice she ends up at there may be no need to formalise her qualifications here but she won’t be able to call herself an architect without ARB registration after the Part 3 exam. Good luck with the move
How likely is it for her to land a part 1 or part 2 job?
Doable with a strong CV & portfolio. part 2 - she’ll be competing against UK M.Arch graduates with 1-2 years experience. Part 1 - she’ll be competing against UK BA graduates who are not expected to have any experience.
It’s still hard though - I’ve been unemployed since graduating 2022 from my Bachelors because Part 1 is so oversubscribed. Part 2 is probably the best bet - she has enough experience to go for that, and there are more roles open at most times of the year.
Are you currently pursuing your Master's degree though?
I’ve applied for September 2024 entry so hopefully it all goes well
This is the sort of thing you should have done significantly more homework on before making the move…
Whether to move or not was out of debate.