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Summary of Consultation results: In February 2023, following over two years of research and development, ARB consulted on proposals for a new regulatory approach to how architects are trained and educated.

Our proposals aimed to modernise the competencies required of architects to face emerging and future challenges, including the climate emergency, and improve the flexibility and innovation for universities and other types of learning providers. We wanted to remove regulatory barriers and make our approach to quality assurance more proportionate, and create the flexibility for new routes to becoming an architect in the UK – having heard that the cost of education and the requirements for work experience create barriers for people from less affluent backgrounds or without existing networks in the profession.

The public consultation was open between February and May 2023. We received 672 responses that demonstrated a wide reach across different roles, regions and respondent characteristics. We read every response and analysed the key themes and trends.

The Board has discussed the analysis and considered the next steps alongside the aims of our reforms and our statutory remit, and has made the following decisions:

• We had the highest support for the competencies, so we are confident they accurately describe what future architects need to know, understand and be able to do. The new competencies are a major step-change from the criteria, a truly modern approach with a sharper focus on safety, climate change and inclusion. We’ll make some drafting amendments based on useful feedback, and publish the final versions this autumn.
• Our new approach to accreditation, including the standards for learning providers and transition timetable, also received support and useful ideas for improvement. We will publish the final version of the standards this autumn. We will establish a stakeholder group to give us agile feedback as the transition progresses.
• Important modifications will be made to the regulatory framework before we introduce it, to make sure it upholds standards whilst also removing bureaucracy and opening up the potential for new routes to joining the Register of Architects. Respondent views on the framework were mixed, but those who disagreed were not in alignment about an alternative. We will issue new guidance to learning providers about the appropriate learning and experience of those seeking to access the new Masters qualification. Our proposals do not negatively impact student access to funding.
• We will revise proposals for professional practical experience. We have learned through the consultation that removing the minimum duration will not address the problems that arise for those looking to gain the experience, and could have the unintended consequence of weakening the standards of the architects’ profession. We will consider short-term modifications like additional flexibility about the types of experience which are deemed relevant. We will appoint an independent Commission to develop new recommendations for the Board. We cannot solve all the problems with practical experience, but we want to take the lead in helping to improve access to it, and the experience of future architects. The Commission will help us identify how best to do that. It will run alongside our overall timetable and will not delay it.1

• 1. Source: Architects Registration Board (ARB)