New subject guidance aims to reflect changing landscape of Architecture education

QAA has today published new subject guidance for Architecture degrees, which reflects current developments in architecture education and aims to meets the latest needs of the architecture industry.

The Architecture Subject Benchmark Statement describes both the nature of study and the academic standards expected of graduates on Architecture degrees. It outlines what graduates might reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their studies.

QAA last published a Subject Benchmark Statement for Architecture in 2010, so these changes will meet the needs of a subject, and an industry, that has evolved in the last decade.

In particular, Architecture apprenticeships are a new and growing feature, and therefore the new guidance provides specific guidance for both Level 6 and Level 7 apprenticeships, which lead to a qualification as an Architectural Assistant and Architect respectively.

Professor Alex Wright, Chair of the Architecture Subject Benchmark Statement Advisory Group, said: This new guidance is intended to reflect the rapidly evolving landscape of architectural education as it responds to changes in practice and to the new pathways into the profession. The revised SBS has received considerable support from across the subject community and I hope it will serve us well in supporting the development of high quality, innovative courses, which consolidate the UK’s position as an international leader in architectural education.'

The advisory group for the Architecture Subject Benchmark Statement comprised academic experts from universities across the UK, as well as representatives of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the Architecture Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group, and the Architecture Students Network (ASN).

The guidance now also includes all Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Architecture, directs Architecture educators to the standards set by both RIBA and ARB, and aligns with higher education reference points, including the higher education qualification frameworks, the UK Quality Code, and international professional qualification standards.

You can find this and a wide range of other SBSs by using our Subject Benchmark Statement search.