Architectural Assistant Degree ApprenticeshipBA Hons

Architects design buildings and play a role in shaping cities, communities and the way we live. To become an architect, you need qualifications recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

This Architectural Assistant Degree Apprenticeship course is the first step to achieving these qualifications. You'll develop the technical and analytical skills you need to begin a career as an architect – all while earning a salary and getting on-the-job experience.

During term time, you'll spend 1 day a week on day release at the University and the other 4 days applying your skills and getting practical experience in the workplace. The Government or your employer pay your tuition fees – so your architecture degree doesn’t cost you anything.

When you finish your apprenticeship, you'll have a Bachelor's degree in architecture and you'll be primed to take on further study to continue your journey in becoming a registered architect.

Recognition and validation

This course is prescribed and recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

This accreditation means you'll satisfy the criteria for ARB Part 1 exemption and RIBA Part 1 exemption when you complete your apprenticeship, putting you one step closer to becoming registered as an architect.

You and your employer

When you begin studying for your degree apprenticeship:

• You need to be 18 or over
• You should be able to satisfy government requirements on residency: 
  • you must be a citizen or have the right to live in the UK/EEA
  • you must have been a resident in the UK/EEA (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man) for a minimum of 3 years
  • you must not need a Student Route visa, and must not have been on a Student Route visa within the past 3 years
• You need to have the right to work in the UK, and to spend at least 50% of your working hours in England
• Your job should meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard relevant to this degree – we can advise you and your employer on this
• Your employer needs to have registered an apprentice service account – we can help your employer with this if needed

If you aren't currently working in a relevant field, you can apply for a job and degree apprenticeship simultaneously. Read more about applying for this degree apprenticeship.

Many architecture graduates continue their training towards becoming a registered architect with further study at Master's level or registration on a Architect Degree Apprenticeship (Master of Architecture and Professional Practice) – equivalent to ARB and RIBA Part 2 and 3.

You can use your skills in areas such as:

• design practice
• planning
• historic building conservation
• project management

Roles our architecture graduates have taken on include:

• architectural design
• interior design
• landscape architecture
• urban design and master planning
• planning
• architectural technology
• product design
• graphic design
• lighting design
• set design

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Each module on this Architectural Assistant Degree Apprenticeship is worth a certain number of credits.

In year 1 and 2, you'll study modules worth a total of 80 credits in each year. In years 3 and 4, you'll study modules worth a total of 100 credits.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Teaching methods on this Architectural Assistant Degree Apprenticeship include:

• lectures
• seminars
• computer-based tutorials
• studios
• workshops
• online learning

You'll keep in regular contact with your practice mentor, who supports you throughout your design projects while you study.

On this Architectural Assistant Degree Apprenticeship, you'll spend 4 days a week at work and 1 day a week at University for around 28 weeks each year.

The day of the week you're at University varies through the course, but will be the same day of the week each year so you can fit your study time into your working routine and other commitments.

On the weeks you don't go into university, you'll still spend 20% of your time learning outside of your main job role.

How you're assessed

Assessment methods on this architectural assistant degree apprenticeship include:

• coursework and written essays
• presentations
• portfolio

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You'll get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Tuition fees (2023 start) 

The course fee is shared between the Government and some employers, meaning no cost to you as the degree apprentice. Total tuition fees are £25,000 paid over 4 years.

Your employer will also need to pay the End Point Assessment (EPA) fee, which is included in the total tuition fees.

Please see our Degree Apprenticeships page, or contact us, for further information about the EPA.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Application deadline 28 July 2023. Applications received after this date may not be considered.

How you apply depends on whether you’re currently employed or not.

How to apply with your current employer

If you’re in full-time employment and would like to do a degree apprenticeship with your current employer, ask them to contact us so we can discuss with them how we can work together. 

You might find it useful to share our information for employers page with them.

How to apply with a new employer

If you’re not employed full-time or not working for a company that can fund and support your degree apprenticeship, you'll need to apply for a degree apprenticeship with a company that offers them.

You'll follow their standard recruitment process and we'll assess your academic suitability for the course once you've applied.

We can let you know when there are degree apprenticeship vacancies available with companies we work with – contact us to give us your details.

You can also browse degree apprenticeship vacancies with employers with whom we already have relationships.

If you have questions about degree apprenticeships, please get in touch with us.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.