The Welsh School of Architecture commended by RIBA Visiting Board

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) visited the Welsh School of Architecture last week to carry out its five-yearly assessment of the School’s accredited programmes.

The RIBA Visiting Board examined three of the School’s programmes; BSc Architectural Studies, Master of Architecture (MArch), and Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP, Part 3) and as a result granted five more years of unconditional validation.

The Board commended the School on its:

• Part 3 programme for its synthesis of academic rigour and practice;
• environmental and social sustainability ethos, which is both progressive and expansive in its outlook and evidenced throughout; and
• collegiate nature and the commitment of all staff to the student experience.

Head of School Professor Chris Tweed said: “I am indebted to my colleagues who injected such enthusiasm, diligence and energy into the visit. The validation of course recognises the culmination of many years of hard work not just by academic and Professional Services staff in the School, but by the many external tutors who support us in delivering a top-class education and experience to our students.”

The DPP was especially commended by the Visiting Board. This Part 3 programme is designed to be undertaken while in employment and helps students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the legal and economic aspects of architectural practice and construction procurement along with the related skills necessary to practice effectively on entry into the architectural profession.

Programme Lead for the DPP, Professor Sarah Lupton said:

‘We have worked hard in developing and running this programme to achieve an optimal balance of theory and underlying principles, and their application to the day to day procedural aspects of practice and projects. I am therefore delighted that this achievement has been recognised by the RIBA Visiting Board.’

To find out more about the programmes of study available at the Welsh School of Architecture please visit the School website.