During their fourth year of study, apprentices attend Part 3 seminars (with the exception of accelerated learners - see below). These seminars typically take place in-person in September, beginning of November and mid-January. The Part 3 assessments take place in Feb/March and Aug/September of each year - dates are confirmed at the start of each academic year.
Apprentices are asked to continue recording their off-the-job hours (26 days in total) and attend progress review meetings up until their Gateway Review which typically takes place in April of each year.
In addition to the hours allocated for the Part 3 seminars, apprentices need to record in Aptem the hours spent preparing for the Part 3 examinations and reflection in preparation for the End-Point-Assessment (EPA) (Totalling 142 off-the-job hours)
Running over two days, the Part 3 First examination requires candidates to answer a number of questions, analysing and responding to a scenario that apprentices might experience in practice. The first part of the examination is a written open-book examination followed by an in-person oral interview. Once complete candidates should be eligible to attend their Gateway Review and progress onto the End-Point-Assessment.
Apprentices have the opportunity to complete 6 months earlier than expected via the Accelerated route. In the summer before their third year of study, apprentices are invited to express an interest in following the accelerated route. The MPL/ Part 3 lead will arrange a review meeting with the apprentice and their mentor to assess competencies and discuss the commitment required.
During the accelerated route learners will:
Attend the Part 3 seminars alongside their year 3 studies. The Part 3 seminars take place in-person in September, Beginning of November and Mid-January.
Undertake and Record off-the-job training hours for the Part 3 seminars in their third year of study
The Part 3 assessments take place in Aug/September of the third year followed by the Gateway review (see below)
The learner will be expected to complete their End Point Assessment in April of the following year
Please note, there are no additional fees or off-the-job hours required for the accelerated route
Gateway Review meetings are a mandatory part of the apprenticeship programme. They are an opportunity to determine if a learner has met the on-programme requirements (see below) and is working at the expected level to be able to progress onto the End-Point- Assessment.
The Gateway Review meetings take place in April and September of each year. In the week before the meeting the apprentice and their mentor are invited to populate a Gateway Review form.
As stated Architect Apprenticeship Standard Assessment Plan, to progress through Gateway the apprentice must meet the following:
Met the requirements of the MArchD: Applied Design in Architecture award
Achieved Pass at Part 3 (confirmed at Gateway Review)
Sufficient competency in all of the Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours as defined in the Architect Apprenticeship Standard
In addition:
The 'Progress scale' in Aptem must be showing at 100%
Off-the-job training hours have been recorded in APTEM and the total is above the 'Planned hours'
All documentation must be authorised in Aptem: Apprenticeship Agreement, Training plan and Progress Review notes
Skills Radar has been updated and the maximum score has been achieved
Apprentices are required to develop a Professional Experience Development Record (PEDR+), completed at regular intervals throughout the apprenticeship. The enhanced PEDR+ will be used to assess the work-based learning at the Part 3/ EPA stage.
Learners should be supervised by a UK qualified architect for the 12 months prior to the part 3 exams. Further guidance can be found on the RIBA website RIBA PEDR
Apprentices will complete the EPA within 6 months of going through the gateway to the EPA in either April and September of each year.
The Part 3/EPA Lead will arrange monthly meetings to discuss progress and answer questions as a group.
To prepare for the End-Point-Assessments, we recommend apprentices be granted 26 days of study leave for the final 6 months of the apprenticeship.
The EPA consists of two distinct assessment methods
An interview supported by career appraisal
A case study report supported by design project or challenge
Further details can be found in the Architect Apprenticeship Programme Handbook