• Offered for Year: 2024/25

• Module Leader(s): Dr John Kamara
• Lecturer: Mr Peter Churchill

• Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Aims

•To develop an understanding of the role of architects and their obligation (ethical and otherwise) to the wider world (especially, in relation to environmental sustainability and climate change), , to society, to clients and users (e.g., in relation to fire and life safety design), and to the profession of architecture
•To develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required for the practice of architecture with respect to the delivery of services to clients and other stakeholders, the management of an architectural practice and the procurement of buildings within the legal framework, and processes that underpin such activities.
•To develop students’ ability to demonstrate authorship, knowledge, effective communication skills, and reasoning and understanding in relation to the professional practice criteria to qualify as architects in the UK.
•To allow students to reflect on and articulate how their practical experience has contributed to the development of the knowledge, professional skills, and competencies necessary to undertake the duties and obligations of an architect.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module covers all aspects of the ARB (Architects Registration Board) professional practice criteria, which are: Professionalism (PC1); Clients, users and delivery of services (PC2); Legal framework and processes (PC3); Practice and management (PC4); Building procurement (PC5); the ARB Guidance on Environmental Sustainability and Fire and Life Safety Design; and the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Themes and Values for Education at Part 3.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

All students taking this module (as part of the Pg Diploma in Architectural Practice and Management – 3360P) work in industry and much of their learning (employer-based learning) takes place within that context. While most student hours and scheduled learning and teaching activities will take place in Semesters 2 and 3, some of these (e.g. 1 module talk, 1 lecture, and 1 workshop) will be delivered in Semester 1. Scheduled learning activities will be organised mostly as block teaching, and the majority of these will be delivered in Semester 2. The dissertation/project related supervision which will be scheduled over the course of the academic year but mostly in Semester 3 to suit the individual needs of students. These hours also include time spent in reviewing and monitoring students’ log of practical experience. Delivery of all scheduled learning activities will primarily be in person. However, since all students are working in practice, a combination of in-person (PIP) and synchronous online delivery will be considered. But all PIP activities could easily be switched to synchronous online delivery should this become necessary.

The mix of teaching methods is designed to support and enhance the learning of students from employer-based activities. The lecture materials, module talks, and lectures will be used to introduce core concepts and help with guidance on study and writing skills. Workshops will allow students to exchange experiences and learn from each other. By engaging with expert speakers and exchanging experiences in practice, students can develop their knowledge and understanding of specific areas of architectural practice. Dissertation/project-related supervision is in the form of tutorial support to review students’ practice experience (submitted quarterly) and drafts of summative assessments (i.e. the personal appraisal and case study – see below). The guided independent study activities will ensure that students continue to frame their employer-based learning (away from the University) against the learning outcomes of the module.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Other Assessment

Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments

Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment instruments for this module are designed to comply with the requirements of the RIBA/ARB, with each allowing the assessment of different aspects of a student’s learning, as below:
•Formative assessments: self-evaluation & planning and research proposal, will allow students to assess their attainment of the course criteria and develop action plans to address gaps, and prepare their Case Study (CS) submissions. Plans will be used to provide targeted support for students.
•The portfolio of relevant practical experience, which should be presented in an acceptable format (e.g., Professional Experience and Development Record – PEDR sheets), is for candidates to show that they have the minimum 24months relevant practical experience (in accordance with RIBA/ARB requirements) to complete the course. The record of students’ practical experience is monitored throughout the year through their submission of quarterly PEDR sheets which are reviewed by the School’s Professional Studies Adviser. This assessment largely addresses a quantity issue (i.e., required minimum experience) but also allows for the assessment of how students have dealt with quality issues in their experience (e.g., how they have supplemented first-hand experience with other ways of developing professional competence).
•The Reflective Log (Personal Appraisal - PA) is a critical reflection of the students’ practical experience and career journey, which is mainly informed by their portfolio of practical experience. Through this appraisal, students provide an overview of their careers, and critically reflect on how their practical experience has contributed to the development of the knowledge, skills and competencies embodied in the learning outcomes for this module.
•The written CS is normally based on a detailed study of a project (or projects) that the student has had direct first-hand experience of. Through the description and critical reflection on the events on this project (or projects) students should demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of all aspects of professional practice (as reflected in the ARB/RIBA criteria). The CS will also allow the assessment of students’ ability to exercise professional judgement in the application of theoretical concepts to various issues relating to architectural practice.
•The Oral Examination is a key requirement for the professional practice (Part 3) examination. It is the final element in this process where candidates can develop and comment upon their documentary submissions and other aspects of the professional practice criteria. It serves as a comprehensive exam where students are provided the opportunity to demonstrate, through a structured conversation with two Professional Examiners (architects working in practice), their competence is all aspects of the professional practice criteria (e.g., knowledge, judgement, attitude), and readiness to practice as Architects in the UK. The oral examination draws primarily from students’ submitted Personal Appraisals and Case Studies (i.e. exploring issues and questions arising from them). It can also draw from work submitted for other modules and any topic within the syllabus for the module.
•The PA & CS will be submitted and marked before the Oral Exam, but the marks for these (and the whole module) will only be confirmed after the Oral Exam, which is also separately marked. The outcome of the oral exam will not affect the marks on other modules (i.e., ARC7068 and ARC7069).
•All three pieces of assessment for this module are externally assessed by Professional Examiners approved by the RIBA.
•All assessed components of this module must be passed to pass the module overall.
•Failure of the pass/fail component (i.e., portfolio of experience) will not lead to a failure of the module, but to a deferral in the award of the Dip in Arch. Prac. & Mgmt., until it is passed. The deadline for when this component must be passed will be determined by the BoE.

Reading Lists

• ARC7070's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• ARC7070's Timetable