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Has anyone successfully passed the UK ARB Part 2 exam?

robhaw

There are several posts about the ARB exams on here which I have read. My research indicates that in order to pass one has to meet the 44 Criteria and complete an interview. 

Has anyone successfully passed this exam and can you give some information on your experience? I would be glad to hear from TED who I understand is very knowledgeable on UK matters. 

 
Nov 13, 19 2:20 pm
BulgarBlogger

No one has ever passed it... ever...

Nov 13, 19 2:21 pm  · 
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Bench

From your framing of the question, am I correct that you are looking to have your current (non-British) qualifications validated as a Part II equivalent, in the plan to pursue your Part III ?

Nov 13, 19 2:34 pm  · 
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robhaw

Yes, I did my Part I in the UK where I live permanently. I want to do my Masters abroad (EU) and come back to the UK to practise. My question relates to the ARB Part 2 exam. Have you taken the exam?

Nov 13, 19 3:00 pm  · 
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Bench

I am not british but worked in London for 2 years after finishing my Master's Part II equivalent abroad. For my specific situation it was too difficult to sufficiently prove the equivalent, so I gave up on it. Its very expensive, and very subjective. Ive only met a couple people who have successfully been able to get the equivalency granted from RIBA.

That being said, if you did your Part I in the UK, you're already in good standing. It might be worth contacting them directly about which schools you are looking at attending, and if any of them have a past record of graduates obtaining their Part III in Britain.

Nov 13, 19 3:14 pm  · 
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robhaw

Hi, thanks for the reply. The school I want to attend is in the Netherlands. I know a few people who studied there and got their Masters recognised through the EU Directive, however that might not apply after Brexit. An option other than the Part 2 exam would be to get licensed in the NL before returning.

Nov 13, 19 3:52 pm  · 
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Bench

Brexit really throws a wrench in it. Regarding licensure, I would say generally if there is precedence of people attending the school and coming back to get their license you will probably be in good shape. However, you really need to call the RIBA and find out what they are doing for Brexit and recognizing EU degrees. If it does seem like that there are question marks about this, then it probably is best to get the NL license and reciprocate that instead. It will carry more weight than just a degree.

Nov 13, 19 3:57 pm  · 
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robhaw

I am planning to study at Eindhoven, which has a very technical curriculum and honestly I don't know any people who have studied there and then worked in the UK. I have spoken with the ARB and they haven't got a clear idea about what is happening post-Brexit. The UK government only has published a statement saying that EU qualified architects will continue to get reciprocity. Myself I would like to work in the NL, so I could do 2 years of professional training to get the license. The language is a slight issue, but I would also have 2 years to learn it and the university offers classes. Also this would be cheaper than sitting an ARB
exam.

Nov 13, 19 4:16 pm  · 
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TED

You have a great plan - do it. Don't understand why more UK students don't do the same. Much easier getting qualified-work experience in NL then get reciprocity with ARB - Don't worry about Brexit but do make certain you are registered to vote for 12 Dec. Get the tories out now.

Nov 16, 19 5:16 am  · 
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robhaw

@TED, thanks for answering my question! Why do you think that getting qualified in the NL would be easier? I think the main difficulty would be the language because the BEP programmes (the Dutch equivalent of UK Part 3 course ) are run in Dutch. Do you know any people who have taken and passed the ARB Part 2 exam?

Nov 16, 19 10:34 am  · 
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TED

I know students who did their Part 2 in UK then went to get Part 1 which was easy(Part 1 and Part 2 are the same criteria). But not applying for ARB Part 2. When you consider the difference in tuition (£9250 * 2 years verses €1,900 *2 years) plus the cost of the Part III programme, you could get a private language tutor to learn dutch. If you want to live in NL even short term 2-5 years, engage this into your plans.

Nov 16, 19 11:29 am  · 
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TED

You might consider writing to http://www.maccreanorlavington.com who have offices in UK/NL and see if you can meet with any of them for advice - their first project in NL was won as a Europan Competition entry

Nov 16, 19 11:32 am  · 
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robhaw

TU Eindhoven runs Dutch classes every quarter for free, however I am not sure if I will be professionally fluent in 2 years' time in order to work. Do you know anyone from the UK who has fully qualified as an architect in NL? I hope that some document similar to the EU Directive can be produced after UK's exit.

Nov 16, 19 5:39 pm  · 
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