Architect (integrated degree)

Degree apprenticeship (integrated degree) · Construction and the built environment route · Standard ST0533 v1.1

Level: 7
Typical duration: 48 months (about 4 years)
Max funding band: £21,000
Route: Construction and the built environment

Working on the design of new buildings and the redesign of existing buildings.

About the role

Architects are registered professionals, trained to requirements defined by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Only those who are appropriately qualified and registered with ARB can use the title ‘Architect’ in the UK. The ARB sets the UK standards for entry on to the Register of Architects and prescribes qualifications that lead to registration as an architect. These standards must be met in order to register as an architect. Architects lead on the processes of planning, designing and reviewing the construction of buildings; and are usually the first point of contact on a design team, working with the client and contractor to make final decisions during the design and construction process. Architects use their skills and knowledge to offer creative problem solving and strategic advice related to various types of building, arts and construction projects. This includes developing building designs taking into account multiple constraints, such as structural integrity, the character and location of a site, methods of construction, value for money, design quality and impact on the environment, as well as legal responsibilities. Architects work responsibly to deliver the interests of their clients and the core requirements of cost, time and quality. Architects work on projects of varying scale and type across the construction industry, including but not limited to the design of commercial, residential, community, education and infrastructure buildings and structures. Architects work on the design of new buildings and the redesign of existing buildings. They work closely with design and construction related professionals and often lead a design team or teams assembled to design and/or deliver the project. Architects can work as sole practitioners, in small practices or within large multi-disciplinary organisations. Within larger organisations they may report to a Senior Architect or project leader and can be based at office locations within project design teams, at on-site locations or a combination of both. Because their skills are easily transferable they are able to work for other construction and design related businesses (e.g. property consultants or interior designers).

How it compares

At 48 months (about 4 years), it is longer than average for a degree-level apprenticeship (the average across all 172 Level 6+ standards is 39 months).

The funding band — the maximum an employer's levy can contribute to training costs — is £21,000, below the £21,500 average for degree-level standards. Apprentices never pay tuition either way.

What you'll learn

The official standard defines 28 knowledge areas, 28 skills, 7 behaviours. This is the actual assessed content of the apprenticeship — worth reading before an interview, because competency questions are usually written straight from these lists.

Knowledge 28

A range of advanced processes and techniques (e.g. digital fabrication) to generate, review and speculate on design proposals with multiple constraints, showing evidence of original thinking
History of architecture and its impact on architectural practice
The cultural, social and intellectual histories, theories and technologies that influence the design of buildings
How the theories, practices and technologies of the arts influence architectural design and their creative application in design projects
Urban design and town planning strategies and regulations
Process of obtaining planning permission (e.g. drawings, reports, application)
The in-depth relationships between users and buildings, between buildings and their environment, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to diverse user needs and scale
The range of services offered by Architects
The potential impact of building projects on existing and proposed communities and the related planning legislation
The context of the Architect and the construction industry, including the Architect’s role in the processes of procurement and building production
The role of the Architect within the design team and construction industry
The client and design team briefing process, forms and terms of appointment
Methods of investigation and preparation of briefs for the design projects (e.g. review of relevant precedent)
Structural, constructional and engineering considerations within building design, such as physical properties and characteristics of building materials, components and systems
Principles, systems and strategies for environmental comfort and building services including sustainability principles
Alternative construction materials, processes and techniques that apply to design and construction, including the impact of materials on the environment
The role of Building Information Modelling (BIM), computational design and other relevant technologies used in the design process
Process of controlling building cost
Approved Documents for building regulations
Industries, organisations, regulations and procedures involved in translating design concepts into buildings and integrating plans into overall planning
The nature of professionalism and the responsibilities of Architects to clients, building users, constructors, professionals and the wider society
The obligations of Architects to clients, stakeholders, warranties and third-parties
Client needs, appropriate communication methods, programming, coordination and competent delivery
The statutory legal context within which an Architect must operate and what is required to ensure compliance with legal requirements or standards
Business priorities, required management processes and risks of running an architecture practice
UK construction and contract law, and construction procurement processes
The relationship between Architects and other built environment professionals
Contractual relationships and the obligations of an Architect acting as a contract administrator

Skills 28

Generate architectural design proposals
Evaluate and apply a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media to test, analyse, critique and explain design proposals
Produce drawings and 3D models using relevant software including Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Apply understanding of current architectural debate to produce innovative solutions
Produce clear, logically argued and original written work relating to architectural culture, theory and design
Apply fine art theories in a creative way that acknowledges their conceptualisation and representation
Comply with relevant town planning policy throughout design and construction phases to obtain planning permission (e.g. submitting planning application)
Identify end user needs, local and the social context in which the project is developed
Lead design development in respect of environmental context and sustainability
Lead projects or parts of projects, taking into consideration business priorities and practice management
Deliver services in a responsible manner, prioritising the interests of the client and other stakeholders
Problem-solve and use professional judgment to take initiative and make appropriate decisions in situations with multiple constraints
Critically review precedents relevant to the function, organisation and technological strategy of a design proposals
Prepare and develop a project brief (e.g. by referring to RIBA Plan of Work)
Integrate knowledge of structural principles and construction techniques with building design
Evaluate materials, processes and techniques that apply to architectural designs with multiple constraints and building construction, and how to integrate these into practicable design proposals
Apply various technological methods to building design to provide conditions of comfort and protection against the environment
Meet client’s brief within the constraints of the imposed budget limitations and building regulations
Interact with statutory authorities (e.g. planning or building control), private bodies (e.g. developers) or individuals to competently deliver projects in a wide variety of sectors and within diverse legislative frameworks
Act professionally when working independently and as part of a team, including communicating clearly with all stakeholders
Offer impartial advice on construction related issues, relevant legislation and risks
Identify and describe client and end user requirements, priorities and objectives
Work with an understanding of the relevant statutory and legal requirements during project development so that the risk of harm to those who build, use and maintain buildings is reduced
Engage in business development and administration including contributing to business strategy development, evaluating resources, planning, implementing and recording projects tasks
Supervise the work of junior staff including Architectural Assistants
Coordinate and engage in design team interaction
Resolve construction related challenges and disputes, where appropriate
Undertake construction inspection responsibilities, including completing site visits and commenting on contractors and sub-contractors work in relation to architectural drawings

Behaviours 7

Code of Conduct:Comply with the relevant professional codes of conduct (e.g. ARB and RIBA)
Integrity:Be honest and act with integrity, ethics and in a professional manner
Competence:Work singly, as part of a team or lead teams to provide a competent service
Independence:Be organised and practice self-management when working independently
Obligation:Be conscious of the Architect’s obligation to their client, society and the profession
Reputation:Be aware of individual level of competency and professional experience to ensure they are unlikely to bring profession into disrepute
CPD:Commit to identifying their own individual development needs and the obligation for Continued Professional Development (CPD)

Live vacancies

No live vacancies for this course as of 2026-07-24 — new adverts appear on Find an apprenticeship daily, and many degree apprenticeship employers recruit on their own careers sites instead.

Universities registered to deliver it

10 universities are on the government provider register for this standard. Registration means they can deliver it — live vacancies depend on employer partnerships each recruitment cycle.

Related courses in Construction and the built environment

Architectural assistant (integrated degree)

Level 6 · Integrated degree · 4 yrs · £25,000

Working with Architects and other professionals such as Engineers, to design buildings and deliver architectural projects.

Building control surveyor (integrated degree)

Level 6 · Integrated degree · 4 yrs · £24,000

Providing an impartial, independent and accountable third party service to confirm that building work achieves compliance with minimum standards.

Building services engineer

Level 6 · Integrated degree · 5 yrs · £27,000

Chartered landscape professional

Level 7 · 5 yrs · £25,000

Lead the design, creation, maintenance or management of spaces in both natural and built environment.

Official sources

Occupational summary, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours reproduced from the ST0533 apprenticeship standard (last updated 2023-11-09) — contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always check the official page before applying: standards get revised.