ARCex

About Us

ARCex runs over a series of 10 lecture days, which take place at our headquarters building in Belfast. We arrange these days on a Friday every fortnight.
Each day consists of a full day of lectures. We encourage candidates to question and discuss each topic with the individual lectures so that they get more out of the course.

ARCex is run by Lawrence Johnston and Neil Mathews.

Lawrence is a former Head of School at Queens University and his expertise in teaching Professional Practice in Architecture for 25 years has placed ARCex at the fore front of the discipline. Among Lawrence’s many achievements in the profession, he co-wrote ‘The Architect in Practice’ with David Chappell and he co-wrote the ARB Criteria for Part 3, the framework by which competency to practice is assessed at Part 3 level.

Neil has taught at all levels, 1, 2 and 3 in several universities in UK and Ireland. Neil is a Professional Examiner at both the Architectural Association and Westminster School of Architecture. He has run the Professional Practice course across all years from 1-7 at Queens University and he brings to the programme twenty years of private practice and academic experience.

The team of specialist lecturers includes presentations on Contract Administration, Practice Management, Planning legislation, Building Control and all of the content required to meet the ARB Criteria. As ARCex is delivered in two regions and the course content varies minimally to account for regional variations.

History of ARCex

ARCex was founded out of a range of peer reviewed experiences of Part 3 institutions across the UK and Ireland. A consistent theme emerging from Professional Practice Examiners was the lack of attention paid to the teaching and assessment of Part 3 across the board in schools which also deliver Parts 1 and 2. The idea emerged to start a privately funded institution which devoted itself entirely to delivering Part 3. Unhindered by a desire to also deliver Parts 1 and 2, ARCex has become a focused and flexible vehicle where students can take the course either as CPD or as a normal Part 3 Examination.

Entry Requirements
Potential candidates must have RIBA parts 1 and 2 prior to admission to the ARCex programme.

At the time of examination, each candidate MUST have completed a minimum of 24 months validated experience recorded in the PEDR system. A minimum of 12 of these months experience must be spent in a UK based practice under the direct supervision of a fully qualified ARB registered architect.

Candidates must have fluent spoken and written English.

For all other information or to enrol, please visit the ARCex Website : www.arcex.co.uk