Qualifying to be an architect typically involves five years at university and completing a minimum of two years' practical experience, however there are various routes to qualification and many architects take more than seven years to qualify.

The quickest route to qualification is:

• 3 years full-time on an ARB accredited university undergraduate architecture degree (Part 1)
• 1 years’ practical experience working in an architectural practice
• 2 years full-time on an ARB accredited university postgraduate architecture degree (Part 2)
• 1 years’ practical experience working in an architectural practice and ARB accredited university postgraduate architecture diploma (Part 3)

To enroll on an undergraduate degree accredited by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) you will need to meet the relevant entry requirements.  Some universities prefer an A-level in Mathematics or Science.  Many also require a portfolio of work, so an Arts based A-level can be helpful.

Entry requirements vary significantly amongst the 54 UK schools of architecture.  In the Midlands, there are four Schools of Architecture: Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, Birmingham City and De Montfort.  Nottingham’s A-level offer is AAA; Nottingham Trent’s A-level offer is BBB; Birmingham City’s A-level offer is BBC or equivalent; and De Montfort accept a minimum of five GCSEs above grade C including English (Language or Literature) and Mathematics or Science and three A-levels.

ARNI architectural staff, Tom Achtmanis and Mark Dixon first met when they enrolled on their RIBA Part 1 undergraduate degree at The University of Nottingham in 2002 (at the time ranked 1st for Architecture in the Times Higher Education UK League Tables).