RIBA Walter Parker Bursaries
About
The emphasis of the Walter Parker Bursary scheme is to support students to enter the architectural profession. Practical experience is a requirement of architectural education: students are required to demonstrate key professional skills and competencies at the Part 3 professional examination which is the last stage before qualification as an architect.
Students of architecture can gain key experience at all stages of their architectural education. This bursary scheme provides assistance to students and graduates who arelimited by financial constraints so that they can take advantage of opportunities for practical experience that will assist on their route to qualification as an architect.
These bursaries are funded by the bequest of Walter J Parker, who left a legacy to support the apprenticeship and professional training of architects experiencing financial hardship, and are known as the RIBA Walter Parker Bursaries.
Eligibility criteria
Following feedback from applicants and students, we have amended the eligibility criteria from the start of the 2012-13 academic year to ensure that students and graduates undertaking a broad range of professional experience opportunities are now eligible to apply.
Eligible applicants will fall into one of three categories:
1. Part 1 and Part 2 graduates undertaking Stage 1 or Stage 2 practical experience who require additional financial support. The experience must be approved by a Professional Studies Advisor (PSA) and comply with the practical experience eligibility criteria (www.pedr.co.uk).
2. Part 1 and Part 2 graduates currently seeking Stage 1 or Stage 2 practical experience may apply to the bursary to support further professional development opportunities that they cannot otherwise afford to fund. The graduate needs to make the case that the experience will contribute to the professional competencies architects are required to demonstrate as part of the RIBA criteria for qualification. The applicant should normally be registered on the RIBA PEDR scheme and must provide a letter of support from their PSA.
3. Students undertaking their Part 1 or Part 2 studies who are seeking professional developmental opportunities outside of term time (such as during the summer holidays) who require additional financial support. The student must demonstrate that the experience contributes to the professional competencies architects are required to demonstrate as part of the RIBA criteria for qualification, and must submit a letter of recommendation from their university tutor.
In all cases, eligible applicants:
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have completed, or are undertaking, an RIBA-validated Part 1 or Part 2 course in the UK; and
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have been resident full-time in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of their first course in architecture.
