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What’s On

14

Jul
2023
Eligibility for the PA
Local

1)      Educational Qualification

Not all architectural programmes are accredited / recognised by HKIA/ARB. The following allows you to find an accredited architectural programme for the purpose of applying HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.
If you study in Hong Kong, please refer to (a) below
If you study outside Hong Kong, please refer to (b) and (c) below.

a)     Graduates from the Professional Architectural Programmes accredited by HKIA/ARB

In Hong Kong, the following pre-professional and professional architectural degrees are accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board of Hong Kong (ARB):

Name of Institutions

Name of Degrees

Accredited  as            

Accredited from 

Accredited
until

City University of Hong Kong

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies

Pre-professional degree

2014

2025

Hong Kong Chu Hai College 

(Previously named Chu Hai
College of Higher Education
before 2022 Dec)

Master of Architecture (2-year)

Professional degree

2017

2027

Bachelor of Architecture (Hons)

Pre-professional degree

2012

2015

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture

Pre-professional degree

2015

2027

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Master of Architecture (2-year)

Professional degree

1997

2025

Bachelor of Social Science in Architectural Studies

Pre-professional degree

1994

2025

The University of Hong Kong

Master of Architecture (2-year)

Professional degree

1961

2027

Master of Architecture (Design) (3-year)

Professional degree

2022

2024
(Conditional Term of Accreditation)

Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies

Pre-professional degree

1961

2027

 

b)      Graduates from Professional Architectural Programmes Recognized by the HKIA/ARB
           

HKIA also recognize the equivalent professional degree courses in the mainland or overseas universities which are accredited by :
          
          - The National Board of Architectural Accreditation (NBAA) of China
          - The Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA)
          - The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of USA
          - The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA)
          - The New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB)
      
For the current list of HKIA/ARB accredited / recognized professional programmes, please click here.

Since 1 February 2020, CAA revised the list of qualifications recommended for recognition to include architectural programmes validated directly by CAA validation panel only, while those architectural programmes recognised by national validation procedures (i.e. United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia) have been removed from the list.

There will be transitional arrangement for accepting UK architectural education qualifications for taking HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment for a period of four years. For details, please click here.

 

c)      Graduates of Other Schools

Before graduates from non-HKIA accredited or recognized professional programmes may apply for the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment, their academic qualifications and standards will be subjected to an Academic Qualification Assessment (AQA) held by HKIA. Application for Academic Qualification Assessment (AQA) shall be made in writing to the HKIA.

Academic Qualification Assessment (AQA)
Summary List of past AQA applications
 

A graduate of Canberra Accord signatories, which are not on the current list of HKIA/ARB recognised architectural programmes, may require an Academic Qualification Review (AQ Review) subject to mutual agreement between HKIA and the signatory, if he/she wishes to sit for the Professional Assessment to become an HKIA Member and a Registered Architect. 

Academic Qualification Review (AQ Review)

Note : The applicant shall be the holder of a 5-year full time or equivalent professional programme in architecture from a tertiary school of national standing.
 

Graduates holding pre-professional degrees in architecture not accredited or recognised by HKIA AND obtained in a jurisdiction without provision for accreditation of pre-professional degrees may apply for Portfolio Assessment. Applications for the Portfolio Assessment should be made in writing to the HKIA.

Note : The applicant shall be the holder of an HKIA/ARB accredited or recognised professional degree.

Portfolio Assessment
Summary List of past Portfolio Assessment applications

 

2)      Practical Experience           

a)  For Papers 3, 4 and 5
     Candidates must have accumulated a minimum of 12 months of recognized practical experience before taking on Paper 3, 4 and 5 of the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.

b)  For Papers 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8
     Candidates must have accumulated a minimum of 24 months of recognized practical experience before taking on Paper 1,2, 6, 7 and 8 of the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.

Year-out Practical Experience (Category B) – Proofs for Overseas Experience

For the detailed requirements on the practical experience recognized by the HKIA for Professional Assessment, please refer to HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Handbook Section 2.