Studying Architectural Technology
The Chartered Architectural Technologist route
To graduate as an Architectural Technologist, you will need to enrol on an Honours degree programme in Architectural Technology.
This programme can be studied:
full time, which is either three or four years. The four years option will include a sandwich year (excluding Scotland); allowing you to gain industry experience before returning to complete the degree;
part time, which is four years and allows you to study and work at the same time (excluding Scotland).
Studying on an Accredited programme is part of the preferred route to becoming a Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT). There are currently 29 Accredited degree programmes across the UK and upon graduation from one of these programmes, you will have acquired the underpinning knowledge to help your progression to the next stage of your professional assessment through the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.
This next stage of assessment is against CIAT’s professional standards (in the form of a POP Record) and can take up to three years to complete, depending on experience. Evidence for the POP Record can be collected whilst studying part time or on your sandwich year. If you are successful in demonstrating your competence and pass a Professional Practice Interview, you will be granted the title Chartered Architectural Technologist and be able to use the designation MCIAT.
The professionally qualified Architectural Technician route
To become a professionally qualified Architectural Technician you will need to complete an HNC or HND programme in Architectural Technology or Construction or a Foundation degree in Architectural Technology. These programmes are available at college or university.
Upon graduation from one of these programmes, you will have acquired the underpinning knowledge to help your progression to the next stage of professional assessment. This stage of assessment is against CIAT’s professional standards (in the form of a POP Record) and can take up to two years to complete, depending on experience. Evidence for the POP Record can be collected whilst studying part time. If you are successful in demonstrating your competence you will be a professionally qualified Architectural Technician and be able to use the designation TCIAT.
To assist with your Architectural Technology studies, you can download the CIAT suggested reading list which details appropriate books for the Architectural Technology discipline: CIAT suggested reading