ARAE (Architects Register Admission Examination) & RIAI Route F

Hi DJPC. I lodged my ARAE Stage 01 application in 2020 then sat Stage 02+ 03 exams last year have to repeat one subject now in may and hopefully that will be me done. If you have any specific queries feel free to ask.

The process is broken up in to 3 stages. Stage 01 is the porfolio to prove you have the required experience. Stage 02 is Design were you demonstrate skills in design. Stage 3 is Architectural Practice were you show you have the ability to be a architect from with an understanding of contracts, insurance, H & S, legislation etc. there is also an oral interview in this stage.

Past papers are only available AFTER you've been accepted to take the exam

You get approx 10 years of previous papers at the start of each stage and these are the basis for your study.

How did you get your "7 years experience"? Were you under a registered architect who helped you learn, or working alone?

I was was working in a engineering / architectural practice the princpals were building surveyors and structural engineers. I'm now the managing director of that pratice.

Any idea what someone can actually do to prepare themselves to learn the appropriate topics well enough?

You would need full job running experience from inception to completion ideally varing project commerical and residential with experience in bith public and private projects. 90% of the preparation is through on the job experience. There is a course for the stage 3 subjects and that was somewhat useful.

What did your portfolio look like for your interview? Level of detail/ projects undertaken etc?

I had 20 projects in my porfolio to demonstrate I had the required architectural and management skills required. If you were working on large schemes 3 or for projects may be enough. Make sure you have plenty of hand sketches.

It all seems very obscure and secretive

It is :). FYI they love hand sketches for everything.

My advice is apply now you only need to be 35 when you are looking to register with the RIAI after passing all. You should be able to hold down a job no problem, I did the UCD course for part 3 which covers stage 3 and that was a couple of hours a week. Around exam time I would take off the day before the exams and the two exam days for exam/study. Probably 2-3hours a week other that that. Most of the subjects are quite difficult to study for in Stage 2 as they are very broad and it is very much down to experience.

Absolutely not you could do it in one or two project if they were start to finish and large enough.

Short answer is yes. Personally I think you you might struggle with the competencies to pass stage 01 and then when it comes to stage 2 & 3 they are mostly down to experience which would be difficult if you have not had any exposure to public works or commerical type projects.

Not necessarily but the career could be limited. As kieran. said you really need a good variety of work. If you do have a natural flair and talent it will be recognized.

Out of curiosity, what is the time/cost involved?

Hmmm, would have that kinda of time to invest. I was think it was more a professional competency exam for those providing equivalent services, via on the job knowledge .

Purely money making exercise……

Hey everyone,

Have a bachelors degree in architecture and am currently working in architecture with the last few years. Not keen on doing a masters / part 2. Wondering if anyone knows if those years of experience will have to be done in Ireland or if I have worked in an architectural firm as a lead in Australia will those years count towards the 7?

Thanks 😊