Outline
Who is this course for?
This course is aimed primarily at candidates for the ARB/RIBA Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice and Management (the ‘Part 3’), but will also be useful to recently qualified architects, particularly those coming to the UK from another country, who may wish to refresh or add to their knowledge of a wide range of topics pertinent to architectural management.
2026 Course Dates
Dates: 3 – 5 June 2026
Venue: Room 4.35, Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9EF
Course fee: £350 (This includes lunches and refreshments)
Course Highlights
- Lectures – 12 core lectures delivered over 3 days
- Recordings – Lectures recorded for revision
- Group Work – Scenario‑based exercises mirroring the Part 3 Written Paper
- Venue – Hosted at the award‑winning Edinburgh Futures Institute
- Build Your Network – Connect with fellow candidates, meet your PSA, engage directly with expert speakers, and enjoy a relaxed end‑of‑course social
- Boost Your Success – Completing the UAM Course (and the Contract Administration Simulation Exercise) significantly strengthens your chances of passing Part 3
Please note: The post‑lecture Q&A sessions—often described as the highlight of the course—are not recorded. Being there in person gives you exclusive access to tailored advice, project‑specific insights, and candid discussions about good and bad practice.
2026 Course Structure
Most people attending the course will have completed the UK part 1 and Part 2 and have around two years of professional experience. Most will aim to sit the Part 3 with APEAS, the Scottish Examination Authority.
The course cannot cover the full extent of knowledge required for the Part 3, but it is designed to update your knowledge and understanding across the five areas of the ARB/RIBA Part 3 criteria, namely:
- Professionalism
- Clients, users and delivery of services
- Legal framework and processes
- Practice and management
- Building procurement
The 2026 course will run from Wednesday 3rd June to Friday 5th June. The course runs for three full days and is intensive, running from 9am to 5.30pm each day. The final day normally ends with a drinks reception.
Note that the concentrated delivery of the course and the need for candidates to respond speedily to written and discursive scenarios deliberately echoes the pace and intensity of the Part 3 written examination. The structure starts with broad issues and moves into application. Each day is divided into thematic ‘sessions’ in a logical sequence, roughly following the progress of a typical project.
Registration and Fee
The fee for the course is £350, payable in advance. Full payment must be made before confirmation of a place can be given. To register and pay for the course please follow the link to the University of Edinburgh epay site: registration link.
For more information please contact Bonnie Thomson at subjectareaadmins@ed.ac.uk.
Testimonials
“The ESALA Part 3 Update in Architectural Management Course offers practical, experience‑based guidance with expert speakers and focused learning materials. It was essential to my APEAS Part 3 preparation and consistently relevant, useful, and enjoyable.”
Jenny - Successful Part 3 Candidate
“I highly recommend the Update in Architectural Management course. The content was excellent, and the notes and templates became invaluable resources during my exam preparation. It jump‑started my revision, introduced me to peers I’m still in touch with, and offered the rare chance to meet lecturers and fellow candidates in person — a real breath of fresh air in an otherwise self‑directed process.”
Graeme - Successful Part 3 Candidate