Architectural Practice - Bolton Street

What is... Architectural Practice?

The Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice (PDAP) is a 30 Credit postgraduate qualification, which is recognised by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI). The course is accredited by the RIAI for the purposes of registration. Successful candidates, who also have the requisite undergraduate qualification, will be permitted to join the Statutory Register of Architects with the RIAI to practice as an Architect in Ireland.



Under the terms of the Building Control Act 2007 and the underlying European Legislation, EU Directive 2005/36/EC, the passing of the RIAI recognised qualification allows for the establishment as an architect (subject to statutory provisions) in a member state of the European Union.



The course aims to equip each student with the Knowledge, Ability and Judgement needed by an architect to perform his or her professional duties and to understand how an office organisation is managed for this purpose. The examination is measured against the scope and professional requirements of the RIAI and current practice, its requirements as well as its anticipated future developments.



The purpose of the examination is to ensure that those who practice architecture have achieved a threshold of competence - in terms of awareness, knowledge, understanding and ability that is consistent, relevant, and will safeguard clients, building users and society at large. The assessment (which is continuous through the course) tests the students against the relevant RIAI professional competencies.

Module listing:

Year One

Semester 1

Building Control and Construction Procurement [Mandatory]

Management of Design and Management of Construction. [Mandatory]

Professional Practice Portfolio [Mandatory]

Professionalism and Planning [Mandatory]



Semester 2

Professionalism and Planning [Mandatory]

Building Control and Construction Procurement [Mandatory]

Management of Design and Management of Construction. [Mandatory]

Professional Practice Portfolio [Mandatory]

Minimum Entry Requirements?

The Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice programme is open to the following categories of applicants:



- Graduates of a recognised course in architecture, equivalent to the TU Dublin BArch

- Other building professional who wish to take the course of study as CPD

How to Apply

Applications will open in February 2025



Expression of Interest - Taught modules - Expression of Interest applicants will be notified in April 2025 when the online application form is available.



Non-EU Students

Non-EU students, not resident in Ireland, are not eligible to apply for part time programs that are delivered on-campus. Applications for part time courses that require on-campus attendance will not be processed and the application fee will not be refunded.

The programme assignments combine reflective learning practices, case study analysis, management skills development (e.g. briefing documents, presentations) along with a Masters dissertation.

Masters Degree

Successful completion of all 6 modules (90 ECTS)

Exits available with Postgraduate Certificate (3 modules, 30 ECTS) or Postgraduate Diploma(5 modules, 60 ECTS)

1 year part-time, blended delivery.



Schedule

The PDAP programme has run 5.30 – 20.00 each Monday, with six seminar days which start at 14.00, over 24 contact weeks across two 15-week semesters from September to May. All of the course content is recorded and available to students through Google Classroom and is designed to facilitate students travelling from outside the Dublin area.



The case study tutorials are arranged individually with the assigned tutor. Students should allow for around 20 learning hours per week over 2 x 15-week semesters. This comprises 2-5 (depending on the day) hours in college each Monday and 15 hours self-directed learning over 24 weeks in each semester, and 20 hours self-directed learning per week for the remaining 3 weeks.

Commencement Date: September 2025.

What are my career opportunities?

Successful graduates will be eligible to register as a professional who is entitled to call themselves an Architect.