Student memberships & representatives
All of the UK’s main architecture membership bodies have student membership and council representatives.
These student council representatives are there to provide the voice of students to the wider organisation.
Here are the details of the main membership organisations in the UK (in alphabetical order)
Association of Consultant Architects (ACA)
Student cost: Free
Benefits:
- A quarterly Newsletter with a regular student column
- Newsletters from SCALA with whom ACA have a reciprocal relationship
- Discount of 25% on all ACA publications when purchasing hard copy. Also free downloads of ACA contract documents and certificates via the member’s area of the ACA website
- Yearly seminars on matters of concern to practice – students pay a nominal fee or even go free. Previous seminar themes have included sustainability, architectural conservation and regular planning and building regulation updates
- Active ACA groups, in particular the ACA Planning Advisory GroupACA Study Tours for members
An annual dinner
Contact details: t – 020 8325 1402, email – office@ACArchitects.co.uk, web – www.acarchitects.co.uk, post -60 Godwin Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 9LQ
Student representative:Alison Coutinho
Issues of interest: Students can contact Alison with any issues regarding their training. The ACA represents architects in private practice, so issues regarding professional experience, mentoring and employability are particularly welcome. Issues regarding the transition between education and practice, especially during the recession can also be addressed. She is able to use ACA student membership to investigate whether an individual’s experience is affecting students elsewhere, and if so, will take the issues to a higher level.
Contact method: alisoncoutinho@hotmail.co.uk.
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)
Student cost: Free
Benefits:
- Discounts to RIAS events and convention
- 10% off bookshop
- Entry to awards and competitions
- Communications – RIAS magazine and emails
- Part III students can access the RIAS practice services online documentation during their exam period
Contact details: t – 0131 229 7545, email – info@rias.org.uk, web – www.rias.org.uk, post – 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
Student representative: James Tait
Rep contact method: via RIAS
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Student cost: Free to Part I and Part IIs, once Part II is achieved individuals are eligible for associate membership, which has extra benefits but also a cost.
Benefits:
- Guidance from the RIBA information centre
- Access to the RIBA library (online included)
- Communications – RIBA e-bulletins on practice, CPD, education etc
- Access to the RIBA knowledge communities
Contact details: t- 0207 580 5533, email – info@inst.riba.org|, web- www.architecture.com, post – 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD
Student representatives: Alex Bancroft, Sara Tilley
Graduate representative: Elena Tsolakis
Rep contact method: Letter via the RIBA