The achievement of becoming an Architect is a significant career milestone. Therefore, we want to celebrate the dedication and hard work of seven team members, Hettie, Jasmine, Joshua, Karolina, Matthew, Obinna and Osragli, who have successfully completed their Part III qualification.
Here are their thoughts about the experience and how they celebrated this accomplishment.
Hettie Wellington, Architect
“I started the Part III course in January 2024, taking the final exam in September. This made for an intense study period, but it did mean the content stayed fresh in my memory, easing revision. I’m proud that focus and dedication allowed me to successfully complete the course in 10 months. I feel fortunate to have received valuable advice from my colleagues while pursuing my qualification. The best lesson I learned was to plan the workload and break it into manageable pieces – especially since it’s completed alongside full-time work. I think the success comes from finding a personal balance that works for you as an individual.
"To celebrate I enjoyed a week in the sun in Kos, which was needed after a year of studying! I’m now looking forward to reconnecting with friends and picking up some old hobbies which I haven’t been able prioritise over the past year. I’m also looking forward to booking a few more holidays.”
Jasmine Ratcliffe, Architect
"I returned to MMU for my Part III and completing this final stage of the process felt like a great achievement. The new course structure made studying more manageable, with the exam and case study at separate times. Studying alongside colleagues was invaluable, allowing for discussions and lunchtime sessions. My advice to others would be to ask plenty of questions in practice, as applying lecture knowledge to real projects really deepens understanding.
"The night I qualified I celebrated with a meal with my family, followed by the office Christmas party the next day - perfect timing to fully unwind and enjoy the achievement! Now, I’m excited to get back into reading and exploring new places."
Joshua Geach, Architects
"The RIBA North West course provided the flexibility I needed, particularly as I got married during the first year and chose to extend the programme over two years. Balancing coursework, the case study, PEDRs, and exam preparation made those six months among the most challenging of my academic journey. Passing felt like a massive weight had been lifted. Some advice I would give would be to get organised early - having a proper study plan helps make the mountain of information feel a bit more manageable.
"I celebrated with a long-overdue trip to Corfu with my wife and finally opened a special bottle of red I bought in my first year of university, now that I’m officially qualified. With studying behind me, I can’t wait to start drawing, painting, reading, and playing music again.”
Karolina Rickard, Architect
"I completed my Part III qualification at RIBA North West in Chester, and it was undoubtedly one of the most challenging yet rewarding phases of my professional journey. The course's flexible structure allowed me to take the exam when I felt prepared. Overall, my experience during Part III significantly boosted my confidence and enriched my understanding of my role within the profession.
“If I could offer advice regarding the Part III exam, it would be to start the revision as early as possible, actively seek support from colleagues, and create a structured revision / exam plan. In my case, I was particularly lucky to have Glenn Robinson’s (and my team’s) support throughout the whole preparation process. All of this has markedly contributed to my sense of composure during both the examination and the interview.
“After finishing the course, I was finally able to enjoy my long-awaited honeymoon, exploring the islands of Indonesia. With my academic commitments behind me, I'm excited to spend my weekends climbing and hiking outdoors as well as spend more time with friends and family.”
Matthew Hallett, Architect
"The Manchester School of Architecture course offered a great structure, and the weekly lecture days really helped me build a rhythm and gave me time to revisit the material over the weekend. My case study focused on One Hardman Boulevard - now referred to as ‘The Met’ - which I’ve been involved with since the competition stage and continue to work on today. Like most, I found the balance between work, lectures, and study challenging. One piece of advice I’d offer is to start revising early - it gave me the space to ask questions and connect what I was learning back to my project.
To celebrate qualifying, I went out for a nice meal with my partner and finally had the time to sit down and enjoy a book. A proper holiday is still on the list! Now that the studying is behind me, I’m looking forward to spending more time outdoors and making plans with friends again."
Obinna Springer-Williams, Architect
"My Part III experience was both challenging and rewarding. Balancing work and study required strong time management, but it deepened my understanding of all the aspects of project delivery. Applying real-world experience to my studies was invaluable, and seeing my growth was incredibly satisfying. Looking back, I wish I had started my PEDRs and case study earlier - it’s easy to get caught up in daily project work, but setting aside regular study time makes a huge difference. Speaking to recent Part III graduates for advice would have also eased the pressure.
"After months of intense studying, celebrating with friends and family was a great relief. Now, I’m excited to focus fully on project work and continue developing my skills."
Osragli Elezi, Architect
"I studied my Part III at the MSA, using Charles Street as my case study. It was a challenging year with a lot of time spent studying outside of work, but also incredibly rewarding. I really enjoyed learning about aspects of the profession I hadn’t yet encountered and found it particularly valuable to apply that knowledge to live projects. It significantly deepened my understanding of the complete project lifecycle, and I genuinely feel that the experience has contributed greatly to my personal and professional growth over the past year.
"To celebrate, I went on a week-long cycling trip around Holland - an amazing way to unwind after the intensity of study. Now, I’m enjoying having time to get back into playing the piano and reconnecting with the things I’d set aside while working towards my qualification."