London Met training cancelled as numbers fall off a cliff
An RIBA-backed course aimed at equipping EU architects to work in the UK is teetering on a knife-edge after Brexit pushed numbers off a cliff.
For years the Cass’s 10-week Practice in the UK course attracted growing numbers of students. It has been running twice a year since its launch in 2013.
But interest collapsed immediately after Brexit as architects who qualified in Europe digested the implications of Britain’s decision to leave the EU.
January’s course had to be cancelled after almost no one signed up. And the next course, which is due to start this month, is “on a knife edge”, said course leader Richard Gatti, of Gatti Routh Rhodes.
“The numbers went up by 10 people each time for the first four courses. Just before Brexit we had 47,” he said.
“But immediately after Brexit it almost halved to 25. Then it stayed stable at that level before crashing in January.
“I was quite shocked, but it was clear it was because of the uncertainty created by Brexit.
“People are telling me they are finding it harder to get work, returning home, and discouraging friends from coming over.
“No one really knows where they will stand in a year’s time – which means making hard choices about settling in a new city.”
The course, which costs £920, covers similar material to part III but does not lead to accreditation as an architect. Subjects include the UK’s planning and legal system, appointing a contractor and working with sub-consultants, with guests speakers for each topic.
It is aimed at largely EU architects whose qualifications are recognised in the UK. Despite lobbying by the RIBA, it is not clear how the reciprocal arrangement will work after Britain leaves the EU next year.
An RIBA survey last month found 60% of architects from EU nations are considering leaving the country, up from 40% last year.
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