WalterParkerGuidanceNotes2012-13

8/13/2019 WalterParkerGuidanceNotes2012-13

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RIBA Walter Parker BursariesGuidance Notes for Applicants 2012/13

These Guidance Notes contain the following sections. Please ensure you consider allthe information carefully before completing your application.Background and aimsp1

Who is eligible?pp1-2What are the assessment criteria?pp2How are the funds allocatedp3How do I apply?p3

Application processp3-4General Terms and Conditionsp4Frequently Asked Questionsp5

Background and aimsThese bursaries are funded by the bequest of Walter J Parker, who left a legacy tosupport the apprenticeship and professional training of architects experiencingfinancial hardship, and are known as the RIBA Walter Parker Bursaries.

The current emphasis of the RIBA Walter Parker Bursary scheme is to supportstudents and graduates of Architecture undertaking practical experience who arelimited by financial constraints.

Who is eligible?Applicants must:

have completed, or are undertaking, an RIBA-validated Part 1 or Part 2 coursein the UK; and

have been resident full-time in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start oftheir first course in architecture; and

demonstrate that they are limited by financial constraints.

Eligible applicants will fall into one of three categories:1. Part 1 and Part 2 graduates undertaking Stage 1 or Stage 2 practical

experience who require additional financial support.1.1. Applicants to the bursary who will be undertaking a period ofpractical experience in a public or private company are expected to be paid bytheir employers; any funding allocated by a Walter Parker Bursary is not to be

used to compensate for a low or non-existent salary but towards relocationand travel costs or exceptional living costs against demonstrable financialhardship.1.2. Applicants to the bursary who will be undertaking a period ofpractical experience in a not-for-profit organization may use the fundingprovided by a Walter Parker Bursary towards living costs and expenses for theduration of the project against demonstrable financial hardship. Theorganisation is expected to provide anticipated expenditure, time scales anddeliverables for the project, as well as information on how the applicant isexpected to be involved).

2. Students undertaking their Part 1 or Part 2 studies who are seekingprofessional developmental opportunities outside of term time (such asduring the summer holidays) who require additional financial support.

The student must demonstrate that the experience contributes to the


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professional competencies architects are required to demonstrate as part ofthe RIBA criteria for qualification, and must submit a letter ofrecommendation from their university tutor.

3. Part 1 and Part 2 graduates currently seeking Stage 1 or Stage 2practical experience may apply to the bursary to support further

professional development opportunities that they cannot otherwiseafford to fund.

The graduate needs to make the case that the experience will contribute to theprofessional competencies architects are required to demonstrate as part ofthe RIBA criteria for qualification.

What are the assessment criteria?

Financial hardshipThe primary purpose of this bursary scheme is to support architecture graduates andstudents working towards qualification as an architect in the UK, who areexperiencing financial hardship. The assessors acknowledge that there are manycircumstances where students can incur financial hardship, and these may includehaving limited family support; living independently from their parents, or having torelocate to find employment. However, in all cases,applicants are expected to haveapplied for all other eligible funding opportunities before applying to the

Bursary.For Part 1 graduates at a university where the year out is designated as partof the course, they are expected to have applied for a student loan.

The assessors will consider individual circumstances, and will check whether there is a

shortfall between your income and your outgoings. The following groups are prioritiesfor support:

Those who are thinking of giving up or not accepting a placement because offinancial restrictions.

Those who have experienced exceptional personal difficulties throughout thecourse of their studies that have impacted on their financial situation.

Those who are required to relocate, live away from home or incur increasedtravel costs for the duration of their placement (this includes internationaltravel and petrol costs for applicants working in areas not well connected withpublic transport).

Students from low income households where their parents are unable toprovide any necessary financial assistance during their period of practicalexperience.

In all cases applicants should demonstrate that the practical experience opportunitywould benefit their career.

Student debtThe assessors acknowledge that most students will graduate with a student loan, andmay have accrued other debts including overdrafts and credit cards debts. However,the assessment for the bursary is made on a basis of the income and expenditureprojections for the period of the practical experience, so existing debts are not

normally considered. Exceptions are where the interest payments on an applicantsdebt are contributing to their financial hardship, or where they have been required toenter into a formal arrangement with a lender to pay off the debt.


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How are the funds allocated?The level of grant varies depending on the individual circumstances and amount offunding available. The maximum amount of a grant is 2000, but most bursaries are

in the range of 500 - 1000.

How do I apply?Applicants should complete the application form and submit it, along with therelevant supporting documentation to the RIBA Education Department.

The application form is divided into five sections which address your personalfinancial situation as well as the nature of your practical experience.Section 1: Personal detailsSection 2.Eligibility to the scheme. Please refer to eligibility criteria detailed abovefor the categories of experience applicants fall into.

Section 3. Academic and employment historySection 4. Circumstances for your application.This should relate to the eligibilitycategory you fall into.Section 5. Your financial resources, and if you are under the age of 25, theincome of your parents.They will be required to sign this section of the form, orsend it in separately to the RIBA.

You are also required to provide a reference from your academic tutor or yourProfessional Studies Advisor, and evidence of your financial resources including abank statement, tenancy agreement and employment contract.

Application processWe aim to send all applicants an acknowledgement of their application within twoworking days, but if you have not received this within this one week of submittingyour application, you should contact the RIBA Education Department.

Applications are assessed by a panel from the RIBAs Education Trust FundsCommittee. We aim to process all applications within four weeks, and will keepapplicants updated on the progress of their application. It may take longer if we needto contact you to resolve errors or omissions

Submitting your application

The application form template is in Word format, and it should be typed onto the

template. It should then be printed out and signed by your parents/partner and tutorin the relevant places.

Applicants can then scan their application and supporting information and submit itelectronically [email protected] the additional information requested,or can send it by post. If applications are sent via email, please ensure the filedoes not exceed 3 MB. For larger files please usewww.wetransfer.comto submit theforms.

Please ensure you keep a copy of your applicationand contact the RIBA if youhave not received email confirmation of receipt within one week. The RIBA cannot

accept responsibility for applications lost in the post or by email.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wetransfer.com/http://www.wetransfer.com/http://www.wetransfer.com/http://www.wetransfer.com/mailto:[email protected]


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Please note that from t im e to t ime the RIB A ma y contact tutors or parents tocheck the au thentic i ty of the informa tion provided.How are payments made?

All grant payments are made in one transaction by BACs transfer.

DurationApplications run to an academic year calendar, from 1 September to 31 August.

All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) are able to reapply for funding from theRIBA in future academic years if they are eligible and if their circumstances require it.

DeadlineApplications are accepted throughout the course of the year. Applicants are advised toapply early, as funds are limited.

General terms and conditions Applicants can only apply once during the academic year.

All applications are treated in confidence.

The RIBA may contact successful applicants for fundraising and publicity purposes,but we will not pass your details on to a third party

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I am a Part 1 or Part 2 graduate undertaking practical experience but I am notregistered with a University or with a PEDR Monitoring Service so I dont have aprofessional studies advisor. Does that mean I cant apply for the bursary?

We normally require all applicants undertaking Stage 1 or Stage 2 practicalexperience to be registered at a School of Architecture or a PEDR MonitoringService (such as the RIBA North West), and have their practical experienceapproved by their PSA. This is to ensure the experience you undertake complieswith the practical experience eligibility criteria, and the bursary is thereforesupporting those students to gain the relevant experience required to completetheir architectural education.

What counts as a practical experience placement that is compliant with theProfessional Education and Development Record (PEDR)?

Please refer to the PEDR websitewww.pedr.co.uk

The PEDR provides an electronic record for students to log their practicalexperience, development and competency in the practice of architecture. Thepurpose of the PEDR is to ensure that students passing Part 3 have gained therequired practical experience in appropriate locations and of sufficient complexityto demonstrate they have the competency to discharge the duties andresponsibilities of a chartered architect. It is also a tool for students to reflect onwhat they have learnt during their practical experience.

I cannot afford fees for the year out or Part 3 course, to get a PSA and to registerfor a PEDR. Can I apply for a bursary to contribute to these costs?
http://www.pedr.co.uk/http://www.pedr.co.uk/http://www.pedr.co.uk/


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The assessors can consider an application of this kind, but you will need to beable to demonstrate financial hardship in the normal way. In this situation yourapplication should be accompanied by a letter from your employment mentordetailing how your experience matches the PEDR criteria.

On the checklist of the application form, it requests that, where you receive a loanfor your year out, you submit a letter from the student loans company confirmingdetails of my loan I did not know I could apply for a loan.

If you are a Part 1 graduate undertaking Stage 1 practical experience, you shouldcheck with your University if the course you are on makes you eligible for a studentloan. This loan could support your costs for the year out fees and maintenance.

Im not being paid can the bursary support me?

The RIBA believes that all architecture students undertaking placements thatcomply with the practical experience criteria should be paid at least the national

minimum wage. As such, the RIBA Walter Parker Bursary does not replace a salaryand applicants are expected to negotiate appropriate payment and workingconditions directly with their employers. Funding provided by a Walter ParkerBursary is expected to be used towards travel and relocation costs, or exceptionalliving costs, against demonstrable financial hardship and not to compensate for alow or inexistent salary.

If you are working in an unpaid position at an RIBA Chartered Practice, and youwish to address this situation, you should raise this with your employer or yourUniversity. If the practice is still not meeting with this requirement, you should [email protected].

The Professional Education and Development website (www.pedr.co.uk)offers

useful guidance to students and employers about the responsibilities andexpectations of graduate employment.

My parents have a high combined income, but I have to be financially independentfor my placement. Will their income affected the assessment of the case for financialhardship?

The Bursary scheme is designed to support students and graduates when no otherfunding option is available to them. If your family income is high, you will need tomake it clear in your application why they cannot afford to support you.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pedr.co.uk/http://www.pedr.co.uk/http://www.pedr.co.uk/http://www.pedr.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]

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WalterParkerGuidanceNotes2012-13