Joining the RIAS

RIAS Student Membership

Becoming a Student member of the RIAS is the first step towards your professional career.

RIAS Student membership is free to all architectural students studying at one of the six schools of architecture in Scotland.

The RIAS was founded in 1916 and is the professional body for chartered architects in Scotland. It is considered to be the foremost professional institute in the country dealing with architecture and the built environment.

The RIAS headquarters is based in the centre of Edinburgh, close to the west end of Princes Street. The building houses the administrative offices, the council rooms for meetings of the various RIAS committees, a specialist architectural bookshop and an RIAS members' room where members can enjoy tea or coffee whilst browsing the day's architectural press.

RIAS Student Member Benefits

RIAS Bookshop

RIAS Student members receive a 10% discount* at the RIAS bookshop on production of their RIAS Student membership card. If you are in the area please come in and browse through the bookshop.

* Please note the student discount is not available for online purchases.

Convention

Student members get substantial discounts on the RIAS annual Convention - the largest conference of its type in the UK which features internationally renowned speakers. In 2010, students attended for only £25 (the standard ticket price was £116.33 inc VAT) to hear speakers such as Tim Macfarlane, Dominic Papa and Edgar Gonzalez.

Awards

RIAS Student members are eligible to enter the RIAS Silver Medal for best fifth year student (£1200 prize) and the RIAS Drawing Award, open to all students, (£1000 prize). See the Awards Information section of the website for full details.

Competitions

RIAS Student members are eligible to enter RIAS student competitions. In 2008, a prize fund of £3,000 was shared amongst the winners of a competition for the dynamic redevelopment of Helensburgh Pier on behalf of Helensburgh & District Civic Society. Student awards and competitions provide excellent exposure and exhibition opportunities.

Communications

Student members receive the RIAS Quarterly, a printed magazine profiling the best of Scottish architecture which includes a rich mix of professional and technical news, interviews and features with contributions form RIAS members and international architects. It includes sections devoted to practice information, students and Chapter news. Student members also receive monthly ebulletins highlighting information, events and publications.

Study Support

RIAS Student members get free access to Practice Services online documentation such as contracts and briefing notes. This is normally a paid-for service but is offered free of charge to Student members during the Part III examination period.

Student Representation

The RIAS Council offers two places for Student members to represent their peers.

Upon joining the RIAS, you will receive a membership card identifying you as a Student member of the RIAS. This may be produced to receive discounts at the RIAS Bookshop and at RIAS events.