Skip to main content

What is the Pathway to Registered Membership?

As part of our commitment to high standards in professional practice, we encourage all of our members to aspire to Registered Membership. The Pathway offers a three-step program to guide our Pre-registered members through the process of accreditation and support your development along the way.

Typically the process can take roughly three to five years, but you are welcome to take it at your own pace as you continue to work and grow as a designer.

We encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a Registered Member of the Society to take a look at the information below.

Image by Andy Sturgeon FSGLD

Step 1 - Registration Starts Here

The first step on the Pathway is a presentation that gives you information on what is required for an accreditation submission, and what you will need to prepare.

Download the presentation

Step 2 - Accreditation Advice Sessions

We hold regular design workshops where you can get a brief overview of the quality of your work and tips on how to develop it to accreditation standard.

These sessions are purely advisory and comprise a general discussion on accreditation and what we look for in submitted work, followed by a review of the work you have brought in an open forum. Attending an accreditation advice session is very strongly recommended, especially for those submitting their first project.

The advice sessions are offered free on an annual basis to Pre-registered members. Student members may attend for a fee of £50.00

 

Step 3 - Submitting a Project for Accreditation

Accreditation is a qualifying assessment - our way of evaluating your work and professional competence. It involves submitting your work to a panel of three highly qualified Registered Members and Fellows, members of the accreditation committee who have been fully trained in the assessment process who assess and decide whether it is up to the required standard.

  • In total you will be asked to submit three projects. These should vary in character, size and scope, and have been completed within the previous five years. You may submit projects one at a time over a period of time, or all three projects at once depending on availability in accreditation sessions.
  • You must have a complete understanding of the drawings you submit, and be able to demonstrate that all the design decisions are your own, as well as a thorough knowledge of the project from survey through to construction.
  • You will not be required to attend the accreditation session in full, but you should be available on the day of your accreditation to receive a phone or Zoom call from the accreditors to discuss your submission.

Download the Accreditation Pack    Download the Accreditation Checklist

After the assessment, you will find out if you have passed, been referred for further work or if the project does not meet the required SGLD standard, with written feedback.

  • If parts of your application need to be referred, you will need to submit further material within six months. 
  • An applicant has the right to appeal against the decision. Details on the appeals process can be found here.

Please note that should you need to pause your membership due to extenuating circumstances, your progress on the Pathway through accreditation will be kept as long as you inform the SGLD office on info@sgd.org.uk - extension dates may be lengthened at the Chair's discretion.