BCS Specialist Architecture Awards
Advance your IT architecture career with specialist expertise. After gaining this qualification, you’ll be able to help organisations harness the technology they need to grow, transform, and achieve their objectives.
Who is it for?
- This award is ideal if you have general architecture experience and want to increase your knowledge in a specialist area.
Entry requirements
You need one of the following to take this course:
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Architecture Concepts and Domains
- A current TOGAF 9 or TOGAF 10 level 2 certificate
You should have at least three years’ experience in information systems or IT, including some involvement with architecture.
What will I learn?
This qualification lets you specialise in your field of interest by choosing from one of the five awards below.
As an enterprise architect, you’ll bring organisational strategy to life by aligning IT solutions with business objectives. You’ll make innovation possible while ensuring that change is both efficient and effective. And just as importantly, you will make sure the organisation’s IT infrastructure can grow and adapt as the business evolves.
This award will help you:
- Explain the role of enterprise architecture and analyse existing capabilities and areas for improvement within the organisation
- Assess and manage stakeholder relationships
- Support business strategy and plan towards objectives
- Understand enterprise architecture in the context of the wider organisation
- Carry out key enterprise architecture activities
- Apply the appropriate governance
Download our syllabus (PDF)
Download our specimen paper (PDF)
Download our answer sheet (PDF)
Solution architects devise and implement solutions that tackle an organisation’s needs, problems, and opportunities. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in achieving business strategy and averting major risks.
This award will help you:
- Explain the role of solution architecture and be able to analyse problems, risks, opportunities, and solutions within the organisation
- Consider the relationships between different architecture domains as well as different teams and stakeholders within the organisation
- Carry out key solution architecture activities
- Build and analyse the requirements and identify constraints
- Apply appropriate governance when making decisions
- Use change management techniques to improve processes and artefacts
Download our syllabus (PDF)
Download our specimen paper (PDF)
Download our answer sheet (PDF)
Data architects design and manage data infrastructure. As a specialist, you’ll provide stakeholders with high-quality data they can use to make informed decisions that contribute to business success.
This award will help you:
- Explain the role of data architecture and how it supports organisational strategy
- Analyse the relationship between data architecture and other architecture domains
- Carry out key data architecture activities
- Assess data requirements, data maturity, and how data is used
- Understand how data and artefacts should be governed
Download our syllabus (PDF)
Download our specimen paper (PDF)
Download our answer sheet (PDF)
Coming soon
- Cloud and infrastructure architecture award
- Security architecture award
How do I get this certification?
Training and exam (recommended)
Take this course with one of our accredited training providers.
How long will it take?
Classroom courses normally last three days.
Where can I study?
At a BCS accredited training provider near you.
How much does it cost?
Course prices vary depending on your chosen training provider and course format.
Exam only (self study)
Ideal if you’re self-motivated and already know a bit about IT architecture.
How do I book an exam?
Call +44 (0)1793 417417 to book your exam
How long will it take?
It usually takes a minimum of 17 hours to prepare for the exam.
How do I sit the exam?
If you're studying for this qualification without a training provider you can sit this exam directly with BCS.
How much does it cost?
UK price: £78 (£65 + VAT).
International prices may vary by region, please check international pricing via our Customer Service team.
What format is the exam?
- One hour 'closed book' with 20 multiple choice questions
- Pass mark is 65% (13/20)
What's next?
Practitioner level certifications
The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Enterprise and Solution Architecture will take candidates to the next level and enhance skills and knowledge across the entire discipline.
This qualification is not regulated by the following United Kingdom Regulators - Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, CCEA Regulation or SQA.
