Pet Shop Boys Community

Probably not worthy of its own thread, but I was flicking through the latest issue of the Liverpool University alumni magazine and was surprised to see a mention of Chris. The article was about graduates who went on to have success in the music industry.

"Chris Lowe (BA Hons Architecture, 1981) is one half of the incredibly successful pop duo the Pet Shop Boys, who this year celebrate the band's 25th anniversary. Chris returned to Liverpool this year for the Summer Pops festival, and, as Insight went to press, was in the middle of a U.S. tour."

That is cool to hear about Chris.

I thought he dropped out of his degree?

I believe that when studying architecture in the UK you take several qualifications over seven years. Chris completed six of the seven years so he would have finished his initial BA before he dropped out.

I think Chris would have graduated in the summer of 1985, if he had fully completed his training. Presumably he decided to take a year out in 1984/85, but never went back.

stussyboy wrote:I thought he dropped out of his degree?

He did. Isn´t the work experience during the second year around ? I think he was there for 5 years or something. But not the whole course.

psb-freak wrote:

stussyboy wrote:I thought he dropped out of his degree?

He did. Isn´t the work experience during the second year around ? I think he was there for 5 years or something. But not the whole course.

To become a professional architect, you have to:

1. Complete a five-year degree programme, on a course that is recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). This is usually divided into two parts: A three year degree, known as RIBA Part 1 followed by a further two years of advanced undergraduate study, known as RIBA Part 2.

2. A minimum of two years Professional Experience in an architects' office or equivalent. One year is usually taken after Part 1 (Stage 1 Professional Experience), and the other year after Part 2 (Stage 2 Professional Experience).

3. This is followed by the RIBA Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice and Management.

(Taken from http://www.careersinarchitecture.net/page.asp?a=2&c=1)

Chris would have completed the three year degree programme and possibly the RIBA Part 2 too. This would mean that he is Chris Lowe BA (Hons).

I don´t think he did another work experience.

psb-freak wrote:I don´t think he did another work experience.

I'm not disputing that. He may have dropped out of the RIBA 2 or RIBA 3 diplomas, but he still left with a BA (Hons).