FBE ACADEMY
Free student membership for the built environment
FBE Academy is a free membership initiative for people in full or part-time built environment education. It's designed to connect students and learners into the network earlier, provide real industry exposure, and create a clear pathway through the member journey:
Academy → fft Member → fbe Member → Faculty
What is fbe Academy?
FBE Academy is the education entry point into the fbe community. It gives students and learners:
Early access to the network, events, and real industry conversations.
Exposure to multiple disciplines across the built environment.
Introductions to employers, members, and sector leaders.
A structured pathway into fft and full membership as their career develops.
It's free. It's sponsor-supported. …and it's designed so cost is never a barrier to access.
Who can join?
Academy membership is open to:
Students in full or part-time built environment education.
Learners on recognised programmes including T-level routes where relevant.
Anyone whose course covers a built environment discipline - construction, architecture, engineering, surveying, planning, and more.
Eligibility is based on full-time education status and course relevance. Full sign-up details and eligibility criteria will be published at launch.
What Academy members get
Academy membership is designed to provide:
Access to selected fbe and fft events appropriate for students.
Introductions to employers, members, and sector leaders through the network.
Visibility of learning opportunities, mentoring, and career pathways.
A clear transition into fft and full membership as careers start.
Full details of what's included will be published alongside the sign-up process at launch.
How Academy activity runs
Academy events and activity will be managed nationally so fbe can keep the offer consistent, control delivery quality, and build repeatable formats that work across the UK - reducing operational load on individual branches.
This means:
A consistent student experience regardless of location.
Nationally coordinated event formats that can scale.
A manageable structure for branches to support without being responsible for delivery.
Sponsorship and Partner Support
Academy activity is designed to be sponsor-supported so student access isn't blocked by cost. Sponsors and partners can support:
Event delivery - venues, catering, and logistics
Early career programming themes - skills, inclusion, resilience, and career transition
Mentoring support and practical content
If you're an employer focused on early careers, a university contact, or a brand wanting to support the next generation in the built environment - we'd love to hear from you.
University and College Engagement
The FBE Academy concept has been shaped through strong engagement with existing fbe and fft members, branches, colleges, universities, and students attending national events. We are actively building relationships with education partners to expand Academy reach across the UK.
If you represent a university or college with built environment courses and want to connect your students to the network, get in touch.
What’s coming next?
To launch the Academy, fbe will:
Add the free Academy membership type to the website.
Publish eligibility criteria and sign-up steps.
Confirm the national Academy event plan.
Issue guidance on how to secure sponsor support for Academy activity.
Register your interest now and we'll keep you updated as the Academy launches.
