The RIBA welcomes entries for the President's Medals from RIBA-validated and non-validated schools of architecture located across the globe. In 2016, a record number of 350 institutions from 71 countries were invited to take part in the awards. Institutions that offer courses validated by the RIBA can enter the awards for free, whereas entries from non-validated schools of architecture are subject to payment of a fee per entry.

Each school of architecture can nominate, out of work produced by students during the most recently completed academic season:

  

The RIBA has had a long-standing involvement in promoting high quality and innovative architectural education throughout the world. Through validation the Institute identifies courses and examinations that achieve the standards necessary to prepare students for the professional practice of architecture. Validation is a peer review process that monitors compliance with internationally recognised minimum standards in architectural education and is undertaken by the RIBA Validation Boards against a set of criteria held in common by the RIBA and the UK national registration body, the Architects Registration Board (ARB).