Awards are made in the following categories:

RIBA Dissertation Medal: awarded annually to the best dissertation produced by a student or group of students as part of a RIBA Part I or Part II qualification, or its equivalent in the case of higher education institutions that do not offer courses validated by the RIBA. The judging panel may decide to award up to three commendations in this category.

RIBA Bronze Medal: awarded annually to the best design project produced by a student or group of students as part of a RIBA Part I qualification, or its equivalent in the case of higher education institutions that do not offer courses validated by the RIBA. The judging panel may decide to award up to three commendations in this category.

RIBA Silver Medal: awarded annually to the best design project produced by a student or group of students as part of a RIBA Part II qualification, or its equivalent in the case of higher education institutions that do not offer courses validated by the RIBA. The judging panel may decide to award up to three commendations in this category.

In addition, the judging panels of the Bronze and Silver Medals are tasked with selecting the winners of the Serjeant Awards for Excellence in Architectural Drawing and of the RIBA Awards for Sustainable Design, at both Part I and at Part II.