Architectural Association School of Architecture
London, United Kingdom
- Cost of Living£ 26,592
- Tuition Fee From£ 12,950
- Country Rank#155
- Batch Strength800
- Global Diversity56%
- Gender Ratio52:48
Overview
About
The Architectural Association School of Architecture London is the most prestigious architectural school in the United Kingdom and is renowned across the globe. The school commonly referred to as the AA was founded as an independent school and traces its history back 175 years. It is the brainchild of architects Robert Kerr and Charles Gray and the first formal meeting under the Architectural Association took place in 1847 in London. The school was formally established in 1890 and its current location in Bedford Square in London came to be in 1917. The founders' aim was to revolutionise the way architecture was taught at university.
Its central campus at Bedford Square owns a 350-acre working forest in Dorset which serves as the base for the students belonging to the Design and Make programme. Centrally located in London, it has the perfect location for modern university students. London is a dream spot for university students even more so for architecture students due to the stunning historical architecture throughout the city.
The school provides courses in architecture and subjects under the field at the foundation, diploma, experimental, postgraduate and PhD levels. Its experimental course which is essentially a Bachelor’s of Architecture is accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
AA School of Architecture currently houses 850 students across its courses and programmes. The school boasts a strict admissions policy making it one of the hardest schools to get into. As a result, the Architectural Association School of Architecture's acceptance rate is just 10%. The AA continues to be the most renowned in its category because of the state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology it adopts in its teachings. Its students are the most sought after in the employment market due to the real-world experience imparted to them while at the institute.
Ranking
AA is hands-down the most renowned and prestigious school in the world of architecture. National and global rankings conducted by independent ranking bodies, educational journals and magazines, and research publications reflect the high standard of academics and research that is pursued at the school. It is often found at the top of rankings conducted by Best Architecture Masters where the school’s MArch programme is touted among the best in the world. It is ranked highly on the basis of educational performance among other sub-indicators. It is also praised for its international outlook as it houses students and faculty coming from 60 countries around the globe. Below mentioned are some national and global Architectural Association School of Architecture rankings.
- #11 Best globally for its MArch and Urbanism Programme - Best Architecture Masters (BAM) (2018)
- #1726 globally - Centre for World University Rankings (2022)
- #89 nationally (CWUR) (2021-2022)
- #49 - Quality of Education (CWUR) (2022)
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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2022
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2021
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Facilities
AA prides itself on delivering world-class amenities, teaching facilities and student infrastructures throughout all its faculties. The school is also known to have renowned names on its list of academic and research staff. Some of the Architectural Association School of Architecture facilities include the following.
- AA Archives - One of the most comprehensive architectural archives across the UK, the AA Archives houses material that spans decades regarding the socio-economic and intellectual history of the architectural revolution.
- Digital Prototyping Lab - Housed at the Bedford campus, the digital prototyping lab is a manufacturing laboratory, model-making facility and fabrication hub.
- Model Workshop - An indoor and outdoor space for making models of various types including casting, ceramics, glasswork and much more.
- Digital Photo Studio - Also located at the Bedford campus, it is a professional photography studio with all of the latest facilities. Usually, models and objects are professionally shot at the digital photo studio.
- Robotic Fabrication Facility, Assembly Workshop and Wood Processing Yard - Located at the Hooke campus and situated right in the middle of the forest, these facilities provide state-of-the-art technology and facilities for students pursuing relevant courses.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Architectural Association School of Architecture Entry Requirements
Entry requirements or eligibility criteria are the pointers that determine whether a candidate is fit to gain admission into a particular institute or not. At AA, the criteria are split for its experimental or undergraduate programmes and their postgraduate programmes. The entry requirements differ from institute to institute and even in one institute, they differ from course to course. Below detailed is the Architectural Association School of Architecture entry requirements for the school’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Undergraduate (Experimental) Admissions
- For the First Year of the Experimental Programme, the minimum entry requirements are three A-level subjects, one in a design/art subject and another in a non-design/art subject, all above Grade C. In certain cases, unconventional entry qualifications are also accepted.
- The accepted English language proficiency tests are IELTS, SELT, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) and PSI Skills for English. A 6.5 overall band score is required in the case of IELTS, an overall score of 62 is required for PTE, and an overall score of 92 is required in the case of TOEFL.
Postgraduate Admissions
- A five-year Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or other relevant qualifications with minimum second-class honours is a minimum requirement for postgraduate admissions. Other specifications and types of course requirements depend on the course one wishes to take.
- The accepted English language proficiency tests are IELTS, PTE, SELT, and PSI. A 6.5 overall band score is required in the case of IELTS, an overall score of 62 is required for PTE, and an overall score of 92 is required in the case of TOEFL.
Architectural Association School Architecture Fees
Tuition fees at any institute of higher learning depend on a variety of factors. The primary determinant is the course one wishes to take at university and at the level, they want to pursue the said course. Another significant determinant of tuition fees is whether the student classifies as a home or international student. The fees for international students are higher than for their domestic counterparts. The Architectural Association School of Architecture fees for students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels are stated below.
- Tuition fees for Foundation Course, Experimental Programme and Diploma Programme MArch are roughly around £22,000.
- Tuition fees for Postgraduate programmes are roughly between £26,000 and £36,000 depending on the course.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the Architectural Association School of Architecture as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at Architectural Association School Architecture through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at Architectural Association School of Architecture London. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend Architectural Association School Architecture. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the school, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
There is no doubt that London is an expensive city to live in. It is regarded as among the most expensive cities to live in in the world with the cost of living in London some of the highest across the globe. For students just starting out university, living in such a city with exorbitant rates, it is highly advisable to start building a budget for daily, weekly or monthly expenses. This helps keep track of their expenditures as well as curb unnecessary expenses. It is also advisable to do so because it helps students enjoy the vibrant life London has to offer while also keeping a tight grip on their purse strings. Below mentioned are the average living costs in London for students enrolled at the Architectural Association School of Architecture.
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
£ 1,220 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
£ 1,200 |
|
Transportation |
£ 186 |
|
Food Cost |
£ 480 |
|
Entertainment |
£ 60 |
|
Groceries |
£ 200 |
|
Clothes |
£ 70 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
£ 2,216 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
£ 2,196 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
£ 26,592 |