Before you apply
1. Which year should I apply for?
Can I transfer into a year higher than First Year? If you have no previous architectural education you should apply for either Foundation or First Year. You do not have to complete the Foundation course before starting in First Year, but some people may prefer to do so, for example if they are changing careers, or are unsure about studying architecture, or would like to develop a wider range of presentation/communication skills before embarking on the five-year undergraduate course. Please note that the final decision as to the appropriate level of entry is established by the admission/ interview panel.
Students can transfer into Second and Third Year if they have studied architecture for a minimum of one or two years respectively, or if they have a degree in a related subject such as industrial design or interior design. Please note that the final decision as to the appropriate level of entry is established by the admissions/interview panel.
Students applying for Fourth Year must gain RIBA/ ARB Part 1 exemption before entering the Diploma School. See application form or the ‘Entry to Fourth Year’ section on the website for further information. www.aaschool.ac.uk/undergradapp
We do not accept any new applicants into our Fifth Year.
2. Can I apply for the Diploma School and a Masters course at the same time?
No. You can only apply for one course at a time. You will need to decide which course you are qualified for and/or most interested in.
3. What is the difference between the AA's Masters courses and the AA Diploma School?
Masters courses at the AA are specialist programmes which do not lead to any professional exemptions i.e. do not help you to become a registered architect in the UK. The minimum entry requirements for the design Masters courses is generally a five-year professional architecture degree.
The AA Diploma School is the Fourth and Fifth years of the five-year undergraduate course at the AA. The minimum entry requirement for the Fourth Year is the professional qualification RIBA/ARB Part 1. If you are not already studying architecture in the UK you will need to gain exemption from this qualification from the ARB: www.arb.org.uk
You must have gained Part 1 exemption before 16 July prior to entering the AA, and if this is not possible the AA would strongly recommend that you apply to enter the Third Year at the AA, as Part 1 can also be gained by successful completion of an academic year (three terms) of the Third Year at the AA.
Please note that there is also a possibility that the AA admissions/interview panel may offer you a place in Third Year if they feel you are not yet ready for the Diploma School.
4. Is it possible for a student from the US system to transfer to the AA undergraduate course?
Yes. Students can apply to transfer into the Second, Third or Fourth Year (see first question in Before You Apply section). An applicant with a four-year undergraduate degree from the US could apply to enter the Diploma School at the AA (a two-year programme, the fourth and fifth years of the five-year ‘undergraduate’ course). The Diploma is a post-degree professional course leading to AA Final Examination RIBA/ARB Part 2 and AA Diploma. The AA Diploma /AA Final Examination RIBA/ARB Part 2 is the UK qualification which is most similar to an MArch 1. Students applying for Fourth Year must gain RIBA/ARB Part 1 exemption by 16 July prior to entering the Diploma School. Some students prefer to enter the Third Year at the AA to gain Part 1 exemption by successfully completing an academic year (three terms) as a full-time student in the Third Year before entering the Diploma School.
For further information see the ‘Entry to Fourth Year’ section on the website:www.aaschool.ac.uk/APPLY/ADMISSIONS/undergradApp.php
5. Is the Diploma School part of the Graduate School?
No. At the AA the five-year course is classed as part of the undergraduate school, which includes the Fourth and Fifth Years (Diploma School).
6. How many intakes of students does the AA have per year?
The AA has one intake of students per year in late September.
7. When are the deadlines for applications?
The closing date for applications is 6pm on 13 January (application fee £40); late applications will be accepted up to 6pm on 12 March (fee £60). Applications made after 12 March may be accepted at the discretion of the School.
Any student wishing to apply for a Scholarship must apply by the first application deadline Friday 13 January. Any scholarship applications received after this deadline may be accepted at the discretion of the School.
8. Timetable for admissions process?
Application Deadline
Friday 13 January 2012
Portfolio Deadline
Friday 27 January 2012
Late Application Deadline
Monday 12 March 2012
Late Portfolio Deadline
Monday 26 March 2012
9. Does the AA accept exchange students?
No, the AA doesn’t accept exchange students. However, we have two visiting students’ programmes – a 15-week programme from January to May each year. Please see Visiting School web pages for further details.
10. Can I visit the AA before applying?
Yes. The Open Days during 2011/2012 academic year are as follows:
Monday 7 November 2011 Foundation/First Year
Monday 5 December 2011 Fourth Year
Further details will be available on the AA website closer to the dates.
With advance notice, we are also happy to receive visits from individuals or groups interested in applying to the AA. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for further details on Open Days, or to arrange a visit. undergraduateadmissions@aaschool.ac.uk
11. Can I study part-time in the undergraduate school?
No, both the Foundation and the five-year RIBA/ ARB-recognised course are full-time courses.
Applying
12. Are the Undergraduate fees and AA application process different for UK , EU and international students?
No. The fees for the five-year undergraduate course are the same for all students, and the application process is the same for all students.
13. Does my international high-school leaving qualification meet the AA School entry requirements?
Please refer to the 'Undergraduate entry requirements' section on the website. www.aaschool.ac.uk/APPLY/ADMISSIONS/undergradApp.php
14. What are the English Language requirements?
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to enter the UK, you will need to meet the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) minimum langage requirements based on the Common European Framework of Reference level (CEFR). Please note that these are the minimum levels required for visa purposes, and you will also need to meet the School’s English Langauge entry requirements, Students not requiring visas should discuss English Language qualifications with Admissions: undergraduateadmissions@aaschool.ac.uk
Any student without the required Engllish language examinations must register in an English language school and book and pass the required examination before May 2012, prior to entry in Term 1.
To meet both the AA and the UKBA English language requirements you will need to have one of the acceptable language qualifications listed below, unless you are from one of the following groups:
You are a national of an English-speaking country as per the list on the UKBA website.
OR
You have been taught in English at the level equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree for a minimum of three years.
OR
You have studied on a Tier 4 child visa in the UK and the course was longer than six months and completed within the last two years.
The following qualifications satisfy both the requirements of the UKBA and the entry requirements of the AA.
IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each category) – two year validity period: must be within the two years at time of CAS visa application.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English at grade C1 or C2
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English at
grade C2
Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic) overall minimum of 63 with a score of at least 59 in each category
Internet-based TOEFL – overall score of 90 with at least 22 for listening, 22 for reading, 23 for speaking and 23 for writing.
A recognised English language qualification is required by 7 May prior to entry to the School. The AA reserves the right to ask you to gain an appropriate level of English before you apply or are interviewed.
*The AA reserves the right to make a place in the School conditional on gaining a further English Language qualification if deemed necessary.
DISCLAIMER: Please note the English Language qualification requirements are subject to frequent change as instructed by the UK Border Agency.
15. Do I need to have the English Language qualification before I apply?
No, but you will need to gain this grade by 7 May before you enter the AA School at the beginning of the academic year in September. Any offer of a place at the AA will be conditional on you gaining the required English Language qualification before entry to the School, and you will not be able to start at the School without this qualification.
16. How should I pay the application fee or deposit?
To pay the application fee please send a sterling cheque made payable to the Architectural Association, or pay by credit/debit card (all cards except American Express and Diners Club). We cannot accept application fees by bank transfer.
To pay the deposit you can transfer the money to the AA’s bank account. Please email the admissions coordinator for the AA’s bank details: undergraduateadmissions@aaschool.ac.uk
You can also pay the deposit by credit/debit card but you will be charged an extra 1.5% credit card charge. We recommend you do not send cash in the post. All application fees are non refundable.
17. Should I send my portfolio with my application form?
You can send your portfolio with your application form, or it can arrive separately by the required date:
Application Deadline Friday 13 January 2012
Portfolio Deadline Friday 27 January 2012
Late Application Deadline Monday 12 March 2012
Late Portfolio Deadline Monday 26 March 2012
Portfolios must be received by 6pm on 27 January or 26 March (late applications). Portfolios can be delivered by hand to the AA or sent by post or courier. The AA cannot be held responsible for late arrival of portfolios. If your portfolio has not been received in time your application may be considered for the late application deadline, or if it arrives after the late application deadline it may be accepted at the discretion of the School.
18. What format should the portfolio I submit take?
All applicants are expected to submit a bound sample portfolio of art/design work (no larger than A3 size and between 10 to 30 pages). CDs/DVDs are also accepted but only when accompanying a printed hard copy portfolio.
The AA is looking for motivated students who can demonstrate a range of skills. You should include a variety of projects with sketches and photographs of models. It is important to show the thinking and development behind the work and not just final images. See also: www.aaschool.ac.uk/undergradportfolio
19. Will my portfolio be returned?
Sample portfolios will only be returned if requested, and a £50 postage fee is paid in advance, or if the portfolio is picked up in person from the AA on a date prearranged by the AA. Portfolios will be returned/ available to pick up when the AA no longer requires them for assessment purposes. Please wait to be informed that your portfolio is ready for collection.
Portfolios brought to an interview can be taken away directly after the interview.
20. Can my candidate's statement and reference be supplied on separate sheets of paper?
Yes. The academic reference can also be sent separately (signed on headed letter paper) from the application form, but must be received before the deadline. The candidate’s statement must be sent at the same time as the application form, and must be typed and no longer than one sheet of A4. Everything on the checklist (last page of the application form) must be received by the deadline for the application to be processed.
21. Do I have to supply a translation of all documents which are not in English?
Yes, all documents should be translated into English by an official translator, who certifies that they are true and accurate translations. Please include both the document in its original language as well as the translation with your application.
22. Do I have to supply my original documents to prove my qualifications?
Yes – you should supply original transcripts and certificates for all years of study inclusive of grades if you are selected to attend an interview at the AA.
23. Do I need to have RIBA/ARB Part 1 exemption before I apply for entry to Fourth Year? Which are not in English?
You can apply before you have Part 1 but you must have gained Part 1 exemption before 16 July prior to entering the Fourth Year at the AA, and if this is not possible the AA would strongly recommend that you apply to enter the Third Year at the AA, as Part 1 (AA Intermediate Examination) can also be gained by successfully completing an academic year (three terms) as a full-time Third Year student at the AA.
The fee for gaining ARB Part 1 exemption is over £1,000 and the requirements are demanding. Please contact the ARB for further details. You should apply to the ARB as soon as possible as the earliest you can request an appointment is six weeks after your application. The ARB’s website is www.arb.org.uk
Please note that there is a possibility that the AA admissions/interview panel may offer you a place in Third Year if they feel you are not yet ready for the Diploma School.
Interviews
24. Do I have to come for an interview at the AA?
The admissions panel will decide whether to invite you to an interview based on your application form and portfolio. We cannot conduct telephone interviews, or interviews anywhere other than at the AA in London.
25. What format does a typical interview take?
The interview panel consists of two tutors and a member of the administrative staff, and sometimes an AA student as well. Interviews last approximately 30 minutes. The interview is a two-way process: the panel wants to see what skills and interests the applicant has, so it is important to spend time preparing a portfolio. The applicant has the opportunity to ask questions about the School and to have a look at its working spaces and facilities.
26. What format should the portfolio for the interview take?
There are no portfolio restrictions or specific requirements. The AA is looking for motivated students who can demonstrate a range of skills. You should include a variety of projects with original drawings, photographs of models and sketchbooks. It is important to show the thinking and development behind the work and not just final images. See also: www.aaschool.ac.uk/APPLY/ADMISSIONS/undergradApp.php
Studying at the AA
27. If I'm offered a place can I defer entry to the AA?
Yes, you can defer your place for one year, but not for more than one year. You will be asked to pay a deposit to secure your deferred place. If you wish to be considered for entry for a year other than the one you have been offered a place in, you will need to reject your initial offer and reapply for your preferred year.
28. How do I accept my place at the AA?
To accept a place, a completed and signed original admission form and a non-refundable deposit equivalent to one term’s fees must be received by the Registrar’s Office by the due date stated on the admission form. This is the only procedure to accept and secure a place at the AA.
29. Does the AA School provide accommodation?
The AA does not have halls of residence. It does run an accommodation office for three weeks before the start of the academic year to offer advice on locations and information on properties to rent. Please see: www.aaschool.ac.uk for downloadable documents and links.
30. Do I need a student visa and how can I obtain a student visa?
All students who do not have EU citizenship will need to obtain a student visa (Tier 4 Adult General) to be able to live and study in the UK for the duration of their course at the AA. You should contact the UK Embassy in your home country before coming to London. An official confirmation of acceptance (CAS) can be issued by the AA upon return of the admission form and deposit. This confirmation, together with other documentation, can be used to obtain a visa. Please visit: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for further details. Please read the information carefully as to the academic and financial requirements and documentation required.
Funding
31. How much will it cost to live in London?
This varies a great deal depending on how centrally you wish to live and the lifestyle you lead! An estimate of £335 living expenses per week includes: accommodation at £150, food £50, travel £30, utilities (gas, electricity, telephone) £30, books and materials £20, entertainment £30, and other expenses (such as snacks, haircuts, postage, newspapers etc) £25 per week. This equates to a yearly expenditure (40 academic weeks) of £13,400. It has been estimated that students will have other expenditure as follows: equipment at the start of the course £200, books throughout the academic year £200, clothes throughout the year £350 and incidental expenditure (insurance, household appliances, TV licence, trips connected with studies or other trips) £700. This is a further £1,450 per year.
32. How can I fund my studies?
Please see www.aaschool.ac.uk/APPLY/FINANCIAL_AID/overview.php for details of scholarship applications and other sources of funding.
