In line with new UK border regulations, a copy of your passport is now required for all UK, EU and international undergraduate applications made to the Architectural Association.


Undergraduate entry requirements
All applicants are expected to submit a bound portfolio of art/design work (no larger than A3 and between ten and 30 pages). CDs/DVDs of additional material are also accepted but only when accompanying a printed hard-copy portfolio. Upon signature of the application form applicants certify that the work submitted is entirely their own. Plagiarism is unacceptable in the academic setting and students are subject to penalties including dismissal from the programme if they commit an act of plagiarism. Applications and portfolios will be assessed by the admissions panel, and applicants will be informed if they are invited to an interview at the AA. The interview takes the form of a discussion around the applicant’s range of interests and focuses on the portfolio of work in architecture, the arts or related areas. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the AA before applying.

Students are admitted into the Undergraduate programme at any level except the Fifth Year. Both school-leavers and mature applicants with previous experience are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of possibilities offered within the school. Scholarships are available for new First, Second and Fourth Year applicants who demonstrate both outstanding merit in their portfolio and financial need. See Scholarships for further information.

The minimum academic requirements for students entering the First Year of the RIBA/ARB-recognised course are two passes (grade C or above) at A level with at least five passes (grade C or above) in other subjects at GCSE. If one A level is in an art/design subject, it must be accompanied by at least one non art/design subject. Maths and a Science subject, together with English Language, are compulsory at least at GCSE level. The AA Foundation Course is recognised by the RIBA as the equivalent of an Art A level. Therefore the minimum entry requirements for students entering the Foundation Course are as above for GCSE level, but only one A level pass (grade C or above) in a non art/design subject is required, although two A level passes are preferred. Foundations in art and design must be accompanied by one A level (or equivalent) in a non art/design subject.

Applicants for Fourth Year who have studied for Part 1 in the UK (or other countries using the same grading system) must have gained at least a 2.2 in their Degree. Overseas applicants are required to have the recognised equivalent to the above examinations, such as the International Baccalaureate, Abitur etc, plus the required English language qualification. Applicants without conventional entry qualifications are also considered, provided they are able to provide acceptable alternatives. For details of exact academic qualifications required please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator.

English Language
Qualifications accepted: IELTS 6.5 (academic) in all categories www.ielts.org, O level, GCSE, IGCSE (First Language), Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English grade C or above. Standard Level grade 5 or Higher Level grade 4 IB English, SAT reading 550, Europe’s Common European Framework for Language Learning report at level C1 or above and most high-school English language qualifications from ex-Commonwealth countries.

Please note we do not accept TOEFL. We can accept three years of study in a UK university instead of an English Language qualification.* *Please note that the AA reserves the right to make a place in the School conditional on gaining a further English Language qualification if deemed necessary. Recommended English language schools:
www.ihlondon.com
www.ucl.ac.uk/language-centre/index.shtml

A recognised English Language qualification is required by 1 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.

Portfolio guidelines
Read portfolio guidelines for suggestions on portfolio preparation.

Entry to Foundation course
It is hoped that all applicants will include in their portfolios a good selection of work that reveals their individual interests and skills. Essays, photographs, video, photos of 3D objects or self-generated projects can all be included. Offers of admission are based on evidence of motivation as well as intellectual and practical creative ability.

Entry to First Year
Students applying for First Year are not necessarily expected to submit an ‘architectural’ portfolio. The panel particularly likes to see evidence of current interests and activities in the form of freehand sketches, drawings, essays or photographs.

Entry to Second or Third Year (Intermediate School)
Students with previous architectural or design experience may apply to enter the Intermediate School. They will be expected to submit a portfolio of their work to date, including not only finished drawings but also sketches, photographs and independent interests. Evidence of full-time architectural study is essential. Students entering the Third Year must be registered for a period of one academic year (three terms) to be eligible to submit for AA Intermediate (RIBA/ARB Part 1) through the School.

Entry to Fourth Year
Many students apply to enter the Fourth Year from other schools after completing Part 1. Applicants wishing to enter the Diploma School (to gain AA Finals RIBA/ARB Part 2, the professional qualification) must have AA Intermediate RIBA/ARB Part 1 or have gained exemption from RIBA/ARB Part 1. This can be gained either by successful completion of Third Year at the AA for a period of one academic year (3 terms) as a full-time student, or by applying directly to the ARB for Part 1 exemption (arb.org.uk/). Part 1 must be gained by 16th July prior to entry to the School.

In order to be eligible for the AA Diploma and AA Finals (RIBA/ARB Part 2), the Fourth and Fifth Years (minimum six terms) must be successfully completed at the AA School.

Acceptance of places
To accept a place a completed admission form and a one-term non-refundable deposit must be received by the Registrar’s Office by the due date stated on the admission form.

Further details will be available on the AA website closer to the dates or email undergraduateadmissions@aaschool.ac.uk. Individual or group visits for those interested in applying can also be arranged with advance notice. For further details, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator.

Applications
The AA does not belong to UCAS and all applicants must complete an AA Application Form pdf). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this form.

The closing date for applications is Monday 15 January 2010 (application fee £35); late applications will be accepted up to Friday 13 March 2010 (fee £60). Applications received after this date will be accepted at the discretion of the School.