The AA will expand its collaboration with Open City’s Accelerate programme this year by becoming a university partner in the programme and offering a package of benefits to help Accelerate students pursue education at the AA.

Accelerate offers learning and mentoring opportunities for 16- to 18-year olds interested in studying architecture and the built environment. The programme’s aim is to empower students from under-represented backgrounds to pursue careers in this sector. The AA began its collaboration with Open City in 2022 and helped to develop the Accelerate Studios programme for 14- to 16-year olds, offering a series of workshops exploring themes relating to exhibitions in the AA Gallery. This year, the AA becomes the fourth university partner to support the Accelerate programme.

As a university partner, the AA will host a series of workshops at Bedford Square throughout the Accelerate course, which will enable students to explore the school and the facilities it has to offer. The AA is also offering a package of benefits for Accelerate students applying to the school, making study at the AA more financially viable for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Read the full press release here.