Architectural Association - Student Life

Housing: As varied as London itself - students prefer old factory buildings and loft spaces in Hackney and City. Good accommodation service at beginning of term; co-ordinators can advise house/flat shares. Look in Loot and watch school noticeboards.

Eats: Wagamama, Streatham Street - good cheap food, great architecture. Polio Restaurant on Old Compton Street, Bar Italia on Frith Street. AA has own lunchtime restaurant/bar (meal for £3.50+).

Drink: Own bar, no time for anything else!

Nightlife: Christmas party, fireworks night and other impromptu events throughout the year. West End theatres and galleries (reduced rates).

Locals: Very friendly. No local problem areas.

Sports: None at AA; but ULU and YMCA facilities extremely nearby. Local Camden facilities open to students.

Travel: Travel scholarships from AA, and other architectural institutes. STA Travel.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £12,000.

Financial help: Some scholarships and bursaries available.

Jobs: Working part-time within school or in practices possible during term-time.

Informal name: AA

Best features: The 'best architectural school'.

And worst: Very expensive.

More info: Enquiries to AA Student Forum Co-ordinators, email aasf(at)aaschool.ac.uk

Past students: Richard Rogers (Lloyd's Building, Pompidou Centre etc), Mark Fisher (designer of Pink Floyd concerts), Ron Arad (furniture designer), Zaha Hadid , Eileen Gray (architect, designer), Janet Street Porter (notorious), Nigel Coates, Nick Grimshaw, Michael Hopkins and so on.