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‘Accelerate into University’ 2016-17 exhibition opens at The Bartlett

29 March 2017

Accelerate is a pioneering education and mentoring programme aimed at increasing diversity in the architecture profession. The Accelerate Exhibition runs at The Bartlett from 30 March to 3 April 2017.

Student participant at work for Accelerator 2016

Accelerate into University

Accelerate is for academically able and ambitious Year-12 students who potentially wish to pursue a career in architecture. It gives them the confidence and skills needed to make strong university applications to study architecture.

The Accelerate programme was developed and established in 2012 by Open City in partnership with UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture and Make Architects, and is supported by The Drapers’ Company.

160 students have taken part and benefited from the programme so far, with 70% of Accelerate participants securing conditional offers to study architecture and related subjects at universities including UCL, Cambridge and Manchester.

Accelerate 2016-17

  • 32 Year-12 mentees from 22 London schools
  • 26 architect mentors from 8 practices
  • 7 Bartlett students

Accelerate Exhibition: 30 March – 3 April 2017

The Accelerate Exhibition at The Bartlett showcases the work that the 31 mentees from 2016-17 have produced through their skills development workshops at The Bartlett and mentoring sessions with central London architects over the past six months.

The exhibition is open to the public from Thursday 30 March to Monday 3 April (closed Sunday), 10am-6pm, at The Bartlett School of Architecture, 22 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0QB.


More information


Why Accelerate?

Accelerate is designed to encourage students from under-represented communities to pursue a career in architecture. It has been developed in direct response to requests from schools and Open City’s own research.

Increasing diversity in architecture can only positively transform our built environment.

Each year Accelerate provides 30-40 Year-12 students from across London with:

  • 1-to-1 mentoring with an architect at their London office
  • Skills development workshops in a university environment
  • Peer-to-peer learning with university students
  • An architecture project brief devised by UCL and Open City
  • Guidance workshops on portfolio production and university applications

Quotes

Throughout the Accelerate programme I have learnt something new each session, improving both my artistic skills and awareness of my surroundings. Accelerate has given me the opportunity to meet like-minded people who all have the shared interest of architecture.

Charlotte Yeo, Walthamstow Academy

Accelerate has consolidated my love for Architecture!

Emily Foster, Harris Westminster Academy

I’ve really enjoyed being around people who have the same goals and ambitions as me.

Jason Huynh, Graveney Secondary School

Accelerate has helped me gain an insight into the reality of architecture, the work ethic required of students and the creative motivation of each individual.

Sila Cakir Heartlands Secondary School

Open City's Accelerate is a vital programme for our students as most think of architecture as a 'closed' profession, which requires 'connections' in order to access. The programme has helped Abdi not only realise that he has the skills and talents needed to enter the profession, but has also been invaluable in helping to 'polish' his personal statement and portfolio.

Anthony Fitzpatrick , Higher Education coordinator at St Paul’s Way Trust School

At Open City we think the people designing and building London should have the same diversity as Londoners themselves. London should be a city that feels like it’s here for each and every one of us. Our Accelerate programme for The Bartlett tackles this head-on by supporting talented teenagers from under-represented communities, in their bid to study at the UK’s top-rated course. The future of London will be in their hands.

Rory Olcayto FRSA, Chief Executive, Open-City / Open House London


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