Accelerate

Ages: 16-18

Accelerate

This Open City programme spans an academic year and is for individual students who are keen to explore whether a potential career in the built environment sector would be right for them.

Across 8 Saturday workshops, they will develop creative skills and evidence for a portfolio, meet a wide range of diverse and inspiring practitioners and work at four leading London universities.

During the February half term, each student will be allocated a professional mentor and will enjoy three days of work experience, seeing for themselves the different range of jobs in an office environment and hearing too, about the many, many different routes to qualification.

Whether you think you want to do a degree or an apprenticeship, work in design, surveying or construction, there will be opportunities for you to gain valuable insights and make your CV and UCAS application hugely more impressive.

The course runs from October to April each year, so apply now if you are just starting either Year 12 or Year 13. Otherwise, make a note on your phone to check in again for next year. Places fill quickly so don’t delay.

Workshops

Our Accelerate workshops aim to provide young people with design skills they can utilise in their further education, setting them up with opportunities for their future careers.

Mentoring

During the February half-term, we match our Accelerate students with practices across London to partake in three days of work experience where they learn design skills, understand industry networks and gain the confidence to make informed career choices.

  • Creative Workshops

  • Site Visits

  • University Visits

  • Professional Mentoring

  • Work Experience

  • Exhibitions + Events

Past Exhibitions

In 2023, our summer exhibition took place at Morris + Company.

  • "My name is one that feels welcomed when attending Accelerate workshops. Being part of such a cohort that exudes both diversity and variety especially in such a culturally limited field, made me feel inspired. From this, I have become confident in both my technical and experimental abilities."

    Paramveer, Accelerate 2023 Alumni

  • "The programme builds up your portfolio through in-depth workshops with the materials all provided and without restriction, it makes getting into architecture very accessible."

    James, Accelerate 2023 Alumni

  • "I really recommend Accelerate as it allows you to make new friends that have similar interests to you as well as learning new art skills that you can use in your portfolio and have helpful adults who can guide you through each part of your journey."

    Gabriella, Accelerate 2023 Alumni

  • "The Accelerate course gave me the opportunity to explore and learn about my city. I feel prepared for the academic path I want to take from this experience."

    Yesha, Accelerate 2023 Alumni

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